I know he believes in Jesus. He has cancer. It pains me that he isn't going to be around forever on earth. I want him in Heaven. I told him, if you never deny God, there is a good bet He won't deny you.. but it takes a little giving. It takes baptism too. That public showing of commitment to Christ. I want him in Heaven. Our lives are so bleak.. we deal with hate over stuff i'd rather not get into. How do I, this broken from malpractice sinner, get my dad convinced to dedicate himself to the Lord?
How do I witness to my father?
- Thread starter Trev T
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I'm sorry your father has cancer, talking about serious matters is always difficult with family members.
There is so much history that can get in the way.
May I suggest that you ask your father just what does he believe?
You have a history of aggressive atheism, which could cause problems. Keep things simple and honest.
John Ch 3 verse 16 says those who believe in Jesus are saved. On a one to one conversation it is that belief that is important, not public statements of what one believes.
Spend time with your Father, and any other close family members, talk of old times, memories etc, as well as the serious things like funerals, finance salvation and the like.
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coffee4u
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It does not take baptism.
Luke 23
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other responded, and rebuking him, said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
The thief did not get down off his cross and go and get baptized. He was saved for his pure belief in Christ.
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So sorry to hear about your dad. I'll be praying!
It's not your job to convince your dad to give his life to the Lord... It's your job to make him thirsty for the Lord! By your actions. Let him see what the Lord has done for you. Maybe ask him if you could read a chapter or two in the New Testament to him every night, and then you two could discuss it together (I'd start with John, then the epistles of John, then Matthew and the rest of the New Testament).
It's not your job to convince your dad to give his life to the Lord... It's your job to make him thirsty for the Lord! By your actions. Let him see what the Lord has done for you. Maybe ask him if you could read a chapter or two in the New Testament to him every night, and then you two could discuss it together (I'd start with John, then the epistles of John, then Matthew and the rest of the New Testament).
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Be convinced yourself @Trev T so he can hear your conviction of how important it is to accept the Lord into his life. Just say little things about the Lord to him. Find the goodness in your own life, the satisfaction of forgiveness, what you learned at church, God is good. So it becomes common place to bring up the subject. Yah read to him. Ask him if he wants to go to heaven. Tell him of your hope. Dad God is important to you right now because of all eternity. Explain. It’s so simple to get saved and have eternal security.
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Is this true? I have been thinking a lot about this water baptism that it seems to me that it is not necessary because for example knowing Jesus doesn’t necessary need bible reading, not everyone has access to bible but God makes it possible to meet Jesus without bible. And so, I just don’t believe all believers have access to get baptised. And I believe God won’t forsake them for not being baptised. But this is just my view.
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coffee4u
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Is what true? The thief on the cross? Yes, its in the scripture that I quoted.
Many take the verse in Mark out of context.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
It isn't saying you must be baptized before God will accept you, it is saying that you must have faith to be saved. And that he who does not have faith will be condemned. The person who died without baptism isn't being condemned, the person without faith was.
The reason baptism is there with faith is because they go hand in hand. They expected the person to be baptized. It wasn't a matter of "Do you want to be baptized?" There was no question if a person was healthy and had a body of water available that they should and would get baptized. It was assumed that if you had come to faith you would immediately get baptized.
But situations arise where baptism isn't possible, a person is too sick, a person has an accident and dies before the baptism, a person could be in a place without enough water to get immersed in. And sorry but having some water splashed on ones forehead is not a baptism.
Whatever the situation God looks at the heart not at what we do. There is nothing that we can physically do to make God love us more or to accept us more.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
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Amazing answer, thank you so much for clearing this up.
And it’s true: God sees our hearts. Amen and Hallelujah
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I believe, my church teaches, that baptism is a sign of being cleansed, the first thing you have to do after getting saved. It only needs to be done once. It might feel good but I don’t think it has power. I got the Holy Spirit when I got baptized. But fresh in fillings are necessary when ever you need Him.
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