How do you Calvinists obey the Great Commission?

[John of Japan]

Mark Twain once said, "Everyone is always talking about the weather, but no one ever does anything about it." I remember this because one day long ago it was quoted in my favorite comic strip, "Pogo." (For you ignorant young whippersnappers, Pogo was a possum and a great philosopher! ) Howland Owl said it to Albert Alligator, and Albert said, "It was Samuel Clemens." So they had a fight over who said it, rolled down the hill, and ended up not knowing what they had been fighting about, and once again friends. Oh, if only the BB discussions ended that way!

At any rate, though some of you BB Calvinists have said you believe in the Great Commission, I never see any of you on this thread. Well, once, but all he wanted to to was pooh pooh the Great Commission. So, BB Calvinists, please tell me how you obey the Great Commission? What do you do to get the Gospel out? Have you seen anyone saved through your efforts recently?

I promise to be respectful. And I promise that this will not turn into a debate. This is a fellowship thread, and a debate would be inappropriate. As soon as it looks like a debate, I will ask the moderator to lock it up and throw away the digital key!

 

[John of Japan]

Oh, and by the way, please tell me about Calvinist missionaries you know. What about Reformed Baptist missionaries? Where are they? There used to be one in Japan years ago, but I know of none now.

 

[4His_glory]

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).

 

[John of Japan]

Amen, 4His_glory. Though not a Calvinist, I am on your side in world missions, evangelism and church planting.

By the way, I like your name. Last year, shortly after I joined the BB, I started a thread in which I shared how I had come to differ with the teaching of many that the primary duty of Christians is to evangelize. I came to believe that my primary task in life is to glorify God. And of course glorifying God includes spreading His Good News, but that is only part of it. I'm sure we've both known some who have gloried that they got more decisions for Christ than others, but I am not about that. If a soul is saved, to God be the glory, amen? And if the person is really saved, it is God Who did it, though I may have been His human tool.

I had not heard that about the PCA churches having more missionaries per capita than any other group. It may be true, but going to their website, I notice that they include short termers in their figure of 500 missionaries, so that may skew their figure, I don't know.

At any rate, there were some wonderful Presbyterian missionaries back in the 19th and early 20th centuries, before the days of Presbyterian apostasy. Jonathan Goforth saw some amazing revivals in China. Any book he wrote or any about him are well worth the read. Here on my own island of Hokkaido a pioneering missionary who evangelized the whole island with his wife, and started the first church in our town (now apostate) was a godly Presbyterian named George Pierson, who evangelized much like you and I do--witnessing, preaching, passing out tracts, having Bible studies.

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

Originally posted by John of Japan:
Oh, and by the way, please tell me about Calvinist missionaries you know. What about Reformed Baptist missionaries? Where are they? There used to be one in Japan years ago, but I know of none now.

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

 

[John of Japan]

So, Joseph, how do you preach the Word? Are you a pastor? I see you are a teacher. What kind of teacher?

I don't believe I can save anyone. I am always careful to say, as you just did, that God did it through me. And praise God for every soul saved, amen?

 

[EdSutton]

Originally posted by John of Japan:
So, Joseph, how do you preach the Word? Are you a pastor? I see you are a teacher. What kind of teacher?

I don't believe I can save anyone. I am always careful to say, as you just did, that God did it through me. And praise God for every soul saved, amen?

13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. (Rom. 11:13-14 - NKJV)

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God,[c] but under law toward Christ[d]), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as[e] weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. (I Cor.14:19-23 - NKJV)

13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (I Tim. 4:13-16 - NKJV)

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

Ed

 

[whatever]

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.

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

Originally posted by John of Japan:
So, Joseph, how do you preach the Word? Are you a pastor? I see you are a teacher. What kind of teacher?

I don't believe I can save anyone. I am always careful to say, as you just did, that God did it through me. And praise God for every soul saved, amen?

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

 

[John of Japan]

Originally posted by whatever:
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 certainly have read and profited from Spurgeon's The Soul Winner. I could almost see him teaching the young men in his Bible school when I did.

I identify with you in your second paragraph. I am very poor at door-to-door evangelism and the like. But I've come to the conclusion that I must fulfill what God made me to be and do, and not worry about how others do it. My main strength and gift from the Lord is an ability in the written word, so I spend a lot of time in that area of my ministry.

 

[John of Japan]

Originally posted by Joseph_Botwinick:
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'm a tract guy, Joseph. I've written a few in Japanese, and I work hard on getting them out. I find that this is the method of evangelism I do best, and I think the one the Lord made me for.

Early on in my ministry here, I saw some very poor tracts being passed out by the missionaries. Some left out the resurrection, which to the Japanese means they would just be worshipping another dead guy, and they do plenty of that. Others left out the substitutionary atonement, if you can believe that! So, in line with my gifts from the Lord, I have concentrated on that area.

I also have a Scripture distribution project in the works. I have planned to get out by the end of this year a new translation of the Gospel of John with copious footnotes on salvation. One of our supporting church pastors is doing this (though not with a new translation) to good effect.

 

[Rippon]

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 .

 

[John of Japan]

Originally posted by Rippon:

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 .

I know that loneliness, Rippon. We spent 13 years in Yokohama with little "foreigner" fellowship (maybe once a month). That must be why our Lord Jesus added to His Great Commission, "Lo, I am with you always...." Thank God for the co-workers we have now.

 

[Andy T.]

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.

 

[John of Japan]

Hey, Andy T., I like anyone who likes missionaries! I note from your profile that you are GARB. Do you know any of the BMM missionaries in Japan? I went to college with two of them, taught for 8 years in their Bible school in Tokyo (still teach through videos), and have preached often at their camp. Wonderful missionaries, all of them!

 

[4His_glory]

Though not a Calvinist, I am on your side in world missions, evangelism and church planting.

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

Last year, shortly after I joined the BB, I started a thread in which I shared how I had come to differ with the teaching of many that the primary duty of Christians is to evangelize. I came to believe that my primary task in life is to glorify God

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

 

[Andy T.]

Originally posted by John of Japan:
Hey, Andy T., I like anyone who likes missionaries! I note from your profile that you are GARB. Do you know any of the BMM missionaries in Japan? I went to college with two of them, taught for 8 years in their Bible school in Tokyo (still teach through videos), and have preached often at their camp. Wonderful missionaries, all of them!

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.

 

[John of Japan]

Bro. Zentz was in language school with a close friend of mine, but I've never had the privilege of meeting him. We are somewhat isolated up here on the northern island. Other than Bro. Zentz, the ABWE folk are all down on the island of Kyushu. Bro. Zentz was on the main island of Honshu before, but I haven't heard where he is going next. Anyway, a good man!

 

[Andy T.]

Originally posted by John of Japan:
Bro. Zentz was in language school with a close friend of mine, but I've never had the privilege of meeting him. We are somewhat isolated up here on the northern island. Other than Bro. Zentz, the ABWE folk are all down on the island of Kyushu. Bro. Zentz was on the main island of Honshu before, but I haven't heard where he is going next. Anyway, a good man!

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.

 

[4His_glory]

John,

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