How do you Calvinists obey the Great Commission?

I'm a missionary (currently on deputation), and I am a Calvinist. I try to witness as much as I can, but like anyone else I could always do better. I distribute Gospel tracts, as well participate in my churches evangelistic program when I am in town.

I am a church planter and my ministy purpose is to spread a passion for the glory of God, by proclaimg the Gospel and, planting chruches.

Oh, and I do know other missionaries who are Calvinists as well. I know churches that ar Calvinistic that have some of the best evangelism programs I have ever seen.

I have also heard that the PCA chruches have more missionaries per-capita around the world, though I don't know how accurate that is. Especcially if we were to include all Independent Baptists as one "denomination" we would have a lot of missionaries (and yes many of them are Calvinistic, especially amongest my generation).

 

I think they have mostly gone away , in the SBC anyway, because for many years, mostly Arminian theology was taught in the training grounds...the seminaries. There is at least one president by the name of Al Mohler who is trying to change that, I think. Hopefully, they will return.

As for what I do, I preach the Word of God faithfully and pray for the lost. God brings the increase by saving the elect. From that point on, I would say that we disciple them through Bible Study, prayer, etc... (many of the same things you would probably do I am sure). I have seen a few people saved by God's Grace in my lifetime. It certainly wasn't anything I did...but everything about what God did through me by his sovereign will...sola deo gloria.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I dunno. Just "stirring the pot" a little with the Stick of Scripture.

Ed

 

Hey JoJ,

Have you read "The Soul Winner" by Spurgeon? That's probably the best answer I could give as to what a Calvinist ought to do to get the gospel out.

As for me, I'm no better or worse at personal witnessing now than I was before I came to understand and accept the doctrines of grace. I have trouble talking to strangers about anything, whether the gospel or the weather or whatever. This has always been the case with me. But, if I know you, then I can talk about the gospel and its implications in our lives with ease. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one like this, even though I know it's not true, but it really has nothing to do wit Calvinism. It has to do with my personality, and I would love to know how to change that, but I don't know how.

 

I am not a pastor. When I talk about preaching the Word, I mean in the sense of proclaiming the Word of God and no I don't think only pastors should do this. I am a band director for middle and high school. The wat I normally preach the Word is to get out the Bible and show the lost what the Bible says about sin, judgement, repentance, grace, etc...

What do you do?

Joseph Botwinick

 

I teach S.Korean Middle School children at two public schools . I have not done so much witnessing as when I taught adults . With adults I usually had one class where I had copied one of the following : Job 38, 39 , Psalm 103 , or 104 from the NLT. In the guise ( was I being deceptive ? ) of vocabulary -- I entertained questions about words . In addition for more advanced students I handed out sheets ( which I did not invent ) asking questions about eternity and God . Examples : Do you believe in Hell ? Is there a God ? What , if any , religion is true ?Sometimes the professing Christians in class would answer in non-biblical ways .

At Christmas time we did carols with the children and I was asked to explain some truths such as the incarnation .Those sessions were very compelling .

There are several Christian teachers here that I have been able to discuss some things of the Lord with . Being the only foreigner at both schools is a bit lonely though .

Living near the Incheon airport in the past ( when teaching adults ) I ran into many Mormon and JW's . More of the latter were usually Korean . I met with certain of the individuals to go over specific texts about Christ's Godhood and the reality of eternal hell , among other things . I did not seek them out . It was always the reverse . But I used every opportunity because I knew it was something the Lord handed me . I even had a meal with JW's in Japan back in October for a visa run . Proverbs 8:23 was the main point of attention . Athanasius and his mentor Alexander dealt with that verse also in contending against the Arians ( early JW's ) . A&A probably did a better job .

 

My embrace of the Doctrines of Grace has actually helped me in my evangelism and my love thereof. I feel more confident (but yet humble) that God would choose to use me as His instrument to bring the Gospel to all men, and that the Spirit will use such message to be effective in saving the elect. My confidence is in Him and not my own efforts. I do not have to worry about looking or sounding good or being articulate. Most of all, I know that I must be spiritually prepared in my heart. That is when God uses me the best.

I work as a counselor in our worship services during the invitation time to discuss with people who want to be saved or have doubts about their salvation. I've been blessed in these endeavors.

I am trying harder at one-to-one evangelism outside the context of the church in my daily life. I have acquainted myself with tracts and have memorized scripture in order to share at anytime. I am trying to always be ready to give the reason of the hope that lies within me.

My heroes of today are missionaries. I pray for our missionairies daily. I love to hear missionaries when they come to our church. Sometimes their talks bring me to tears (which is rare for me - to cry, that is). Our church has an annual missions conference where several missionairies come and preach and share. It is one of my favorite times of the year. I love it that my church supports missionaries at almost 20% of our budget. And I've also noticed that most of the missionairies I hear sound very Calvinistic. They may not all be 5-pointers, but they all communicate a deep sense of relying completely on God's sovereignty and grace.

I credit my affections to God's grace and glory alone.

 

And there is no reason we shouldn't be on the same side- we serve the same Savior and God.

Amen and amen! I agree, we were created for His glory, saved for His glory and we are to live for His glory.

 

We do support some BMM missionaires, but none to Japan. However, we do support an ABWE missionary named Tom Zentz who is in Japan. He was just at our church a few months ago. I believe they are still on furlough until the summer. I can't remember their new location, but I believe it is in the southeast part of Japan. I think they were in the north before.

 

Small world!

If I remember correctly, he said their new location is going to be much closer to the other ABWE people. Before, they were like 8-10 hours away by car. Now they are going to be just a couple of hours away.

 

John,

Do you know the Starin's at all? I forgot what part of Japan they are located.