Fresh from the miraculous sight of their beloved Master ascending into heaven, and with the message of angels regarding His future return still ringing in their ears, Jesus' followers returned from Mount Olivet to Jerusalem and went at once "into an upper room" (Acts 1:13). This was the first meeting place of Christians for worship and the forerunner of every church and cathedral in Christendom in the last two thousand years. Thus begins the sweep of doctrinal topics in this collection of sermons and lectures by Bishop J. C. Ryle. Despite having been written a century ago, their robust evangelical doctrine and down-to-earth application give them an astonishingly contemporary ring. With a vibrant tone and an occasional flash of humor, Ryle's evangelistic zeal and tender pastoral concern engage the reader's attention.

Author Biography

John Charles (J. C.) Ryle (1816-1900) was the son of a wealthy banker. Educated at Eton and Oxford, he was destined for a career in politics. But after being spiritual awakened in 1838 by a reading of Ephesians 2, he answered a call to ministry. Ryle was ordained by Bishop Sumner at Winchester in 1842. After holding a curacy at Exbury in Hampshire, he became rector of St. Thomas's, Winchester; rector of Helmingham, Suffolk; vicar of Stradbroke; honorary canon of Norwich; and dean of Salisbury. In 1880, he became the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool, at the prime minister's recommendation. He retired in 1900 at the age of eighty-three and died later the same year. Ryle was a strong supporter of the evangelical school and a critic of ritualism. Among his longer works are Christian Leaders of the Eighteenth Century, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (7 volumes), and Principles for Churchmen.