How long before preaching?

[SeventhValley]

I am definitely not pulpit material lol. Just want to evangelize where I can.

 

[DeaconDean]

Evangelism is theological, like all forms of preaching and must be grounded in the word. Let me put it this way, if your Elders disapproved of you street preaching, would you do it any way? If you say yes than you are pridefully ignoring those God has placed over you. If you answer no you prove my point. Evangelists are sent. The problems we see in street evangelism have already been posted back on the first page.

Where was Jeremiah's theological background?

I also remember reading somewhere where where evangelists are a gift of God. (Eph. 4:11)

And in that veres, it also says the same thing of teachers.

Does your church "examine" your people to determine if they are qualified, and called to teach Sunday School?

Why not "examine" anybody who does anything in the church to determine calling?

Ushers?

Those who gather the tithes?

Greeters?

Music directors?

Choir directors?

Shoot, lets examine people to see if the were called to sing in the choir.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[SoulBap6]

I am definitely not pulpit material lol. Just want to evangelize where I can.

Sharing the Gospel is Good but it is also the same thing as standing on the street corner when I preach at the mission. Thick skin is what you need and you will be tested, and be prepared to be attacked by Satan he does not want you telling or giving people hope. If God is calling answer, let God be the judge as to when you should go out to preach lean upon him and he will answer.

 

[now faith]

Evangelism is theological, like all forms of preaching and must be grounded in the word. Let me put it this way, if your Elders disapproved of you street preaching, would you do it any way? If you say yes than you are pridefully ignoring those God has placed over you. If you answer no you prove my point. Evangelists are sent. The problems we see in street evangelism have already been posted back on the first page.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

You know what he fails to mention?

Theologian

You know why?

They are not given the aforementioned gifts,or anointing.

Because the natural man cannot discern spiritual things.

He relies on his own ability to form a theory,then strongly defends his arcane views.

To submit any of the gifts given by the Holy Ghost,as theology would compare to having a form of Godlyness yet denying the power thereof.

 

[revrobor]

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

You know what he fails to mention?

Thealogins.

You know why?

They are not given the aforementioned gifts,or anointing.

Because the natural man cannot discern spiritual things.

He relies on his own ability to form a theory,then strongly defends his arcane views.

To submit any of the gifts given by the Holy Ghost,as theaology would compare to having a form of Godlyness yet denying the power thereof.

Very true. A pleasure to read such wise words.

 

[Studious One]

The opinion of those friends is that I should study doctrine and work at the church for 5 years before attempting preaching or evangelizing.

The SBC pastor said someone who just became a Christian yesterday can evangelize today because God will provide him with what to say.

An important lesson can be seen in the story of Moses.

Moses was not a man of eloquent speech. He was fearful as well. God told him he would have his brother Aaron with him. Moses spoke before the Pharaoh with boldness in the power and might of the great I Am.

The lesson to be learned?

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

If you truly believe God is calling you to street evangelism, then obey God, trusting Him to put words in your mouth as you give your heart to Him and the work He has called you to do... if that is what He has truly called you to do.

 

[Studious One]

Evangelism is theological, like all forms of preaching and must be grounded in the word. Let me put it this way, if your Elders disapproved of you street preaching, would you do it any way? If you say yes than you are pridefully ignoring those God has placed over you. If you answer no you prove my point. Evangelists are sent. The problems we see in street evangelism have already been posted back on the first page.

If one believes God is calling him to evangelize the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who are Church Elders to tell him he cannot?

Sounds just as wrong and prideful as one organization in history past forbidding the common people to read the Bible, saying that no one could understand the Scriptures except them.

Let's see, God says, "Go, Evangelize!"
Church Elders say, "Sit down and Shut up! You are not authorized!"

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

 

[Keachian]

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Each of the bolded is a Theologian, each as they study to show themselves approved and to edify the body in their giftings is practicing Theology. Even you are being a Theologian when you make the claim that the bolded are not Theologians, or that Theologians are not given gifts by God.

 

[DeaconDean]

Evangelism is theological, like all forms of preaching and must be grounded in the word. Let me put it this way, if your Elders disapproved of you street preaching, would you do it any way? If you say yes than you are pridefully ignoring those God has placed over you. If you answer no you prove my point. Evangelists are sent. The problems we see in street evangelism have already been posted back on the first page.

Perhaps its different in Canada.

But, among the Southern Baptist Convention, it is said:

VI. The Church

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.

Link to this.

Now while it was true that in America, in 1742, we had elders, by 1833 that was not the case any more:

Of a Gospel Church

We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

New Hampshire Confession of Faith of 1833

As of 1963, the Baptist Faith and Message said the same thing:

VI. The Church

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, committed to His teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. This church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In such a congregation members are equally responsible. Its Scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages.

Matt. 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42, 47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23, 27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11, 21; 5:22-32; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:18; 1 Tim. 3:1-15; 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Rev. 2-3; 21:2-3.

Baptist Faith and Message of 1963.

This same wording is still used in the BF&M of 2000.

Now when they change it to include "elders" I'll change my opinion. But till then...

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Keachian]

I believe SeventhValley that you need at least let your Elders know and be accountable to them, though the Gospel is offensive to the natural man. If you interact with other evangelists you should swap Church/Elder details as well as spouse, etc. If you or them step out of line there is then an avenue of discipline and accountability. If you get persecuted or locked in prison there is avenues to help you out if for some reason your spouse and some family are unreachable.

 

[now faith]

Each of the bolded is a Theologian, each as they study to show themselves approved and to edify the body in their giftings is practicing Theology. Even you are being a Theologian when you make the claim that the bolded are not Theologians, or that Theologians are not given gifts by God.

Even me?

With my spelling?

I did not get the little red line for some reason

I disagree with the crossreference from Timothy.

All men are not all called to the same work,or office.

Your analogy removes the Spiritual aspect of the Gifts and anointing.

Case in point: Smith Wigglesworth,learned to read after his wife taught him.

Would only read the Bible.

He had a incredible minstery,Evangelist,Preacher,Faith Healer.

With no formal education,it has been said that at times people would think he was dumb when he started a sermon,but then came the Anointing God moved.

Theologians,are workmen but most of the time it takes a good one to foul things up or cause a debate over the obvious.

My point is ,you cannot study your way to any of the Gifts,they are Spiritual.

Being trite put aside a Theologian can be a Pastor or the others as well,but we cannot qualify Gods anointing by Seminary,Church Council,or Committee.

Here is a definition I pulled from the free dictionary:

1. theologian - someone who is learned in theology or who speculates about theology
theologiser, theologist, theologizer
Church Father, Father of the Church, Father - (Christianity) any of about 70 theologians in the period from the 2nd to the 7th century whose writing established and confirmed official church doctrine; in the Roman Catholic Church some were later declared saints and became Doctor of the Church; the best known Latin Church Fathers are Ambrose, Augustine, Gregory the Great, and Jerome; those who wrote in Greek include Athanasius, Basil, Gregory Nazianzen, and John Chrysostom
Doctor of the Church, Doctor - (Roman Catholic Church) a title conferred on 33 saints who distinguished themselves through the orthodoxy of their theological teaching; "the Doctors of the Church greatly influenced Christian thought down to the late Middle Ages"
eschatologist - a theologian who specializes in eschatology
futurist - a theologian who believes that the Scripture prophecies of the Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) will be fulfilled in the future
presentist - a theologian who believes that the Scripture prophecies of the Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) are being fulfilled at the present time
preterist - a theologian who believes that the Scripture prophecies of the Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) have already been fulfilled
bookman, scholar, scholarly person, student - a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

You will notice the absence of Spirituality,as to qualification

 

[now faith]

An important lesson can be seen in the story of Moses.

Moses was not a man of eloquent speech. He was fearful as well. God told him he would have his brother Aaron with him. Moses spoke before the Pharaoh with boldness in the power and might of the great I Am.

The lesson to be learned?

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

If you truly believe God is calling you to street evangelism, then obey God, trusting Him to put words in your mouth as you give your heart to Him and the work He has called you to do... if that is what He has truly called you to do.

Amen,

You were able to convey my point much quicker than I could.

 

[now faith]

Very true. A pleasure to read such wise words.

Thank You sir.

 

[Keachian]

Even me? With my spelling?

Yes

All men are not all called to the same work,or office.

Theologian is not an office as your definition leaves out, those who have no outlet (or as you would say work, or office) for their Theology often in my opinion become disconnected from God because they pursue knowledge as opposed to him, himself.

Your analogy removes the Spiritual aspect of the Gifts and anointing.

No, I believe you are removing the Spiritual aspect from Theology, just because it is a big word, just because you think it is dry. But surely you would agree with me that there is nothing dry about communing with God, in those blessed spaces where God condescends to meet with us, to covenant with us, what higher joy is there, what higher Theology?

My point is ,you cannot study your way to any of the Gifts,they are Spiritual.

I don't think you can study your way to true Theology, so I guess in part we are in agreement.

Being trite put aside a Theologian can be a Pastor or the others as well,but we cannot qualify Gods anointing by Seminary,Church Council,or Committee.

Perhaps you didn't understand me, every Saint is a Theologian, or do you suggest that someone can come to Christ without contemplating God?

 

[SeventhValley]

I talked with my Pastor and he said to just talk with people if they are open to it. That is it.

 

[DeaconDean]

I talked with my Pastor and he said to just talk with people if they are open to it. That is it.

You know brother, we've had our differences in the past, but when I seen this thread, and your willingness to go out on the street, in the fact of ridicule, and try to reach the world, I was happy.

Happy that you wanted to obey the call.

There have been many of us who said for to obey God and heed the call.

It's sad to think that there are some who tell you, you must get approval before you answer God's call.

I really do wish you well in your endevors.

And May God Bless you.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Studious One]

Back in the 1800's, Robert Sheffey was told he would not get support from the Church when he expressed the desire to evangelize the Word of God.

Thank God, he didn't let their naysaying sway him. He went on to become one of them most famous circuit-riding preachers ever.

When God calls one to preach, the Church should encourage that one in his endeavors rather than discourage him.

God does not call a person to do a work just to see him neglect that work.

 

[SeventhValley]

You know brother, we've had our differences in the past, but when I seen this thread, and your willingness to go out on the street, in the fact of ridicule, and try to reach the world, I was happy.

Happy that you wanted to obey the call.

There have been many of us who said for to obey God and heed the call.

It's sad to think that there are some who tell you, you must get approval before you answer God's call.

I really do wish you well in your endevors.

And May God Bless you.

God Bless

Till all are one.

Thanks bro

I have been trying to do a better job following Christ lately. I realized I was spreading more hate than love and have been working on submitting myself to the word.

I had a realization today that I have been taking the wrong approach. I have been debating the word without actually trying to follow it. I need to walk it first.

I walked away from Christianity last time I felt the call to personally evangelize. Christ called me back through my wife.

If you could PM some info on good preachers to listen to or other things that would help with evangelism that would be great!

I have also realized that while we are personally responsible to do our work for Christ dose his own things that are unexpected allowing some to hear while others do not. I realise now I am not at a level to talk about predestination vs foreknowledge.

 

[DeaconDean]

If you could PM some info on good preachers to listen to or other things that would help with evangelism that would be great!

First off, there are no perfect preachers. All have their faults. The Senior Deacon who took me under his wing to help me when the church called me to the deaconship told me one valuable lesson while I was attending seminary.

I had a very libral teacher, and we were always at odds. So much so that I considered dropping out of his class. Brother Don told me that I needed to learn how to "Pick the meat from the bone."

Valuable lesson.

Welcome Has a list of sermons that you can download and listen to. A couple of my favorites are J. Harold Smith, and Oliver B. Green.

This ite also has, believe it or not, sermons fromthe likes of: Billy Sunday, and D. L. Moody.

I have also realized that while we are personally responsible to do our work for Christ dose his own things that are unexpected allowing some to hear while others do not. I realise now I am not at a level to talk about predestination vs foreknowledge.

Brother, as smart as I am, it took me nearly a solid year of studying before I felt qualified to post on those matters.

And I spent another six months researching and studying on "election".

Those are very deep subjects, and ones not to be taken lightly.

I hope you succede.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Bluelion]

I am thinking about street preaching but how long should I study doctrine and the scriptures before doing it?

A SBC pastor told me right away if you feel called. A PCA pastor and a Anglican I know both said 5 years hard study minimum.

Thoughts?

Hi,

I have been called to preach and started school this year to do it, it will take me about 6 years before I am ready to lead a church. Street preaching is harder.

When God calls you know it. I was called to be baptized last year even though i was saved at 6 I did not get baptized till i was 36. I literally could not wait any long. I felt like i was going to explode. What I found is my church would not do it because i was living with my wife and not married to her at the time. They suggested I kick her out. i knew that was wrong. Jesus went to the Samiranine womans house when she was living with a man did not stop her from getting saved, and I suspect baptized.In fact many churches would not do it. Finally I was baptized in a bath tub with my wife after we were married.

Next what i had gone through with the church i knew i wanted to speak out against. Baptism is commanded by God and these churches around here try to stop me from doing Gods Will. This lead to my second calling to preach. I was first called at 17 20 years ago, but my family threaten to cut me off and made it hard for me so i gave up the idea. Now i was called again. I started school this year 20 years after the first call, and i found out fast God had a lot to teach me before i went out preaching. I am just finishing up two classes. 1st class was on old testament,and 2nd class was on new testament. I learned more in 8 weeks a school then in all my years at church.

So my point is you have a lot to learn. If you are called God will prepare yopu well as he is doing with me. I suggest finding a good school and getting formal training. I use to think a person didn't need any, but now i see i was wrong. Paul had a lot of training in Jewish faith and then by Jesus, and look how far he went.

Train hard that is my advice. oh yeah and my call to preach I literally felt like if i did not start school right now i would explode. My will did not matter, I then understood what Paul meant by slave to God, but I am a happy and thankful slave