I believe Christians often operate under two misconceptions concerning evangelism and apologetics.
First, they mistakenly believe apologetics and evangelism is a discipline only carried out by trained professional like pastors, seminary grads, or those who have studied in some apologetic program.
But when we search the Scriptures, we see that both apologetics, defending the Faith, and evangelism, proclaiming the Gospel message, are disciplines all Christians must be prepared to carry out in their daily lives.
The second misconception is the false idea that in order to be an effective apologist and evangelist a person must have knowledge about every philosophy, religious group, or cult in the world. The Bible teaches us quite the opposite. True …show more content…
I am not saying Christians should not be familiar with religious groups and cults, or even secular, atheistic thought for that matter. It is certainly wise that if a Christian lives in Utah where there is a heavy concentration of Mormons, that in order to engage those individuals effectively, he should familiarize himself with the basic beliefs and theology of Mormonism. The same can be said about knowing a little background to your Islamic neighbor’s culture and faith. Such knowledge works to the Christian’s advantage if and when an evangelistic encounter occurs over the backyard fence. By the way, I think it would surprise most Christians that they will spend more time defending the Gospel against the false doctrine of false Christians than anything …show more content…
Revelation 3:20 states, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Howbeit, this Scripture was spoken to believers (the church of Laodicea); not to lost sinners. To teach that a sinner needs to "ask Jesus to come into their heart" will likely confuse young children. How do you invite Jesus into a muscle that pumps blood? The bottom line is that a person DOESN'T have to ask or invite Jesus into their heart to be saved. One need only come as a guilty sinner, and BELIEVE on Jesus as their Savior to be eternally forgiven. Salvation is receiving; NOT
First, they mistakenly believe apologetics and evangelism is a discipline only carried out by trained professional like pastors, seminary grads, or those who have studied in some apologetic program.
But when we search the Scriptures, we see that both apologetics, defending the Faith, and evangelism, proclaiming the Gospel message, are disciplines all Christians must be prepared to carry out in their daily lives.
The second misconception is the false idea that in order to be an effective apologist and evangelist a person must have knowledge about every philosophy, religious group, or cult in the world. The Bible teaches us quite the opposite. True …show more content…
I am not saying Christians should not be familiar with religious groups and cults, or even secular, atheistic thought for that matter. It is certainly wise that if a Christian lives in Utah where there is a heavy concentration of Mormons, that in order to engage those individuals effectively, he should familiarize himself with the basic beliefs and theology of Mormonism. The same can be said about knowing a little background to your Islamic neighbor’s culture and faith. Such knowledge works to the Christian’s advantage if and when an evangelistic encounter occurs over the backyard fence. By the way, I think it would surprise most Christians that they will spend more time defending the Gospel against the false doctrine of false Christians than anything …show more content…
Revelation 3:20 states, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Howbeit, this Scripture was spoken to believers (the church of Laodicea); not to lost sinners. To teach that a sinner needs to "ask Jesus to come into their heart" will likely confuse young children. How do you invite Jesus into a muscle that pumps blood? The bottom line is that a person DOESN'T have to ask or invite Jesus into their heart to be saved. One need only come as a guilty sinner, and BELIEVE on Jesus as their Savior to be eternally forgiven. Salvation is receiving; NOT