Pepper Sprayed While Evangelizing

[dms1972]

He was arguing that we are more than just an evolutionary process. This means he was arguing for the existence of a creator.
Sometimes, we need to show a person that God exists to start off with. Then, once they think that there is a God, we need to tell them the Gospel.
So, he was still evangelising. He may not have been telling the Gospel, but he was getting the person to come to the conclusion of the first point, that we are not an evolutionary process and that there is a creator.

Without seeing the whole video, its rather impossible to see what was going on before, and how the whole situation developed, I wasn't even sure at first who was saying what. But what happened is the sort of outcome seem to indicate one is not doing it right.

Apologetics is about helping people with their misunderstandings about Christianity. Eristics is just arguing for the sake of arguing, seeking to win an argument. And devoid of christian love, it won't matter how good one's arguments are.

 

[1Tonne]

Without seeing the whole video, its rather impossible to see what was going on before, and how the whole situation developed, I wasn't even sure at first who was saying what. But what happened is the sort of outcome seem to indicate one is not doing it right.

So, when Jesus said things that people did not like, and they reacted in a bad way, was Jesus not doing it right? -Of course, He was.
The Gospel is offensive to the lost. Especially when we do as Jesus did and show people their evil deeds so that they will turn from them.
Sadly, too many Christians will criticise those who do go out and confront the lost while they themselves stay quiet.

Apologetics is about helping people with their misunderstandings about Christianity. Eristics is just arguing for the sake of arguing, seeking to win an argument. And devoid of christian love, it won't matter how good one's arguments are.

Sometimes we can make the very best argument for the existence of God and the Cross, but no matter how good the argument, a person’s heart may still remain hard. Yet you never know, they might go away and think about it.
I’ve had several debates with hard-core atheists, and at the end I often shake their hand and say, ‘Thanks for the discussion. You really pushed me, but I think you’ll agree I gave some solid answers.’ Most of the time, they smile, agree, and leave on good terms. When they acknowledge that I gave good answers, I believe a small pinprick has been made in their misunderstanding.
Charles Spurgeon understood that we are to do all we can to save the lost, and sometimes that may mean debating them when it seems like a lost cause. He said,
“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies.
And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees,
imploring them to stay.
If hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”

We need to do our best to reach these people. But remember, it’s not apologetics that changes a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. It’s the Gospel. Apologetics is useful, but only the Gospel transforms the heart.

 

[dms1972]

To refer to peoples reactions to Jesus (remember it was the Scribes and Pharisees who approached Christ to try and test him) is a rationalisation here. Sorry you need to build a connection with people, not ambush them. Leave it to other christian students on the campus to witness in word and deed and pray for them. You have to have the green light from the Holy Ghost to approach people.

 

[1Tonne]

To refer to peoples reactions to Jesus (remember it was the Scribes and Pharisees who approached Christ to try and test him) is a rationalisation here.

I am not talking about the Scribes or Pharisees. I am talking about the world. He said, "The world .... hates me because I testify that its works are evil." John 7:7. So, if someone reacts badly because you are pointing out their sin, then remember that Jesus did the same, and the world hated Him too.

Sorry you need to build a connection with people, not ambush them. Leave it to other christian students on the campus to witness in word and deed and pray for them.

Jesus said, 'Go and preach the Gospel to all creation". He did not say, "Go and make a connection and then preach the Gospel to all creation."
I go into the parks and share the Gospel to total strangers and it only takes me 1 minute to make that connection so that I can get to a place where I can share the Gospel.
Sadly, too many Christians have made it a doctrine that we need to make a strong connection first. This then limits the amount we can share the Gospel.

You have to have the green light from the Holy Ghost to approach people.

Yes. Those of us who are filled with the Holy Spirit already have the green light to preach the Gospel to as many people as possible (Mark 16:15). The Holy Spirit was given not so that we would be quiet, but so that we would speak (Acts 1:8). Many times, in the bible we see time and time again, those who are filled with the Spirit spoke and they did not hold back.

"Often individuals will say, “I am willing to go, should God call me to go, in the meantime, I am going to stay.” What we need to do is go, but be willing to stay if God calls us to stay. God has already called us to go." Mark Spence

I find it strange that believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit keep so quiet about the wonderful sacrifice their saviour has made.

 

[CoreyD]

I am not talking about the Scribes or Pharisees. I am talking about the world. He said, "The world .... hates me because I testify that its works are evil." John 7:7. So, if someone reacts badly because you are pointing out their sin, then remember that Jesus did the same, and the world hated Him too.

Jesus said, 'Go and preach the Gospel to all creation". He did not say, "Go and make a connection and then preach the Gospel to all creation."
I go into the parks and share the Gospel to total strangers and it only takes me 1 minute to make that connection so that I can get to a place where I can share the Gospel.
Sadly, too many Christians have made it a doctrine that we need to make a strong connection first. This then limits the amount we can share the Gospel.

Yes. Those of us who are filled with the Holy Spirit already have the green light to preach the Gospel to as many people as possible (Mark 16:15). The Holy Spirit was given not so that we would be quiet, but so that we would speak (Acts 1:8). Many times, in the bible we see time and time again, those who are filled with the Spirit spoke and they did not hold back.

"Often individuals will say, “I am willing to go, should God call me to go, in the meantime, I am going to stay.” What we need to do is go, but be willing to stay if God calls us to stay. God has already called us to go." Mark Spence

I find it strange that believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit keep so quiet about the wonderful sacrifice their saviour has made.

Those are some really good scriptures, and points you made.
Acts 1:8 especially, shows the role of the holy spirit, in preaching urgently, and speaking boldly.

I'm reminded of the situation described for us at Acts 5.
The disciples were on fire with zeal, and 'large numbers of men and women, were being added to their number (Acts 5:14)'.
This annoyed some... chiefly, the religious leaders.
They grabbled the apostles and imprisoned them (Acts 5:17, 18).
God said, 'Really.' Sent an angel to release them, with these words...
“Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple area the whole message of this Life.”
At this, the apostles entered into the temple area about daybreak and began to teach (Acts 5:19-21).

The religious leaders grabbled them against... this time, a little less forcefully, since they were afraid the people would stone them, and they had them stand before the Council. The high priest interrogated them, saying,

“We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” ​

Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:27-29)

Had Gamaliel not intervened... no doubt, by God's spirit, the apostles would be dead men, right there and then (Acts 5:33, 34), because they gave a bold witness to people who were telling them to keep quiet about the things they were teaching.
The account ends with these words...
Acts 5:40-42
40 They followed his [Gamaliel] advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus as the Christ.

Not only did the holy spirit infuse in them courage and zeal, but it also protected them from death... which they were willing to face, like Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
God's people need holy spirit to preach... among other things.