----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 2:53
AM
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] What is a
Christian?
Jesus was
not street preacher.
He spoke and taught in places that
encouaged the exchange of ideas (such as a synagogue or, perhaps, the Temple
courtyard).
Crowds followed Him and presented opportunities for His
teaching because He showered them with benevolent acts of compassion.
He spoke harshly to those of his own, believing that they
were willfully blinded by their own sense of selfish ambition.
That is the pattern.
I
have converted a few to Christ, the
caring/open-the-door-to-opportunity/get-them-to-ask-the-question instead-of-me
approach works.
jt:I take it you
are all for "friendship evangelism" but I don't see that in the life of Jesus
or his disciples, that's not what the 70 were sent out for. I don't see Jesus or the apostles taking questions and
answering in publicly. Paul may have done that while he was reasoning
with people daily from the scriptures. People these days are so
distracted with entertainment they may need to be jolted out of the
mental fog
they are in and God's anointing does rest upon His Word. Only He can shut down
the voice of the enemy long enough for them to make a rational
choice. <snip>
JD: It is
amazing to me just how often you miss the point.
Anyway - the point is this: Christ
helped to create an audience . DavidM wrote that street
preaching was something like priming the pump for other
s (preacher or teachers). But, if you will -- go back
in the archieves and find that post where I lay into Kevin for anything except
rudeness -- and I don't recall doing that. His
exhanges with Dave H, as well as Perry's, have been informative --
interesting read for me. If DaveH is not complaining, and he is
not, then my lips are sealed. I don't respond to the Mormon
postings because Mormonism, at its base, is off the mark. I hastened to add that my mother-in-law is Mormon and
saved. I have accepted DaveH's claim to
the Christ -- for what it is worth. For the
record, there is no such thing as a right church.
Grace - unmerited favor, Christ dying for us while we were yet sinners
works for individuals and churches for the very
same reason. Consider the first church's example FROM THE
BEGINNING; immature, but zealous; often confused on issue; divided but united --- all the
reasons given for "starting over" existed IN THE FIRST CHURCH --
RIGHT OFF THE BAT. But I respect their faith (DH And
Blaine). I just think the reason for their church is not a good
one. By the way, I feel the same about Baptists, RCC,
Assemply, and so on. John
jt: So you just see
Mormonism as a "different church?" Has your mother-in-law renounced the
works of darkness, repented of following false gods and left that
system? You are not doing DaveH any favors by the statement
above. His soul is more important than us being 'nice' we need
to call things what they are. If you can't see the problem then possibly
you are deceived in this area also John and need to do your
homework. We have no authority to pronounce people "saved" It
has to be between them and the Lord. all we can do is point them to "The Way" and encourage
them in it - We can stand in faith for ourselves but until
Jesus declares (at the end) those who belong to him - we speak
presumptuously. jt
