The Problem With Evangelism

[Saint Steven]

Here it is again:

"31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." (Acts 4)

That was an earthquake. A clear signal from heaven. It evidently left them feeling 100% certain that the charismatic power requested in prayer had now arrived. NOW was the time to go out and evangelize.

That was Acts chapter four. Was that the end of world evangelism? What about Acts chapters five through twenty-eight? No more evangelism? Where are the earth shaking meetings?

 

[JAL]

That was Acts chapter four. Was that the end of world evangelism? What about Acts chapters five through twenty-eight? No more evangelism? Where are the earth shaking meetings?

What's your point, actually? Are you asking me if there were any more earthquakes in Acts? Take a look at Acts 16:

"Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose."

This was in direct response to prayer/praise - and it culminated in evangelism. This is the same chapter where Luke earlier showed Paul's ministry being directed by clear signals from heaven:

"6Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."

How many times does Luke have to show you the paradigm before you'll take him seriously?

 

[JAL]

Saint Stephen,

Are you infallible? I think not. Therefore if you are being completely honest, you'll admit that my conclusions MIGHT POSSIBLY be correct. And that's all we need to go on. Why so? Because with 100 billion souls at stake, we'll need to wait upon the Lord for 100% certainty as to which of our two competing ideologies is correct. Which precisely IS my ideology.

 

[Saint Steven]

To discredit my position, then, you'll need to disprove prophetic evangelism, starting with those two posts that I linked you to. Good luck with that endeavor.

My aim is not to discredit prophetic evangelism. My aim is to state then anyone can do it. You don't have to be the chosen one of a single congregation to operate in the supernatural in evangelism. Even you could do it. (imagine that)

 

[Saint Steven]

Saint Stephen,

Are you infallible? I think not. Therefore if you are being completely honest, you'll admit that my conclusions MIGHT POSSIBLY be correct. And that's all we need to go on. Why so? Because with 100 billion souls at stake, we'll need to wait upon the Lord for 100% certainty as to which of our two competing ideologies is correct. Which precisely IS my ideology.

I could care less about ideologies. I want to see you get out there and operate in the supernatural. What are you waiting for, an earthquake? Move to California.

 

[Curtis.Hilliker]

The workers are few. Not to mention the seed falls on different soils. Tough gig. I can’t say I completely agree with the article, it was a bunch of one way conversations and prayers that got me into the Kingdom. God please help me give the gospel!!!! Have a good day everyone!!!

 

[JAL]

My aim is not to discredit prophetic evangelism. My aim is to state then anyone can do it. You don't have to be the chosen one of a single congregation to operate in the supernatural in evangelism. Even you could do it. (imagine that)

Again, a prophet isn't any random pew member who is a loose trigger sounding off half-baked and half-cocked. His speech is supposed to originate from a clear sign from heaven - it need not be an external sign but it should amount to 100% certainty, such as the divine Voice commanding the prophet Abraham to slaughter his own son. God will, presumably, even direct a non-prophet to prophesy on occasion, by granting 100% certainty.

As for anything heard at less than 100% certainty, I believe it's perfectly fine to share it with others, as long as we are honest with them about our uncertainty. On such occasions we should not boldly declare, "Thus saith the Lord."

 

[JAL]

I could care less about ideologies. I want to see you get out there and operate in the supernatural. What are you waiting for, an earthquake? Move to California.

Don't be so petty on terminology. I'm talking about biblical instruction. You want me to ignore it?

 

[Saint Steven]

What's your point, actually? Are you asking me if there were any more earthquakes in Acts? Take a look at Acts 16:

"Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose."

This was in direct response to prayer/praise - and it culminated in evangelism. This is the same chapter where Luke earlier showed Paul's ministry being directed by clear signals from heaven:

"6Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."

How many times does Luke have to show you the paradigm before you'll take him seriously?

That was a good post.
But it points to a problem. There was no earthquake at Pentecost.
Houston, we have a problem.

 

[Saint Steven]

Again, a prophet isn't any random pew member who is a loose trigger sounding off half-baked and half-cocked. His speech is supposed to originate from a clear sign from heaven - it need not be an external sign but it should amount to 100% certainty, such as the divine Voice commanding the prophet Abraham to slaughter his own son. God will, presumably, even direct a non-prophet to prophesy on occasion, by granting 100% certainty.

As for anything heard at less than 100% certainty, I believe it's perfectly fine to share it with others, as long as we are honest with them about our uncertainty. On such occasions we should not boldly declare, "Thus saith the Lord."

100 certainty is determined after the fact. How do you know ahead of time?

 

[Saint Steven]

Don't be so petty on terminology. I'm talking about biblical instruction. You want me to ignore it?

How can you call it biblical instruction?

 

[Curtis.Hilliker]

I’ve experienced some prophetic stuff in different ways, all I can say is the Holy Spirit is awesome and I hope to experience more of it!!!! Have a good day!!!!

 

[Saint Steven]

Again, a prophet isn't any random pew member...

Prophecy is for everyone. Sons and daughters, young men and old men, both men and women. Did I miss anyone? Balaam's donkey?

Acts 2:17-18
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.

 

[Curtis.Hilliker]

Prophecy is for everyone. Sons and daughters, young men and old men, both men and women. Did I miss anyone? Balaam's donkey?

Acts 2:17-18
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.

Ive had a vision during worship to name a particular event, God is so awesome. I crave for that kind of stuff!!!

 

[Saint Steven]

Ive had a vision during worship to name a particular event, God is so awesome. I crave for that kind of stuff!!!

I see. So you are claiming to be a young man? - lol (scripture below)

Can you tell us about your vision? (builds faith in readers)
I'll share one if you share yours. Deal?

Acts 2:17-18
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.

 

[Curtis.Hilliker]

Well it was about a decade ago which made it my mid twenties lol. All I can seem to remember was seeing gigantic gates, it was like a big painting was being laid out before me and then all of the sudden it was gone. It all happened in the middle of worship. Not much of a story I know but that’s about all that happened.

 

[Saint Steven]

Again, a prophet isn't any random pew member who is a loose trigger sounding off half-baked and half-cocked. His speech is supposed to originate from a clear sign from heaven - it need not be an external sign but it should amount to 100% certainty, such as the divine Voice commanding the prophet Abraham to slaughter his own son. God will, presumably, even direct a non-prophet to prophesy on occasion, by granting 100% certainty.

(at the risk of sounding like a Cessationist... which I am not!)
Do you have any examples of this in the last 100 years?

 

[Saint Steven]

Well it was about a decade ago which made it my mid twenties lol. All I can seem to remember was seeing gigantic gates, it was like a big painting was being laid out before me and then all of the sudden it was gone. It all happened in the middle of worship. Not much of a story I know but that’s about all that happened.

That's awesome. What do you think it meant?
Do you recall what triggered it?

 

[Curtis.Hilliker]

That's awesome. What do you think it meant?
Do you recall what triggered it?

Hopefully I’m not stuck outside of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JAL]

Prophecy is for everyone. Sons and daughters, young men and old men, both men and women. Did I miss anyone? Balaam's donkey?

Acts 2:17-18
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.

Right. And the only distinctive criterion I can think of for recognizing the presence of the gift is 100% certainty. That's a supernaturally induced state not likely present in any and every random pew member.