Have I been completely wrong on some issues?

[evangelist6589]

Thinking about things and doing some study, I am learning that perhaps I may have been wrong. I am dispensationalist and have perhaps been led to believe that the only way to reach the lost is via open air preaching and the Law. While I do agree its the best way to reach people, I can't say its the only way. John Newton was reached via other ways, as well as many others whom have come to faith. While the law is the best way, God can reach people via other ways.

 

[Don]

Aren't we all, at one time or another?

Read 1 Cor 12, paying attention to what Paul says about the feet, the eye, and other body parts.

 

[jbh28]

The only way to reach the lost is through the gospel.

 

[mont974x4]

The only way to reach the lost is through the gospel.

True. What is important for our brother to come to grips with, judging from the thoughts he shared in the OP, is that open air preaching is a viable way to do that. Though it is not the only way. People are being saved hearing the truth on the radio, at concerts, in churches, at family supper tables, in lonely motel rooms, jail cells, and well....everywhere God finds His people.

It is the truth that sets people free, not the method by which they hear it.

 

[Greektim]

Thinking about things and doing some study, I am learning that perhaps I may have been wrong. I am dispensationalist and have perhaps been led to believe that the only way to reach the lost is via open air preaching and the Law. While I do agree its the best way to reach people, I can't say its the only way. John Newton was reached via other ways, as well as many others whom have come to faith. While the law is the best way, God can reach people via other ways.

What does your dispensationalism have to do with anything (other than the implication that you are wrong about that too )

 

[timf]

Have I been completely wrong on some issues?

To be able to ask this question is an indication of Christian maturity.

I was once leading a Bible study for teenage boys. One boy asked me why I held a pre tribulation position. I showed him the usual verses in 1 Thessalonians chapter four about the rapture and then showed the verses in chapter five that say "We are not appointed unto wrath". I told him that if he held a different view, I was more than willing to listen as he made his case from the Bible.

We are all in danger of Christian "ossification". Just because we have held a particular view for a long time, does not necessarily mean that it is rock solid truth. It may mean that we haven't examined it in a while.

Our prayers should be for wisdom. As we grow in wisdom and truth and walk closer with our Lord, we are able to draw more deeply from the well of wisdom. This may lead us to see that we have been wrong in some areas and sometimes where we have been right but unkind.

 

[Van]

Spot On!

To be able to ask this question is an indication of Christian maturity.

I was once leading a Bible study for teenage boys. One boy asked me why I held a pre tribulation position. I showed him the usual verses in 1 Thessalonians chapter four about the rapture and then showed the verses in chapter five that say "We are not appointed unto wrath". I told him that if he held a different view, I was more than willing to listen as he made his case from the Bible.

We are all in danger of Christian "ossification". Just because we have held a particular view for a long time, does not necessarily mean that it is rock solid truth. It may mean that we haven't examined it in a while.

Our prayers should be for wisdom. As we grow in wisdom and truth and walk closer with our Lord, we are able to draw more deeply from the well of wisdom. This may lead us to see that we have been wrong in some areas and sometimes where we have been right but unkind.

Right on!!!

 

[evangelist6589]

What does your dispensationalism have to do with anything (other than the implication that you are wrong about that too )

Really? If I was a hyper or a progressive Disp then I would agree with you. Disp has much to do with it, because according to my research Covenant evangelists think that the Law is the only way to reach people, and are far bigger on open air verses Disp evangelists whom believe in a disp of grace and multiple ways to reach the lost, not just limited to the Law and preaching. Reading books by Disp confirms these views.

 

[evangelist6589]

To be able to ask this question is an indication of Christian maturity.

I was once leading a Bible study for teenage boys. One boy asked me why I held a pre tribulation position. I showed him the usual verses in 1 Thessalonians chapter four about the rapture and then showed the verses in chapter five that say "We are not appointed unto wrath". I told him that if he held a different view, I was more than willing to listen as he made his case from the Bible.

We are all in danger of Christian "ossification". Just because we have held a particular view for a long time, does not necessarily mean that it is rock solid truth. It may mean that we haven't examined it in a while.

Our prayers should be for wisdom. As we grow in wisdom and truth and walk closer with our Lord, we are able to draw more deeply from the well of wisdom. This may lead us to see that we have been wrong in some areas and sometimes where we have been right but unkind.

I wish that many pastors would take note of this. Many think they are never wrong on anything. Regardless thanks for the comments. I have updated my signature to reflect my views.

 

[evangelist6589]

True. What is important for our brother to come to grips with, judging from the thoughts he shared in the OP, is that open air preaching is a viable way to do that. Though it is not the only way. People are being saved hearing the truth on the radio, at concerts, in churches, at family supper tables, in lonely motel rooms, jail cells, and well....everywhere God finds His people.

It is the truth that sets people free, not the method by which they hear it.

I updated my signature to reflect my new views. I agree with you brother. However try and persuade a Covenant evangelist of these views and you will get an argument. Many of them think that God can only reach people via open air, tracts, an the law.

 

[annsni]

E - That's great. I've said that very thing before - that open air preaching is just one of the many ways that God brings people to Him but it's not the only way. I'll bet if we all posted how we were saved, I'd bet we'd come up with a dozen different ways we heard the Gospel. But the most important thing? A person presented the Gospel to us and we were saved. Praise the Lord!

 

[mont974x4]

I updated my signature to reflect my new views. I agree with you brother. However try and persuade a Covenant evangelist of these views and you will get an argument. Many of them think that God can only reach people via open air, tracts, an the law.

I have to admit that I had not heard anyone claim people only get saved by hearing open air preaching before. It proved to be an interesting idea to consider. Thank you for sharing your inner struggle concerning this.


God is still teaching us all.

 

[evangelist6589]

I have to admit that I had not heard anyone claim people only get saved by hearing open air preaching before. It proved to be an interesting idea to consider. Thank you for sharing your inner struggle concerning this.


God is still teaching us all.

Thank you friend.

 

[evangelist6589]

E - That's great. I've said that very thing before - that open air preaching is just one of the many ways that God brings people to Him but it's not the only way. I'll bet if we all posted how we were saved, I'd bet we'd come up with a dozen different ways we heard the Gospel. But the most important thing? A person presented the Gospel to us and we were saved. Praise the Lord!

Thanks.. Appreciste it.