Featured Are Saints Called to Preach/Share the Gospel?

Of course we should evangelize the world. Scripture demands it (Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 9:37-38, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:11-15, Philemon 1:6). Those in the Reformed camp who don't believe in evangelism are a small sect...Hyper-Calvinists. Contrary to myths, evangelism is and has always been in key in the Reformed community's theology (i.e. Canons of Dort, the writings of J.I. Packer) and practice (i.e. George Whitefield, D. James Kennedy and the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church).

 

God will certainly save whom He wants to save, but normally He does that by the preaching of the word. 'For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe' (1 Cor. 1:21).

Not everyone is gifted to do formal preaching, but everyone is able to witness, give out a tract, or just chat about what he believes. '.......Always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear' (1 Peter 3:15).

If anyone is looking for a good way to do evangelism with others, why not consider joining the Gideons? I've been able to witness door-to-door, at schools and Universities, in hospitals, in the streets, in prisons, in retirement homes and even at the Olympic Games when they were held in the U.K. in 2012.

 

God uses means. He saves His elect by the preaching of His Word.

 

You have to be a community leader or a business owner to join the Gideons

 

I don't know of anyone on here in the Calvinist camp that is against evangelism. In my experience the more reformed someone is the more evangelistic they are. Now there is disagreement on how to share the Gospel on here between the cals and non cals but no one that I know of says its unbliblical to share the Gospel.

 

They exist. There was one on BB who held to the Gospel Standard restriction on evangelism (edited due to autocorrect error)...and he/she has been banned.

 

The OP seemed to have some current posters in mind. Im curious why he thinks that Cals are against evangelism and what posts gave him that idea.

 

It is 'business and professional people.' The guys who founded the Gideons were travelling salesmen. If anyone is interested and wants to know whether he qualifies, check it out on line, www.gideons.org and contact your local camp / branch.

 

People? Or men?

 

Men and their wives.

 

Hi Brother Jon,

The title of the thread you created is "Are Saints called to Preach/share the gospel?". The answer is yes. The gospel is food for the sheep (those who are regenerated). This is what Jesus meant when he instructed Peter to "feed His sheep", not once, but three times in the end of the book of John.

In regards to if the gospel call of repentance and faith should be deliberately preached to the unsaved the answer is no. Jesus said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance". He said this to the Pharisees and scribes. In other words he was saying His call is not to the self-righteous unregenerate who do not view themselves as sinners or even see a need for a savior, but rather to those who the Holy Spirit has already done a work on their heart, thus they know they are a sinner and in need of a savior with no hope otherwise. The perfect example of this is the publican, "And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13).

Another verse showing the gospel call of repentance and faith is not to the unregenerate is , "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." (Matthew 7:6). The declaration of the gospel of Christ's atoning work for His people is holy is it not? Therefore, it should not be given to the swine and the response by the swine is usually to only scorn or make fun of those who preach the message to them.

God bless,

Brother Joe

 

Hi Brother Robust,

Just curious, what is "the gospel standard restriction on slavery"? I searched for it in google, but didn't find any results and have never heard of the term. Enjoy your Christmas.

 

I really don't know how my phone got slavery from evangelism.
I mean evangelism...Evangelism...EVANGELISM LOL (made the necessary edit to the mentioned post).

 

Hope your Christmas went well. Question: How can you preach the gospel without the call to repentance? Especially considering that the call to repentance was central to the first gospel message preached.

Acts 2:38 — And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

Hi Brother Robust,

Repentance is an immediate effect of being born again by the Holy Spirit not the cause (just like baptism that was quoted in the verse you gave from Peter in Acts 2:38 is not the cause of one having "forgiveness of sins", but an effect or receiving such forgiveness). The Greek word most often used for repentance is "metanoia" and means a change in mind. Prior to being born again, Paul tells us all we have is the "carnal mind" which is at " enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). Therefore an unregenerate cannot repent and it is in vain to call upon a dead man to do such. However, after being born again, we are given the "mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16), whereby enabling the child of God to "repent" or have a change in mind in turning from seeking to be justified by works and also a mind that now results in the individual seeking not to sin and wanting to obey the law of God True repentance always results in a change in behavior.

The saints even after gospel conversion continue to experience this repentance more or less all of the rest of their sojourn on earth as they still possess the carnal mind in addition to the mind of Christ that was added upon quickening. For example, David repented when he acknowledged, “I have sinned,” and also Peter went out and wept bitterly. Repentance blessed effect was seen upon the Corinthian Church. Paul rejoiced that they sorrowed to repentance. He says, “For behold this self-same thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you; yea, what clearing of yourselves; yea, what indignation; yea, what fear; yea, what vehement desire; yea, what zeal; yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” II Cor. 7:11. Also, it is worth noting, though the Corinthians Paul wrote to were already converted saved church member brethren, Paul still said unto them, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel..." (1 Corinthians 15:1), thereby showing the preaching of the gospel is still needed and beneficial to the saints even after their gospel conversion.

For those not born again, "... the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness" (1 Corinthians 1:18), however " unto us which are saved (PRESENT TENSE) it is the power of God." (1 Cor 1:18). Notice only those who already "are saved" receive it as the "power of God", but to the other it is nonsense or "foolishness". The gospels varying effects when heard by the unregenerate as compared to regenerate are seen here, "5 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved (PRESENT TENSE), and in them that perish:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life." (2 Corinthians 5:15-16). The gospel when preached to the unregenerate is the aroma of death.

God bless, happy New Year, and sorry for the somewhat long post.

Brother Joe

 

Interesting. I have been Reformed for more than 25 years(after growing up IFB) and have never, ever, even once heard such a thing. Usually, I hear such things from others ...