Is Preaching the Gospel Without Using Words Possible?

Deuteronomy · Mar 11, 2019

One of the most beloved Christian quotes of all time has been credited to St. Francis of Assisi. It goes like this,

........“Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary”

Can we really lead someone to Christ by simply acting like a Christian is supposed to act, or are words necessary?

The Apostle Paul weighed in on this matter, yes .. e.g. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Romans 10:17, as did the Lord, John the Baptist, the other Apostles at various times.

So, are the words of this quote wise, or are they folly (or something even worse perhaps)

What do you think, and why?

Thanks!

~Deut
p.s. - here's a very interesting article concerning this quote that you may find a little surprising. I know I did when I first read it. Click here to read it: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/gstanton/what-st.-francis-of-assisi-didnt-actually-say
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Didymous · Mar 11, 2019

Nehemiah6 · Mar 11, 2019

Deuteronomy said:

The Bible is crystal clear that the Gospel is a PROCLAMATION OF GOOD NEWS. Therefore words are absolutely necessary. Our actions simply reflect that the Gospel has impacted our lives.

TheDivineWatermark · Mar 11, 2019

To answer the OP title [question] in a word, NO.

To elaborate a bit:

2 Timothy 2:1-9 [blb] -

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men [G444 - anthropois] who will be competent to teach others also.

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the affairs of this life, that he might please the one having enlisted him. 5 Now also, if anyone competes, he is not crowned unless he shall have competed lawfully. 6 It is necessary for the hardworking farmer first to partake of the fruits. 7 Consider the things I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, having been raised out from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel, 9 in which I suffer hardship even to chains as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound!

Deuteronomy · Mar 12, 2019

Thanks for you input so far everyone

I found these two quotes together on another site.

1. “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary"

2) "Saying 'Preach the Gospel Daily, Use Words if Necessary, is like saying, 'Feed the Hungry Daily, Use Food if Necessary'" -- Pastor Ligon Duncan

After reading them and taking particular note of what the 2nd quote said, I was a bit surprised to find out how many people on the other forum saw the 2nd quote, the one by Pastor Duncan, as being somehow wrong, and also pretty offensive.

What do you think about quote #2? And why do you think that some people on the other forum were so offended by Pastor Duncan's words? Do you find it somehow incorrect and/or offensive somehow?

Thanks!

~Deut

Didymous · Mar 12, 2019

The ones offended were possibly catholics, and offended because anyone would presume to disagree with one of their 'saints.'

Deuteronomy · Mar 12, 2019

Didymous said:

That's true, there was a Catholic or two in the mix. Oddly however, it was Protestants who seemed by far the most consistently offended. I definitely found that bizarre

~Deut

AxeElf · Mar 12, 2019

Yes.

SIMON55 · Mar 12, 2019

I think for this thread you may need some added clarity for those who might not be familiar with the spirit of the man and why he might make such a comment . I gather he must have been a strong believer in compassion for others....as a means of attraction and promotion.
Hope this is helpful.
I found the prayer brought peace and comfort some 32 yr ago when breaking free of the chains of alcoholism.

Didymous · Mar 12, 2019

Deuteronomy said:

Very interesting........

Didymous · Mar 12, 2019

....I guess some protestants have got to be protesting something.

SIMON55 · Mar 12, 2019

If taken litterally this would be in keeping with Catholocism tradition in attempting to prevent anyone from reading the scriptures by outlawing owning a bible for a 1000 thousand tears of darkness... KNOWN AS THE DARK AGES!

SIMON55 · Mar 12, 2019

Didymous said:

Yes I protest Catholicism its a Blasphemy no man can forgive sin or be called Holy Father and if you ever understand Daniel 7 and 8 and Revelation then you will understand global history and why Protestant reformers were willing to be Martyred at the burning steak by the pagun sungodders to bring the world out of a 1000 yrs of darkness under Catholic Church State power that made it illegal to own the scriptures!!!!
People do not understand History or who Daniel 7 says the littlehorn beast is!
RCC !!!

dcontroversal · Mar 12, 2019

Didymous said:

Exactly.....faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word <---how shall they hear except one be sent...........

Our lives may prompt questions or inqueries as to WHY WE ARE THE WAY WE ARE....HOWEVER...No one is saved without the proclamation of the word of God!!

Deuteronomy · Mar 12, 2019

SIMON55 said:

Hi SIMON55, actually, everyone can read a little bit about more about St. Francis in the online periodical that I linked in the OP .. or again here: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/gstanton/what-st.-francis-of-assisi-didnt-actually-say

The author of that article shows us that St. Francis neither said nor wrote, "Preach the Gospel daily, use words if necessary", and he tells us how the life he led preaching the word of God boldly, day after day (and from town to town), is a direct rejection of the words of that quote (a quote that has been associated with him for years now, apparently falsely). And this all comes from a Roman Catholic magazine.

~Deut
p.s. - if you don't "spin doctor" that quote (like so many choose to do), and you just take the meaning of the words as written, "Preach the Gospel daily, use words if necessary", then you really have to wonder who might be behind such a saying, don't you? I mean, who would benefit the most from Christians attempting to, "preach the Gospel without using words"?

It's a great quote for those who are looking for a way to justify their silence and avoid the inevitable persecution that so often comes from talking about Jesus and the Gospel with non-Christians .. cf 2 Timothy 3:12.
.

obedienttogod · Mar 12, 2019

The woman who taught Helen Keller (blind and deaf from birth), Anne Sullivan, said, after Helen had learned to communicate, Anne told her about God. Anne said, Helen replied with, I always knew Him, I just never knew who He was or what His name was.

I find that amazing, Helen Keller, blind and deaf at birth. She could not read the Bible, or hear preachers preaching the Word of God. But even not being able to see or hear, she still said she knew who God was.

God said to preach the Gospel to everyone. Now we know, if someone is unable to hear or read, God makes Himself still known to them. To me, this knowledge of God reaching those who cannot get to know Him, just makes God that more Amazing than He already is!!

Bingo · Mar 12, 2019

"From this side of the 'glass'.........tears of the heart has to be experienced. Years now gone by,
I learned from being around some homeless 'camps'...listening to a broken soul and sharing tears
with them...holding their hand and sharing our tears, with kindness and telling them God loves
us all and never doubt it...this personal experience was merely...God's love that inspired a closeness
of a lost soul deeply touched my life...a show of love, kindness and gentleness is indispensable...
and often this 'closeness' is found in the most unlikely places...believe it. I have been inspired
by 'tears of the heart'.....for there are times when words, there are none necessary."
'Praise God'

jb · Mar 12, 2019

1Peter 3v1,2 states: "Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear."

Locoponydirtman · Mar 12, 2019

Yes, it is. I'll give you an example. I was once visiting an old church where I use to live, and a fellow said he was glad to see me there. He said if it weren't for me he wouldn't be a Christian. I never witnessed in words to the man. I was glad that he was able to see Christ in me and there by find redemption himself and his whole family with him. So don't underestimate the power of God working through you as you are obedient to his word.

SIMON55 · Mar 12, 2019

dcontroversal said:

Salvation is not the same experience for everyone in the beginning.....
Obviously continued salvation is highly dependent on the development of a love for the word.
But , do you deny the power of prayer and the power of the name?
If you received a healing a baptism and an adoption as a carnal believer who didn't attend church had read the word as a kid 15 yrs previous but never attended church and wasn't reading the word during nine months of prayer prior to the healing.
Would you deny being saved by the healing that came by prayer???😀

Is Preaching the Gospel Without Using Words Possible?

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