Bro Flame
09-24-2018, 06:49 PM
The subject of witnessing has been on my mind a lot here recently. As Christians, each of us should be eager to share our encounter with Jesus to those around us.
In the Book of Acts, it tells us that we will receive power after we're filled with the Holy Ghost, and that this power enables each of us to stand as strong witnesses for the Lord (Acts 1:8). The teaching of the Biblical evidence of Spirit infilling being tongues has lead many to believe that's all there is to the Holy Ghost.
That's far from true.
Of course, we will speak in tongues when we receive it (and when we're refilled), but I find it interesting here that receiving the power of the Holy Ghost is coupled with witnessing. It takes strength to witness; I'm sure it always has. When you're out publicly with unbelievers, or other Christians that aren't on the same page, it is often too easy for us to revert to our shells and keep our lips zipped.
Jesus doesn't want that.
Working with the public, I am given ample opportunities to witness to a variety of different people. I have invited several people to church, and I have a few that are at the door of exactly coming. I need to be praying for them harder than I have been; that conviction will fall on their hearts, and they'll come visit us.
When witnessing, however, I never mention anything that I worry might lead to an argument or debate. That's not what I want. For example, to a Baptist man or woman, I would never hit them with Oneness, holiness, speaking in tongues, or operating in charismatic worship and the gifts of the Spirit. That's foreign to the majority of them. They're faithful to what they know, and while that's certainly admiral, I toss them a smile, and I invite them to come visit my church.
It certainly helps, too, that almost every Christian in my area (regardless to denominational affiliation) knows my pastors. Everyone has good things to say about them, and that has cracked a few doors to where people aren't automatically rejecting or brushing off an invitation.
How do you go about witnessing? Are there any tactics you've used that you found out to be useful, and some that backfired and didn't work?
In the Book of Acts, it tells us that we will receive power after we're filled with the Holy Ghost, and that this power enables each of us to stand as strong witnesses for the Lord (Acts 1:8). The teaching of the Biblical evidence of Spirit infilling being tongues has lead many to believe that's all there is to the Holy Ghost.
That's far from true.
Of course, we will speak in tongues when we receive it (and when we're refilled), but I find it interesting here that receiving the power of the Holy Ghost is coupled with witnessing. It takes strength to witness; I'm sure it always has. When you're out publicly with unbelievers, or other Christians that aren't on the same page, it is often too easy for us to revert to our shells and keep our lips zipped.
Jesus doesn't want that.
Working with the public, I am given ample opportunities to witness to a variety of different people. I have invited several people to church, and I have a few that are at the door of exactly coming. I need to be praying for them harder than I have been; that conviction will fall on their hearts, and they'll come visit us.
When witnessing, however, I never mention anything that I worry might lead to an argument or debate. That's not what I want. For example, to a Baptist man or woman, I would never hit them with Oneness, holiness, speaking in tongues, or operating in charismatic worship and the gifts of the Spirit. That's foreign to the majority of them. They're faithful to what they know, and while that's certainly admiral, I toss them a smile, and I invite them to come visit my church.
It certainly helps, too, that almost every Christian in my area (regardless to denominational affiliation) knows my pastors. Everyone has good things to say about them, and that has cracked a few doors to where people aren't automatically rejecting or brushing off an invitation.
How do you go about witnessing? Are there any tactics you've used that you found out to be useful, and some that backfired and didn't work?