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Koheleth
Member



Joined: 2005/11/10
Posts: 530
NC

 Re:

Quote:
hi koheleth, you speak as a man with great authority who knows all about this subject



I am not sure why you use the words "great authority", but I did try to just offer what I felt was the Scriptural and Christian perspective on the topic of the original post. I didn't wish to come across with anything else than that.

Quote:
but i would like to know how you witness to those around you



I am not sure exactly what you mean, but I try to follow the example of Jesus. I mentioned a few instances of Jesus relating to others in the Gospel of John, and I consider these my examples to follow.

Quote:
you are soooooowrong



I don't mind being wrong, but you haven't pointed out a correction to anything I have said yet.

Quote:
so we should disregard all of what paul said or wrote for he used cunning and oh wisdom to preach Jesus?



This discussion is neither about cunning nor wisdom. The relevant point is that Paul did not use "friendship evangelism" with those on Mars Hill. All of the apostles of the Lord followed his example. None of them used what we call "friendship evangelism". And yes, I do think we should both regard Paul's writings and use wisdom when speaking for Christ.

 2012/2/25 20:28Profile
jimp
Member



Joined: 2005/6/18
Posts: 1481


 Re:

hi, be all things to all people so that you might win some... on mars hill, paul established a common ground that he had with the greeks.(the unknown god) to establish a repore with them so that they would listen to him.perfect example of friendship evangelism.

 2012/2/25 20:46Profile
Koheleth
Member



Joined: 2005/11/10
Posts: 530
NC

 Re:

Quote:
hi, be all things to all people so that you might win some... on mars hill, paul established a common ground that he had with the greeks.(the unknown god) to establish a repore with them so that they would listen to him.perfect example of friendship evangelism.



So, we need to define our terms. If Paul on Mars Hill or Jesus with the woman at the well is what you mean by "friendship evangelism", then I am all for it. I would agree, both are "perfect" examples, as you say.

However, I don't think a Mars Hill experience is what the original poster was describing, nor is it the usual definition that I hear for "friendship evangelism". I will speak here only from my own experience and what I read in the original post. "Friendship evangelism" refers to a strategy where a Christian invests time in making friends of people who at some point later they plan to share the gospel with. There are some very common results from this practice. First, Christians use up a lot of their time and energy doing something that is not in the New Testament and has nothing to do with Christ, since they put off speaking for him or about him until the relationship is "established". Second, it usually takes much longer to "establish" a relationship than is originally thought. Third, unbelievers can often detect the insincerity that is behind the "friendship". Fourth, many Christians end up being swayed in their walk with Christ by the unbelievers they spend so much time around, since they have decided not to speak of Christ. Fifth, since the focus has been friendship and not Christ, then after all of the work to establish a relationship, once Christ is mentioned, the relationship will usually begin to break down.

Although Christ never put friendship before discipleship, he was still a friend of all, including sinners and tax collectors. However, friend is used differently there than it is in the phrase "friendship evangelism". The Pharisees themselves describe Jesus' type of friendship: "This man receives sinners." We should do the same, while utterly rejecting friendship evangelism. I humbly suggest we do as jimp has said and follow Paul's example and stand up on our own Mars Hill and speak of God and Christ at the very first opportunity.

 2012/2/25 21:34Profile
jimp
Member



Joined: 2005/6/18
Posts: 1481


 Re:

hi, i was a street evangelist (paid) in new orleans for years and saw so many people who were arrogant and haughty come through and turn the stomachs of the listeners. all i am saying is we need to use love and kindness in our time of witness.jimp

 2012/2/25 21:55Profile
carters
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Joined: 2011/5/24
Posts: 138
Australia

 


_________________
Mrs Carter

 2012/2/25 22:06Profile
rbanks
Member



Joined: 2008/6/19
Posts: 1330


 Re: This Post

Hi everyone,

I have enjoyed reading this thread!

I believe that "the Love of God" should be the primary if not the only motivation of evangelizing the lost.

 2012/2/25 22:14Profile
Solomon101
Member



Joined: 2008/4/1
Posts: 536
America's Flyover Country

 Re:

In the thread it has been stated;

THREAD STATED: "How does a Christian do "friendship evangelism" in the world?

Simple answer. You don't. These words are not found in the New Testament, but more importantly the concept is not either. "Friendship evangelism" is a worldly concept that the devil uses to make the saints less effective."

I RESPOND: Interesting set of scriptures then. These certainly contain the words "friendship" with Jesus interaction with sinners. He is even known as "The Friend of sinners"

Luke 7:34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.

Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.

He obviously hung out with that crowd as several Biblical stories show. Many of his railings on the "self righteous folk" also make it clear who He preferred to hang out with when not alone teaching His disciples. What type of person were the sinners in His day drawn to in such a strong way He was known as their friend?

 2012/2/25 22:16Profile
Koheleth
Member



Joined: 2005/11/10
Posts: 530
NC

 Re: How does a Christian do "friendship evangelism" in the world?

Here is an article that discusses the topic, for those interested.

http://www.covenantnews.com/deParrie040615.htm

 2012/2/26 7:11Profile
Mikeydarev
Member



Joined: 2005/8/1
Posts: 19


 Re:

Hi there guys,

Well this thread is interesting indeed!

If by friendship evangelism we mean that people make friends with people, avoid sharing the gospel truths, get them to gospel truth evading services, and start being churchies, then I will also express my distaste to the disrespect and defiling of the word evangelism.

However, if by friendship evangelism we mean that we put ourselves in positions to relate to non-Christians, so we can not only share, but they can also see Christ's power demonstrated in our lives; then I'm all for it. The issue then comes down to actually opening our mouths to share.

I dropped a guy home after a Salsa dance lesson last night. As we exchanged our live schedules I told him about going into prisons soon and got to touch on the gospel briefly with him. He likes surfing like I do, I've got his number, I've started a friendship, I've touched on the gospel, and when I meet with my boys on Sunday I'll ask that they pray for my relationship with him. That's friendship evangelism as I understand it. I as an evangelist working with a number of churches I aim to continue modelling and teaching this.

There are other things to consider. The book of Acts talked of how the apostles and early church "preached Jesus". This is much more than preaching God=Holy, you=vile sinner, Jesus=only way to heaven because he died for you vile scum - repent now.

I have shared the gospel with people ones in following catergories; lost a family member and a breast to cancer, started life in our country as a refugee and very hate-filled towards a Christianity that has allowed colonialism, disillusionment with church. In all of these I have befriended these people even if it be in a short conversation to understand their point of view and present Christ in the midst of it. Building friendships allow people to express themselves and open the door to RELATE Christ and ALL he has done to people.

Some people here need to take a chill pill, or know a bit more of the joy and freedom of the Holy Spirit. Evangelism is very easy when you're empowered and chilled out with God's grace. I remember how tense I used to be with this stuff but God's spirit brings grace and freedom and joy!

God bless

Mike


_________________
Mikey Revis

 2012/2/27 20:22Profile
Oracio
Member



Joined: 2007/6/26
Posts: 2094
Whittier CA USA

 Re:

Koheleth wrote:
"A wrong model, based on insincerity and deceit, is to pursue a friendship with someone simply to get close enough to them to at some point let them hear the gospel from us. Jesus didn't wait. His model was to offer people reconciliation to God, moral teachings, and eternal life from the outset."

Amen. Jesus went straight to the issues of eternity. We see the same with the prophets, the apostles and disciples. Yes, our Lord hung out with thieves and prostitutes but within the context of sharing/preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.

And He did not just talk about the love of God. He did not shy away from preaching the reality of Judgment Day and hell and the need for repentance and faith in Him. It's all throughout the Gospels. Yet some would have us only mention the love of God and thus water down the message!

This quote from C.H. Spurgeon seems fitting here:
"Brethren, we must preach the coming of the Lord, and preach it somewhat more than we have done; because it is the driving power of the gospel. Too many have kept back these truths, and thus the bone has been taken out of the arm of the gospel. Its point has been broken; its edge has been blunted. The doctrine of judgment to come is the power by which men are to be aroused. There is another life; the Lord will come a second time; judgment will arrive; the wrath of God will be revealed. Where this is not preached, I am bold to say the gospel is not preached. It is absolutely necessary to the preaching of the gospel of Christ that men be warned as to what will happen if they continue in their sins. Ho, ho, sir surgeon, you are too delicate to tell the man that he is ill! You hope to heal the sick without their knowing it. You therefore flatter them; and what happens? They laugh at you; they dance upon their own graves. At last they die! Your delicacy is cruelty; your flatteries are poisons; you are a murderer. Shall we keep men in a fool’s paradise? Shall we lull them into soft slumbers from which they will awake in hell? Are we to become helpers of their damnation by our smooth speeches? In the name of God we will not. It becomes every true minister of Christ to cry aloud and spare not, for God hath set a day in which he will “judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” As surely as Paul’s gospel was true the judgment will come. Wherefore flee to Jesus this day, O sinners. O ye saints, come hide yourselves again beneath the crimson canopy of the atoning sacrifice, that you may be now ready to welcome your descending Lord and escort him to his judgment-seat. O my hearers, may God bless you, for Jesus’ sake. Amen. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon (From A Sermon (No. 1849) Delivered on Lord’s Day Morning, July 12th, 1885)

We really do need to get away from this "seeker friendly", "seeker sensitive" and "user friendly" way of doing things when it comes to evangelism. What we need is the same kind of boldness Jesus displayed in reaching out to people with the gospel. It only comes from the Holy Spirit as we ask, seek and knock.

For those who have not listened to it, I would really recommend "Hell's Best Kept Secret" by Ray Comfort.

Blessings,
Oracio


_________________
Oracio

 2012/2/27 22:13Profile





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