Is an evangelist a watchman

Whoa, that's a loaded one, El_Guero. I predict that if this thread takes off it will first be transferred to the theology forum, and then will turn into a Cal/Arm thread.

For the record, I believe that the Ezek. passages were primarily to Ezekiel because that is what he needed to hear as a prophet. God said nothing similar to the other prophets that I recall.

In the NT the Apostle Paul then applied the passage to himself saying that he was free from the blood of all men, but that was (1) application and not exegesis, and (2) symbolic only.

If Paul's use was not symbolic, then we have a problem. How will God punish us for having blood on our hands? Are we then spiritual murderers? Will the blood be there when we get to Heaven, so we will be punished somehow in Heaven (an impossible view due to other passages about Heaven)?

Having said that, you know that I believe that it is every Christian's responsibility to seek to obey the Great Commission and reach the world for Christ. Any Christian who does not do so will suffer the loss of their rewards and risk being put on the shelf.

 

Agreed--as long as someone doesn't make it an ugly debate. Nah, that wouldn't happen on a BB fellowship thread, would it? :saint:

To carry out the symbolism, a watchman on the gate would lose his job if someone died through his failure to be a faithful watchman. In that way he would be held accountable.

So, I assume that a failure to be a good watchman on the part of Ezekiel would mean him losing his office as prophet and maybe even his life, much like the young prophet who was told to go straight home but believed the lies of the retired prophet.

In application to the present time, then, a preacher might be set aside and lose his effectiveness for the Lord if he neglected to warn the wicked. I am reminded of Paul talking about his fear of having run in vain (Gal. 2:2, Phil. 2:16) or his fear of becoming a castaway (1 Cor. 9:27).

 

What can I say, friend. I'm a prophet.

Prepare for the storm.

 

I didn't move the thread, in spite of the fact that I am considered a liberal by my brother from Texas.

The issue here is one which is a debate topic, not a fellowship topic. The missions/evangelism is for fellowshipping, not debate.

There is no contempt for missions and evangelism shown by moving a thread.

Now. let a Christ centred debate on the topic at hand begin .

 

Amen, Roger.

Anyone? :type:

 

Reconsidered.

 

I am sorry you are so upset over the moving of a thread Wayne, but you'll need to take this up with whoever moved the thread. It must have been another liberal, I didn't do it and I am not going to undo another moderator's action. I do however agree with the decision.

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I think Wayne has presented an excellent issue for discussion here - is an evangelist today a watchman like Ezekiel? Interesting that we just discussed this our Bible Institute Tuesday night and had a lively little debate there. It provoked my thoughts and gave me something to chew on. Is thew blood of those we don't witness to going to be on our hands? After looking a little more into it I really don't know if we can make that application and would be interested to see what others say.

 

Been meditating on this as I labor under the sun.

Although we may not have actual 'bloody hands' can we not say that each Christian must bear responsibility and answer to God for the folks he should have witnessed to but didn't? Wouldn't that come under the purview of the Bema Seat?

 

I am thinking along those lines Mexdef - I wish I knew the answer better than I do.

At the very least we miss the blessing of being in obedience to God's will and desire for us when we fail to carry out the Great Commission. That should be enough in and of itself to spur us on to service.

Blood on our hands? I just don't know.

 

For some reason, I feel a need to reply to this thread!
Seriously, I have always felt that every believer was to be a watchman-watching for the return of the Lord Jesus.

 

Ive always heard this passage applied as meaning we are responsible for those who we REFUSE to witness to......
The ones who as we pass the Holy Spirit gives a tug at our heart to go give them a tract, and we ignore it because we're busy, or we assume they won't listen, or we are scared of them.
Also Ive seen it applied as when we refuse to heed the call to missionary service when we know full well that this is what God wants us to do. Both go hand in hand.

I don't see how we can be responsible for those we have no contact with, and have no way of being in contact with. I believe the condemnation is on someone refusing to witness or warn those around them.

 

That's the kind of thing I have always heard bapmom, but I am having a hard time finding Bible evidence that would have anything to do with people's blood being on our hands like God told Ezekiel.

I know evangelism is vital - but need to look more into the "blood on our hands" idea.