Livingwaters.com has cut the price of its million-dollar bill gospel tracts from $6 for 100 tracts to $3 through the end of May. These may be the easiest tracts to pass out en masse or to start conversations. Here are a couple of lines you can use when passing them out:
- Can you make change for this?
- Thanks a million! (This is ideal for cashiers or people you tip.)
- It’s great when you get the change.
- Or the old standby: Did you get one of these?
Take advantage of the parades and festivals in the summer to hand these to people; you may be surprised how many you can give away very easily. Most people smile or laugh when they see the tract, and then become curious as to its purpose. Consider saying, “There’s a message on the back I’d love you to read.”
If an individual appears ready to have a conversation, hand him or her the tract and say, “The million dollar question is on the back.” Usually the person will read the million dollar question, but if he or she doesn’t, you might say, “You’re supposed to ask me what the million dollar question is.” The question—“Will you go to heaven when you die?”—can lead to a great gospel conversation.
You might wonder if tracts really are effective. Take a look at the video below. It’s an amazing story.
Christ Alone Wyoming 
I’m sure tracts work with some but I do not think that this tactic will work with most. Most of the time there is an unbiblical sinners prayer on the back. The sinners prayer is not found anywhere in the Bible.
One other thing about tracts. It seems that they promote making converts to believe that Jesus died for them. Jesus told us to make disciples not converts.
What are your thoughts?
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David,
The whole purpose of Way of the Master, which sells these tracts, is to present the gospel biblically. If you check out the link, you’ll see there is no sinner’s prayer on these tracts.
The gospel is the message that saves. Are you saying converts are not disciples? Is a convert not born again while a disciple is? I think those terms are synonyms. While there are plenty of false converts, true converts are disciples.
Did you watch the video?
Thanks,
Bill
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How long is the video,what year does it take place in, and what country?
That is good that they don’t have the sinners prayer.
Unfortunately converts are not the same as a disciple. With converts there is just a decision. There was no guiding through life like Jesus did with his disciples. If a person raises their hand then all of a sudden they have become a follower of Jesus and thus a convert. Just raising a hand and calling oneself a follower of Jesus does not make it so. To be a follower of Jesus one must follow Jesus. This happens in discipleship and not in a one moment decision.
What is a convert being converted from?
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The fact that this video takes place all over is the amazing part!!! That was truly an awesome story!!!
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What is a convert being converted from?
According to the scriptures sinners are miraculously converted from spiritual death unto spiritual life by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ.
All true converts will infallibly become true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ – with some rare exceptions (think thief on the cross).
You are correct that there are many spurious professions of faith and many false converts but it’s up to the Holy Spirit alone to change men’s hearts, as servants of Christ we are to simply and faithfully proclaim His Word in season and out of season for it is the power of God to save.
In Christ,
CD
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Thanks for all the comments. I do have another question if you ya’ll don’t mind.
What denomination do you belong to. I ask because I can’t figure out who you side with as far as popular authors and preachers are concerned. If I knew I might be able to better understand where you come from. Thanks.
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David,
Judging from the questions you asked, you haven’t watchted the video. It’s only 8 minute long, and I would highly recommend watching it.
I attend a Calvary Chapel, and I am a born again Christian. If you want to find out more about Way of the Master, you should listen to Hell’s Best Kept Secret. You can download it at http://wayofthemaster.com/audiolessons.shtml
Thanks,
Bill
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I come from a Christian church background.
I have seen some of Hell’s Best Kept Secret when I was stumbling some sites the other day. It really didn’t interest me.
A couple of years ago my wife and I spent 9 months living in Germany, helping at a church. The country has almost 83 million people. The book Operation World reports that the country is around 60% Christian. This is false. They are reporting on everyone who belongs to the state churches. Don’t get me wrong there are people who belong to the state churches who are Christian but most of them are not. Germany is some pretty rough soil. It takes a long time to make progress for God’s kingdom there. Tracks may be effective here and other parts of the world but I know for a fact that they just don’t work very well in Germany.
People don’t get it sometimes. When life is well they don’t feel a connection to their soul. When the bills are being paid and there is plenty of food on the table the German people much like Americans don’t think about what Jesus can do for them.
My wife and I are moving there next year to invest our life in the lives of other citizens of Germany. It takes caring, serving, and even sometimes heartache in their own life until the realize the need for Him. Needless to say it is a long process but we are ready and willing. I not only have a desire to share Jesus with them but beyond this I want them to know that they are loved. From my experience it takes time before people know they are loved.
Okay, I will watch the video.
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For my part, I do not belong to a “denomination.” I am first and foremost a true believer and follower of the Lamb.
While we may choose names which aid others in helping to identify where we stand doctrinally, we make it clear in every aspect of our ministry that our stand is to be with the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of glory.
Joshua when confronted with the Angel of the Lord asked whose side the Angel was on, “Are you for us or for them?” The Angel replied, “No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.”
This should be each of our positions to be following the Captain of our Salvation so that we do not fall for the drivel, fluff, and heresy such as we are trying to expose on this website.
The Desert Pastor
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P.S. – Would be interested to know what it was about “Hell’s Best Kept Secret” that did not interest you, David?!!?
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Kirk Cameron approaching people whom he doesn’t know and trying to share a canned presentation of the gospel. It is a half gospel really. It only talks about their soul, as important as that is. This is not service. This doesn’t take a lot of work to do.
Jesus came to serve and not to be served and we should follow His lead. We are to care for the whole person. First their soul, but sometimes people will not respond until cared for physically. To tell people they are going to hell is incomplete gospel.
The whole gospel could look something like this:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:34-36; 40).
These are all physical. Sure we need to look after a person spiritually but Jesus want’s us to take care of them physically also and passing out tracts just doesn’t get the job done. Sharing Jesus requires hard work. We may get nervous about passing out a tract but we shouldn’t confuse our nerves with hard work.
I don’t have a stance that one denomination is above another one. I thought I should say that for clarity sake.
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Dave Knapp,
You said: “Jesus came to serve and not to be served and we should follow His lead.”
But God Said: “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21
Jesus did “serve” many people. But those times He healed people and performed miracles were to prove who He was and by what authority He was there. Now we have the Bible to tell us this.
You can feed people, you can put clothing on their back, and give them a place to stay, but if they pass away into eternity before you have done enough to gain their ear they will go to hell for eternity.
If your concerned for people for the Sake of Jesus Chirst…. Use the law to wake the conscience, preach the Gospel of the Glory of Christ, and then put some food on their plates.
In Love,
Howie
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You don’t have a very good argument because Jesus himself said that when we cloth, feed,and visit,we were doing this to Him. If he didn’t care about US doing these things then He never would have mentioned this, right?
No offense but the hell, fire, and brimstone message is a little outdated and not very effective anymore, especially in Europe.
I do believe that people need Jesus to save them from their sins but that is the first half of the gospel message. I do not choose to only follow half but the whole message that Jesus gave us.
Because of Jesus,
David
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David,
Are you saying that in Germany, you can’t walk up to people and start a conversation about the Bible and eternity? We’re commanded to do that regardless of whether you like it.
No one has said you shouldn’t take care of people’s physical needs. Hindus were taken care of by Mother Theresa, and they would die in her arms never hearing the gospel, and presumably go to hell. Our job isn’t to make earth a better place to go to hell from.
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching (Romans 10:14)?”
Thanks,
Bill
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Still, Jesus said to take care of people. I am not say it is either or, I am saying it is both.
Sure you can go and talk to a German about Jesus and 9 time out of 10 they are going to think you are a nut. There is a better a way to plant seeds in Germany. Maybe the soil is ready to plant seeds with the people you deal with. The ground is like a rock in Germany and is going to take some time to prepare this ground. I am very interested in sharing Jesus with them but realize it is going to take time. You know they could die tonight and not accept Jesus and go to hell. Or they could ignore my questions about hell and then I could ignore them for the rest of their life and they will go to hell. Or they could ignore me and I could begin to invest my life in them and one day the ground will be ready to accept Jesus. When I invest my life in them there will be services. Don’t give up on the people who would turn down a track. George Mueller had two friends that he prayed for for over 50 years before they came to Christ. How inspiring.
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“No offense but the hell, fire, and brimstone message is a little outdated and not very effective anymore, especially in Europe.”
Being British (and European unfortunately), I would say that many of my peers would probably agree with your assessment! Alas, you and they would both be wrong though. Hell is just as hot and just as real as it was when Jesus Christ preached on the subject matter.
People in Europe are totally depraved sinners just like they are throughout the rest of the world, and settling for a social gospel without providing the Biblical gospel of the death, burial and resurrection will merely provide people with the ability to go to bed with a full stomach, proper medicine, nicer home, and a “good feeling” about themselves, but they will still wake up in the Christ-less eternity of hell never having heard of their need of a Saviour.
While people like mother Theresa may have gone around doing good, that does not provide salvation, and many (including Theresa) will spend eternity in hell for their rejection of the Only Way, the truth, and the Life which is found NOT in social gospels, but in Jesus Christ alone.
The Desert Pastor
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PS. – As for 9 out of 10 thinking you are a nut for speaking to them about Jesus, a few verses come to mind,
Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
John 15:18, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”
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“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” II Timothy 3:12
My understanding is that from 1872 through 1892, George Mueller not only prayed for his friends to be saved, but personally preached to thousands of strangers.
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I never mentioned anything about Mother Teresa. Still I stand on what I said. I believe that people should hear how they can be saved through Christ alone but it was Christ Himself who said we needed to care for those who have no clothes, who are in prison, and those who are hungry. You may call this a social gospel but Jesus talked about how important it was to do these things.
It seems to me that some here want to pick and choose which verses they are going to follow. It seems that all of the salvation verses are being followed but all of the other things that Jesus talked about are being ignored.
It has to be both. This site promotes the care of the spirit (this is good). Humanitarians promote the care of the flesh (this too is good). I promote Jesus’ message of caring for the spiritual needs along with the physical needs (this is best). This is the whole gospel message.
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David,
We are not questioning helping out others. We DO question the use of social gospel to the exclusion of the Biblical message of salvation.
Many mission organizations can tell you that they have attempted the social gospel route and in the end only compromised their doctrine in order to “do good” and while providing clothes, food, and neat little gardens, watched those same people die and go straight to hell because “after all Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Catholics, etc are all good moral people who have to make their own religious decisions!”
Still waiting for your answers to the three questions I asked about the church, Hell’s Best Kept Secret, and the teachings of the entire NT.
I would rather a person die with Christ on his or her lips and an empty stomach, then for that person to die with a full stomach and cursing a God he or she has no personal relationship with.
Yes, we would like to see them have both, but which of the two (social or salvation) is the MOST important to you, David?
The Desert Pastor
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“Yes, we would like to see them have both, but which of the two (social or salvation) is the MOST important to you, David?”
You ask in such a way that you one me to pick only one. My first half is soul saving… then my second half is taking care of their physical needs. This is because Jesus told us to do so. Two halves make a whole. You call it a social gospel which tells me that some may be frightened to help others because they may get labeled as a humanitarian or worse a liberal.
I apologize if I have not answered your questions. There has been a lot of dialog going on and I must have missed it.
Reply #11 has the answer to Hell’s Best Kept Secret.
I mentioned somewhere else on here that I come from a Christian church background. I was just curious about where everyone stood as far as denomination was concerned because sometimes people try to defend the doctrines of the church instead of the gospel of Jesus.
I can’t find your question on “the teachings of the entire NT.” Could you please repeat it?
David
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Repeat from my comments 26-28 on “Are Christian Bookstore Owners Responsible?”
************
David K,
Without bothering to check, you made an assumption about the ministry in which I am currently involved based on one comment. I used the comment I did to refer to a specific situation in which I was involved. I believe in a plurality of elders and currently serve in such a plurality in the ministry where God has chosen to place me for the time being.
That is good that you do not go to church for the purpose of somebody telling you how to live your life. However, the Bible does make it clear that the role of an elder/pastor/teacher is to teach and disciple believers. This includes the very necessary means of not only exhorting but edifying as and when necessary from the Word of God. Pastors/elders have a solemn responsibility to proclaim all the Word of God, not just the parts they like or the ones the people think they want to hear!
Pastors/elders also have a responsibility to grow with the people to whom they minister. There is an accountability factor not just to God but before the congregation for preaching and teaching the undiluted Word of God.
Now so that I understand a little more about a couple of your comments – 1) What do you believe the Biblical role of the local church is today (if any)? 2) You said you follow the Jesus found in the 4 Gospels – do you believe the epistles are just as inspired and that the believer AND local church is to follow the doctrine found throughout the entire New Testament?
Sincerely,
The Desert Pastor
P.S. – Out of curiosity, re: your Christian church background – is this the same as “The Disciples of Christ”?
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I am not part of the Disciples of Christ.
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I will answer your other questions but it will be a little later.
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I remember many “followers of Christ” leaving Him because He wouldn’t provide bread for them to eat on a regular basis. The same Jesus who said you shall not live on bread alone but what by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. He took care of people’s most important needs while here on earth, providing them salvation. This does not mean, however, that we ignore someones temporal, physical needs, and I don’t think any of us here would, but the most important need, (the one that will endure for eternity) is the need of the soul . . . namely forgiveness.
What does one do when they are required (as David Knapp is suggesting) to meet someone’s every need if you yourself don’t have the ability. Think missionary work in the Amazon jungle where your resources are limited. Do you withhold the preaching of the Word until the social work is complete? I certainly hope not. And what if the social aspect is never able to be accomplished?
What about the college student who comes from a wealthy home who you are trying to witness to on the street? What felt “needs” must we try to provide to give him the “whole” gospel and not just the salvation message?
I highly recommend the book Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan. He is from India and now lives in the U.S. He heads Gospel for Asia and discusses the whole topic of the social gospel vs the true gospel when it comes to missionary work in his homeland with people he loves and desperately cares about. I encourage you to read what this man has to say about this; someone who’s been there. It may surprise you.
Just some thoughts and suggestions.
– The Pilgrim
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Dear David Knapp:
Coram Deo picked up on the same flags I too saw regarding your emergent/emerging leanings based on your comments throughout DefCon and the postings on your own blog (along with the subheading on your blog “following Jesus while building His Kingdom here on earth . . .”). But knowing that those who identify with this emergent philosophy tend to never allow themselves to be labeled (#1 way to tell if you’re emergent on this post), Coram erred when he asked you (on another thread) the yes or no question of whether or not you are in their camp (and DP asked if you are a part of the DOC).
Let me approach it a little differently so we can clarify exactly who we are talking with. If you could answer these 5 simple questions it would help greatly. Thanks.
1). Is the Bible the fully inspired Word of God, infallible and all truth can be known from its pages?
2). Is Jesus Christ God and the ONLY way of salvation?
3). Can people of other religions, who do not believe in or know who Jesus is, be saved if they die in that same state?
4). Is there a literal Hell in which the majority of those living now and who have lived will find themselves?
5). Are people inherently depraved, or are people for the most part “good?”
– The Pilgrim
P.S. I consider myself first and foremost a Christian (without allegiance to any one particular denomination) although I have increasingly Reformed leanings as of late.
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1. “Now so that I understand a little more about a couple of your comments – 1) What do you believe the Biblical role of the local church is today (if any)”
Love God, Love People (Luke 10:25-37)
2. “You said you follow the Jesus found in the 4 Gospels – do you believe the epistles are just as inspired and that the believer AND local church is to follow the doctrine found throughout the entire New Testament?”
I believe that all 66 books of the Bible are equally inspired of God.
This is what I have been saying along. I do believe that a disciple of Jesus along with his or her community of disciples are to seek and save the lost just like Jesus, and I believe that we are to care for their needs just like Jesus.
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1). Is the Bible the fully inspired Word of God, infallible and all truth can be known from its pages?”
Yes
2). “Is Jesus Christ God and the ONLY way of salvation?”
Yes
3). “Can people of other religions, who do not believe in or know who Jesus is, be saved if they die in that same state?”
No. I must say that Jesus never came to establish a religion.
4). “Is there a literal Hell in which the majority of those living now and who have lived will find themselves?”
Yes, though I have never been there.
5). “Are people inherently depraved, or are people for the most part ‘good?’”
We all have a choice of whether or not we are going to make the right ones. Even though we can make good choices and do good things, every last one of us has seperated ourselves from God by choosing our will instead of His, and this is why we need Jesus.
– The Pilgrim
“P.S. I consider myself first and foremost a Christian (without allegiance to any one particular denomination) although I have increasingly Reformed leanings as of late.”
I to consider myself a follower of Jesus, Christian, disciples, etc. I belong to the Christian church but also realize that no one church has all of their doctrine 100% correct.
David
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1. “I remember many “followers of Christ” leaving Him because He wouldn’t provide bread for them to eat on a regular basis. The same Jesus who said you shall not live on bread alone but what by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. He took care of people’s most important needs while here on earth, providing them salvation. This does not mean, however, that we ignore someones temporal, physical needs, and I don’t think any of us here would, but the most important need, (the one that will endure for eternity) is the need of the soul . . . namely forgiveness.”
Many followers of Christ did leave Him. How many Christians were following Him during His ministry? NONE. These are just labels that people put on themselves that hopefully have a deeper meaning.
“What does one do when they are required (as David Knapp is suggesting) to meet someone’s every need if you yourself don’t have the ability. Think missionary work in the Amazon jungle where your resources are limited. Do you withhold the preaching of the Word until the social work is complete? I certainly hope not. And what if the social aspect is never able to be accomplished?”
If I was a missionary in the Amazon jungle I would invite my neighbor over for dinner. Those are resources. It is not social work first or second. You think that there should be an order. It is both. There are always going to be resources of somesort. Missionaries are going to have supporters who will provide enough income so they can invite their neighbor over for dinner. I believe this attitude of salvation only comes from the fact that we are an individualistic society and people don’t really want to get involved in other peoples lives.
“What about the college student who comes from a wealthy home who you are trying to witness to on the street? What felt “needs” must we try to provide to give him the “whole” gospel and not just the salvation message?”
How about meeting these peole in civic situations and getting to know them. If you want to share the salvation message with them right off the bat go ahead but at the same time why not get to know them? If you take the time you may be the person who leads them to Christ.
“I highly recommend the book Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan. He is from India and now lives in the U.S. He heads Gospel for Asia and discusses the whole topic of the social gospel vs the true gospel when it comes to missionary work in his homeland with people he loves and desperately cares about. I encourage you to read what this man has to say about this; someone who’s been there. It may surprise you.”
I own some of his books. He is a good author. I know plenty of missionaries personally who have been there. Some for 20 years others for 40. They have taught me what it is going to take in order to be an effective missionary in Germany.
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Proclaiming the Truth by preaching, and doing good works, are both important, but the Bible seems to place a greater emphasis on evangelism.
Jesus Christ was and is God. It was within His power, during His time on earth, to heal every sick person, feed every hungry person, and meet every physical need. He chose not to do so.
Yet, he specifically commanded His disciples to: “…go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
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We keep going in circles. You feel that I am neglecting the “most emphasised” part of Jesus message. I think you are trying to do a good job with the salvation part but neglecting the serving part…
What are we trying to accomplish from this debate?
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I thought I would put the context to the scripture you provided:
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:15-18).
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Perhaps the disconnect here is that you presume that we don’t care about people or don’t love our neighbor. That seems to be the overall theme of your comments. Whereas we have never implied, alluded or even said anything of the sort.
We have, however, stressed that the most important aspect of Christianity is to preach the gospel to the lost and dying. This is the ultimate love for neighbor. To ignore one’s needs (real needs, not one’s preference for hazlenut in his latte) is not only irresponsible, but against a Christian’s nature and Jesus’ commands.
On the other hand, to put the preaching of salvation on the back-burner (give it a back seat) for the sake of social issues (e.g. see Rick Warren) is detrimental and the opposite of true compassion. Temporal needs should never take precedence over eternal needs (living water vs earthly well water in John 4 is a good example of this).
– The Pilgrim
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Okay so we agree. Telling people about Jesus and the salvation message is important.
I don’t think we should choose though. God didn’t say go and hand out tracts, He said to go and make disciples, teaching them to obey everything He had commanded them and teach others the same. Everything means everything and not just one thing. If you hand out tracts and then go and help a neighbor build their garage then that is great. That is the whole gospel. If that describes you then it looks like we are in enough agreement to end the discussion.
By the way saying, “real needs, not one’s preference for hazlenut in his latte” is a cheap shot. I am not even sure why you said it. Besides I prefer my coffee with sugar and cream.
David
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Here is a question for you, David – Do you believe that a person must be baptized in order to be saved?
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At what point in history.
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Sorry, that is a question:
At what point in history?
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In the church age. Specifically after the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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In regards to missions work, you said, “They have taught me what it is going to take in order to be an effective missionary in Germany.”
What do you consider to be the marks of an effective missionary?
I know many who have served in Germany as missionaries and throughout Europe including our own family. I do not think that any one of us would ever consider ourselves to have been “effective”, but I believe we could say that when we stand before God we will have done that which was our reasonable duty as servants to do. My prayer is that each one of us will hear the words, “Well done, you are a good and faithful servant!”
By the way, we do not attempt to argue needlessly with anybody. However, we do believe it is our responsibility to point out issues that we believe runs contrary to the Word of God to our readers, and/or raise questions in order to understand where those who choose (like yourself) to come to our blog and post prolifically (like you have done) stand doctrinally from a Biblical perspective.
You have been asked a few questions to which you have given vague, rather non-descript answers (and some comments you have not answered at all – to date). My friend, vague answers on a blog may suffice from your standpoint, but when you are faced with a German with a soul preparing for eternity – they will want answers.
I would highly recommend reading this post and watching the accompanying video located HERE.
The Desert Pastor
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I have been here only as long as I have because this is a debate not between one on one but one on, what 5? I have asked my question but also every time I am done talking there are more questions from you guys. This is okay but this is the reason I have been here so long.
I have given you vague answers because when I give you scriptural answers I am told that Jesus didn’t place much emphasis on those scriptures and more on others aka salvation scriptures. If the whole bible is inspired then we shouldn’t say this scripture is more important than another. I have not answered certain people because like I said, there are 5 of you that have been talking to me. I cannot keep up and live a normal life at the same time.
I do not want to watch another video. See that is the problem. It seems that your answers have been people need to have a tract or watch this video. This is not a solution.
Yes, you do needless argue because if I raise one question that doesn’t seem to agree with your Point of View then everyone is in there to cherry pick there favorite scriptures to try and prove me wrong. This has happened so much in fact that we actually agree on issues but I don’t think anybody noticed.
For those that didn’t hound me I thank you because there were some who didn’t. I know, I know, this is going to spark more questions from some but this is beginning to be a waste of my time. Sorry, its been fun but I have to get back to the real world. My wife and I are going to Germany in two days to serve for six weeks before returning next year full-time.
Take care all.
PS: I may answer the Baptism question when I get the time. Right now I do not.
Because of Jesus,
David Knapp
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I have to chime in on the whole “social gospel” issue. I have tried here in the states to do this from time to time and every time I got burned. When you are dealing with sinful unregenerate people what is their focus? Self. So the more you try to meet their physical needs the more they want. You can become like a Santa to them. They give the “wish list” and you provide what they want. It just doesn’t work. I’ve also had situations were the person becomes dependent on you and not on Christ. They act like they “get it” but in reality they are just seeing you as their salvation. When you back off they fall right back into their old pattern of life which leads me to believe their was never any true repentance.
As far as overseas is concerned, I don’t know about Europe but I know that in Papua New Guinea and other jungle/third world countries you cannot just “invite your neighbor over for dinner” If you invited anyone from the tribe you would have to invite them all and that is just not possible. In third world countries they see Americans (white folk) as rich sugar daddies. They will stop working and expect the missionaries to care for them. In the mission that I was working with you were not allowed to give them anything because it would upset their entire village economy. The missionaries brought in things that they needed but they had to work for it or trade goods for it. (what is the verse? If a man will not work he will not eat) Now if someone was going to die or something drastic happened it didn’t mean that the missionaries would withhold care. But they had to be sure that the tribe would trust in Christ to meet their needs not trust in Missionaries to save them. The way they shared Christ with them is they would start in Genesis and teach them the entire Bible. By the time they get to Christ’s death on the cross the tribe really understands why it was needed because they already learned about the need for a blood sacrifice in the Old Testament. Many times entire tribes have come to know the Lord through this method. The difference between them and Europe is that they never heard the truth therefore they never had a chance to harden their hearts to it. I think Europe is just so hardened due to years of rejecting Christ that it appears that the “old ways” are not working but in reality its not the method that no longer works its that the people no longer respond. We are not responsible for the results we are only responsible to be obedient to the Word. If you gave your entire life to preaching in Europe and only one person was saved that would be worth it.
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“I think Europe is just so hardened due to years of rejecting Christ that it appears that the “old ways” are not working but in reality its not the method that no longer works its that the people no longer respond.”
Tanya, thank you for your addition. The above statement you made is spot-on as we say in the UK. There is nothing new under the sun, and the old ways have been seeing the unconverted sinner come to the foot of the cross for almost 2000 years, but now in the 21st century “Christianity” has become enlightened and new ways are necessary to make the gospel of salvation palatable to a world that needs to know of the Saviour.
The Desert Pastor
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David,
Thank you for being honest enough to post your belief on baptismal regeneration, which is a staple doctrine of the “Christian” church and “The Disciples of Christ” church.
Sadly, there are many who believe like yourself that salvation is not by grace through faith alone, but that water baptism must accompany that faith in order for the saving grace to be valid.
Our prayer will be that during your time in Germany, you will put aside all but the Word of God, and see the truth of Scripture as revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ. May you have a safe trip and come back with a heart changed by the Holy Spirit of God.
Because of Sovereign Grace,
The Desert Pastor
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For our readers, the quote below was posted by David Knapp on his website along with his statement that he agrees with these authors on the matter of baptism.
“Instead, unbelievers in the first century were led to Jesus Christ by being taken to the waters of baptism. Put another way, water baptism was the sinner’s prayer in century one! Baptism accompanied the acceptance of the gospel. For example, when Lydia heard Paul preach the gospel, she believed and was immediately baptized with her household (Acts 16:14-15). In the same way, when Paul led the Philippian jailor and his household to the Lord, they were immediately baptized (Acts 16:30-33). This was the New Testament pattern (see also Acts 2:41; 8:12, 35-37). Baptism marked a complete break with the past and a full entrance into Christ and His church. Baptism was simultaneously an act of faith as well as an expression of faith” (Barna and Viola 188-189).
This quote is from a book written by Barna, George and Frank Viola and is entitled, “Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the roots of our church practices”
Saved by grace alone,
The Desert Pastor
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The authors of Pagan Christianity are not from the Christian church.
I never said that salvation was not by grace through faith alone.
Baptism is found in the New Testament. It is a biblical word. I can’t ignore verses like:
Acts 16:14-15, “A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord (C)opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.
Acts 16:30-33, “He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
Acts 16:30-33, “They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.”
Acts 2:41, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Acts 8:12, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
Acts 8:35-37, “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?”
Like Barna and Viola said, “Baptism was simultaneously an act of faith as well as an expression of faith.”
For anybody who uses the argument that baptism is a work I am here to tell you it is not. I don’t recall ever working up a sweat when I went down into the water. I went down into the water because it is commanded in scripture.
If you would like you can ignore the comments on Barna but surely you can’t ignore the scriptures.
Bye for now.
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I doubt that anyone is disputing that doing good deeds is not an important part of being a “Christian” or “a disciple of Christ” or “a Christ-follower.”
Christ’s disciples, after His Ascension, and after the day of Pentecost, certainly were used by God to heal sick people, and do other kind and caring deeds.
But it was the preaching of the Word that caused 3000 souls to be saved in one day, not long-term relationship-building. Most of the people who received healing through the Apostles’ touch were strangers to them before they were healed.
I know of no instances, among Christ’s Apostles, in Acts or the Epistles, of backyard barbecues, neighborhood chariot-washes, or long-term relationship-building unaccompanied by fiery preaching, as tools for evangelism.
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