Misconceptions in Evangelism By Aleena Denison At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Strategies for evangelism are endless, since every believer has special God-given skills to use. The world is a big place and cultures differ, so variety in evangelism is necessary, yet when it comes to sharing the Gospel, is it really "each to his own?" Until more recent times, I didn’t really think about the possibility that a difference of approach could be more than just that; that words, motivation, focus, and even presentation could be a hindrance to the message of the Gospel. Let me clarify.

Word choice- Following I have listed some common clichés used in evangelism, and I hope that thinking them through will challenge you, as it did me, to think very carefully about what you're saying; to weigh your choice of words according to the Bible and not what has become the accepted, or normal, terminology.

• "Invite Jesus into your heart;" "Give your heart to Jesus"- These phrases are used more often than not in evangelism. Where did they come from? Many turn to Revelation 3:20, "Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me." The problem is that, put in context, this verse is speaking to believers, not unbelievers in need of salvation. But even without that verse, what's wrong with these phrases? They propose that I do something to obtain salvation. Also, it gives the impression that if one simply asks Jesus into his heart, he'll be saved, and the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are an afterthought. Although many have been saved through this approach, it tends toward security of salvation being in the invitation, or giving of the heart, and not in belief in Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.

• "Feel sorry for sin;" "Confess your sins"- The question is: does feeling sorry for your sins or confession of your sins save you? The Scripture most often used to support this approach is I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The problem again lies in the context. This verse is speaking to believers about their continued fellowship with God, and not to the unbeliever concerning salvation. It is not enough for one to feel sorry for sins, or even to simply acknowledge sins. One day, all unbelievers will recognize sin for what it is and be sorry for it, but it will not save them. As one man said, "It is not our contrition or sorrow for our sin, it is not our repentance, it is not even the passing of a certain number of hours during which we feel we are on some kind of probation that cleanses us. It is the blood of Christ, shed once for all on Calvary two thousand years ago…that cleanses." (Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace)

• "Pray this prayer and you'll be saved"- Where did this phrase come into evangelism? For years I was taught to use Romans 10:9-10,13 "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved," when leading someone to the Lord, showing them that they must pray a prayer of recognition, confession, and request for salvation. The problem is that the emphasis on confession with the mouth is given just as much power and importance as believing with the heart. Although not realized most of the time, encouraging this provides a "work" for salvation, i.e., prayer. Ephesians 2:8,9 says, For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift- not from works, so that no one can boast." Is there anything wrong with praying and confessing sins, or asking Jesus for salvation? No, as long as the emphasis is not placed on that prayer, but on Jesus' power to save. I especially find this difficult when dealing with children about salvation. So many times, children will repeatedly "pray the prayer" because they aren't sure if the last time they really meant it. Belief in Jesus for salvation must be preached, not belief and prayer. Also, with an emphasis on praying a prayer, one can have a false sense of security, not truly understanding the Gospel, but believing that if the prayer is prayed, salvation is given.

I pray this has been beneficial to you in your understanding of the Gospel and evangelism. It is important to filter everything through God's Word. God give you understanding as you study.

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