He was influenced in this pursuit by the teaching of the British Restorationist Arthur Wallis, who believed that a return of the charismatic gifts (such as prophecy and speaking in tongues) to the traditional denominations was not sufficient and that a more thorough restoration of church life to a New Testament pattern was necessary.
Particular attention was initially given to the Ephesians 4 ministries of apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher, and over time a broader understanding of the nature of church life began to emerge.
[7] The network of churches that related to Terry Virgo originally used the name Coastlands, and then New Frontiers International, finally settling on Newfrontiers.
[8] William K Kay believes that significant numbers of Baptist churches joining the movement, and avoiding scandals and other negative events contributed to this hegemony.
[8] Newfrontiers has used week-long conferences, known as "Bible weeks" as an important strategy for growth and the development of its identity.
[9] Expositional Bible teaching from its main leaders, or Apostolic Team and lively worship were major features of the event.
In an interview he said, 'We feel we are a bit unique in the emphasis on both the charismatic and yet also reformed theology which we hold dear.
He thus differs from many evangelicals on this matter, including John Wimber's tentative view[unreliable source?]
Regarding the common argument that one cannot get doctrine from narrative passages like in Acts but must rely on didactic portions of scripture like the Epistles,[15] Virgo says, 'that is wrong', and simply quotes 2 Tim 3:16 which says that "all scripture… is profitable for… doctrine…".
[16] He thus differs with 'Third Wave' charismatics who typically hold that baptism in the Holy Spirit happens upon conversion.
We do see the need however, today, for master builders in helping to establish foundations in local churches and for fathers in the faith.