Results 1 - 3 of 3
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Help!! | 2 John 1:10 | Taleb | 74221 | ||
Robert, there’s the verses I was looking for. What a great point – “IF my way of life with my family reflects Christ, than we can spread the gospel by inviting him into our house”. What better goal than for our family to reflect Christ – isn’t that what Christ meant when He proclaimed: “They will know you are my disciples BY your love one for another”? About not receiving someone into our house, nor saying “Good-bye” less it shows us having “fellowship” with him – I believe this has given our enemy (satan) a means of keeping the truth from the bearers of false doctrine. We live in different times, in a different culture. When we read Scripture, we tend to forget to whom it was originally addressed. We mustn’t forget what John meant by not allowing them to preach in “your house”. The house was where the “church” was. He was saying, in effect, don’t let false teachers teach your congregations. Of course, that doesn't give license for them to do in "our houses" but ... Too often pastors wrongly advise their congregations, by using those verses, “don’t even talk to them”. The words “God’s speed” in this portion of Scripture isn’t a mere “Good-bye”. John said don’t give the same salutation you give to all your family and friends. John is saying in effect, “Don’t offer a religious greeting to him, and don’t make onlookers think you acknowledge his doctrine”. Our Hi and goodbyes are too often spoken as we pass. Theirs were always face to face, cheek to cheek, hugs, and with a salutation. It is the same kind of instruction Jesus gave those He sent out. “Don’t greet any on the road.” That didn’t mean don’t say “Hello” to anybody you meet. It meant don’t hug everyone you meet, and ask, how’s your mother, father, brothers, sisters, mother-in-law, wife, sons, daughters, animals, business, etc. etc. and tell him how all of yours are. In the Middle East, “greetings” take many minutes. Many greetings would take many hours. Greetings to you, Taleb |
||||||
2 | Help!! | 2 John 1:10 | EdB | 74252 | ||
Taleb On this I would have a tendency disagree with your stance. Witnessing to JW that come to our door, while I won’t say it is useless because God can do the impossible, facts show it is nearly useless. They have been extensively trained over the course of many years to respond to every Christian exception of their teaching. In fact they will modify their teaching should it provide a stumbling block not easily avoided. As seen by the rewrites to the New World Translation and the Book of Mormon. I fancy myself somewhat of a Christian Apologist having received a little training in that area. I also have had my share of discussions with JW and other cults. These things I have learned unless you totally understand Christianity they are more likely to leave you with questions, than you them. Secondly anytime you do hit a sensitive area they will go back to their Elder who was extensively trained to address any problem. Third if they return from you often enough with questions you will be placed on their list and they will have no further contact with you. I know I watch JW and Mormons skip my house and my next door neighbor (preachers kid) and hit the other houses. Fourthly I have never heard of a dye in the wool cultist reclaimed from JW or Mormons except by the hand of the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t a Christian’s Apologetics but rather a hand of grace extended by God. For these reasons I think unless your extensively trained to answer their questions and concerns, and it takes more than a class or two, a Christian would better serve God by witnessing to his agnostic friends. I have seen faithful but ignorant Christians drawn into their deception over and over but I have seldom heard of the reverse. I'm not saying we should fear them or hate them, or even be nasty to them, but we need to let them know we are not open to their religion. Then offer if they would like to know the truth we are willing to share (not debate) ours with them. EdB |
||||||
3 | Help!! | 2 John 1:10 | Taleb | 74277 | ||
Edb, Sorry to have to tell you this, but we don't REALLY disagree. Witnessing to JWs is NEARLY useless. They have rewritten their books. Pointing that fact out to them and showing them what they USE to say gives them fonder to ponder. While I have never "personally" led someone out, I personally know those who used to be "in". It was here a Christian, there a Christian who knew the word that battered here, there, little by little, bit by bit. "How can they believe unless they hear?" comes to mind. And I agree wholeheartly, Christians have been drawn into their traps. That is why it is so important to keep our noses in the word, live our lives accordingly and be ready to give an answer to the hope that lies within us. Now that you have mentioned it, I haven't seen any JWs around for a very long time. But then again, who would want to drive my long, hard road? I have had the priviledge, over the years, to invite some in. I always open in prayer and watch the Lord work. The "trick" (not the best word, for sure) is to know where they are headed and head them off before they want to arrive. One asked me, "Why did Jesus talk in parables?" I quickly turned to Matthew 13:10 and said, "that exactly the same question the disciples asked Jesus, Let's see how Jesus responded. I had them read it. There eyes got big. The "leader" said, "You believe in hell, right? How can something burn without burning up?" "Good question, let's read where that actually happened." They read about the three in the furnace in Daniel, frowned and asked their next question. The younger one watched as his "leader" dug himself deeper and deeper. Anyways, like I said, we don't really disagree, because I know it's like you said, "It wasn’t a Christian’s Apologetics but rather a hand of grace extended by God." God got through to me. :) Taleb |
||||||