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Why do Preachers do this?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by richard n koustas, Oct 21, 2007.

  1. richard n koustas

    richard n koustas New Member

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    What altar? the bazen altar, of course, or do you mean the carpeted steps?:cool: Some of the best gospel preaching i have heard over the years were not followed by an invitation. As you mention, Peter and Paul preached the gospel and based on the content -- some believed.
     
  2. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Will you be saying the same thing when you are fellowshipping with those who were saved by this means in Heaven?
     
  3. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Creates a lot of real ones, too. Who are we to judge what means someone was invited by God?
     
  4. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    I agree, per John 12:32 :thumbs:
     
  5. 4boys4joys

    4boys4joys New Member

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    Thank you webdog for your comments.

    I think that we will all disagree on some of the specific ways that people are asked to make a decision and we could go back and look at many different types of meetings where there were conversions and false professions, regardless of how it was presented.

    Do not get me wrong here, we should do our best to present a clear message, an invitation to act on that message and an environment that is not one that singles someone out to the point of embarrasment. But at the same time we should be on the witness stand and not the judgement stand when it comes to what way is most effective in seeing people respond.

    We could go as far to say that there are false professions because the Gospel was not clearly understood as well. A person could say a prayer at the end of a service based on a poorly presented version of the gospel message which would have nothing to do with the type of "invitation" given.

    Some people will resopnd negatively no matter how they are asked and we cannot control that aspect.

    I would hope that if we see someone do it differently and people truly get saved that we would not look down on the way that it happened but Praise God for them truly being saved.
     
  6. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    I am not criticizing anyone, but this is the kind of statements that bother me about invitations.

    There is no "effective" way to do an invitation. We are called to present the gospel and God does the rest. No amount of persuasive inviting by man will bring someone to Christ. That is done by God alone.

    The emphasis on the right kind of invitation puts man in the position of either taking credit for the person's positive response, or accepting failure in bringing someone to Christ.

    If we present the gospel clearly, we have done our part. The rest is in God's hands.
     
  7. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    What if the Holy Spirit lays it upon your heart to persuasively invite them? I recall Paul doing this very thing. Remember King Agrippa who was "almost persuaded" to become a follower of Christ by Paul in Acts 26 after Paul "begged" him (v. 3)?

    26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.
    27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."
    28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 29Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."
     
    #47 webdog, Oct 22, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 22, 2007
  8. npetreley

    npetreley New Member

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    Then the Holy Spirit is perfectly capable of giving you the right words to say and the right things to do. It's when man steps in and come up with "10 effective ways to present the Gospel" that troubles people like me. It doesn't matter how well or how poorly we "sell" the Gospel. It isn't our doing that makes it work.
     
  9. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    How do we know the Holy Spirit didn't influence his "10 effective ways to present the Gospel"? We don't...but assume it's all man.
     
  10. npetreley

    npetreley New Member

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    I would assume it's all man because there is no such thing as 10 effective ways to present the Gospel. Hearing comes by the word of God, not by our means of presenting it. It is possible that, by coincidence, the Holy Spirit could use all 10 ways at one time or another. But evangelism is not a cookbook.
     
  11. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    1 Corinthians 9:22 would disagree.

    22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
     
  12. J.D.

    J.D. Active Member
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    Saved by what means? Is it believing the word preached or walking down the ailse that saves people?
     
  13. npetreley

    npetreley New Member

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    I don't see cookbook in there, but I should know better than to disagree with you.
     
  14. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    True, cookbook is not in there...but

    "would assume it's all man because there is no such thing as 10 effective ways to present the Gospel. Hearing comes by the word of God, not by our means of presenting it. It is possible that, by coincidence, the Holy Spirit could use all 10 ways at one time or another.'

    ...sure is.
     
  15. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Who discerns the heart...us or God? We can believe anything we want, but if we don't act out in faith it's all for naught.
     
  16. npetreley

    npetreley New Member

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    Whatever. It's clear that it's impossible for you to be wrong about anything, even if what you say is contradicted in the Bible (chosen to salvation). So I'm not going to bother.
     
  17. J.D.

    J.D. Active Member
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    Am I understanding you correctly? Are you saying that we are not saved until we "act out"?
     
  18. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    You just did.

    Why can't you just debate without the need to attack? That's a sign of weakness. You were just given Scripture that soundly refutes what you stated...and then resort to calling out my character, and bringing up another topic from last week...all together having nothing to do with this one. Grow up.
     
  19. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    We are saved by grace through faith. You know what I mean by "act out", so don't play the semantics game with me.
     
  20. J.D.

    J.D. Active Member
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    No, I don't knowwhat you mean. I must not be as familiar with your theology as you think I am. Or maybe I've forgotten. I do have poor memory.
     
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