Does anyone here know how he died? The way he died was almost as important as the way he lived. Timothy died as a open air preacher trying to stop people from attending a pagan festival. Yes I read this in a book because the Bible does not tell us how he died and I was amazed and greatly encouraged. So many on this board have tried to discourage me from my open air preaching street evangelism ministry because the so called lack of "effectiveness." I wonder how many Timothy persuaded to become a Christian right before he died? Perhaps 1 person, perhaps 5 persons, or perhaps no one. But regardless he died and became a example once he entered heaven.
Aren't you a Calvinist? How can Timothy have persuaded anyone? That would require a decision on the part of the new believer. And we know Calvinists hate decisions.
Everything I've found says Timothy was beaten to death by a pagan mob.
The first mistake John has made is that only one or two people here have tried to discourage him from street preaching; not "so many." Where he misunderstands this is that people have asked him about his "follow up," his fulfillment of the great commission to make disciples, not just preach the Word.
Take Timothy, for example (and this is John's second mistake: comparing himself to Timothy): Timothy wasn't "just" a street preacher. Timothy was a pastor, responsible for a flock (or, at least, that's my understanding of Paul's epistles to Timothy; someone feel free to correct me). Timothy didn't just preach; he fulfilled the commission. He preached; he ministered to his flock; he discipled. Ultimately, when he saw the pagans blatantly parading their idols in front of the citizens, he was moved to call out their error, assumably to protect those he was discipling.
I, along with others, am exceedingly glad that John is out preaching. It's not my gift, and not my calling. But then, he's apparently a mouth; whereas I'm more of an arm or a hand. Neither can accomplish the work of God without the other, so neither are more worthy than the other.
There are many preachers who travel and "just preach the Word," so not sure why street evangelism demands discipleship. I would like to know if he has said he has refused to follow up with anyone he has preached to?
Not all preachers are Pastors, and sad to say, not all Pastors are preachers.
Evan, for as long as you have been on the board, you seem to be looking for validation and approval by your peers to minister as you believe God has so led you to minister. Let me say that if you prayed about the type of ministry you are involved in; and if you heard from God to go and make disciples of men and women, and most importantly you love what you ate doing and it is producing FRUIT ... you really don't need anyone's approval, nod of acceptance, or blessing.
What you do for the Kingdom is ULTIMATELY between you and God, so stop looking for kudos from these cyber brothers and sisters. They may mean well, but they don't and can't be expected to to really and honestly know you as a person. Nor can they even start to understand the depth and breadth of what you do and why, so the best you will receive here is cyber opinions. Nothing more, nothing less. Just hand out tracks, preach to the street folks, and do it all for His glory, and your rewards will be many in heaven.
Love you for your spirit of enthusiasm to do whatever you can do to spread the Gospel in and around where He has positioned you in this world. Selah! Shalom!!!
True. But all Christians are to be disciples. That's the "...teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you..." part of the Great Commission.