What is the most Biblical way to preach the Gospel?

[Dave Slayer]

What is the most Biblical way to preach the Gospel? I have heard some say that it is better to not even preach at all but to show the love of Christ by loving others. Can we preach without using any words at all? Some believe that. Will the non believers see our love for God and come to us saying "are you a believer in Christ?" I have been told that it is better to let the non believer bring up the subject before doing any preaching. But what is Biblical?

 

[handy]

Read Acts 3

Senario: A lame man is begging at the gate. Peter and John walks by. The lame man begs for alms.

Peter heals the man in Jesus' name!

The man starts jumping and leaping and praising God. The crowd goes wild. So, what does Peter do?

He starts preaching the gospel, brother! :amen

Read through the rest of Acts. I don't see any evidence of the gospel by osmosis. Those people preached!

 

[Dave Slayer]

Read Acts 3

Senario: A lame man is begging at the gate. Peter and John walks by. The lame man begs for alms.

Peter heals the man in Jesus' name!

The man starts jumping and leaping and praising God. The crowd goes wild. So, what does Peter do?

He starts preaching the gospel, brother! :amen

Read through the rest of Acts. I don't see any evidence of the gospel by osmosis. Those people preached!

I don't have the gift to heal.

 

[Vic C.]

LOL, neither do I, Dave, but that wasn't the point. The point was, use whatever opportunity you encounter to preach the Gospel. When God opens a door, walk through it.

Of course our actions do speak volumes. Yes it was St Francis that said:

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.

but I do believe both are valid methods of getting the "message" across to people. For the Evangelist, the Romans road to salvation is often used:

http://theromanroad.org/

 

[Dave Slayer]

Of course our actions do speak volumes. Yes it was St Francis that said:

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

How do you preach the Gospel without using words? Sign language? ;)

 

[Ret]

What is the most Biblical way to preach the Gospel?

2 Cor 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: KJV

Actions speak louder than words. From business dealings to neighborly helpfulness in time of need, deeds within the family circle...witnessing to the gospel is evident if the GOSPEL truly does exist INSIDE it will be evident OUTSIDE!

 

[azlan88]

When Jesus witnessed of Himself to the woman at the well, he first made her understand that she was a sinner and had hopelessly broken the law (The Ten Commandments). Then, after she realized that she was guilty before God and in desperate need of some sort of help, He revealed Himself as the cure to the problem. This doctor-patient dance was often done by Jesus to bring others to Himself throughout the Gospel. He shed light on the problem, and then offered faith in Him as the cure, usually saying afterward, "Now go and sin no more." Don't forget however, that when you witness, get the message home that we are justified by faith, not by the law. Paul added in his letters that we shouldn't use grace as an excuse to sin, by the way, but take advantage of it to be free from sinful living. "For why should we keep on sinning if we are no longer in it?" he argues. That's one way to spread the Gospel.

 

[Dave Slayer]

What is the most Biblical way to preach the Gospel?

2 Cor 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: KJV

Actions speak louder than words. From business dealings to neighborly helpfulness in time of need, deeds within the family circle...witnessing to the gospel is evident if the GOSPEL truly does exist INSIDE it will be evident OUTSIDE!

But a lot of non-Christians have actions that speak in the form of "Godliness". In fact, a lot of non-believers produce works that often makes them "appear" as Christians. If we do good towards others, they aren't going to necessarily know if we are Christians or non-believers. Just how would they know? Do they say to themselves "Wow, this person is doing a lot of good, lives a clean life, Jesus Christ must be their savior, I want what he has"?

I agree that actions speak louder than words, but can sinners read our minds? They could easily mistake a non-believer for a believer if all they have to go by is good actions, and good works.

If we never speak of our faith, how will people know for sure who the real believers are?

 

[Ret]

But a lot of non-Christians have actions that speak in the form of "Godliness". In fact, a lot of non-believers produce works that often makes them "appear" as Christians. If we do good towards others, they aren't goping to necessarily know if we are Christians or non-believers. Just how would they know? Do they say to themselves "Wow, this person is doing a lot of good, lives a clean life, Jesus Christ must be their savior, I want what he has"?

I agree that actions speak louder than words, but can sinners read our minds? They could easily mistake a non-believer for a believer if all they have to go by is good actions, and good works.

If we never speak of our faith, how will people know for sure who the real believers are?

The children of this world are, many times, wiser than the children of light. The professed Christian may do much charity, preach many sermons, but if the word of God is not INSIDE as a living witness, the fakeness will be revealed OUTSIDE - sooner or later! True Godliness is manifest both in season - out of season, not just in times of convenience.

In Jesus Christ, live what you preach, PREACH what you LIVE!

 

[follower of Christ]

What is the most Biblical way to preach the Gospel? I have heard some say that it is better to not even preach at all but to show the love of Christ by loving others. Can we preach without using any words at all? Some believe that. Will the non believers see our love for God and come to us saying "are you a believer in Christ?" I have been told that it is better to let the non believer bring up the subject before doing any preaching. But what is Biblical?

In this day and age where most folks have 'heard' about Jesus I think sharing the gospel has turned to more a thing of doing damage control in the wake of VERY bad teachers and 'christians' who have entirely confused a lot of people about the real Jesus and the real gospel....

"How' that is done is really dependent on the type of damage done to the persons we're speaking to.

 

[follower of Christ]

Additionally I think Paul said it best....

For though I am free from all, yet I have made myself servant to all, so that I might gain the more.
And to the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain the Jews.
To those who are under the Law, I became as under the Law, so that I might gain those who are under the Law.
To those who are outside Law, I became as outside Law (not being outside law to God, but under the Law to Christ), so that I might gain those who are outside Law.
To the weak I became as the weak, so that I might gain the weak.
I am made all things to all men, so that I might by all means save some.
And this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I might be partaker of it with you.
(1 Corinthians 9:19-23 MKJV)

 

[Nick]

Do whatever feels right at the time. If it gets the message across, then it's good. 'Preaching' can be good, but then so can actions, or prayer. The book of Acts is a great example of spreading the word of God, with many examples.

 

[kimberlyb0112]

I just listened to Ray Comfort's audio cd recently "Hell's Best Kept Secret"

It was awesome! (there is a book also)

He talks about showing someone the "disease" before showing them the "cure."

If you tell someone about God's love, and that they need to be saved.. they are more likely to turn away from it if you don't first show them why they need to be saved.. and it also has to do alot with motives.. he gave this scenario:

A man is riding in a plane.. and the stewardess comes up to him and gives him a parachute. She tells him that if he wears this parachute, his plane ride will be a whole lot better, he will be more comfortable.. and it will be a convenience. So he puts it on.. he starts to notice that it's kind of annoying to wear, it's getting in the way.. then he notices the people around him snickering and laughing at him for wearing this parachute.. he starts to feel ridiculous so finally he takes it off..

Another man is riding in a plane.. the stewardess comes up to him and gives him a parachute. She tells him the plane is going to crash and he will die without it.. so he puts the parachute on. He doesn't notice the weight, or the inconvenience. He doesn't mind wearing it because he knows without that parachute he will die. The people around him laugh at him, but he doesn't notice because he knows what is to come.. and that is what he keeps in mind.

Ray Comfort was using that scenario to talk about witnessing to people. He was talking about how we need to show someone they need to be saved, that they are lost and are going to die in their sin..and then show them God's love.

Instead of telling them that with Jesus, their life will be so much better, etc.. because being a Christian is NOT easy at all.. it's hard, but definitely worth it.. but if they have the right motives, they will stick with it, continously seek after the Lord.. and not "take it off," so to speak..

 

[walter]

I know some, like myself, do not care for the pushy, know-it-all preaching style of the aforementioned person.

All I can tell you is this; when I preach, I preach in plain language. I don't speak in church-speak. I never go to them first unless I can obviously see they're in pain and want someone to talk to. The rest of the time I do my best to simply obey God and do as He asks.

 

[Nick]

I agree with you both, Kimberly and Wallter.

A good thing I have learnt is that actions really do speak louder than words lots of the time. And it gets people asking questions. Then you have an opportunity to 'preach'.

 

[kimberlyb0112]

Yes, that is something that I have had to learn while I have been deployed..

I tried to put together a female bible study, but there are NOT alot of females at all.. and the ones that are here.. they don't care about living a Godly life. I didn't want to lead one, I just wanted to get one together so the females could fellowship, make new friends, accountability partners, etc..
It didn't work out... I honestly think in my whole unit.. I am the only Christian female.. there are 10 of us (2 got sent home pregnant) and that leaves 8..
and the other 7 dont seem interested.. at all..

My mom had told me not to get discouraged, that there are more ways to witness
than by leading a bible study.. like by your actions

So now that is what I am allowing the Lord to do.. use me by my actions
hopefully they will see something different in me

 

[Dave Slayer]

I wear a unique cross necklace when I am at work. I have customers ask me about it sometimes, so I have opportunities to share Jesus to people in my check out lane.