Plain Old Bill
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Does God come to us in dreams. I hope so. My salvation came about as the result of a dream.
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I think this is a huge point. Too many times people stop at just inviting folks to church. That is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. We need to be telling them the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we invite them to church.Originally posted by Bob Dudley:
Someone showed me that we are to tell the gospel (and, I say this as gently as possible, not just invite people to church)
Well said, JohnB, that God uses many, many ways to save souls. We should never look down on any other believer who doesn't use our own "approved" plan to get the Gospel out.Originally posted by JohnB:
I think a lot of frustration and conflict comes up, in regard to many issues, when folks try to determine the "best" way to do things.
Personally, we only need to determine how God wants to use us and our gifts.
Just as Christ healed people in many ways, God uses many diverse methods to bring men to Christ.
Door to door, tracts, books, mass evangelism, family relationships, inviting friends to church, and on and on. All these are valid and are used by God.
According to surveys, personal relationships yield the most fruit. But that doesn't mean it is the "best" way. But it seems to be the method that God calls most to use.
I have heard preachers say that 95% of Christians never share their faith. I don't know how this could be. If 90% of people come to Christ through family or friendships, then most Christians must be sharing in some way.
Perhaps 95% have not knocked on doors (I haven't.) Perhaps they have not stepped through the Romans Road with someone (I have only few times.) But I think at least 95% of Christians take their kids to church and invite family and friends to church. And that is sharing Christ in my book. (Assuming, since we are Baptists, that your preacher presents the gospel every week.)
There are two things I think I might have a different take on.JohnB said:
Again, and let me emphasize this, I am not trying to make this a best, better, worse comparison. But I think that folks gifted in one on one evangelism tend to despise the widow's mite of the "come and see" disciples. I believe that to tell people that 95% of Christians don't share their faith is not only erroneous, it is a form of guilt manipulation.
JohnB, I certainly agree with you that inviting folks to hear the Gospel is a very valid "Andrew" type method and that we should never despise any method of getting the Gospel out. I like any method at all better than no method! And I like your take on relationships.Originally posted by JohnB:
Thanks JOJ,
In my comments, I did not mean to imply a form of relationship evangelism where we never get a person under the gospel. We always need to be careful about that. People need to hear the Word of the gospel, not just our lifestyle, or "churchstyle."
My point was that getting a friend or family member to church service or an evangelistic meeting where the preacher clearly presents the gospel is just as valid a form of sharing as us sharing the Roman Road personally. That's what Billy Graham's Operation Andrew is all about. "Come and see."
Of course, this is only valid if the gospel is presented. Not every church or denomination does this. Inviting someone to a Unitarian church is probably not going to get anyone anywhere.
Fortunately, at my church, the gospel and invitation is presented clearly each and every Sunday without fail.
In fact, I just finished reading a book of 50 or so testimonies. The vast majority were invitation related. Folks invited by family and friends to a place where they heard the gospel from a preacher/evangelist. Only a few conversions were kitchen table discussions.
Again, and let me emphasize this, I am not trying to make this a best, better, worse comparison. But I think that folks gifted in one on one evangelism tend to despise the widow's mite of the "come and see" disciples. I believe that to tell people that 95% of Christians don't share their faith is not only erroneous, it is a form of guilt manipulation.
Dr. Bob, I agree completely that all believers are to witness, although the Great Commission of Acts 1:8 with its strategy for world evangelism was specifically given to the apostles (look at the context).Originally posted by Dr. Bob:
Our church is not "open" to anyone. It is a private meeting of [duh] the church!! Believers are edified and trained and share and minister. Exciting place.
Do I have to write this in all caps to get my point across?Originally posted by Dr. Bob:
So no one can shirk the biblical mandate (Acts 1:8) to be a witness and just blow it off by inviting someone to church. Cop out.
I’m sorry JohnB but I just have to disagree with you on this one, no matter how loud you shout it, getting people to church is not what the Great Commission is about. If a Christian doesn’t know anything but inviting people to church then, by all means, invite away – God will richly bless that effort. But, God intents each and every child of His to bring forth their own fruit.JohnB said
Do I have to write this in all caps to get my point across?
GETTING PEOPLE INTO A CHURCH SERVICE WHERE THEY HEAR THE GOSPEL IS, REPEAT IS, A FULFILMENT OF THE MADATE TO EVANGELISE. IT IS EVANGELISM!!
I would entreat you to read the book of Acts. The average Christian led people to Christ.JohnB said
However, historically, it seems to me to be the way most people get introduced to Jesus.
I think he was referring to:Acts 20:26-27…
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
I think whoever told you that you personally did not need to lead people to Christ was in direct opposition to our standing orders as watchmen. And I think that person is going to have a lot to answer for as a leader when he stands before Christ in the judgment.Ezekiel 33:6…
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.