Street Preaching is Useless

Tetra · Jan 6, 2017

2X4 said:
It is written, "Many are called but only a few are chosen". Unless you've heard the voice of God speak in your mind with commands to obey, then you're not one of the few.

I was unaware that verse was in reference to street preaching...

2X4 · Jan 6, 2017

Tetra said:
I was unaware that verse was in reference to street preaching...

It's in reference to who is called by the Holy Spirit who speaks commands into the mind of a servant until the servant becomes the voice of God. We get 100 % of the knowledge of Christ to understand how we're created. Only a few chosen believers who listen to the Gospel of God we preach will believe that 100%. Most get 60 % or much less.

AlexDTX · Jan 6, 2017

smithed64 said:
Forgive me, it wasn't intentional.

I do forgive you.

TheNorwegian · Jan 8, 2017

I think everyone agrees that street preaching is in the Bible. However, it does not follow that saying something about the Gospel on a street is the same as the street preaching according to the Bible. What goes by the term "street evangelism" may or may not be the same thing that we read about in the Bible.

One obvious difference is the lack of power in many street preachers of today. It is pretty clear that street preaching in the NT often was accompanied by miracles. If street evangelists regularly saw paralyzed walk, blind see and dead raised, then we would have a Biblical kind of street evangelism. I do not think any Christian would be opposed to such street evangelism.

However, if such miracles do not happen very regularly - how can we know that today's street evangelism is similar to what Jesus and the first apostles did? Maybe we only have it outward form, not its inward life and power?

2X4 · Jan 8, 2017

TheNorwegian said:
I think everyone agrees that street preaching is in the Bible. However, it does not follow that saying something about the Gospel on a street is the same as the street preaching according to the Bible. What goes by the term "street evangelism" may or may not be the same thing that we read about in the Bible.

One obvious difference is the lack of power in many street preachers of today. It is pretty clear that street preaching in the NT often was accompanied by miracles. If street evangelists regularly saw paralyzed walk, blind see and dead raised, then we would have a Biblical kind of street evangelism. I do not think any Christian would be opposed to such street evangelism.

However, if such miracles do not happen very regularly - how can we know that today's street evangelism is similar to what Jesus and the first apostles did? Maybe we only have it outward form, not its inward life and power?

There are many "Jesus" freaks out there with a sign saying the world is coming to an end. They are noisy vessels from Satan who have no idea why Jesus was used by God or all the other servants of God such as Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Job, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Peter, Timothy, Paul and me.

AlexDTX · Jan 8, 2017

TheNorwegian said:
I think everyone agrees that street preaching is in the Bible. However, it does not follow that saying something about the Gospel on a street is the same as the street preaching according to the Bible. What goes by the term "street evangelism" may or may not be the same thing that we read about in the Bible.

One obvious difference is the lack of power in many street preachers of today. It is pretty clear that street preaching in the NT often was accompanied by miracles. If street evangelists regularly saw paralyzed walk, blind see and dead raised, then we would have a Biblical kind of street evangelism. I do not think any Christian would be opposed to such street evangelism.

However, if such miracles do not happen very regularly - how can we know that today's street evangelism is similar to what Jesus and the first apostles did? Maybe we only have it outward form, not its inward life and power?

Miracles are dependent upon the faith of the recipients. Jesus could do not miracles save a few small ones in his home town of Nazareth because they could not believe he was the Messiah since they saw him grow up. That knowledge of his childhood was unbelief on their part.

America is a hardened nation to the Gospel. Miracles in street evangelism is hard in this country, and many other prosperous first world nations. Miracles do still occur but in much more private settings. Even Jesus had to put out the family of the little girl Tabitha before he could raise her from the dead.

After feeding the 5,000 Jesus rebuked the crowds since they did not believe in him but only came to fill their bellies. Miracles in of themselves to do not aid in evangelism.

AlexDTX · Jan 8, 2017

2X4 said:
There are many "Jesus" freaks out there with a sign saying the world is coming to an end. They are noisy vessels from Satan who have no idea why Jesus was used by God or all the other servants of God such as Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Job, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Peter, Timothy, Paul and me.

You think quite highly of yourself.

2X4 · Jan 8, 2017

AlexDTX said:
You think quite highly of yourself.

No. I'm just one of the servants who were used during this millennium reign of Christ who testified on My behalf until I learn how I was created and now I know who I AM as MAN and GOD as ONE, the spiritual Kingdom that no man can see.

TheNorwegian · Jan 8, 2017

AlexDTX said:
Miracles in of themselves to do not aid in evangelism.

Well, experience tells me it does. It might just be outside of your personal experience.

However, my point was to see what kind of street evangelism the NT shows us: There is no doubt that miracles was a big part of the street ministry of Jesus, the first Apostles, Stephen, Philip, etc. Without such signs and wonders, we cannot claim to do the same kind of street evangelism as they did. Our ministry can still be good and valid, but it is not like what the NT tells us about. This is why OP's question is very valid - and should be taken seriously

2X4 · Jan 8, 2017

TheNorwegian said:
Well, experience tells me it does. It might just be outside of your personal experience.

However, my point was to see what kind of street evangelism the NT shows us: There is no doubt that miracles was a big part of the street ministry of Jesus, the first Apostles, Stephen, Philip, etc. Without such signs and wonders, we cannot claim to do the same kind of street evangelism as they did. Our ministry can still be good and valid, but it is not like what the NT tells us about. This is why OP's question is very valid - and should be taken seriously

This is what it was like for us servants who are forced to go preach the Gospel as homeless men after we are forced to sell all our possessions.

1 Corithians 4
10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.
11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;
12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;
13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

The blessing comes when we witness believers who listen to the Gospel and then give us hugs, kisses and a thank you for delivering them the knowledge of Christ to give them hope for the future New Heaven and Earth after the day of the Lord destroys all their enemies.

AlexDTX · Jan 8, 2017

TheNorwegian said:
Well, experience tells me it does. It might just be outside of your personal experience.

However, my point was to see what kind of street evangelism the NT shows us: There is no doubt that miracles was a big part of the street ministry of Jesus, the first Apostles, Stephen, Philip, etc. Without such signs and wonders, we cannot claim to do the same kind of street evangelism as they did. Our ministry can still be good and valid, but it is not like what the NT tells us about. This is why OP's question is very valid - and should be taken seriously

I did not say miracles were irrelevant. I said that they do not always aid evangelism. It kept the crowd, for sure, after feeding the 5,000, but after Jesus told them they had to eat his body and drink his blood, most left him.

Of course the power of God needs to be demonstrated. Paul said that he did not preach with enticing words, but with power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost. I have seen miracles in my walk with Jesus as well.

As I said before, however, Americans have hardened hearts and would view miracles the same way Herod wanted Jesus to do miracles: for entertainment.

2X4 · Jan 8, 2017

AlexDTX said:
I did not say miracles were irrelevant. I said that they do not always aid evangelism. It kept the crowd, for sure, after feeding the 5,000, but after Jesus told them they had to eat his body and drink his blood, most left him.

Of course the power of God needs to be demonstrated. Paul said that he did not preach with enticing words, but with power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost. I have seen miracles in my walk with Jesus as well.

As I said before, however, Americans have hardened hearts and would view miracles the same way Herod wanted Jesus to do miracles: for entertainment.

There never was large groups of people coming to see Jesus preach the Gospel of God. In fact, most of God's chosen believers that he put in the path of hearing the Gospel preached to them were very skeptical of something they never heard before. Most of the Jews were unspiritual so they couldn't understand anything that was spoken from the Gospel because it contains a lot of knowledge about the Beast that taught man how to build false gods with their human hands and all the Jews were warned NOT to build false gods by God's Jewish prophets. So they hated that knowledge coming out of the Gospel.

AlexDTX · Jan 8, 2017

2X4 said:
There never was large groups of people coming to see Jesus preach the Gospel of God. In fact, most of God's chosen believers that he put in the path of hearing the Gospel preached to them were very skeptical of something they never heard before. Most of the Jews were unspiritual so they couldn't understand anything that was spoken from the Gospel because it contains a lot of knowledge about the Beast that taught man how to build false gods with their human hands and all the Jews were warned NOT to build false gods by God's Jewish prophets. So they hated that knowledge coming out of the Gospel.

I agree that the miraculous was mostly done in small settings. The feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000 were clearly large groups, however.

T.C · Jan 17, 2017

Tetra said:
Yes that's a bold statement, especially because there are those who just love to get out there and yell at people... telling them they're headed for hell... but in my experience, no one cares.

Where I live, I don't think I have seen a single person ever approach a street preacher. I mean, not even once. I have have seen people laugh at them, but never approach.

Why do people think this is an effective means to spreading the gospel?!?

Wouldn't developing relationships be a more effective method?

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11

You cannot develop a relationship with everyone btw.

Matthew B · Feb 11, 2017

I saw the video and people think street preaching is only people yelling when you can preach the gospel to strangers without yelling. It's just approaching, introducing, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and seeing their response. If they want to talk then teach them if they want to yell do not yell back !

tansy · Feb 11, 2017

Tetra said:
Yes that's a bold statement, especially because there are those who just love to get out there and yell at people... telling them they're headed for hell... but in my experience, no one cares.

Where I live, I don't think I have seen a single person ever approach a street preacher. I mean, not even once. I have have seen people laugh at them, but never approach.

Why do people think this is an effective means to spreading the gospel?!?

Wouldn't developing relationships be a more effective method?

I think that street preaching is useful. Before I was a Christian, if there was a street preacher and I had time, I would always hang about a little, if only in the background, and listen to some of what they had to say. They were if only in a small way, part and parcel of my becoming a Christian.
Plus, some will hand out leaflets and/or engage you in converstion, even pray with/for you if you so desire. And yes, some street preachers are no doubt more effective than others.

Presbyterian Continuist · Feb 27, 2017

Tetra said:
Yes that's a bold statement, especially because there are those who just love to get out there and yell at people... telling them they're headed for hell... but in my experience, no one cares.

Where I live, I don't think I have seen a single person ever approach a street preacher. I mean, not even once. I have have seen people laugh at them, but never approach.

Why do people think this is an effective means to spreading the gospel?!?

Wouldn't developing relationships be a more effective method?

I agree. Street preaching on its own is a waste of time and effort. But the best street ministry I have ever seen is a team doing healing ministry on the street and seeing unbelievers getting healed. Now that has to have much more of an impact than some guy standing on a street corner babbling on to the birds and the bees.

I went to a market one day and there was some guy preaching. People just walked past him and by the time I was 20 metres away I could hear what he was talking about. Some friends of mine from a church had a covered booth where they offered prayer, reading material and biscuits. Many more people were reached than the guy preaching on his own.

In my experience, I have never had a refusal from an unbeliever when I have offered prayer for healing. I am not dramatic about it because I don't want to embarrass them. All I do is take them by the wrist and say, "Jesus heals you." and then let them get on their way. If they want to stop and talk then that is their choice.

Presbyterian Continuist · Feb 27, 2017

Matthew B said:
I saw the video and people think street preaching is only people yelling when you can preach the gospel to strangers without yelling. It's just approaching, introducing, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and seeing their response. If they want to talk then teach them if they want to yell do not yell back !

I had a really funny experience when I was part of a street preaching team when I was younger. There was a guy who I thought was "up himself" who thought he was a really good preacher. He was a short guy with a big nose. Anyhow, he was preaching away, and at one stage he used the expression like: "A man would think [such and such]". A heckler yelled out, "What makes you think you're a man??" I nearly collapsed with laughter. That was in 1969 and I still remember it as plain as if it happened yesterday,

Another group used to preach in a small city in New Zealand that had a square in the centre of the city. This group would preach on Sunday afternoons. For most of the time there were absolutely no people around at all. Now that was literally preaching to the birds and the bees! I believe the preachers were sincere and that the Holy Spirit would convict anyone within earshot, so they were preaching in faith, so who could criticise them for that?

But there are better ways. One outreach group I was associated with had a purpose built trailer with speakers, etc. We would go to a holiday destination and set up in an area where there were lots of people and have music items, testimonies and preaching. That was quite effective and was done in conjunction with a coffee bar ministry in a nearby building. We got a fair number of decisions for Christ that way.

Matthew B · Mar 8, 2017

Oscarr said:
I had a really funny experience when I was part of a street preaching team when I was younger. There was a guy who I thought was "up himself" who thought he was a really good preacher. He was a short guy with a big nose. Anyhow, he was preaching away, and at one stage he used the expression like: "A man would think [such and such]". A heckler yelled out, "What makes you think you're a man??" I nearly collapsed with laughter. That was in 1969 and I still remember it as plain as if it happened yesterday,

Another group used to preach in a small city in New Zealand that had a square in the centre of the city. This group would preach on Sunday afternoons. For most of the time there were absolutely no people around at all. Now that was literally preaching to the birds and the bees! I believe the preachers were sincere and that the Holy Spirit would convict anyone within earshot, so they were preaching in faith, so who could criticise them for that?

But there are better ways. One outreach group I was associated with had a purpose built trailer with speakers, etc. We would go to a holiday destination and set up in an area where there were lots of people and have music items, testimonies and preaching. That was quite effective and was done in conjunction with a coffee bar ministry in a nearby building. We got a fair number of decisions for Christ that way.

Well he's a man because he was born with male body parts. Even if he's arrogant I think bringing him down that way is inappropriate. And for the New Zealand preachers they probably should've moved to a more busy area before starting. I wouldn't criticize them because God could've used them to save at least one person. Also, your groups way seems like it was effective. Good job! I think that there are many ways to share the gospel of Christ on the street and they all can be effective.

shakewell · Mar 19, 2017

Tetra said:
Yes that's a bold statement, especially because there are those who just love to get out there and yell at people... telling them they're headed for hell... but in my experience, no one cares.

Where I live, I don't think I have seen a single person ever approach a street preacher. I mean, not even once. I have have seen people laugh at them, but never approach.

Why do people think this is an effective means to spreading the gospel?!?

Wouldn't developing relationships be a more effective method?

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

Tetra said:
Wouldn't developing relationships be a more effective method?

Absolutely not. Developing relationships isn't the power of God unto salvation.

Street Preaching is Useless

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