Beginnings: Understanding How We Experience the New Birth

by Stephen Smallman

208 pages | List Price: $12.99 | Paperback

Summary: Are Christians supposed to be spiritual salespeople, peddling Jesus to others and pushing to seal the deal?

In John 3, Jesus describes the work of the Holy Spirit in a process of spiritual rebirth. In light of this, Stephen Smallman argues that we best view ourselves as “spiritual midwives”—not giving new life, but instead being used by God to assist in the birth.

To best do this, we must understand how conversion works and where our spiritual journeys begin. Following the tradition of Jonathan Edwards and Archibald Alexander, Smallman unpacks numerous conversion stories, both biblical and contemporary, showing how the Holy Spirit’s work can be traced in the lives of new believers.

Smallman shows how we can learn the stories of others and tell our own stories. Then we will understand where people are coming from as we interact with them, and we will have both hope and guidance in speaking with unbelievers.

About the Author:

Stephen Smallman served for over forty years in pastoral ministry. He is an urban missionary serving with CityNet Ministries and is Assistant Pastor of New Life Presbyterian Church in Glenside, Pennsylvania. He is the also the author of The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus, Understanding the Faith, New ESV Edition: A Workbook for Communicants Classes and Others Preparing to Make a Public Confession of Faith, and 4 Basics of Faith booklets.

What Others Say About This Book:

“In place of our too-often clichéd born-again narratives, Smallman guides us to a richer understanding that is wonderfully profound and reassuringly practical.” — Mindy Belz, Editor, WORLD

“Beginnings . . . gave me an interpretive framework of [the] new birth that was not only more accurate, all-embracing, and truthful but, more importantly, God-centered.” — Rico Tice, Founder and President, Christianity Explored

“In a compelling way Stephen Smallman helps us understand . . . the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. This book will prove profitable to all who read it.” — Jerry Bridges, Author, The Pursuit of Holiness

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