Street Preaching is Useless

Tetra,
What do you mean by building a relationship?

Tetra said:

I'm against pushing people away from Christ... I believe street preaching is doing that... so yes, I'm against it.

You're arguing it's in the Bible... I'm saying I think it's dependent on cultural variables and time. Hence why it was effective in Biblical times, and not now.

So I'm going to maintain my original position. I will not advocate pushing people away from the Gospel.

I feel like we're going in circles. lol

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First, you can't push people away. They either accept what you say, or they don't.
Speaking isn't physical, it's auditory. Now if someone hears something you say, they don't like, yes, they can leave. But that doesn't mean what your saying isn't true. (This in context of rightly witnessing to people in a loving, patience and understanding way, not browbeating people.)

As I said in my last post. I just give the information. They either accept it or don't.
If they reject what you are preaching, that's doesn't mean they are rejecting you, matter of fact their not rejecting you, they are rejecting Christ. But they still get to hear the Word. Plus you can get the blessing of obeying God. So, it's a Win, Win, Win situation.

Tetra said:

Have to head out for a moment, but I'll gladly answer your first question.

I live in a university town in Canada. It's extremely liberal as a town. I'm trying to think of a US equivalent, imagine a really liberal San Francisco. Something like that.

Again, I've only seen a few street preachers in my town. Of the few I have seen, no ones approaches or ever cares. Most laugh, shake their head, and keep walking as if they didn't exist. So I tend to question how effective it is. I mean, if people want to do that all day long, that's up to them... just can't see how it's effective is all.

Didn't Paul once say "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." Doesn't this imply there are more ways of approaching preaching the Gospel?

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I agree. Especially in super liberal towns. It can be difficult. But spreading the Gospel is always better than not. As I said, the word never comes back void. They may not walk up, they may just giggle, but if they giggle, that means they hear what's being said.

I would prefer to have a heckler come up and heckle me, why? Because they tend to draw more people toward the conversation. As long as you stick with the law, sin, salvation and the Gospel. No matter what others say. Stick with it. Even if your being heckled....even a heckler needs salvation. They hear the Word. God does the rest.
Where you may plant the seed, someone else may reap it. You never know what God has planned.
It's a Win, Win, Win situation.

And your right, There are more ways to preach the Gospel. But that's up to God. He calls each and everyone one of us who are Born Again to do works in Faith. Some are teachers, preachers, evangelist, tract maker, just being there in silence listing, prayer warriors, sometimes just a smile and a handshake can make a huge difference in someone's life. Living the life of Christ before others is spreading the Gospel, but preaching is the best way to get it out or witnessing, one on one.

/nvm

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine"

"So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. '
while I agree screaming at people isn't usually effective, handing out tracts and engaging people in respectful conversation on the street can be very effective.

Tetra said:

If it's effective where you are, of course keep rockin' it.

I truly don't see it's effectiveness where I am though, and think maybe there are more effective options.

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The best I can advise. Is to go to God, ask Him to show you a way to spread the Gospel in a more effective way. But keep the faith, and fight the good fight.
Continue to spread the Gospel, whether it be a street ministry, or passing out tracts.

Tetra said:

Can you please elaborate for me?

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We are called to love our enemies. How can you do that if you speak poorly of the brethren?

I agree, people who spout hateful slogans and seem too inept to discuss real issues, don't really help the rest of the team who deal with real people and have real two-way conversations.

AlexDTX said:

We are called to love our enemies. How can you do that if you speak poorly of the brethren?

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Reproof, using the scriptures isn't not loving someone. It is loving.
We are told through the scriptures when we pull a brother back to the arms of the Lord, we have saved there life.

Jude 1:17-23

17But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ 18when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.” 19These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.

20But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.

22And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt; 23save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others, show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.

Tetra said:

So Christians can't be critical of other Christians??

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You made a blanket statement:
"To answer your question, in my experience it's been Christians who ruin Christianity."
This is not criticizing individual Christians but a condemnation of the entire Church of Jesus Christ.

smithed64 said:

Reproof, using the scriptures isn't not loving someone. It is loving.
We are told through the scriptures when we pull a brother back to the arms of the Lord, we have saved there life.

Jude 1:17-23

17But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ 18when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.” 19These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.

20But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.

22And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt; 23save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others, show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.

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You are stepping into the middle of a conversation that you don't know what the conversation is about. Tetra said:

"To answer your question, in my experience it's been Christians who ruin Christianity."

This is not a reproof of an individual but a blanket condemnation of the entire body of Christ. Know what the conversation is before you butt in.

AlexDTX said:

You are stepping into the middle of a conversation that you don't know what the conversation is about. Tetra said:

"To answer your question, in my experience it's been Christians who ruin Christianity."

This is not a reproof of an individual but a blanket condemnation of the entire body of Christ. Know what the conversation is before you butt in.

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Love you to Brother.

Those who claim to be Christian and ruin Christianity, wouldn't you say that reproof is the way to correct them?
That's what the bible is for. For correction and for reproof.
And that is done in a loving, caring and Godly manner. Not being snarky.

smithed64 said:

Love you to Brother.

Those who claim to be Christian and ruin Christianity, wouldn't you say that reproof is the way to correct them?
That's what the bible is for. For correction and for reproof.
And that is done in a loving, caring and Godly manner. Not being snarky.

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Yes, but you were reproving me. You were in error.

Tetra said:

I'm fairly careful when I write... and I stand by my comment. We can blame no one but ourselves for the problems with in Christendom.

If I remember correctly, the late Greg Bahnsen went so far as to blame even the problems of the world on Christians. He said concerning abortion... "If Christians were doing their job we wouldn't even have the option for abortion."

So yeah, I'm far more critical of those in the church then those who are not.

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Which is why I doubt you have a mature love of Christ. To blame the body of Christ is also to blame Jesus since Jesus is the head of his body. Is our Savior so inept that he lets his body be cancerous? That is your implication. Or do you judge God by your mortal standards not believing that He is in control and has a higher purpose he is accomplishing? I don't think you have thought through enough.