The Apostle Paul exhorts us, "Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle" (II Thessalonians 2:15). The very God who speaks to us through His written Word, the Bible, spoke also through the Apostles of Christ as they taught and preached in person. The Scriptures themselves teach in this passage that this oral tradition is what we are also to keep! Written and oral tradition is not in conflict, but is parts of one whole. We are not to reject Holy Tradition. It is resolved that the Church and the New Testament is part and parcel of the Incarnate Word of God. Jesus Christ had called the Apostles, who in turn formed the nucleus of the Christian Church. The Eternal Word of God had preceded the Church and gave birth to the Church. Ephesians says, "God has chosen us in Him before the foundation that we should live holy in Him."  When the Church has the Incarnate Word of God and commits God's Word to writing, the Church then participated with God in giving birth to the written Word, the New Testament Church and it Doctrines.

About the book and the author.  Dr. J. L. Payne was led of God over 45 years ago to establish New Testament Church Ministry within the Church and he conceived the vision of God’s restorable plan for the church to the Apostle's Order. The message of placing this before the body of the church became a consuming passion of his life and ministry. He has written over (20) books describing and producing documentation of the early church's era. Bishop J. L. Payne has brought to our attention the New Testament’s Church principles, pattern, order, structure and message. The Apostle’s Ministry, Five Ministries in the church is the divine order of ministry given us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bishop’s efforts in this Book are to present a profound biblical and systematic explanation in Theological terms the New Testament Church.

Bishop Payne founded and established in 1976 Payne Bible College with over 500 students completed and acquired Degrees from the School throughout the world over these intervening years. Payne Bible College’s curriculum is presently online via the Internet. Bishop Payne now serves as the Chancellor of Payne Bible College, The Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of Christ Churches of God In Christ, USA International with headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi.