Sound Words: Soteriology
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Introduction
Introduction
I memorized this definition of witnessing almost 40 years ago during some evangelism training: “Witnessing is simply sharing Christ in the power of the Spirit and leaving the results to God.” Agree or disagree? While it is true that God is the only who can save a person (not me or you!), it’s also true that He uses me and you to bring the good news to someone. So the question that arises is this: Should we invite someone to trust Christ as their Savior, or just leave the message right there and let them decide on their own? Should we lead them in a sinner’s prayer, or let them figure it out on their own?
Two types of evangelism for the everyday Christian
Two types of evangelism for the everyday Christian
Confrontational Evangelism
Confrontational Evangelism
In this type of evangelism, you have engaged someone with a gospel conversation. It does not mean you are going to be confrontational and offensive, but that you have perhaps this one opportunity to share the gospel with this person. An example in the Bible would be Philip with the Ethiopian Eunuch ().
In this type of evangelism, you work at building relationships with people. It may be a neighbor or a co-worker, a friend, or even a family member. You are showing your Christian life without getting into a gospel conversation (at least not very often). But eventually you will need to get into a gospel conversation so that they can hear the gospel message that has given you salvation and changed your life. This is perhaps what happened with Paul when he stayed in Ephesus for about two years; lots of relationship building.
Friendship Evangelism
Friendship Evangelism
In this type of evangelism, you work at building relationships with people. It may be a neighbor or a co-worker, a friend, or even a family member. You are showing your Christian life without getting into a gospel conversation (at least not very often). But eventually you will need to get into a gospel conversation so that they can hear the gospel message that has given you salvation and changed your life. This is perhaps what happened with Paul when he stayed in Ephesus for about two years; lots of relationship building ().
An Invitation
An Invitation
Whatever the approach you have been using, it is obvious that at some point there will be a time when the gospel is presented to a person. People don’t get saved without hearing the gospel (). So now you will be looking for a response. Are they ready to trust Christ? Or will they need some time. Or, perhaps your gospel conversation is a seed that is planted that will be come fruitful at some future time.
Why is this Sound Word important?
Why is this Sound Word important?
One reason for making the effort to have them trust Christ while you are meeting with them is follow-up. If there is a profession of faith at the time of the gospel conversation, you would do well to get some contact information so that you can do whatever is possible and reasonable for the person to be disciple and get connected with a Bible-teaching church. If you don’t know if they are getting saved, you may not have that opportunity. But when all is said and done, it is God who will save them, and those whom He saves, will be saved and discipled.
Conclusion
Conclusion
There is no right or wrong answer to the question posed at the beginning. We may want to invite them to commit to Christ right then, or we may attempt to make a further contact (if possible), or we may let the person think through the message for some time, in which case a gospel tract would be useful to leave with them. But we would be wise to consider how we might want to give them the opportunity to receive Christ as Savior right then. What would you say? How would you do it?
Application:
Application:
What is an effective way of closing a presentation of the gospel to an unsaved person?