I am excited to share with you a truly incredible resource that I have the honor of “hosting” on this blog. First, let me give you a little background as to how this came about…
Last year, the most viewed and also the most commented on of all posts and pages published in 2013 was the page, “The Headship of Christ in the Gathering of the Church.” This is very encouraging for it shows there is a growing hunger in the Body of Christ to explore what it means to meet and function together under the practical headship of Jesus Christ. One of the comments on this page was from Gospel Fellowships. They commented briefly on the teaching and then said that they had a free ebook on the same subject, Principles for the Gathering of Believers Under the Headship of Jesus Christ, and left a link to the website.
I didn’t reply to the comment right away as I wanted to first check out the resource they were offering to know whether I should commend it to my readers as well. Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect. So I went to their site, then to Amazon, downloaded the Kindle edition, and began reading. A few days later I replied to their comment, and after explaining my delay in responding, I said the following:
“I have now downloaded the free Kindle version and am about 1/4 of the way through it. I have been so richly blessed, stirred and encouraged by it that I have ordered three physical copies. May I say, it may just be the best book on the Church that I have ever read! I want to HIGHLY recommend it to those who read this blog. May it find wide circulation in the Body of Christ in this hour. I believe it is a prophetic gift and a strategic manual for the Church in the last days!”
I received a gracious and humble reply back from them …and then I kept on reading the book with increased blessing, confirmation and conviction in my heart. (Since then I have also listened to the audio book through, which is wonderfully done!)
This is truly an extraordinary work which resonates deeply with my heart, and, more importantly, I believe, with the heart of God for His Church. I will share more about it on the page I will link you to shortly, but first let me finish the background to my hosting of it here.
A number of months ago, I contacted Gospel Fellowships to let them know I wanted to promote the “Principles Book” to my followers in a post. They were very gracious in their reply, and then made an extraordinary offer. They invited me to host the entire PDF and mp3 versions of the book, fully downloaded, on my blog! I was blown away!
As I thought about the practical aspects of this, I felt the best way to do this was to reproduce the download page for the book from their website, with their permission. This way, all of the PDF and mp3 (audiobook) links would be right there to access, along with links to the Kindle, Nook, print edition (Amazon) and other versions they offer. This was agreeable to them, as well, and so that is what has been done, along with some introductory comments of mine to my readers. I have also, subsequently, embedded the complete YouTube playlist at the bottom of the page, as well as a sample video of “Principle One” (which I love) after my comments, to provide this format on the blog as well. It’s all right there for easy access!
So, without further ado, here is the link to the Principles for the Gathering of Believers Under the Headship of Jesus Christ resource page:
PRINCIPLES Book (Complete PDF, mp3 and more)
[This page may also be accessed any time under the “Resources” tab on the header bar or dropdown menu (depending on the device.)]
As one final note, I desire to help spread the word concerning this resource to as many as possible and ask if you would also partner with me in this. Would you either share this post, or go to their website and use their share buttons to promote it through whatever social media means you may use? That would just be awesome!! Thanks!
I’d love to hear back from you also with your comments and feedback on it once you’ve had a chance to dig in!
I pray you are richly blessed!
Love in Him,
David
PRINCIPLES Book (Complete PDF, mp3 and more)
Related:
Holding Fast to the Head
The Headship of Christ in the Gathering of the Church
Affirmations (5) – Christ the Uncontested Head of the Church
The Church Gathering Simply in the Name of Christ and Under His Headship – A Historical Account by C.H. Mackintosh
Christ-Centered Christianity 
Wow! I read the first chapter after downloading the book! This is so needed and something one of my roommates and I have discussed several times! Thank you so much for posting this Uncle David!!!
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Hannah, what a joy to hear from you and to know that this has already ministered to you in this way! I think you will really enjoy and be challenged by the rest of the book and especially appreciate the sections concerning the underground churches in China, Iran and North Korea! I hope you are able to also share this around with friends, family, and …maybe even a professor or two? 😉
I pray that all is well with you, and congratulations, once again, on your graduation from CIU!… So very proud of you!
Love always,
Uncle David
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David:
I found this last year while looking through Amazon’s free book section. It was so refreshing and right on. It’s one of those books that gives modern skin and bones to what I read in the Scriptures. Thank you for sharing this.
For what it’s worth, I give it my recommendation. Maybe one day this will become a text that churches, universities, and seminaries in America will wrestle with as our culture continues to morph and change.
I love your heart. Thank you for continuing to pound the drum of Jesus Christ.
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Thank you, Brian. I appreciate your comment greatly! It’s good to hear from one who’s already read the book and lends their heart-felt commendation. I agree also. One of its great strengths is that it is highly practical and draws on modern-day examples from around the world of the expression of the Church as we read about it in Scripture. It shows that the first century church was not something relegated to the history books but is, as Watchman Nee would say, “the normal Christian Church.” I pray that it does end up in churches, universities and seminaries! It is worthy of that.
I appreciate your heart as well. We’re pounding the same Drum!
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Just downloaded my copy. I was looking for something enriching to read recently so when this popped up I was thrilled. I have felt stirred recently to pray for North Korea, so I look forward to those sections. I am always reevaluating if books are drawing me to Jesus or toward something else. Although there are many places/things to explore, what I know I need must begin and end and revolve around Christ. I find my reading choices becoming more selective. Looking forward to chewing on this!
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Sharon, that’s awesome! I’m glad this was so timely for you! I know your heart for the Lord, His Church and His work around the globe, so I think you will be greatly blessed by this work. There is a humility and a purity that comes across in its pages that is very refreshing. As I see it, when Christ is the Center, and there are no personal agendas or sectarian interests involved, the stream of truth runs more purely!
Love to you, Iain and the kids! Hope to see you this summer!
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David, once again thank you for the post. I also found this book to be one of the most inspiring and encouraging I have ever read. Having run across it about a year ago, I was blessed and encouraged like I have not been for many years. I have been exposed and followed the “persecuted church” since the late 70’s when I read Richard Wurmbrand’s “Tortured for Christ”, and began to get his newsletter (in print,seems like a eternity ago). I also have have several friends who have worked with the persecuted church over the years, and have learned much from them and their travels. It was evident to me that we in the U.S., really had no idea what it was like to follow Christ, in a place that it truly “cost” to do that. Also, the unity of the believers in these persecuted lands, transcended so many of the barriers we love to throw up (pun intended) here in the west. The way they are forced to meet together underground, is really inspirational.
Having been apart of home fellowships, and organic church meetings my entire christian life. I have found that we as individuals love to “push” our own “flavor” or interpretation of how things should be, or how they should go. We have our favorite authors or teachers, and promote them to a point of not accepting others who may differ from us, yet still follow after and teach Christ.
This book brought so many things together for me. I could not stop reading it. Our brothers and sisters in the countries, who suffer well for their faith in Christ, are such an encouragement, and are quite convicting, in their love and commitment to Christ and for one another. I wish every christian in the west would read it, it is an eye opener, and challenges and encourages at the same time. I love the humility of those who have put it together, and hope they continue to bring more like this to us all.
Once again, thanks for bringing this important work to our attention. May He richly bless you brother. John Morris.
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Wow, John!!! Thank you for this great comment! I love what you’ve shared concerning the “persecuted church” and how it stands in contrast to the church in the US as we know it. These things are so true. Thank you also for sharing how this book has inspired and encouraged you. I can’t think of a greater commendation of this work! I hope that all who read this post read through all the comments as well! You’ve added substantially to this post!
All blessings to you and yours!
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This article tells you of what to expect in times of the final hour. Read article below!
Elderly man carjacked after giving couple ride in Rehoboth Beach
WUSA UPDATED on 1:26 PM. EST August 08, 2016
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Yes, it will surely be as Jesus said, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:12-14) I firmly believe that the wickedness that we see in our nation today, as horrible as it is, will pale in comparison with that which will come before the return of the Lord. We must prepare ourselves, our families, and our fellowships even now for what lies ahead. This volume by Gospel Fellowships is a gift of the Lord to the Church to that end. I pray that you are richly blessed by it! Grace and peace!
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