Authentic Christianity, Volume 1

Studies in the Book of Acts #1

by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"There can be no more urgent question at this present time than just this: What is Christianity?"

Some define it as an elevated, optimistic philosophy of life. Many regard it as a set of morals to live by, or a good feeling about yourself, or doing good things. Still others dismiss it as something for the intellectually weak.

Within these pages, however, Martyn Lloyd-Jones challenges you to think through exactly what you believe Christianity to be and the role it has in your life. He believes that today's understanding of Christianity, even as defined by many who consider themselves to be its followers, is in complete contrast to what is taught in the Bible. Christianity is not a list of things for you to do, but rather, your only true hope, for it tells what Jesus came to do for you.

That you may know Jesus as your Savior and know Him more fully is Lloyd-Jones's desire as he shares in these messages from the book of Acts the basic truths of genuine Christianity. About this Series

The book of Acts is filled with some of the most powerful accounts in the New Testament. The birth of the church. The coming of the Holy Spirit. Bold preaching and dramatic missionary journeys. Saved souls and transformed lives. It not only provides insight into the growing apostolic church, but can encourage and challenge your heart today.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached on this dynamic Bible book during the peak of his ministry. Now those expository sermons are gathered together in a multi-volume collection. His language is simple and clear so that the truth of the Scriptures would be available to all who desire to understand. Recognized as one of this century's most gifted preachers, he is known for his astute analysis of man's condition and his persuasive proclamation of the Gospel as the only true solution.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Biblical Studies, Spirituality, Christian Living

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1999

About the author

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh Protestant minister, preacher and medical doctor who was influential in the Reformed wing of the British evangelical movement in the 20th century. For almost 30 years, he was the minister of Westminster Chapel in London. Lloyd-Jones was strongly opposed to Liberal Christianity, which had become a part of many Christian denominations; he regarded it as aberrant. He disagreed with the broad church approach and encouraged evangelical Christians (particularly Anglicans) to leave their existing denominations. He believed that true Christian fellowship was possible only amongst those who shared common convictions regarding the nature of the faith.

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was married to Bethan Lloyd-Jones

Books about D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: https://www.goodreads.com/characters/...

Reviews

[richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acts 1-3 (Vol 1) (Authentic Christianity: Sermons on the Acts of the Apostles)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

I love reading Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, his sermons speak to my soul and the book of Acts is such a wonderful book to be looking into. The doctor takes us through six volumes of sermons all based on the book of Acts, these were preached in 1965 and are just as relevant today as the day they were preached. The church badly misses this kind of preaching today, the message simple, biblical, edifying and encouraging.

What is Christianity? What is the church? What is her function? Today we have become confused about these matters but Martyn Lloyd-jones takes us back to the birth of the church, back to the very beginning and shows us what Authentic Christianity is.

Sermons in this book are based on the following subjects.

Christianity - The Only Hope

The God Who Acts

The Great Fact of Prophecy

Becoming a Christian Mind, Heart and Will

Separation

Continuing Steadfastly

The Apostles' Doctrine

Doctrine First

The Fellowship

The Breaking of Bread

Prayer

Gladness

Singleness of Heart

Praising God

Rise Up and Walk

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

What Do You Think About Jesus?

The Return of Christ

Ignorance

The Heavenly Breeze

Thinking Again

[Stan Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

God exalting and honoring local churches as communities of believers dedicated to the Scripture and building up one another in the body of Christ. As in all of the writings of Lloyd-Jones, Christ is lifted up, his light shines through , and we see God's way as totally distinct than the way the world and the established church sees it. Lloyd-Jones is constantly interacting with those assaulting the Scripture and the historic Christian faith. This volume also clearly portrays the amazing transformation of the apostles after Christ's resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The powerful preaching of Peter is especially highlighted in these first 3 chapters of the book of Acts.

[Rodrigo Marques · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensacional!

[Clayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good sermons. Not the best of this work.

[Mattie Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not his best book… many parts were repetitive.

[Mauricio González Abrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si alguien está buscando conocer y entender el cristianismo; si alguien busca resolver dudas acerca de él, este es un libro sumamente apropiado. El autor presenta y explica el cristianismo en toda su simpleza y profundidad, distinguiéndolo claramente de aquello que comúnmente se entiende por cristianismo pero que no lo es. Lo mejor de todo es que el autor presenta y explica el cristianismo con claridad de ideas, apelando a nuestro entendimiento y comprensión intelectual, y no a nuestras emociones y sentimentalismos. En este sentido, el libro tiene la habilidad de ayudarnos a pensar dos veces acerca del cristianismo y, por ende, de ayudarnos a descubrir su verdadero fundamento: el Cristo mismo. ¡Lo recomiendo y mucho!

[David Washington · Rating 3 out of 5]

The late Martyn Lloyd Jone's was an expositor's expositor, able to conversationally bring out the truths of the scriptures with pointedness and depth. He never actually wrote any books. All of his books were his teachings and sermons transcribed and until recently, very recently, his sermons were locked away in a vault not to be heard. Praise God that was rescinded for this man of God was indeed His instrument and one that we need to hear.

Authentic Christianity deals with the comparison of the early church to the modern day church, preaching on the first three chapters of Acts. He touches on things like fellowship, prayer, separation, and the return of Christ. The book asks the questions: What was the early church concerned with? How did it look? What did they teach? What can we learn from them? He challenges us to go back to the simple foundations that so many churches seemed to have forgotten.

For example, in his chapter on The Apostle's Doctrine, he writes:

Do Christian people come together for socials, dances, raffles, dramatic performances, lectures on politics, literature, and sociology? You see the importance of a negative, do you not? There was nothing like that in the early church. It is not my object to denounce these things but I want to show how far removed they are from the Christian church. You can get all that in the world and you can get it much better there.

Authentic Christianity is 304 pages of in depth study on the early church. Because they are actually sermons, it reads easy though there is much repetition which is understandable. Most can't remember what they were talking about yesterday, let alone from week to week. But it does make the reading drone on a bit. That being said, I still recommend this book because he hits the nail on the head when he gets to the meat of what the Lord is leading him to say. There are other books that go along with this including Glorious Christianity, Victorious Christianity, and Compelling Christianity.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Man's greatest problem is that he doesn't know God"

On the first page Lloyd Jones quotes GK Chesterton - Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and not tried. This would be in keeping with the theme of the sermons in this 1st volume of a 6 volume set.

This first volume covers up through verse 19 of chapter 3 in Acts. There is a thoughtful contrast of the believers actions and beliefs laid beside those of the unbelieving world. The teaching of the text of scripture that the good Dr. shares through-out is insightful and relevant. He states that the power the church displays in the world when it lives as the Apostolic Church did is of great importance to a watching world who hears our words and sees our works. The Christians in Acts were learning Doctrine, praying and breaking bread on a regular basis, what are we doing the author asks, are we Authentic?

The many ideas he discusses are: What is the Church? What does a Christian look like? Is Christ central in your Thinking? Why take your cues from the world? What does Christianity offer? Unbelief is not a question of the intellect. Miracles and the point of them. Praising God, Prayer.

The major point I took from this book was the utter devotion to all things pertaining to worship, and fellowship, centered in the person of Jesus. The elaboration is detailed on these two themes and my underlining extensive, many nuggets for the reader.

I purchased just this volume to see if I'd enjoy it before I got the others, today I purchased volume 2. Most reformed Pastor recommend Lloyd Jones and I concur. Enjoy the feast!

[Sarah]

A couple friends and I used this book to do a study of Acts. We sought to rediscover the Church--what/who it is, what its purpose is, and what it should look like--by looking at the very first Church. We never did get through the whole book (it was a little dry), but it was a helpful guide during the chapters we did read.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is not a book to read too quickly. It's a collection of 22 sermons by Lloyd-Jones. I love reading his sermons. They are so deep, yet his reasoning is so clear. I especially liked the sermons on repentance and the heavenly breeze. It would be a good book to read with friends - having a discussion of each sermon/chapter.

[Sushant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent soul-stirring book. Great exposition as well. Dr. Martyn-Lloyd Jones lays out the principles from Acts 1-3 that made the first century church the power which turned the world upside down. Very simple, straight to the point and truth that the Western Church needs to hear. I will read it again. So should you :)

[Sean-david · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say, what need I say? If you are a Christian, you should read this book. This is the first in the Martyn Lloyd-Jones collection of his work on the book of Acts- it is refreshing, bold, and biblical.

[Isaiah Jesch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful book. I greatly enjoyed read the Doctor as I prepared my own sermons on the first few chapters of Acts. His passion for clear exposition was refreshing and challenging to me. I enjoyed my first time sitting under Llyod-Jones and plan to read more of his work soon.

[Jeremiah Redden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

[Vivian Bernasek · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was easy reading and scripturally sound. However, I found it repetitious, almost as if to have enough text to increase the number of chapters.