In a nontechnical manner, noted New Testament scholar C.K. Barrett here sets forth his mature understanding of the passages in the New Testament which refer to the church, its ministry, and its sacraments. How far are these concepts central or secondary in the New Testament? How do the beliefs and practices of apostolic days relate to later developments? Bringing the fruits of his widely respected scholarship to bear on these questions, Barrett shows that these are not mere theoretical issues, but are of crucial importance for inter-church cooperation and reunion.