Why Don't Christian's Witness About Jesus?

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Thess

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If you're truly looking for answers to your question, "why don't Christians witness about Jesus"; you'll engage with the points I made, and explain to me where I am going wrong.

If, in fact, you have another agenda to push and I'm not playing ball; then I'm not interested either.

Sorry, but there have been too many posts for me to remember your anger. I could read a post from you tomorrow and wouldn't remember at all that you're angry with me. I don't hold bitterness and would never possibly be able to remember why you're upset that I'm simply calling for a better sense of "witnessing" in this world, and that the "team" is usually about as good as the "coaching staff". It's no big deal, really. I'm on your side. I'm on our side. I'm saying that if our teachers were teaching the truth, souls might be saved. This was tragic case in 2nd Timothy, where Timothy fell victim to fear, and understandably so, because of the two false renegade teachers that were causing lots of problems, which placed unsaved souls and new Christians (who could be swept away by such false teachers) at risk with their salvation. Everything was at state, but Paul, in prison, began to develop Timothy's sense of self-confidence in what is Paul's final letter to the world. It's a very sad letter, that Paul is in prison, soon to die and here is Timothy, perhaps the single most influential Christian in the free world (by the authority of Paul)....but he's falling apart.

All that I am saying is that we need as many Paul's to step up to the plate as possible. I am doing just that. I'm not complaining, I'm stating facts and I am doing my part.

Seems weird to think that if it's MY thread, what's wrong with my having an agenda, and why is it ok for others to determine the agenda, yet accuse me of having one. Just boggles the rational mind, not to mention the Spiritual mind. Man oh man. Take care. :) (And seriously, I won't remember our conversations....no one ever needs to ask my forgiveness; I live it. It's been given before graciously asked. (Makes relationships easy....)
 
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Thess

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It has a lot to do with you if people are indicating that they don't understand the way you have phrased your post.
It might be nice to try to explain/rewrite it, and not make unkind comments about understanding the Bible.



Listen to God, or listen to you?

I hear what you're saying. I've already fully explained it. And I didn't care to explain it to a person that clearly had a hostile attitude, verses the attitude of weeping, followed by the gnashing of teeth that my story exists. But there is no sorrow....I sense no sadness from you. All that I sense from you is personal anger, that of being offended, which comes from fear, of course.

Yes, of course I am asking that you would listen to me. That shouldn't be a shock at all. After all, you expect me to listen to you....seems a bit one-wayish to me.

I don't know what is wrong. I don't know what it is that I have done. Whatever sin I have committed against you, please tell me and I will correct my offense and will do all that is necessary to heal your wound with interest.
 
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Thess

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It is.
But if people say that don't understand what you are saying, would it not be nicer to try and explain/simplify it, rather than saying "well if you don't understand me you won't understand God's word"?

I am a fair man. It seems to me that for anyone that I mentioned that they did not understand, for example, I said what I said because they came at me with clear aggression and little respect. I'm not sure who any of you think I am, and that I shouldn't be honored or respected, but I am a man of God, indwelt with the Incredible Holy Spirit, and it would be wise for anyone, any human with that same Spirit, to be in accord. How do we know that we are in accord? We respect the Brethren. We respect anyone, with the Spirit or not, but True Christians will honor anyone with a serious, genuine question. But when we sense a spirit that is of the dissention race, there is no need to engage. For senseless thinking that comes from angry, upset, irritated and offended minds, these are the ones whom worship the Devil. Those attritubes in this context, at this forum, are not of God, but of the Devil. True Christians express gentle love and concern for those who do not have what you or myself might have. There are those that are being slaughters, because of Jesus right now, and instead of arguing about who in the world even cares, I'd much rather have my father send me to their aid. In fact, I'd almost rather be in jail that suffer such angry posts and threads from souls that are angry that I am calling for a better sense of Christian duty verses self-worship.
 
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Thess

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Thank you for sharing your story; that took courage.



Yes, and how do you know we're not?
You said earlier, "no one is REALLY witnessing" - how do you know? Or are you talking about witnessing according to your definition?

You're becoming nicer. :)

No, it requires no courage to tell my story. No one will listen, in fact, my store has cost me my entire family, all former friends and because of my Powerful message of How God showed Himself to me, everyone is afraid. I love that I have suffered so that I might understand what it is to "live in and by the Spirit". Without incredeible suffering, and man, there is SO MUCH MORE, so much worse, than what I had previously written, I wouldn't change a thing. The more we suffer, the more we become purified, and believe me....we all should want to have a mind that is literally becoming purified. It is the craziest thing! Constantly, constantly God has been teaching me things outside of the "chruch", which is apostate, and has kept me from reading commentaries and the little captions in my bible, but directed me to read His Word by His guidance only. I'd say I follow man's ideas maybe 2% of the time? No, I trust God and He then reveals the truth in this Holy Word. It is not me, it is God. I am nothing, but He is the Almighty of Almighty Powers. We say that we are worshipping the God of the Old Testament....I suggest we become familiar with that God. We need to wake up!!!!!

I love you, who ever you are. I am on your side. I want us to think about these new things, which is the integrity of our preachers. Each preacher is on trail, as far as I am concerned. So far, I have not found one that is qualified. I want us to wake up, to realize that we are ALL being given a partial gospel....and it is absolutely up to each of us to test our Pastors, Elders and Deacons. We should test our musicians and everyone who wears the badge of leadership....we should be testing each other! (Ahhhh....that's one of the aspects of the partial Gospel that we've all been handed....just terrible.)
 
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You're becoming nicer. :)

No, it requires no courage to tell my story. No one will listen, in fact, my store has cost me my entire family, all former friends and because of my Powerful message of How God showed Himself to me, everyone is afraid. I love that I have suffered so that I might understand what it is to "live in and by the Spirit". Without incredeible suffering, and man, there is SO MUCH MORE, so much worse, than what I had previously written, I wouldn't change a thing. The more we suffer, the more we become purified, and believe me....we all should want to have a mind that is literally becoming purified. It is the craziest thing! Constantly, constantly God has been teaching me things outside of the "chruch", which is apostate, and has kept me from reading commentaries and the little captions in my bible, but directed me to read His Word by His guidance only. I'd say I follow man's ideas maybe 2% of the time? No, I trust God and He then reveals the truth in this Holy Word. It is not me, it is God. I am nothing, but He is the Almighty of Almighty Powers. We say that we are worshipping the God of the Old Testament....I suggest we become familiar with that God. We need to wake up!!!!!

I love you, who ever you are. I am on your side. I want us to think about these new things, which is the integrity of our preachers. Each preacher is on trail, as far as I am concerned. So far, I have not found one that is qualified. I want us to wake up, to realize that we are ALL being given a partial gospel....and it is absolutely up to each of us to test our Pastors, Elders and Deacons. We should test our musicians and everyone who wears the badge of leadership....we should be testing each other! (Ahhhh....that's one of the aspects of the partial Gospel that we've all been handed....just terrible.)
I have just left my Presbyterian church after being an elder and preacher for the last 18 years, because of bullying by another elder who has a controlling spirit and in a couple issues I didn't do what he was demanding of me.

Since December, I have been getting ministry from some good books I had on my bookcase, and from good Bible teachers through Youtube. I told the Lord that now I am free from the influence of that church and the demands of leadership, I am going to have a time of just being a nobody and have fellowship with Him to see what He has to say to me and how He is going to set up my future for me. One of the first things He did was to speak to me through a quote from one of Charles Spurgeon's sermons:
"I'm just a poor sinner and nothing at all,
But Jesus Christ is my all in all!"

I found that really encouraging because it confirmed to me that I was in the right place with God.

Since then, I have been getting fresh insight after another, and it has been amazing that after 50 years in the faith, I am learning and re-learning things that either I didn't realise before or that I had forgotten over the years. It seems that I am able to hear the voice of God more clearly and He is building up some of the foundations that may have had a few cracks in it.

One of the things He showed me, which made me feel a lot less guilty about walking away from that church is that a controlling spirit is a spirit of witchcraft and because the elder is controlling the services and the preaching, that spirit of witchcraft is supplanting the Holy Spirit in that church. It also reassured me that the check I had in my spirit about the man and his preaching was not just my resentment toward him, but that there is a spirit motivating him that is not of God and that sitting under his ministry could open me up to demonic attack.

But because the members of that church have been my "family" for so long, I feel sad for them, because they don't realise that they are being subjected to stuff that is not of God, regardless of how religious it might be.

But I decided to attend the church Bible study on a Thursday morning because it is led by an elder who I know loves the Lord and has my respect. I don't sense any wrong spirit in that meeting. But during May that elder is not able to lead it, and if that other elder came to lead it, I would not attend for that time.

So my experience may be an encouragement to you. I hope it is.
 
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Thess

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I have just left my Presbyterian church after being an elder and preacher for the last 18 years, because of bullying by another elder who has a controlling spirit and in a couple issues I didn't do what he was demanding of me.

Since December, I have been getting ministry from some good books I had on my bookcase, and from good Bible teachers through Youtube. I told the Lord that now I am free from the influence of that church and the demands of leadership, I am going to have a time of just being a nobody and have fellowship with Him to see what He has to say to me and how He is going to set up my future for me. One of the first things He did was to speak to me through a quote from one of Charles Spurgeon's sermons:
"I'm just a poor sinner and nothing at all,
But Jesus Christ is my all in all!"

I found that really encouraging because it confirmed to me that I was in the right place with God.

Since then, I have been getting fresh insight after another, and it has been amazing that after 50 years in the faith, I am learning and re-learning things that either I didn't realise before or that I had forgotten over the years. It seems that I am able to hear the voice of God more clearly and He is building up some of the foundations that may have had a few cracks in it.

One of the things He showed me, which made me feel a lot less guilty about walking away from that church is that a controlling spirit is a spirit of witchcraft and because the elder is controlling the services and the preaching, that spirit of witchcraft is supplanting the Holy Spirit in that church. It also reassured me that the check I had in my spirit about the man and his preaching was not just my resentment toward him, but that there is a spirit motivating him that is not of God and that sitting under his ministry could open me up to demonic attack.

But because the members of that church have been my "family" for so long, I feel sad for them, because they don't realise that they are being subjected to stuff that is not of God, regardless of how religious it might be.

But I decided to attend the church Bible study on a Thursday morning because it is led by an elder who I know loves the Lord and has my respect. I don't sense any wrong spirit in that meeting. But during May that elder is not able to lead it, and if that other elder came to lead it, I would not attend for that time.

So my experience may be an encouragement to you. I hope it is.

There are so many that have written before you, so I must honor them each, but I would like to say that I'd like to find a way to reach that former church of yours. I'll figure out a way to infiltrate....I'll need your help. In today's world, we can reach souls without ever meeting them. I'll return to the body of your message soon. Thank you for sharing your story....it will help some, here, for certain.
 
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There are so many that have written before you, so I must honor them each, but I would like to say that I'd like to find a way to reach that former church of yours. I'll figure out a way to infiltrate....I'll need your help. In today's world, we can reach souls without ever meeting them. I'll return to the body of your message soon. Thank you for sharing your story....it will help some, here, for certain.
You can pray the blessing of God on them. I do that, because it does more to open the way for the Holy Spirit to fall on them than getting my nose out of joint about them.
 
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FireDragon76

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I do have another question about witnessing to others. I eat lunch with people who wear religious themed ball caps 3 times a week along with 30 others in a mixed crowd of believers and unbelievers. I wonder if some one can explain why no one in over 5 years has approached them with even a religious question. Another occasionally comes and passes out tracts to most every one with no response. Yes we talk to each other. I pretty much get along with every one. Even passed out roses to the ladies with no intent or special occasion. What else should we do?

There's generally a taboo against talking about religion in public, outside of a traditionally religious context (like church) or a private context like family life. It's part of the consensus of modernity: religion is a private matter (and politics has a similar taboo). People that do otherwise are often considered pushy or rude.

Back in biblical times, religion was a very public matter, and people dealt with religious differences generally either through pluralism and syncretism (all religion is good, the more the merrier), or religious zealotry (unbelievers are outsiders, and should be ostracized or killed). The social codes that lead to privatization of religion allowed people to get along with distinctive convictions without necessarily dehumanizing their neighbor for believing differently.

Another factor is that religion is not an important part of most peoples lives anymore. Most people are busy thinking about other things, some people may not even think about religious questions, at least not ones a Christian might understand. So the ball caps may not be prompting anything in them in particular. It is no longer a given that any random person in a developed nation has some God-shaped hole in their heart (as Dietrich Bonhoeffer noted in his final writings from prison), and that has been an assumption in how Christians traditionally engaged in evangelism and apologetics.
 
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Strong in Him

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Sorry, but there have been too many posts for me to remember your anger. I could read a post from you tomorrow and wouldn't remember at all that you're angry with me.

I'm not angry. A little frustrated, maybe.
I wrote a post responding to your OP and your reply was:
Believe me when I write this, as I am not trying to be rude or cruel, but instead defend myself. Man, you're just not understanding. I have no battle with people who aren't interested in considering something new. I'm not looking for old wineskins.

So you said that I didn't understand, but didn't try to explain.
You then said you have no interest with people not willing to consider something new, and that you're not looking for "old wineskins".

The way that post reads is; "you don't understand what I am saying and are not willing to consider something new, so I'm not interested and don't have time for you."
Maybe you didn't intend it to be read that way, but that's what it sounded like.

Other people have commented that they find it hard to understand what you are saying - your response was "if you don't understand, what has that to do with me?"

That is irritating, but also baffling; why would you write a thread and don't want to help people understand it?
 
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Tropical Wilds

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I"m 51 and I'd say that I've had two different moments in my life when I was approached about Christ. Once was by a couple that knocked on my door from an actual Christian Church.

1. How is this even possible?
2. If this Church (the body of Christ) has abandoned "obedience" to such lengths, is there any reason to think that Jesus won't be returning soon?

[Rom 3:12 NLT] "All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one."

Two different occasions in 51.5 years? "Confidence Is From The Lord" is a false teaching folks. This evil statement along with, "Just Pray About It" are two of the most destructive false teachings rampant in the "Church" today.

God, forgive them all, for they know not what they do. But as for our false teachers whom have led us astray....may that Goliath millstone be tightly noosed and may you do to them as you did to the generation of Benjamites who raped honorable women to death!

I’m 37 and I’ve been approached way more than twice, and I’m sure more times than that where I didn’t noticed I was being approached. I don’t think it means anything grand or profound... I think it’s just one of those things.

I’ve been approached by people who are curious about my faith after spending time with me, which is fine. I do go out seeking people but I’d they seek me then whatever.
 
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david shelby

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You might consider this carping about terminology, but its a fact in any case:

You can't witness about Jesus, because you didn't witness Jesus.

All you can do is tell people what you think the Bible says about Jesus. Your words have no authority. They are not witness. You're not an eyewitness.

So when people make these comparisons like "The apostles were on fire for the Lord! Going everywhere witnessing about Jesus! But we don't approach people to witness." Well yeah, considering they were actual witnesses. We, at best, are ambassadors for a book. A book people know exists, and reject. So all we can do is go "Hey, you know that book you reject...maybe you should give it a second chance?" Considering how weak that is, its no wonder people aren't that interested in doing it.
 
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Thess

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You have to realize ... that your christian experience ... is not, necessarily, the same as everyone else's christian experience.

For instance, ... this was not my experience. So you can't project your experience onto all other American christians.

And, even, in your experience, God has reached you with His message. Your initial church experience might have been lacking, ... but God has a lifetime to reach you with His message ... and He has. Mission accomplished.

Now you need to let God complete His work with all of His other children ...

I disagree. We need each other. Paul sent Timothy. Paul sent Titus. We don't abandon each other, such as the doctrine that you seem to be endorsing. I do not. Instead, it is best to go to those that are struggling and in need, and that includes you whom think you have the indwelling Spirit.

Take care. I don't want to further ruin a beautiful thread that calls for us to do a better job of finding the lost. Really, there should be a loud roar and cheer, as if the Ark of the Covenant were being marched in. Strange, how it is that doing God's work causes such hostility amongst "believers".
 
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Thess

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It occurred to me I should ask theses questions of you -

  • how many doors have you knocked on in 51 years?
  • do you have a tract ministry where you distribute tracts in some way
  • what exactly are you doing to reach others for Jesus besides funding your church

Zero doors. No tract...those seem weird to me and totally not my thing. If you read my other words you'll probably feel differently about me. Maybe not.
 
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Thess

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I'm not being abrasive, I just get tired of the continuous broadbrush people place upon others.

I hear you. Does this mean you struggle with the Word of God? He said that no one is good, not one. That seems pretty broad, which would include me, but I'm not upset by it.

I think the real issue is [why] you are upset. That's not what I expect from Brothers and Sisters. If you figure that out, you'd be able to understand and interpret me with perfect clarity. I should know....I know when people understand and do not. Let's move on to the topic. Don't you think I've been beaten enough or would you like it to continue?
 
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Thess

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After this most recent rash of responses, I have a delicate recommendation to make to those of us who have been responding: I think that is to time to back off and leave it alone. By no means is anyone obligated to listen to me, but if you would like to know why I say that, feel free to message me.

I think that you should share every private message that you've shared with each member....fully. I'd like to see the truth. You'll need to be more than a coward.
 
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Thess

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Penn Gilette is not exactly the best authority on spiritual things. The Gospel should be more than a sales pitch, like a vacuum salesman. Of course, Penn doesn't really care about that, because his respect is only feigned for a rhetorical point.



Most people assume, and I believe rightly, that religious instruction best happens inside a church.

Those religious groups that go around "witnessing" often do so in an intrusive fashion. I had a Baptist come to my door a year ago and it was easy to read through how he was subtlely questioning the adequacy of my religious beliefs, which as far as I am concerned is intrusive, rude, and sleazy. People should stop peddling the Gospel like they are door to door salesmen or cultists. God never commanded we do such a thing.

Just be an authentic loving person, let your light shine, as Jesus said. It is the Holy Spirit's job to draw people to God, it is not the result of rhetorical tricks or manipulative sleaze.

Great post. I've never been a fan of the door to door thing either. There are so many ways to reach people....it's a matter of overcoming fear and getting busy, figuring out how to use collective skills and abilities so that we might save some. And of course, we ought never forget the suffering....these are the ones that God calls us to witness to, not the rich or wealthy, but those that are unassuming. While can reach all, it is the weak and the suffering that call out to God....these are the Children that He loves. And God must send us humans to the rescue....
 
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Thess

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You end your post by lecturing me and you are not judging me? :)

My theology is very simple. Try as hard as I can to love God with all my heart and soul and mind, to treat others as I want to be treated, and be a willing vessel through which God can love others.

Of course we can always do a better job witnessing for Christ but my post was to illustrate all the ways we do that without getting in people's faces and triggering more resentment than acceptance. The only reason I responded to your post as I did is that it came across as judgmental of most Christians and did look at all as counseling that we should love one another. You may not have intended that but your post here seems to sort of reinforce that.

You ended your previous post that I responded to with this:
God, forgive them all, for they know not what they do. But as for our false teachers whom have led us astray....may that Goliath millstone be tightly noosed and may you do to them as you did to the generation of Benjamites who raped honorable women to death!​

If you want people to believe you are not judging them, I suggest you don't use verses like that when you are posting to them.

I know God and God knows me. When I quote scriptures, what am I to do? Destroy them first?

If you just hang in here....you'll see that I'm not what you think I am. Everything is ok.
 
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Thess

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I think you are probably right.

He definitely is....but describing someone else. Not worried about your judgments of me, but I'd be worried about God's judgments of you. I don't care of what you think. To openly mock me says nothing about me but it tells everyone here that you don't take God seriously. I sure hope I'm wrong....I wouldn't mess around with God's Children.

If you knew the scriptures, I would make much more sense. If the hatred here slows down and I can spend more time explaining things, I'd prefer rational discussion.
 
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Thess

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Your experience shows the times we live in and thus shows how close we are to the day of Christ return

Also shows that what many call church is really a child of the harlot of Babylon (false church) more evidence of the age we live in.

And that Christ is not preached by those who profess the faith again shows the age we live in

Is this what you were saying?

You nailed it, brother. And because you understand the things I speak of, you can clearly understand why I am stepping out to shake and rattle cages. I do this not because I am angry or upset, but because I love all of us. I have posted this thread because it is the kind and loving thing to do. These are my intentions, which proves that I have been falsely judged....for humors sake. haha - We are being lied to and few are recognizing it. It's heartbreaking to say, but there are no more fertile grounds for which to witness than right there in the middle of your own bloody church. Good grief....I certainly don't go to any church to learn anything.

I hope someone gets it....finally.
 
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