Suppose you were witnessing to someone and they were considering salvation ,
but when asked about their parents - who were never saved - he hesitates as he
would not want to be separated from his parents.
How would you respond?
But what about mom and dad
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Salty, Mar 9, 2015.
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Are his parents dead?
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But yes, the parents would be deceased. -
I would tell them that it is not for us to know where their parents went and from what we see in Scripture, hell is not a place to "hang out" together. Hell isn't a fun place to be and there was a reason that Christ died so we wouldn't have to go there. I'd see how they responded to that and then move on.
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robustheologian Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I would let that person read Matt. 10:37, Luke 14:26, Luke 9:62, and Phil. 3:13. It shows that loving Jesus and following Jesus means letting go of everything and everyone else.
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John of Japan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
My answer? Remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man wanted someone to go to his brothers and warn them so that they too did not go to Hell. So I would tell such a Japanese that if their parents were in Hell (I would never actually say that they were), their parents would want them to be saved so that they did not go there. -
John of Japan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Rob -
John of Japan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
The other two passages (Luke 14:26 and 9:62) are debatable as to context whether they are about eternal salvation. -
JohnDeereFan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I would just explain to them that each of us will be judged on our own sins and that their parents will be judged justly by God, if they repent and receive Christ, they will be saved, and if not, and they die in their sin, God will judge them according to His law and His righteousness.
I would then share with them the analogy of an airplane passenger who, in an emergency, is instructed to put his own oxygen mask on first, because he cannot help those around him if he is unconscious.
I use that analogy to point out to them that, if they're really that concerned about their parents, then the best thing would be to repent and receive Christ, be born again, and then go to their parents and present the Gospel to them, telling them about the loving God who just saved their children from their sin and who now extends that same forgiveness to the parents. -
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What if they were told:
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor 15:22
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For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10 -
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Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
My point is that you cannot browbeat someone into salvation.....that is the work of God and you are along for the ride. -
JohnDeereFan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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JohnDeereFan Well-Known MemberSite SupporterSalty said: ↑Sounds good - except in post # 3 I clarified the OP by saying both parents were deceased.Click to expand...
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Robert William MemberSite SupporterSalty said: ↑Suppose you were witnessing to someone and they were considering salvation ,
but when asked about their parents - who were never saved - he hesitates as he
would not want to be separated from his parents.
How would you respond?Click to expand...
Luk_14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. -
Robert William MemberSite Supporterannsni said: ↑I would tell them that it is not for us to know where their parents went and from what we see in Scripture, hell is not a place to "hang out" together. Hell isn't a fun place to be and there was a reason that Christ died so we wouldn't have to go there. I'd see how they responded to that and then move on.Click to expand...
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
So yes you can know and tell people that person went to Hell, this should especially preached at Funerals. -
Originally Posted by JohnDeereFan View Post
It's a dodge. It's like "...but what about all of the pygmies on Bongo Bongo who have never heard of Jesus".
I would just explain to them that each of us will be judged on our own sins and that their parents will be judged justly by God, if they repent and receive Christ, they will be saved, and if not, and they die in their sin, God will judge them according to His law and His righteousness.
I would then share with them the analogy of an airplane passenger who, in an emergency, is instructed to put his own oxygen mask on first, because he cannot help those around him if he is unconscious.
I use that analogy to point out to them that, if they're really that concerned about their parents, then the best thing would be to repent and receive Christ, be born again, and then go to their parents and present the Gospel to them, telling them about the loving God who just saved their children from their sin and who now extends that same forgiveness to the parents.Click to expand...Earth said: ↑You sound like an Arminian. How long do you think these people have been alive? So they suddenly become reborn because what, the kid told them to read scripture and read it to them? Its the HS 's job to regenerate.
My point is that you cannot browbeat someone into salvation.....that is the work of God and you are along for the ride.Click to expand...
:smilewinkgrin: -
JohnDeereFan Well-Known MemberSite SupporterBenjamin said: ↑Fine example of The Arminian at heart -VS- The Hyper-Calvinist.
:smilewinkgrin:Click to expand...
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