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Featured Must the church sanction every act of evangelism?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by evangelist6589, May 24, 2015.

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  1. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    There are those whose churches run under a form of government where the church needs to sanction every act of evangelism. They would argue from their interpretation of scripture that those out doing street evangelism and open air preaching must have had their elders lay hands on them and be under their authority. However my church which is a Baptist church does not use elders and they would differ. They say that the body has the responsibility to be out witnessing and that their members are under their authority, but they do not sanction every act of evangelism. I have been in baptist churches for a long time and have never run into one that felt the urge to sanction every act of evangelism. Members were expected to be out witnessing on their own regardless of the form of evangelism.

    I am aware that GreekTim, and those coming from the Reformed Presbyterian mode of government disagree with me on this one. Perhaps this is true of only some Reformed churches. The church where I learned WOTM used both elders and deacons and they did not hold this view that they needed to sanction everything a member does on his own watch. So what say you?
     
    #1 evangelist6589, May 24, 2015
  2. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    If you're a member of a church, what you do gets associated with that church.
     
    #2 Don, May 24, 2015
  3. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    Obviously.. But you missed the question.
     
    #3 evangelist6589, May 24, 2015
  4. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    What does Paul Washer and John MacArthur have to say....can you reference any books for us?

    Sorry gotta hop....gonna buy some Tom's Hard Lemonade for some people comming over later.
     
    #4 Earth Wind and Fire, May 24, 2015
  5. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    In my opinion the church doesn't sanction evangelism. It disciples Christians who, as the body of Christ, evangelizes. Witnessing to others should be a part of our identity - we come together in church to study the Scriptures, pray, support one another....for the building up of the saints. If, however, one "evangelizes" falsely then it is up to his church to discipline/correct (regardless of sanction).
     
    #5 JonC, May 24, 2015
  6. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    What does scripture teach?
     
    #6 evangelist6589, May 24, 2015
  7. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    Wait a minute. Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying your church claims to have authority over HOW you witness? And not just a general statement about the relationship of church members to the church?
     
    #7 InTheLight, May 24, 2015
  8. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    If it's obvious, but you think I missed the question -- then you missed the answer.
     
    #8 Don, May 24, 2015
  9. wpe3bql

    wpe3bql Member

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    It depends on what one describes as "every act of evangelism."

    I don't believe a church necessarily has to sanction trying to "evangelize" his/her own family/relatives. Nor do I believe it's necessary to have official church sanction to "evangelize" one's neighbors/co-workers, etc., when it's done on a face-to-face, person-to-person manner.

    OTOH, if the "evangelism" is done using a church's name and is targeted at a rather large demographic, IMHO that type of "evangelism" probably should only be done under the "sanction" of that particular local church.
     
    #9 wpe3bql, May 24, 2015
  10. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    Am I on the Baptist Board site or the DoG-House site?
     
    #10 Rolfe, May 24, 2015
  11. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    Must be on BB--people are responding to Evan's posts.
     
    #11 InTheLight, May 24, 2015
  12. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    Ouch. :laugh:

    Expect another rabbit.
     
    #12 Rolfe, May 24, 2015
  13. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    You tell me ...you are the street evangelist, right!
     
    #13 Earth Wind and Fire, May 24, 2015
  14. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Ahhhh haaaaaaa:laugh:
     
    #14 Earth Wind and Fire, May 24, 2015
  15. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    Yes that's what I am saying but fortunately I am not in such a church.
     
    #15 evangelist6589, May 24, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: May 24, 2015
  16. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    The other board is not as active.
     
    #16 evangelist6589, May 24, 2015
  17. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    The rabbit board
     
    #17 evangelist6589, May 24, 2015
  18. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    I would caveat this: if your evangelizing is associated with your church, then your church should have the right to know how they're being represented.
     
    #18 Don, May 25, 2015
  19. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    I would agree. However in my case I don't use their name unless asked. I am glad they do not overseer their members like some of the Presbyterian churches do.
     
    #19 evangelist6589, May 25, 2015
  20. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    I agree 100%. In my case it's my street evangelism and open air preaching. I do not broadcast my local church, but if asked where I go I am honest.
     
    #20 evangelist6589, May 25, 2015
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