Christian Evangelism-how should it be done? (salvation, Jesus, verses, faith)

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

Originally Posted by JerZ

Jesus certainly states it as a directive in Luke 12:33. It doesn't actually say "requirement," no. But it's a directive...DO this.

Can you show me the scripture that does require people today, people of the future to Jesus, to evangelize? This is an honest question as it may for all I know exist.

Yep it's Matthew 28:18-20 "Jesus came and told his disciples, I have been given complete authority in Heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commandments I have given you. And be sure of this, I am with you always, even to the end of the age".

We are to hand it down as we go through life.

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA

Yep it's Matthew 28:18-20 "Jesus came and told his disciples, I have been given complete authority in Heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commandments I have given you. And be sure of this, I am with you always, even to the end of the age".

We are to hand it down as we go through life.

Oh, I see.

[ibcwife]

Originally Posted by JerZ

"Sell your possessions and give to the poor... "--Luke 12:33 (This is the verse that actually directs people to sell their possessions. The others don't say 'sell your posessions', but instead tell people that 'having' financially leads away from God. This one, though, is a direct command.)

And, yeah, I know he was speaking directly to his followers in saying this. He was also speaking directly to his followers saying they should spread the word.

Verse 33. Sell what ye have - This is a direction, not given to all the multitude: (much less is it a standing rule for all Christians neither to the apostles; for they had nothing to sell, having left all before: but to his other disciples, (mentioned Luke 12:22, and Acts 1:15,) especially to the seventy, that they might be free from all worldly entanglements. Matthew 6:19.

[kawgpz550]

Originally Posted by I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA

Yep it's Matthew 28:18-20 "Jesus came and told his disciples, I have been given complete authority in Heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commandments I have given you. And be sure of this, I am with you always, even to the end of the age".

We are to hand it down as we go through life.

Perfect ILNC!
Also

2 Timothy 2:14-16
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

And
Matthew 4
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

And
1 Corinthians 11
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

[Miss Blue]

Originally Posted by JerZ

Jesus certainly states it as a directive in Luke 12:33. It doesn't actually say "requirement," no. But it's a directive...DO this.

Can you show me the scripture that does require people today, people of the future to Jesus, to evangelize? This is an honest question as it may for all I know exist.

No Jerz, I can't show you that scripture. I know about where it is,but then I would have to post scripture after scripture to prove each one to someone else. In fact ,I am sorry that I quoted a verse, even tried to delete it too late. That scripture only (IMO) tells us something about the faith of the very early church, which who had the huge task of "converting" so many pagans into believers. Makes you wonder how many of us believers would voluntarily do the same

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by blue62

That scripture only (IMO) tells us something about the faith of the very early church, which who had the huge task of "converting" so many pagans into believers. Makes you wonder how many of us believers would voluntarily do the same

(Edited, completely changed this first part, I'm sure now I misinterpreted what the poster was saying.) Not a lot, but Charlemagne, the Spanish Inquisition and Olav Tryggvason were willing to take on the task of conversion. It's true that the very early people in the church faced scary opposition, they definitely did, for a couple hundred years. Non-Christians however can be cited as equally if not more brave, since opposition to or even suspected opposition to Christian rules lasted some seventeen hundred years or so.

Someone did cite the verse above (from Matthew) to answer my question.

[Blueberry]

Originally Posted by CelticLady1

Philip's (not Peter) story

My bad ...Thanks for correcting the error!

My point was that Jesus did walk up to perfect strangers; you said He had not. I think everyone knows that He was definitely perfect in His actions and, yes, He can get away with some things that we cannot. The key is listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, I've been approached many times by people of other faiths. Are you old enough to remember the Hari Krishnas (sp ?) that spent their time in the airports? They were persistent! I remember being approached and given a pretty flower and told how pretty I was. When the nice young girl started on her spiel, I kindly told her I wasn't interested; I told her I considered her religion a false cult and Jesus was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (I said all this with politeness and a gentle smile on my face.) Well, that flower was snatched out of my hands, and the girl went storming off! Unbeknown to me, quite a few people were watching that exchange; I had many come up to me afterward and thank me for the gracious way I handled the situation. I was only 19 then, alone, and it made quite an impression.

Moonies, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons (I won't debate whether they are Christian or not)...I've been approached by them all many times. No, it doesn't bother me. I've only been approached by Christians once that I can recall. Why do we only hear public criticism of evangelical Christians sharing their faith?

Jesus said we would be hated because the world hates Him.... Sounds about right.... The arguments for not sharing the faith are red herrings; the fact is, the world doesn't want to hear the Truth.... Everything else it can put up with!

The fact of the matter is that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." How will people hear the Word if they won't come to the Christians? Not all will come, you know. Christians were given a command to go into the world. All those people who came to Jesus...they only came to Him after He had gone to others and word about Him began to spread.

[jco]

Alistair Begg (I believe that's the spelling of his last name) talked about this on his broadcast today. He said something I thought was clever. He reminded us that there's a temptation to present only the attractive parts of the Bible/gospel. He said, "Half a gospel produces half a Christian, and have a Christian is no Christian at all." Thought I'd share.

[CelticLady1]

Originally Posted by Blueberry

My point was that Jesus did walk up to perfect strangers; you said He had not. I think everyone knows that He was definitely perfect in His actions and, yes, He can get away with some things that we cannot. The key is listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Conceding your argument that Jesus did indeed walk up to strangers, (though, it appears that most came to him), there are still things to remember. Jesus had the sense to know who to walk up to, and when. Most Christians don't. They memorize a few verses, take a class or two at church, and think that means they should go wittness to everyone and their cousin. There is no discretion; no discernment; no tact. But, very frequently, there is alot of pride, and alot of judgement. Too many Christians bull their way through, come hell or high water, and then wonder why they are, frequently and sharply, rebuffed. I stand by my original statement, that if Christian folks are living strong, loving Christian lives, they will cause people to want to know what and who they believe in.

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

Originally Posted by CelticLady1

Conceding your argument that Jesus did indeed walk up to strangers, (though, it appears that most came to him), there are still things to remember. Jesus had the sense to know who to walk up to, and when. Most Christians don't. They memorize a few verses, take a class or two at church, and think that means they should go wittness to everyone and their cousin. There is no discretion; no discernment; no tact. But, very frequently, there is alot of pride, and alot of judgement. Too many Christians bull their way through, come hell or high water, and then wonder why they are, frequently and sharply, rebuffed. I stand by my original statement, that if Christian folks are living strong, loving Christian lives, they will cause people to want to know what and who they believe in.

I agree!!! (I tried to give you points but couldn't)