How do you explain salvation when witnessing to others? What bible verses do you use? How do you explain repentance?
How Do You Explain Salvation?
- Thread starter CherieR
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As a 19-year-old college student, I joined YWAM (Youth with a Mission) to travel across eastern Canada witnessing in the street and door--to-door. For this purpose, we paired up, usually with one silent prayer partner and one witness. One day in Toronto, we entered a yard, only to find a husband and wife screaming at each other on their front porch. We recognized what seemed to be poor timing and slowly turned to leave. But then the husband shouted, "What do you want?" Feeling trapped, I told him that we were not representing any denomination, but were just Christians who wanted people to know that they could have a living vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. I then explained how they could experience such a relationship and asked if they'd like me to pray them through to such a relationship. To my dismay they agreed!
But then my prayer partner noticed a cigarette dangling from the man's fingers and interrupted, asking, "Hey Mister, did you ever ask the Lord to give you the victory over that cigarette?" His inappropriate question led to a heated argument about the morality of smoking and the couple lost interest in my leading them to invite Christ to be their Lord and Savior! As we left, my partner sensed that I was furious at his poor judgment and discreetly asked for another witnessing partner. I was glad because he was replaced by Ken Korol, an older Christian (age 35), who was constantly on his knees, even after a long dehydrating day in the hot sun. Ken used Campus Crusade's 4 Spiritual Laws. I found his presentation far too mechanical until I began to notice how frequently he was able to lead strangers to Christ. It was clear to me that, though my approach was technically superior or at least more personsal and interactive, Ken's approach was more effective because it was so much more anointed in prayer than mine! Never before or since was I so dramatically made aware of the power of the Gospel when it was anointed by long sessions of petitionary prayer.
But then my prayer partner noticed a cigarette dangling from the man's fingers and interrupted, asking, "Hey Mister, did you ever ask the Lord to give you the victory over that cigarette?" His inappropriate question led to a heated argument about the morality of smoking and the couple lost interest in my leading them to invite Christ to be their Lord and Savior! As we left, my partner sensed that I was furious at his poor judgment and discreetly asked for another witnessing partner. I was glad because he was replaced by Ken Korol, an older Christian (age 35), who was constantly on his knees, even after a long dehydrating day in the hot sun. Ken used Campus Crusade's 4 Spiritual Laws. I found his presentation far too mechanical until I began to notice how frequently he was able to lead strangers to Christ. It was clear to me that, though my approach was technically superior or at least more personsal and interactive, Ken's approach was more effective because it was so much more anointed in prayer than mine! Never before or since was I so dramatically made aware of the power of the Gospel when it was anointed by long sessions of petitionary prayer.
Salvation is the "good news" of the gospel. It tells us that God loved us enough that when we were lost in a sinful state of being and there was no way of our own efforts to save ourselves, he sent his Son to earth to die on the cross to pay for all of the sins of those that he died for, which was only for those of us that the Father gave him. Because he died for us, God looks upon us as holy and without blame. He also was buried and rose again the third day, and because he rose from the dead, we, also. will rise from the dead. The gospel was written to tell us of this good news that he has accomplished for us. John 6:38, 1 Cor 15:4.
Explaining salvation and witnessing aren't necessarily the same thing.
To witness is to connect with others, and reach out to them, in order to share the gospel.
So actually explaining the gospel is only the final part of this exchange.
Before explaining the gospel, it's usually best to spend some time listening... so you can understand what the person is going through, and how to best "connect" with them.
The gospel always remains the same, but there are many ways to connect with people, and many ways to bring the gospel into the conversation.
..
i don't tally 'decisions' or try to follow some formula to coerce someone into taking a certain action or saying some certain thing.
i just tell the truth.
it's God who saves, and His Spirit that works in a person's heart. when He leads me to say something, i say it. when He doesn't, i don't take it upon myself to go beyond what He bids me, and presume to do His work. it is better i do not say something than it is that i say something wrong.
i don't live in a place or among a people who have never heard of the gospel. it is not like i am a 1st century disciple communicating the good news to gentiles for the first time. more often than not, i find myself explaining salvation to people who have either grown up in 'churchianity' or who have grown up disgusted with 'churchianity' - neither of whom understand who Christ really is and what He has really done -- the reality of it.
like Max said, i just be real, and listen, and where i see darkness and i have light, i shine it on the darkness. and i try to talk to and with people, not at them. the '2nd great wakening' idea that a man ((or woman)) can by the power of persuasion, by saying the right things, by cleverness, persuade, convince or coerce another into being saved, is heinous to me. it is God who saves, and no other. it is God who draws, and God who accomplishes, and God who upholds. IMO men like Charles Finney have done great & lasting damage in the church.
as MH alluded to, i also spend probably 100 times more hours praying for people than i spend doing anything you might call evangelizing them. salvation is God's work.
i don't believe we're all called to be missionaries. i believe, as scripture says, i should aspire to live a quiet life, working with my hands - and that by patient reverence and righteousness, Christ Himself, living through me, is a thousand times a thousand more effective a witness than me pretending to be the voice of God - my daily life winning the respect of strangers. ((in re: 1 Thess. 4:11-12))
some are called to evangelize. i'm not saying that isn't the case. but myself, it isn't generally the work He sets before me to do. so, that said, dunno how helpful what i've been saying is lol... but there you are; i've said it. in the abstract, it ought to have application.
thanks for reading my drivel
i just tell the truth.
it's God who saves, and His Spirit that works in a person's heart. when He leads me to say something, i say it. when He doesn't, i don't take it upon myself to go beyond what He bids me, and presume to do His work. it is better i do not say something than it is that i say something wrong.
i don't live in a place or among a people who have never heard of the gospel. it is not like i am a 1st century disciple communicating the good news to gentiles for the first time. more often than not, i find myself explaining salvation to people who have either grown up in 'churchianity' or who have grown up disgusted with 'churchianity' - neither of whom understand who Christ really is and what He has really done -- the reality of it.
like Max said, i just be real, and listen, and where i see darkness and i have light, i shine it on the darkness. and i try to talk to and with people, not at them. the '2nd great wakening' idea that a man ((or woman)) can by the power of persuasion, by saying the right things, by cleverness, persuade, convince or coerce another into being saved, is heinous to me. it is God who saves, and no other. it is God who draws, and God who accomplishes, and God who upholds. IMO men like Charles Finney have done great & lasting damage in the church.
as MH alluded to, i also spend probably 100 times more hours praying for people than i spend doing anything you might call evangelizing them. salvation is God's work.
i don't believe we're all called to be missionaries. i believe, as scripture says, i should aspire to live a quiet life, working with my hands - and that by patient reverence and righteousness, Christ Himself, living through me, is a thousand times a thousand more effective a witness than me pretending to be the voice of God - my daily life winning the respect of strangers. ((in re: 1 Thess. 4:11-12))
some are called to evangelize. i'm not saying that isn't the case. but myself, it isn't generally the work He sets before me to do. so, that said, dunno how helpful what i've been saying is lol... but there you are; i've said it. in the abstract, it ought to have application.
thanks for reading my drivel
SALVATION = BEING JUSTIFIED BY GRACE (ROMANS 3)
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
REPENTANCE = TURNING FROM YOUR EVIL WAYS (JONAH 3)
3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.
4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
We plant, or water the seeds of others; God gives the increase. I definitely think prayer before witnessing is a good idea. Moreto follow.
The gospel is clearly presented in this passage. Do folks believe this message? Now the first part of the gospel is “how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures”. Note that it’s “according to the scriptures” (John 3:16, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 27-28, Titus 3:5, Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-10, etc.)
Next note that he was buried and then “he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”. ACCORDING to the SCRIPTURES! That’s what’s vital or else works are added into salvation in some form or another. According to the scriptures NOT history outside of “the holy scriptures”.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 KJV
[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: [6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. [7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. [8] And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Next note that he was buried and then “he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”. ACCORDING to the SCRIPTURES! That’s what’s vital or else works are added into salvation in some form or another. According to the scriptures NOT history outside of “the holy scriptures”.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 KJV
[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: [6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. [7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. [8] And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
O
obedienttogod
Guest
I kind of do it the old fashion way, "If you died this very moment, where would you go?"
If the response is "the grave," you can almost bet they are not familiar with life after death.
This leads to the conversation of, life after death, which then leads to Eternal life or Eternal death. Then most ask right away, how do I get Eternal life? And now it's all basic Gospel of Yeshua from that point.
And for those that just blow you off with something like, "there is No God, and we end up pushing daisies from the ground forever."
This is where I just tell them, "one day you will see that your point of view is incorrect," and end with "You will be in my prayers."
One person did ask, "what will you be praying for about me?" I responded with "that whatever it takes, God make yourself known to this person so they wake - up!!" That led to, "what does whatever it takes, mean?" I simply say, "it means, if you need to become crippled, find yourself in a near death situation, experience some horrific tragedy, whatever it requires for you to get a clue, do it and wake this person up."
Generally, the look upon their face says it all.
If the response is "the grave," you can almost bet they are not familiar with life after death.
This leads to the conversation of, life after death, which then leads to Eternal life or Eternal death. Then most ask right away, how do I get Eternal life? And now it's all basic Gospel of Yeshua from that point.
And for those that just blow you off with something like, "there is No God, and we end up pushing daisies from the ground forever."
This is where I just tell them, "one day you will see that your point of view is incorrect," and end with "You will be in my prayers."
One person did ask, "what will you be praying for about me?" I responded with "that whatever it takes, God make yourself known to this person so they wake - up!!" That led to, "what does whatever it takes, mean?" I simply say, "it means, if you need to become crippled, find yourself in a near death situation, experience some horrific tragedy, whatever it requires for you to get a clue, do it and wake this person up."
Generally, the look upon their face says it all.
Some previous posters seem to have overlooked an important distinction: our job is not to communicate the Gospel, but to discern the way to communicate the Gospel that makes the decisive difference. And that can vary from person to person. Quote only a few Bible verses in a given session, lest you sound too preachy. Generally people won't respond merely to a doctrinal presentation: they need to expect a spiritual experience and that experience should include the expectation of new life-changing intimate encounter with the living Christ. To that end, one of the best verses to quote is Jesus' promise in Revelation 3:20: "Listen! I stand at the door, knocking. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come into you and dine with you, and you with me." Encourage the person to claim the promise and watch what God does. Then in a follow-up conversation make sure that pesson understands the meaning of repentance and Christ's atoning death on the cross. But keep theological jargon o a minimum, until the person develops a taste for biblical language.
I would start with that men were in perfect harmony with God and then fell..sin coming into the world. Roman's verse.. for all have sinned..
Then that created a seperation between God and man.
This isn't what God wanted so He sent His only son to bridge the gap.. to forgive sin and give eternal life.. by His payment on the cross. John 3:16 comes in.
So a way is made for men to be connected with God thru Jesus Christ.
Then I would explain that whosoever believes in Jesus will have everlasting life. This is entrusting your salvation with Jesus Christ.
Then I would show Roman's 10.. for a response to Jesus tapping on someone's heart for salvation... if they confess with their mouth and believe in their heart Jesus raised from the dead.. they will have everlasting life.
Repentance would be what happens at salvation when some one believes in Jesus. Not an ongoing life process or a good work.. but receiving eternal life.
Not a commitment to turn from sin but receiving His payment for your sin. All about Him.. not you doing something to get the salvation.
Then that created a seperation between God and man.
This isn't what God wanted so He sent His only son to bridge the gap.. to forgive sin and give eternal life.. by His payment on the cross. John 3:16 comes in.
So a way is made for men to be connected with God thru Jesus Christ.
Then I would explain that whosoever believes in Jesus will have everlasting life. This is entrusting your salvation with Jesus Christ.
Then I would show Roman's 10.. for a response to Jesus tapping on someone's heart for salvation... if they confess with their mouth and believe in their heart Jesus raised from the dead.. they will have everlasting life.
Repentance would be what happens at salvation when some one believes in Jesus. Not an ongoing life process or a good work.. but receiving eternal life.
Not a commitment to turn from sin but receiving His payment for your sin. All about Him.. not you doing something to get the salvation.
O
obedienttogod
Guest
I should add from reading my responses, I do spend time with common folk. But my general ministry deals with bikers, druggies, thugs, gang bangers, and the kind of people most Believers don't actually want to be around or associate with. So, I am a bit rough-necked and look like death warmed over. But I am as sincere, wanting each person to meet Yeshua. Just like common folk wanting other common folk saved!!
Recently, I had an opportunity to share "Good News/Evangel."
I explained to this fellow what Good News is.
- Some people on this thread already addressed what that is..
---
It took some time for him to make decision.
Then, one day he said.. " I am ready to accept Christ as my Saviour. "
----
You need wisdom, discernment and right timing!
- when you reach out to someone with Good News/Evangel.
I explained to this fellow what Good News is.
- Some people on this thread already addressed what that is..
---
It took some time for him to make decision.
Then, one day he said.. " I am ready to accept Christ as my Saviour. "
----
You need wisdom, discernment and right timing!
- when you reach out to someone with Good News/Evangel.
I have to admit that I wanted this fellow to make decision..
right after I explained "Good News."
- It probably was wise thing to do..waiting until he is ready.
That is why I wrote, "you need wisdom, discernment and
right timing."
- and patience.
right after I explained "Good News."
- It probably was wise thing to do..waiting until he is ready.
That is why I wrote, "you need wisdom, discernment and
right timing."
- and patience.
Are you a calvinist? I am reading between the lines here.i don't tally 'decisions' or try to follow some formula to coerce someone into taking a certain action or saying some certain thing.
i just tell the truth.
it's God who saves, and His Spirit that works in a person's heart. when He leads me to say something, i say it. when He doesn't, i don't take it upon myself to go beyond what He bids me, and presume to do His work. it is better i do not say something than it is that i say something wrong.
i don't live in a place or among a people who have never heard of the gospel. it is not like i am a 1st century disciple communicating the good news to gentiles for the first time. more often than not, i find myself explaining salvation to people who have either grown up in 'churchianity' or who have grown up disgusted with 'churchianity' - neither of whom understand who Christ really is and what He has really done -- the reality of it.
like Max said, i just be real, and listen, and where i see darkness and i have light, i shine it on the darkness. and i try to talk to and with people, not at them. the '2nd great wakening' idea that a man ((or woman)) can by the power of persuasion, by saying the right things, by cleverness, persuade, convince or coerce another into being saved, is heinous to me. it is God who saves, and no other. it is God who draws, and God who accomplishes, and God who upholds. IMO men like Charles Finney have done great & lasting damage in the church.
as MH alluded to, i also spend probably 100 times more hours praying for people than i spend doing anything you might call evangelizing them. salvation is God's work.
i don't believe we're all called to be missionaries. i believe, as scripture says, i should aspire to live a quiet life, working with my hands - and that by patient reverence and righteousness, Christ Himself, living through me, is a thousand times a thousand more effective a witness than me pretending to be the voice of God - my daily life winning the respect of strangers. ((in re: 1 Thess. 4:11-12))
some are called to evangelize. i'm not saying that isn't the case. but myself, it isn't generally the work He sets before me to do. so, that said, dunno how helpful what i've been saying is lol... but there you are; i've said it. in the abstract, it ought to have application.
thanks for reading my drivel
I would explain it like this. We are all in a building that’s on fire. The fire dept is on the way but still far out. Some of us who know it’s on fire are pounding on doors informing the residents to evacuate or they and their families will suffer. Some respond, “I can’t smell smoke, go away!” Others, “I’m sleeping, and too tired to take the stairs.” While some say, “I’m not worried, I have a fire extinguisher, I’m good. Thanks anyway.” Those who accept the signs and heed the warning escape the eminent danger. This is salvation.
1) God is Perfect..
2) Gods eternal existence is Perfect..
3) If imperfection enters into His perfect eternal existence it will no longer be perfect..
4) God cannot allow anything or anyone imperfect to enter into his perfect eternal existence..
5) God desires to save/ redeem imperfect people
6) God being perfect must save/ redeem imperfect people in a just Way.. God cannot turn a blind eye and be corrupt..
7) Anyone who transgresses against the perfect will of God must pay a penalty..
8) The penalty for transgressing the perfect will of God is Death, (specifically the Second death )
9) God desiring to save those under the death penalty decided to pay the penalty as a gift..
10) God manifested in the flesh in the form of the LORD Jesus Christ and suffered the death penalty on the cross..
11) It is justice to have mercy on those who acknowledge their transgressions and love the truth of God..
12) So when a person believes Jesus and trusts that their penalty has been paid by Jesus. That person is justly saved..
13) So upon the day of the resurrection those who believed Jesus will be justly transformed by God into perfect beings.
14) Thus these perfect beings will enter into Gods eternal perfect existence without corrupting it..
15) So God will be Justified as the One and only God of all existence ( the satanic challenge being defeated )
16) And God will have justly Redeemed His people into a perfect eternal existence..
These are the steps i would go through.. I would use scriptures if the person needed it.. But each person can read scriptures for themselves and find out if this is correct or wrong..
2) Gods eternal existence is Perfect..
3) If imperfection enters into His perfect eternal existence it will no longer be perfect..
4) God cannot allow anything or anyone imperfect to enter into his perfect eternal existence..
5) God desires to save/ redeem imperfect people
6) God being perfect must save/ redeem imperfect people in a just Way.. God cannot turn a blind eye and be corrupt..
7) Anyone who transgresses against the perfect will of God must pay a penalty..
8) The penalty for transgressing the perfect will of God is Death, (specifically the Second death )
9) God desiring to save those under the death penalty decided to pay the penalty as a gift..
10) God manifested in the flesh in the form of the LORD Jesus Christ and suffered the death penalty on the cross..
11) It is justice to have mercy on those who acknowledge their transgressions and love the truth of God..
12) So when a person believes Jesus and trusts that their penalty has been paid by Jesus. That person is justly saved..
13) So upon the day of the resurrection those who believed Jesus will be justly transformed by God into perfect beings.
14) Thus these perfect beings will enter into Gods eternal perfect existence without corrupting it..
15) So God will be Justified as the One and only God of all existence ( the satanic challenge being defeated )
16) And God will have justly Redeemed His people into a perfect eternal existence..
These are the steps i would go through.. I would use scriptures if the person needed it.. But each person can read scriptures for themselves and find out if this is correct or wrong..