Questions tagged [evangelism]
The act of presenting the Good News of Jesus Christ to inquirers about Christianity.
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Apologetics vs. Evangelism?
When engaging with non-believers, including atheists, agnostics, apatheists, pagans, and others, two distinct approaches come to light:
The first is the Apologetics approach, involving the ...
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If a person thinks there is no afterlife, why should he choose to be righteous?
I have seen people resort to arguments such as "if there is no afterlife, why be good (or religious)?". Counterarguments to living in sin during this life include final judgment and the ...
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Were only the eleven instructed to 'teach and baptise' or was there a 'Great Commission' made to the entire Church?
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. [Matthew 28:16 KJV]
The eleven had a specific appointment and at that appointment they were ...
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Why are the gospel writers called the "Four Evangelists" in traditional church commentaries / studies, but not in modern Study Bibles?
In viewing and scanning theological literature and commentaries of the past centuries, the four disciples who wrote the Gospels were called "evangelists", the "Four Evangelists". ...
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What could account for this 1990 radical change in belief about the German school of Higher Criticism (that began around 1860)?
This development in German universities in the 1800s is not to be confused with today’s “Critical Theory” (just in case anyone reading the 1990 quote below thinks they are akin.) This question deals ...
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Because of Paul's use of "Evangelism" repeatedly in 1 Corinthians 9:16, did he consider himself an Evangelist as well as Apostle?
The verb for evangelizing occurs 135 times in the N.T. while the word for pastoring (shepherding) occurs 15 times. Yet the preponderance of time it is translated as "preach" conjuring up a ...
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Is the 10/40 window term used by Christian missionaries sort of quaint and grossly oversimplified?
The 10/40 window term is used by Christian missionaries to loosely define areas of the world with the "highest level of socioeconomic challenges and least access to the Christian message and ...
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How to teach Christianity to an ESL junior high school student who knows nothing about Christianity? [closed]
I have an ESL student in Japan. His parent wants him to go to Excel Christian School in Sparks, Nevada but he knows nothing about Christianity not even that Christmas comes from Jesus Christ's birth. ...
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What were the nice things Jesus Christ did in his life that he is loved by so many people around the world?
I belong to a third world country where the official religion is fascist, irrational and unequal. Those who try to convert to other religions are harassed and marginalized.
But when I compare my ...
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If someone with no exposure to the Bible / Christianity were to spend 1hr reading the Bible, what passage(s) would you point them to?
In this case, these will be young professionals in India who've never read the Bible and have very little exposure to Christianity. Really appreciate your suggestions! (feel free to also suggest what ...
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According to Protestant understanding, how does a believer know if they have been called to be an evangelist?
An evangelist is a specific office that is different from pastors & teachers.
Q: According to Protestantism, how does one know if they have been called to be an evangelist?
“He who descended is ...
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Has it always been difficult for churches to reach the next generation?
Has the church always had a tough battle when it comes to reaching the younger generation?
Is the current lack of interest from the younger generation unique to today, or has that always been a ...
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Are there published testimonies from former Zen Masters or advanced Buddhist Monks in general about their conversion to Christianity?
Are there published testimonies from former Zen Masters or advanced Buddhist Monks in general about their conversion to Christianity?
To illustrate what I mean by "advanced Buddhist Monks", ...
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Do any denominations teach how to bring about revival?
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise ...
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Do any mission agencies wait for divine empowerment in communal prayer before embarking on evangelism efforts?
My question is inspired by the extraordinary example set by the early Church as recorded in Acts 4:23-31 (ESV):
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief ...
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How can I best communicate I'm a lutheran evangelic as per the German definition?
It seems to me that in the States if you are a Christian but not a Catholic, you're automatically thrown into the huge (and negatively viewed) pot that is Protestantism. I have many (Catholic) ...
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What is the difference between a missionary and an apologist when it comes to proselytizing for the Christian faith?
At first glance both Christian missionaries and apologists appear to be dedicated individuals who share the same goal of winning people over to Christianity, by presenting the Christian faith in a way ...
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How do Christians approach the evangelization of individuals who have had profound spiritual experiences in other religions?
Spiritual experiences can play a very important role in shaping an individual's worldview and religious convictions. Just a single profound mystical experience can dramatically change a person's ...
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Plato's Cave Allegory - How to respond to the argument in favor of ignorance? [closed]
I have a friend who is unfamiliar with both philosophy and Christianity.
I thought I would to share the Christian truth by starting with the Greek philosophical concept from Plato known as the "...
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How common is it for revivalist preachers to testify of a dramatic life-changing divine encounter as the event that sparked their revivalist ministry?
I'm starting to read up on the biographies of some the most notable revivalist preachers in Christianity. Wikipedia has an article that lists many of them. What brought my attention to this topic in ...
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Are there theological explanations for why God chose the Church to preach the gospel instead of more effective and efficient alternatives?
If the end goal is the preaching of the gospel to every human on the planet, then it shouldn't be too hard to come up with very efficient and effective methods to do so. For example, God could send ...
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Are there any denominations that give official advice on how to win atheists for Christ who are very strong in philosophy, logic and skepticism?
This is intended to be a question of general applicability, but in all honesty, I'm asking inspired by concrete YouTube channels that promote atheism and skepticism, most notably, CosmicSkeptic and ...
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When, in recent Church history, do we see results from 'ministering to the Lord'?
This is a question for Trinitarian Protestants regarding devotion to the Lord prior to evangelical activities.
After the persecution at the time of Stephen's martyrdom, Luke relates the gathering of ...
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5 meaningful contacts with Christians before considering the claims of the gospel
I've been reading a book on Church growth (Growing A Healthy Church by Dan Spader and Gary Mayes) with a chapter on evangelism that says something which I've heard in churches before:
"Typically ...
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What Christianity offers which other religions cannot? [closed]
Every religion has its own uniqueness. However, most of the religions have some common grounds to relate to other religions.
Many Christians believe that the Christian faith is not only unique as a ...
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Hippolytus’ difference between hearing the Word and hearing the Gospel?
In Apostolic Traditions, Hippolytus (starting at section 15 through section 20 (it is too much to copy and paste)) lines out the qualifications that a catechumen must meet for acceptance as such and a ...
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What is the significance of "G12" in the evangelism strategy "G12 Vision"?
According to Wikipedia:
The G12 Vision is a Christian evangelism and discipleship strategy established by Pastor César Castellanos, the founder of International Charismatic Mission Church.
However,...
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How did Oneness Pentecostalism spread and grow during the 20th century?
Oneness Pentecostalism is a movement within the broader Pentecostal movement which rejects the Trinity and is essentially a revival of Modalism. Oneness Pentecostalism arose shortly after ...
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Do Mormons secretly pray about you and then consider you included in their church?
I met two men on the street who were Mormons. We had a nice discussion and they gave me their book with a bookmark pointing to a verse in it.
Later that day I met with my friend and he said I ...
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According to Reformed Theology, how does one make disciples?
According to Reformed Theology, how does one "make disciples"? Are "making disciples" and "evangelizing" synonymous?
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In RC doctrine, when is pop culture, like Bernstein's Mass, appropriate to tell sacred messages?
Background and lead up to question
Most people reading this weren't old enough when it was released, if they were around at all, to remember it, although it has been performed fairly frequently since ...
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How can I find and read Alpha News?
The originators of the Alpha Course published a newsletter called Alpha News, which I have seen cited a few times.
Is there a way to track down back copies of Alpha News?
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In LDS, how are 'milk' doctrines distinguished from 'meat' doctrines?
When discussing doctrine with ex-LDS acquaintances, they've mentioned the concept of "milk before meat," presumably based on these words from Joseph Smith's revelation in Doctrines & Covenants 19:
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Can we ask God to bless unsaved people so that they will be more open to the Gospel? [closed]
I have been given literature from an organisation called "House of Prayer" which seems to imply that we should pray down blessings on our local communities, people in their jobs and in their ...
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Have LDS missionaries stopped preaching door-to-door?
Some time ago I read an article such as this one (dated June 25th, 2013), that says that:
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Sunday that missionaries won’t be ...
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Is there any Ethiopian ancient source about the eunuch who was evangelized by Philip?
We all know that passage from Acts 8, where Philip preached and baptized the Ethiopian Eunuch.
I've read in an article that Ethiopian Christian tradition talks about this Eunuch, who came from ...
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What is the basis for arguing that the gospel has already been preached to "all nations"?
In Matthew 24:14 (cf. Mark 13:10), Jesus says:
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Many ...
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According to Charismatic Christians, do those who never hear the gospel of Christ go to hell?
I'd like an overview of what Charismatic Christians believe regarding the unreached. Are people who have never heard the gospel of Christ going to hell? For example: infants, fetuses, mentally ...
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If salvation is possible from all religions, then is proselytizing required?
There are some Christian groups who believe that all religions are inherently good
and that a good person who rejects Jesus Christ will still go to Heaven. According to them, if good people can go to ...
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Why did the Apostles not go with the rest of the believers outside of Jerusalem?
I noticed that the Apostles stayed in Jerusalem for a long time while others sort of acted like missionaries as a result of being scattered... except the Apostles.
And there arose on that day a ...
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When did the practice of bringing non-believers to church originate?
A practice used for Church growth is bringing non-believer friends to church so that they'll like what they see and join the church.
Now, the questions are:
Did this ever happen in the New Testament?...
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What is the difference between evangelizing and proselytizing? [closed]
Aren't they both focused on converting people? What's the difference?
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What is the scientific effectiveness of "street preaching" as a method of evangelization?
I've been looking around for hard facts on the efficacy of street preaching but can't find any. Are there any hard numbers on the number of people who come to faith through this kind of evangelism? ...
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Does sin hinder one's ability to speak God's word?
A friend told me that "bad people" are limited when it comes to spreading the Word of God.
According to scripture, how, and in what way, does sin hinder one's ability to spread the Word of God?
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Was Paul the ideal Christian we were meant to emulate? [closed]
Did God intend for Paul to show us the kind of Christian life we were all meant to live?
I don't mean every nitty-gritty detail. Obviously things would be different if you were born a woman or mute ...
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Aim of christian missionary in India [closed]
I am Indian and a Hindu by religion.
I have few doubts about intentions of christian missionary that happen in india funded by west.I have no intentions to hurt any religion but to get alternate ...
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If God desires salvation for all, how come many people died without hearing the gospel? [closed]
1 Timothy 2:4 states that God wants everyone to be saved:
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and
to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God ...
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How did early "street evangelization" differ from the modern practice?
Biblical "street preachers" gathered interested and/or interactive crowds, often followed by mass conversions. We could conceivably chalk some of this up to the "signs and wonders" they tended to ...
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Did Jesus say to preach to Gentiles, or not?
Besides Paul, who never met Christ, was Jesus' message ever meant to be told to the Gentiles?
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How do Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians evangelize?
If you have been to a public university or college campus in the USA, then you may have seen a live, theatrical performance of street evangelism. Sometimes, the preacher may give his (yes, the ...