Christians: Do you believe in evangelism?

[Hope]

Evangelizing is indeed a very, very important part of being a Christian. I learned a lot about evangelizing through doing a discipleship training school with a mission organization. And in my practical experience in evangelizing, here is what I've seen: preaching only, actually turns away more people than it attracts; this is not to say one shouldn't preach, but that shoving a Bible in someone's face, and then walking away, is usually not going to leave a lasting impact on someone. As NetDoc and others have pointed out, actions do speak louder than words!

Indeed the Word of God has power to convict, but in this day and age when so many dismiss the Bible outright, just quoting verses at someone and telling them they need to be saved is only 'evangelizing', in my opinion, at a very superficial level. Sure, I could go around and tell everyone I meet that they need to be saved, then tell myself, ok, I did my job, end of story, so what if they reject the gospel and go to hell. Ack!! Where is the love in that? If I truly care about someone's salvation, I will do more than quote Bible verses at them---I will actively show them the love of Christ and pray for them! We are Christ's body here on earth, and as such, we are His instruments. He uses us to get past people's misconceptions, to show others the power of His Word. What a privilege we have! I would consider it much more 'productive' to love just one single person to Christ, than preach to a thousand, and have all turn away from Him.

Even Jesus did more than just preach. He lived what he taught, and that is what drew people to Him. Our actions proclaim to the world the truth of the gospel.

 

[Doc]

Well I have never liked the idea of the door to door technique and quoting scriptures to people who are set in their beliefs not to believe in it seems useless. I prefer to live by example and provide a caring and loving attitude toward others which they might hopefully start to mimick. (This has worked with several people over a course of time like not swearing)

I think trying to convince people of beliefs is less effective than living by example.

 

[Dr. Khan]

Don't put the cart before the horse here. ONCE a person decides they WANT to be saved they will readily and hungrily figure out the mechanics.

Yea like Osama bin Laden who seeks God more than most Christisans


Look at his works ; forsoke wealth and prosperity to be the most hunted man in the world.



His acts alone requires Christianity to rise up to preach the word with all boldness every where.

Jesus can only be manifest where ever his word is.

 

[Melody]

Jesus can only be manifest where ever his word is.

You're putting limitations on God? Not much of a God if He's constrained by human efforts...which I do not believe He is.

 

[Dr. Khan]

I believe in evangelism and I believe that a person commanded should go wherever to do so. According to his ability go. I do not listen to those who say win by example, because if you have godliness you cannot lose no matter your technique. Follow God and let him lead you.


He will keep his promises. Remember Jophn The baptist got his head cut off. Stephen got killed, for forcing the truth into the ears of his fellow Jewish neighbors. I believe that when we do not suffer persecution for the words sake we are loosing. With much tribulation we enter into the Kingdom of God. That's because it is a holy Place, and many will seek to enter and shall not be able, because they might have waited to late. I do not use the wives manner to win people with out the word, being thst I am not unequally yoked to an unbeliever. I believe this scripture is given to wives in 1peter because alienation is a real problem but not in the world wher we meet every day. We are not to make friends with the world. You never know sometime you have to offend to get a person to look at himself to really see who he is.

 

[Scuba Pete]

Yea like Osama bin Laden who seeks God more than most Christisans

I respectfully disagree with you. Osama is seeking his perverted version of "justice". Like many of the religious right, he assumes that God is on his side, but the man is not seeking his face one whit. IN FACT, I would suggest that he has no idea of just how lost he is. If he did, like Paul, his repentance and remorse would be legendary.

Jesus can only be manifest where ever his word is.

I also disagree with this. First, it's important to walk the walk:

I Thessalonians 4:11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Secondly, Jesus never said they will know you are my disciples by how loudly and forcefully you preach the word and have nifty little fish signs on your car. He did say this:

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

God never intended for us to "yell" people into his kingdom. He did intend for us to love them into the kingdom though, and that is far, far harder than mere words.

 

[Katzpur]

A) Is it essential to your faith?

I'm a Mormon. Does that answer your question?

B) How do you go about it?

I post on religious forums. I do believe it's important to spread the gospel. But as a Latter-day Saint, I often find myself in a position where I have to spend most of my time clearing up misconceptions about what I actually believe. Forums like this are a good place to help people understand my faith. The anonimity of message boards provides such a great opportunity to express our own beliefs and to learn about the beliefs of others. That said, I think it's a big mistake for anyone to try to cram his religion down somebody else's throat. No matter how great the message we want to share, force feeding is pretty much bound to gag even the most receptive person.

Kathryn

 

[groovydancer88]

You must spread around some karma before giving it to NetDoc again.

Drat.

 

[may]

And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come(matthew 24;14)so its GOOD NEWS about the kingdom that jesus said would be preached , and it is Good news, because Gods kingdom is the only goverment that will bring peace to the earth .what a relief from the Goverments of humans that will come to an end

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite(daniel 2;44)make no mistake about it Jehovah God will accomplish his purpose to preach the kingdom first and put everyone on notice that he is going to step into the afairs of humans

Also, in all the nations the good news has to be preached first(mark 13;10)