Would you interrupt someone witnessing?

[SeekingOne]

Some friends of mine were shopping and someone approached them and engaged them in a discussion about God. The discussion moved to them explaining "the path" of salvation. In other words, they started witnessing to this person.

Some people that go to another church overheard the conversation and interrupted and started criticizing what my friends were sharing! I am totally shocked that anyone that calls themselves a Christian would do something like this!

Unfortunately, I know both the couple that was witnessing and the the couple that interrupted them. I think the couple that interrupted them may have cast doubts on Christianity just because all they "saw" was one "church person" attacking another "church person." They were left with trying to decide who to believe.

The problem with the couple that interrupted, is that they are the "holiness" people and they wanted to make sure that the person being witnessed to didn't end up in our church.

They (The couple that interrupted) even told the guy that he would have to clean up his life before he could come to God. You know, his wife would need to put on a dress, he would have to quit smoking....

My friends witnessing tried to explain to my old "holiness" friends that praying and asking God into your heart is a beginning and that the changes can come later. It was a "no go" for my old friends.

So, what do you think? Would it be better for this guy to hear someone tell him that God' grace is not sufficient so that he doesn't accidentally end up in our church? Is that really preferable?

[Arphaxad]

What do I think? I think your pharisee friends give real holiness people a bum rap.

[*AQuietPlace*]

I think that was very sad.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by SeekingOne

Some friends of mine were shopping and someone approached them and engaged them in a discussion about God. The discussion moved to them explaining "the path" of salvation. In other words, they started witnessing to this person.

Some people that go to another church overheard the conversation and interrupted and started criticizing what my friends were sharing! I am totally shocked that anyone that calls themselves a Christian would do something like this!

Unfortunately, I know both the couple that was witnessing and the the couple that interrupted them. I think the couple that interrupted them may have cast doubts on Christianity just because all they "saw" was one "church person" attacking another "church person." They were left with trying to decide who to believe.

The problem with the couple that interrupted, is that they are the "holiness" people and they wanted to make sure that the person being witnessed to didn't end up in our church.

They (The couple that interrupted) even told the guy that he would have to clean up his life before he could come to God. You know, his wife would need to put on a dress, he would have to quit smoking....

My friends witnessing tried to explain to my old "holiness" friends that praying and asking God into your heart is a beginning and that the changes can come later. It was a "no go" for my old friends.

So, what do you think? Would it be better for this guy to hear someone tell him that God' grace is not sufficient so that he doesn't accidentally end up in our church? Is that really preferable?

Thanks for offering proof that those kind of holiness people still exist. I was starting to doubt it from the people on this forum.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Arphaxad

What do I think? I think your pharisee friends give real holiness people a bum rap.

You coming down or what?

[SeekingOne]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Thanks for offering proof that those kind of holiness people still exist. I was starting to doubt it from the people on this forum.

Does this mean you approve?

It makes me sad. It would be another thing to come back and talk to the guy, after the first couple left, and WITHOUT criticizing what the first couple said, just mention they had some thoughts to add. That would show me that they cared about the guy's soul.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by SeekingOne

Does this mean you approve?

It makes me sad. It would be another thing to come back and talk to the guy, after the first couple left, and WITHOUT criticizing what the first couple said, just mention they had some thoughts to add. That would show me that they cared about the guy's soul.

Not at all. I would never approve of what they did. I was saying the kind of people that would do that don't seem to exist on this forum. So I was starting to wonder if people that would do something like that still existed in the apostolic movement.

[RandyWayne]

During my teen years, I would have been that person to approach someone and tell them they needed a haircut (if they were a guy) or needed to put on a long dress (if they were a gal), and oh yes eventually preach Acts 2:38.

....and completely and utterly forget to mention Jesus in any of it.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by SeekingOne

Some friends of mine were shopping and someone approached them and engaged them in a discussion about God. The discussion moved to them explaining "the path" of salvation. In other words, they started witnessing to this person.

Some people that go to another church overheard the conversation and interrupted and started criticizing what my friends were sharing! I am totally shocked that anyone that calls themselves a Christian would do something like this!

Unfortunately, I know both the couple that was witnessing and the the couple that interrupted them. I think the couple that interrupted them may have cast doubts on Christianity just because all they "saw" was one "church person" attacking another "church person." They were left with trying to decide who to believe.

The problem with the couple that interrupted, is that they are the "holiness" people and they wanted to make sure that the person being witnessed to didn't end up in our church.

They (The couple that interrupted) even told the guy that he would have to clean up his life before he could come to God. You know, his wife would need to put on a dress, he would have to quit smoking....

My friends witnessing tried to explain to my old "holiness" friends that praying and asking God into your heart is a beginning and that the changes can come later. It was a "no go" for my old friends.

So, what do you think? Would it be better for this guy to hear someone tell him that God' grace is not sufficient so that he doesn't accidentally end up in our church? Is that really preferable?

There's a reason why they make mace and pepper spray available in small palm sized cannisters.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

During my teen years, I would have been that person to approach someone and tell them they needed a haircut (if they were a guy) or needed to put on a long dress (if they were a gal), and oh yes eventually preach Acts 2:38.

....and completely and utterly forget to mention Jesus in any of it.

Yea, I know what you mean. Did you grow up being apostolic?