Proclaiming The Gospel, Then And Now

In the NT period, how was evangelizing done?
The gospel was preached by word of mouth, and was usually (always?) accompanied by signs and wonders.

“And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them,
and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” (Mark 16:20)

“… (the gospel message) was confirmed to us by those who heard Him (Jesus),
God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles,
and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will” (Hebrews 1:3-4)

The new believers joined churches where they received more word-of-mouth training.

Today, how is evangelizing done?
The gospel is preached by word of mouth.
Pentecostals/Charismatics, here and abroad, do their best to preach the gospel with signs and wonders.

In these meetings, people don’t become believers by reading gospel tracts or NTs.
They respond to the spoken word and the confirming signs, as in NT times.
The new believers join churches where they receive more word-of-mouth training,
and also written materials, which help them grow.

Today, when evangelists preach the gospel …
how does them having the completed canon of Scripture change anything?
The preaching and the saving is all done verbally.

Why should evangelists no longer desire the benefit of confirming signs and wonders?
Why would the Lord want to change His tried-and-true method of evangelizing?
 
Evangelists should desire the benefit of signs and wonders, actually all Christians should desire the gifts fo the Spirit because the Holy Spirit gives gifts so others can be reached. He know exactly what they need and when they need it.

There also needs to be caution in this as seeking the gifts should not become the priority as people then worship the gifts and not the God who gave them. Always seek to just simply bring the good news to people and let the Holy Spirit do the signs and wonders thing. We cannot manifest any gift, sign or wonder in our own strength. I think this make evanglezing very exciting and also sometimes intimidating. Standing in front of people not knowing what the Holy Spirit might do makes us vunerable in our own strength. We do not know if He will heal, speak, etc etc. He may choose to do nothing but we have to preach in the expectation that He will empower the spoken word and bring life to those who are lost.
 
In the NT period, how was evangelizing done?
The gospel was preached by word of mouth, and was usually (always?) accompanied by signs and wonders.

“And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them,
and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” (Mark 16:20)

“… (the gospel message) was confirmed to us by those who heard Him (Jesus),
God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles,
and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will” (Hebrews 1:3-4)

The new believers joined churches where they received more word-of-mouth training.

Today, how is evangelizing done?
The gospel is preached by word of mouth.
Pentecostals/Charismatics, here and abroad, do their best to preach the gospel with signs and wonders.

In these meetings, people don’t become believers by reading gospel tracts or NTs.
They respond to the spoken word and the confirming signs, as in NT times.
The new believers join churches where they receive more word-of-mouth training,
and also written materials, which help them grow.

Today, when evangelists preach the gospel …
how does them having the completed canon of Scripture change anything?
The preaching and the saving is all done verbally.

Why should evangelists no longer desire the benefit of confirming signs and wonders?
Why would the Lord want to change His tried-and-true method of evangelizing?

Ancient manuscripts contain two differant ending of Mark. Some scholars contend that Mark intended his gospel to end at verse #8. But if it does, it ends there on a note of fear and lacks a clear Resurrection account. In light of this uncertainity it is well advised to be careful in basing any doctrine on 9-20.

Hebrews 1:34 simply confirms that "THOSE who heard the Lord are the ones who saw the signs and miracles and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

It was to THEM, the disciples to whom the Sign gifts were given.

SIGNS are not for believers! We have the completed Word of God.

Romans 10:17 is the answer.........
"Faith comes by HEARING and HEARING by the Word of God".
 
Evangelists should desire the benefit of signs and wonders, actually all Christians should desire the gifts fo the Spirit because the Holy Spirit gives gifts so others can be reached. He know exactly what they need and when they need it.
There also needs to be caution in this as seeking the gifts should not become the priority as people then worship the gifts and not the God who gave them. Always seek to just simply bring the good news to people and let the Holy Spirit do the signs and wonders thing. We cannot manifest any gift, sign or wonder in our own strength. I think this make evanglezing very exciting and also sometimes intimidating. Standing in front of people not knowing what the Holy Spirit might do makes us vunerable in our own strength. We do not know if He will heal, speak, etc etc. He may choose to do nothing but we have to preach in the expectation that He will empower the spoken word and bring life to those who are lost.
This is a most superior post indeed ... God bless you, brother!
 
Major,

You have a few days to prepare thouself for your world to be turned upside down re: this topic.
Stay tuned ... and prepare!
 
Are former Roman Catholics still condemned by the numerous anathemas pronounced by the Council of Trent and Vatican Council II? Some priests say the anathemas have been rescinded because they do not want to thwart the current ecumenical movement that is drawing "separated brethren" back home to Rome.

od promises eternal life to those who repent and believe the glorious Gospel of Grace. When He gives spiritual life to those who are dead in their sins, He does not place them on probation or give them conditional life.
 
Evangelists should desire the benefit of signs and wonders, actually all Christians should desire the gifts fo the Spirit because the Holy Spirit gives gifts so others can be reached. He know exactly what they need and when they need it.

There also needs to be caution in this as seeking the gifts should not become the priority as people then worship the gifts and not the God who gave them. Always seek to just simply bring the good news to people and let the Holy Spirit do the signs and wonders thing. We cannot manifest any gift, sign or wonder in our own strength. I think this make evanglezing very exciting and also sometimes intimidating. Standing in front of people not knowing what the Holy Spirit might do makes us vunerable in our own strength. We do not know if He will heal, speak, etc etc. He may choose to do nothing but we have to preach in the expectation that He will empower the spoken word and bring life to those who are lost.

Kevin.....here is the problem which you correctly stated:
"There also needs to be caution in this as seeking the gifts should not become the priority as people then worship the gifts and not the God who gave them. "

Isn't that exactly the problem????

People become so emotional that they covet a release and turn to the things that do that even if they are fleshly and non-Biblical? I have been in more Charsimatic church meetings than I can remember and in every case where the sign gifts are practiced, they speak to the emotional aspect of the individual who draws attention to them selves and away from the God of creation who they should be giving the praise to. Just my opinion....................
 
Kevin.....here is the problem which you correctly stated:
"There also needs to be caution in this as seeking the gifts should not become the priority as people then worship the gifts and not the God who gave them. "

Isn't that exactly the problem????

People become so emotional that they covet a release and turn to the things that do that even if they are fleshly and non-Biblical? I have been in more Charsimatic church meetings than I can remember and in every case where the sign gifts are practiced, they speak to the emotional aspect of the individual who draws attention to them selves and away from the God of creation who they should be giving the praise to. Just my opinion....................

This is where strong leadership is needed in the church - otherwise we end up with a Corinthian style church. Need some Pauls to sort them out.

We are sitting with a problem today, a bipolar effect in the church. One pole makes a display and show of the gifts of the Spirit and the other pole suppresses the gifts of the Spirit, usually out of fear of becoming like the former. As Christians we need to minister in humility, completely relaint on the Holy Spirit in all things. We should not allow the gifts of the Spirit to become a side show, drawing the masses with very little emphasis on the God who gives the gifts because before long He stops with the gifts and the "apparent gifts" become man made and rely on the flesh. We should also not stop believing in the gifts because they are critical in effective ministry, without the gifts ministry also becomes man made and relies on works. Both poles, in my opinion, grieve the Holy Spirit.
 
If I did a hand stand.......it would mean that I am in the hospital with a broken arm, maybe two!

OK please dont do a handstand. Funny thing happened this weekend. My wife wanted to show my daughters how to do a handstand. Needless to say, she wont be doing one any time soon again. Kids loved the special effects :D
 
OK please dont do a handstand. Funny thing happened this weekend. My wife wanted to show my daughters how to do a handstand. Needless to say, she wont be doing one any time soon again. Kids loved the special effects :D

I can relate to that!:)

By the way, on another thread was I see was just closed, I was not able to respond to your comments there so I thought I would do so here. You said some very nice things and I wanted to thank you for them.

I agree with you my brother, and thanks for the blessings.

I hate argueing with people over opinions. In my life I have tried to explain what I have learned that the Scriptures teach and then leave it with those spoken to and allow the Holy Spirit to work in that persons life.

I am absolutly distressed over the amount of people who seem to allow their anger to get displayed on the internet when someone does not agree with them. It is amazing to me. Ever since I started to do a little teaching on this computer I have noticed that there is a huge group of people who do not have the ability to simply talk, comunicate and get along with others.

Having said that, I would like to compliment you on your Christian attitude and careing way in which you speak to me and others. It is a wonder testimony and you do show the love of Christ in what you do.

I have friends, close friends who are Jewish and we do not agree over many things, but if I was dieing I would want these friends at my side.

I have friends who are Catholic and we disagree on a lot of things as well. But if they were in trouble, I would be and have been the 1st one they called.

I have many friends who are Pentacostal and of course we do not agree on several thngs. But once again, they are great and close friends and we fellowship once a week.

I just do not understand why some need to call others names because we do not agree with something said. It makes no sense and does not speak to their Christian commitment. In fact it destroys their testimony.

Bless you my friend.
 
I can relate to that!:)

By the way, on another thread was I see was just closed, I was not able to respond to your comments there so I thought I would do so here. You said some very nice things and I wanted to thank you for them.

I agree with you my brother, and thanks for the blessings.

I hate argueing with people over opinions. In my life I have tried to explain what I have learned that the Scriptures teach and then leave it with those spoken to and allow the Holy Spirit to work in that persons life.

I am absolutly distressed over the amount of people who seem to allow their anger to get displayed on the internet when someone does not agree with them. It is amazing to me. Ever since I started to do a little teaching on this computer I have noticed that there is a huge group of people who do not have the ability to simply talk, comunicate and get along with others.

Having said that, I would like to compliment you on your Christian attitude and careing way in which you speak to me and others. It is a wonder testimony and you do show the love of Christ in what you do.

I have friends, close friends who are Jewish and we do not agree over many things, but if I was dieing I would want these friends at my side.

I have friends who are Catholic and we disagree on a lot of things as well. But if they were in trouble, I would be and have been the 1st one they called.

I have many friends who are Pentacostal and of course we do not agree on several thngs. But once again, they are great and close friends and we fellowship once a week.

I just do not understand why some need to call others names because we do not agree with something said. It makes no sense and does not speak to their Christian commitment. In fact it destroys their testimony.

Bless you my friend.

Thanks Major,

You are a blessing to this site. One day we will meet and probably laugh at how little we actually understood and also how much we have in common.

God bless you
 
I can relate to that!:)

By the way, on another thread was I see was just closed, I was not able to respond to your comments there so I thought I would do so here. You said some very nice things and I wanted to thank you for them.

I agree with you my brother, and thanks for the blessings.

I hate argueing with people over opinions. In my life I have tried to explain what I have learned that the Scriptures teach and then leave it with those spoken to and allow the Holy Spirit to work in that persons life.

I am absolutly distressed over the amount of people who seem to allow their anger to get displayed on the internet when someone does not agree with them. It is amazing to me. Ever since I started to do a little teaching on this computer I have noticed that there is a huge group of people who do not have the ability to simply talk, comunicate and get along with others.

Having said that, I would like to compliment you on your Christian attitude and careing way in which you speak to me and others. It is a wonder testimony and you do show the love of Christ in what you do.

I have friends, close friends who are Jewish and we do not agree over many things, but if I was dieing I would want these friends at my side.

I have friends who are Catholic and we disagree on a lot of things as well. But if they were in trouble, I would be and have been the 1st one they called.

I have many friends who are Pentacostal and of course we do not agree on several thngs. But once again, they are great and close friends and we fellowship once a week.

I just do not understand why some need to call others names because we do not agree with something said. It makes no sense and does not speak to their Christian commitment. In fact it destroys their testimony.

Bless you my friend.

Now that is how it should be ;)
 
Thanks Major,

You are a blessing to this site. One day we will meet and probably laugh at how little we actually understood and also how much we have in common.

God bless you

Without a doubt!!! We will meet on that beautiful shore:rolleyes:!

To tell you the truth......I laugh at myself today when I consider how mush I do not know.

See.........I don't even know how to spell "much".
 
We'll try to counter-balance all of the kissy-kissy stuff with a couple of sobering passages:

Revelation 21:
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters,
and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone,
which is the second death.”
27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie,
but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Revelation 22:
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter through the gates into the city.
15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters,
and whoever loves and practices a lie.
 
We'll try to counter-balance all of the kissy-kissy stuff with a couple of sobering passages:

Revelation 21:
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters,
and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone,
which is the second death.”
27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie,
but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Revelation 22:
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter through the gates into the city.
15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters,
and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Personally, I love the kissy-kissy stuff. I have fought in war, & conflicts and I can tell you for a fact that the kissy-kissy is a lot better that conflict.

SO...........anyone who wants to send kisses or likes to get them..................:)
As for the verse you posted, yes, they are sobering.​
Rev. 21:8.............................​
When reading those verse we see clearly that they are for the non-believers. They are unrepeantant and are so designated under some eight catagories and they will have no peace at the end of their days.​
Why are the cowardly and liars spoken of in two catagories should be a good question to ask, I think.​
Because the first are afraid to accept Christ and bear the riducle of the world. The second are those who have denied their sin and still need Christ as Savior.​
Verse 27..................................​
Correctly taught, we see that SIN, in all of its hideous forms will be entirely excluded. The never ending beauties of the New Jerusalem are actually impossible for us to grasp but they are thhat way because of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.​
Rev. 22:14..........................​
Greek scholars tell us that the phrase "Blessed are they that do His commandments", should actually read.........."BLESSED ARE THEY WHO HAVE WASHED THEIR ROBES".​
Why so?????/ Because all of the rest of Scriptures tell us that salvation does not depend on doing something to be saved. Keeping the Law does not save us. The Biblical fact is that the LAW NEVER SAVED ANYONE AT ALL.​
The Law conviced men, showed them they were sinners but could not and did not save them.​
Romans 10:4 says...............​
"Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to EVERY ONE THE BELIEVETH".​
We can not have eternal life by keeping the Law!!!!! We have eternal life in heaven by accepting Christ and allowing him to wash away our sins and MAKE OUR ROBES WHITE. We are told and assured that those who live spotless, consecrated, dedicated , Spirit-filled lives will receive a FULL reward. Certainly there will be degrees of reward in Heaven and throught eternity.​
Rev. 22:15.........................​
THis verse does not mean that outside the city limits are dogs, socerers, whoemongers, idolaters etc. This verse refers to the same group and place as Rev. 21:8.​
Always good to talk with you and my God bless you!​
 
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