Soul Winning

[.tim]

I have been in Churches that make a big deal about soul winning. The one I am attending now makes a deal about sharing your faith and being involved in Church ... but no time is set aside each week for "visitation" and honestly, our pastor isn't "sold" on the slick soul winning methods many Churches use.

Leaves me wondering.

What sort of views are represented here on the forum regarding soul winning, sharing the gospel as a Church, and soul winning programs promoted by Sword of the Lord, or a program like Evangelism Explosion or Way of Life.

 

[FundamentalDan]

I personally prefer the term visitation or door-knocking. I am commanded by God to preach the Gospel to every creature. Nowhere do I see that I am responsible for their response.  We have a scheduled time, because it helps to make sure we do it. I would love for our church to grow to the point where we were able to "daily, and in every house cease not to teach and preach Christ, "

 

[.tim]

I personally prefer the term visitation or door-knocking. I am commanded by God to preach the Gospel to every creature. Nowhere do I see that I am responsible for their response.  We have a scheduled time, because it helps to make sure we do it. I would love for our church to grow to the point where we were able to "daily, and in every house cease not to teach and preach Christ, "

I am commanded by God to preach the Gospel to every creature? How many hours should one devote to this command? Every second we don't share another person might die and go to hell. How can we do anything else but share Christ!!!!

 

[Biker]

The NT doesn't have "Sharing the Gospel as a Church". It's commanded to occur one on one, as you go about your day.

Once someone is interested, you plan a time to meet to study the bible with them. At their home, the park or your own for example.

Sword of the Lord is very involved in the Indiana HACKER church and many perverts are represented well.

It wouldn't surprise me if "The Wilds" camp advertised there.

 

[.tim]

The NT doesn't have "Sharing the Gospel as a Church". It's commanded to occur one on one, as you go about your day.

Once someone is interested, you plan a time to meet to study the bible with them. At their home, the park or your own for example.

Does this not cross the line of home bible-study? I should probably let my pastor how about that.  8)

 

[Biker]

The NT doesn't have "Sharing the Gospel as a Church". It's commanded to occur one on one, as you go about your day.

Once someone is interested, you plan a time to meet to study the bible with them. At their home, the park or your own for example.

Does this not cross the line of home bible-study? I should probably let my pastor how about that.  8)

Cross the line? not sure what you mean but it's probably a joke I missed *swoosH*
.It's a home bible study if you hold it at home I suppose. Whenever you share the gospel, if someone is interested,
they obviously want to know  more so you'd schedule a time to meet. Then hopefully that will continue until they grasp the basic fundamentals of the faith. If they
get saved, then you take their word for it and share in the joy. Watch their fruits and as soon as possible, invite them to church.

If you wish to share your joy with one of your Pastors, have at it. They would appreciate knowing I am sure but that is your choice.

 

[.tim]

The NT doesn't have "Sharing the Gospel as a Church". It's commanded to occur one on one, as you go about your day.

Once someone is interested, you plan a time to meet to study the bible with them. At their home, the park or your own for example.

Does this not cross the line of home bible-study? I should probably let my pastor how about that.  8)

Cross the line? not sure what you mean but it's probably a joke I missed *swoosH*
.It's a home bible study if you hold it at home I suppose. Whenever you share the gospel, if someone is interested,
they obviously want to know  more so you'd schedule a time to meet. Then hopefully that will continue until they grasp the basic fundamentals of the faith. If they
get saved, then you take their word for it and share in the joy. Watch their fruits and as soon as possible, invite them to church.

If you wish to share your joy with one of your Pastors, have at it. They would appreciate knowing I am sure but that is your choice.

Referencing Frag and the small group thread.

Clearly you present a good reason for a one on one Bible study.

But, I fear some pastors would want demand in on this special moment.

 

[christundivided]

Its amazing how a few fundamentalist took a verse from Proverbs 11:30 and turned it into a life style. In reality.... the verse has nothing to do with winning someone to God. You shouldn't believe everything you read in a KJV.

The Old Greek text is vastly different.....

Proverbs 11:30 From the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life, but the souls of transgressors are cut off untimely.

 

[Biker]

The NT doesn't have "Sharing the Gospel as a Church". It's commanded to occur one on one, as you go about your day.

Once someone is interested, you plan a time to meet to study the bible with them. At their home, the park or your own for example.

Does this not cross the line of home bible-study? I should probably let my pastor how about that.  8)

Cross the line? not sure what you mean but it's probably a joke I missed *swoosH*
.It's a home bible study if you hold it at home I suppose. Whenever you share the gospel, if someone is interested,
they obviously want to know  more so you'd schedule a time to meet. Then hopefully that will continue until they grasp the basic fundamentals of the faith. If they
get saved, then you take their word for it and share in the joy. Watch their fruits and as soon as possible, invite them to church.

If you wish to share your joy with one of your Pastors, have at it. They would appreciate knowing I am sure but that is your choice.

Referencing Frag and the small group thread.

Clearly you present a good reason for a one on one Bible study.

But, I fear some pastors would want demand in on this special moment.

Wow, how rude of that Pastor  . You would need to decline Him...as it is disrespectful to the person you established a relationship with, and have scheduled time to spend together studying. She has trust in YOU. Not a stranger. She likes YOU.

If anyone feels insecure, you could ask her what she'd think if you invited someone to study alongside you a few times. Or if she prefers one on one.

Preaching the Good News one on one is the commandment set by Christ
Just my humble opinion

 

[ItinerantPreacher]

Its amazing how a few fundamentalist took a verse from Proverbs 11:30 and turned it into a life style. In reality.... the verse has nothing to do with winning someone to God. You shouldn't believe everything you read in a KJV.

The Old Greek text is vastly different.....

Proverbs 11:30 From the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life, but the souls of transgressors are cut off untimely.

Now that's vague.

Your wording only occurs in your own personal translation btw

 

[bgwilkinson]

Its amazing how a few fundamentalist took a verse from Proverbs 11:30 and turned it into a life style. In reality.... the verse has nothing to do with winning someone to God. You shouldn't believe everything you read in a KJV.

The Old Greek text is vastly different.....

Proverbs 11:30 From the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life, but the souls of transgressors are cut off untimely.

Now that's vague.

Your wording only occurs in your own personal translation btw

This is what the English translation of Brenton's 1851 LXX says.

Close to CU's translation.

"Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time." (Pro 11:30 LXE)

 

[christundivided]

Its amazing how a few fundamentalist took a verse from Proverbs 11:30 and turned it into a life style. In reality.... the verse has nothing to do with winning someone to God. You shouldn't believe everything you read in a KJV.

The Old Greek text is vastly different.....

Proverbs 11:30 From the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life, but the souls of transgressors are cut off untimely.

Now that's vague.

Your wording only occurs in your own personal translation btw

This what what the English translation of Brenton's 1851 LXX says.

Close to CU's translation.

"Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time." (Pro 11:30 LXE)

The NETS English translation of the Old Greek is really the best I've found.

http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/nets/edition/

 

[christundivided]

Its amazing how a few fundamentalist took a verse from Proverbs 11:30 and turned it into a life style. In reality.... the verse has nothing to do with winning someone to God. You shouldn't believe everything you read in a KJV.

The Old Greek text is vastly different.....

Proverbs 11:30 From the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life, but the souls of transgressors are cut off untimely.

Now that's vague.

Your wording only occurs in your own personal translation btw

It's really rather simple. The latter part of verse 30, as translated in the MT, doesn't fit into the narrative of the chapter. It sticks out like a sore thumb.

Either way.... the verse in the MT doesn't have anything to do with a saved man winning someone to God. The devil has long been an exceptional soul winner.

 

[prophet]

Pro 11:30
30 The fruyt of a riytful man is the tre of lijf; and he that takith soulis, is a wijs man.
(WYC)

 

[The Rogue Tomato]

Pro 11:30
30 The fruyt of a riytful man is the tre of lijf; and he that takith soulis, is a wijs man.
(WYC)

That John Wycliffe was a smart guy, but he couldn't spell worth a darn.  He must have learned from Hooked on Phonics.

 

[ALAYMAN]

Reminds me of the quote "everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it" by Mark Twain (or his friend). 

And it gives me the opportunity to link one of the best sources for the subject by the Prince of Preachers....

http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/soulwinr.htm

 

[christundivided]

Reminds me of the quote "everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it" by Mark Twain (or his friend). 

And it gives me the opportunity to link one of the best sources for the subject by the Prince of Preachers....

http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/soulwinr.htm

Isn't wondrous how the "Prince of Preachers" distorts James 5:19-20 and makes it about a "individual" instead of God Himself.

 

[ALAYMAN]

Reminds me of the quote "everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it" by Mark Twain (or his friend). 

And it gives me the opportunity to link one of the best sources for the subject by the Prince of Preachers....

http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/soulwinr.htm

Isn't wondrous how the "Prince of Preachers" distorts James 5:19-20 and makes it about a "individual" instead of God Himself.

Could you elaborate on what you mean?

 

[Walt]

I have been in Churches that make a big deal about soul winning. The one I am attending now makes a deal about sharing your faith and being involved in Church ... but no time is set aside each week for "visitation" and honestly, our pastor isn't "sold" on the slick soul winning methods many Churches use.

Leaves me wondering.

What sort of views are represented here on the forum regarding soul winning, sharing the gospel as a Church, and soul winning programs promoted by Sword of the Lord, or a program like Evangelism Explosion or Way of Life.

A hot button for me... in one church we were in, "soul-winning" was ALL.  Adultery and homosexuality were sins, but the REAL sin was not going out at least once a week and going door-to-door, selling Jesus (or, a prayer to get one to heaven).  No one could do anything in the church unless they went out weekly.  People had to report how many hours they were out, and how many "gospel" presentations they made; how many people were saved... and you could expect a rebuke if you weren't going.

I find it interesting that, in none of the messages, in none of the epistles in the NT, there is never a general command to people to go "soul-winning"; there are plenty of commands to live holy lives, to put off evil, to love one another, and help one another, but nary a word about soul-winning.  There are examples, yes, and we can see the burden laid on Paul, but no command to Christians.

A friend once explained to me that the Great Commission is like a mission statement for the church; it DOESN'T mean that every member does that.  Just like Home Depot's goal is to maximize sales of stuff for the home, not every one at Home Depot is a salesman; there are also cashiers, and stock takers, and bookkeepers, and deliverymen - each has a different job.  So, too, in the church, not everyone is suited to button-hole strangers about eternity.

Anyway, I rather like that outlook - it's refreshing after going door-to-door was pounded into our family for so many years.  I can see that the kids are more relaxed, now that the so-called "youth leader" is not berating them about lack of souls "down the aisle".

 

[.tim]

I have been in Churches that make a big deal about soul winning. The one I am attending now makes a deal about sharing your faith and being involved in Church ... but no time is set aside each week for "visitation" and honestly, our pastor isn't "sold" on the slick soul winning methods many Churches use.

Leaves me wondering.

What sort of views are represented here on the forum regarding soul winning, sharing the gospel as a Church, and soul winning programs promoted by Sword of the Lord, or a program like Evangelism Explosion or Way of Life.

A hot button for me... in one church we were in, "soul-winning" was ALL.  Adultery and homosexuality were sins, but the REAL sin was not going out at least once a week and going door-to-door, selling Jesus (or, a prayer to get one to heaven).  No one could do anything in the church unless they went out weekly.  People had to report how many hours they were out, and how many "gospel" presentations they made; how many people were saved... and you could expect a rebuke if you weren't going.

I find it interesting that, in none of the messages, in none of the epistles in the NT, there is never a general command to people to go "soul-winning"; there are plenty of commands to live holy lives, to put off evil, to love one another, and help one another, but nary a word about soul-winning.  There are examples, yes, and we can see the burden laid on Paul, but no command to Christians.

A friend once explained to me that the Great Commission is like a mission statement for the church; it DOESN'T mean that every member does that.  Just like Home Depot's goal is to maximize sales of stuff for the home, not every one at Home Depot is a salesman; there are also cashiers, and stock takers, and bookkeepers, and deliverymen - each has a different job.  So, too, in the church, not everyone is suited to button-hole strangers about eternity.

Anyway, I rather like that outlook - it's refreshing after going door-to-door was pounded into our family for so many years.  I can see that the kids are more relaxed, now that the so-called "youth leader" is not berating them about lack of souls "down the aisle".

I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.