Comments on: Witnessing

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:29:18 +0000

Thanks for your article and ministry. I have been witnessing on the internet trying to get bible truth out to whoever will listen. I wrote a detailed account of Hell and of the afterlife and how to avoid going there through the gospel, no holds barred. The topic was “Does hell exist?” I consider myself kind of rough around the edges but kind and loving enough to give them the gospel truth. They want to crucify me, they are foaming at the mouth that I would presume to know the truth. As my wife says, “It’s bad out there.” I guess it is par for the course. I will not give a watered down message. I kind of feel bad, but at the same time I know they are rejecting the message more than they are me (I might be wrong) The Bible is true when it says that Christ’s followers can expect to receive the same treatment as he did. Be encouraged that our reward awaits us, continue to hope for better things.

God Bless

By: Doug Polk

Doug Polk — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:14:41 +0000

Michael you are right about loving people to Jesus. But most of the time we don’t have lot’s of time to spend doing that. We have to use the Ten Commandments to convict them of their sin, we have to defend the Bible, and we have to show a true caring spirit that they might go off into eternity in hell without the cleansing blood of Jesus. I use Way of the Master training to help me have confidence in knowing how to witness and it has helped so much. May God bless you and your ministry.

By: George

George — Wed, 26 May 2010 04:16:16 +0000

Gal 1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

Here is an example of a city that had multiple churches.

Rom 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

1Co 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Col 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Phm 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

These are specific churches meeting in houses. Just as the scriptures clearly state. It may have been logistics, shorter travel distance. It may have been persecution, underground churches. It may simply boil down to customs as to why there were several small groups meeting in houses as independent churches.

The scriptures teach, just as you said, that when you are saved you are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. There is a day coming that we will all be called out together to gather as one great congregation. But until that time we are to assemble together here on earth in local congregations. When we meet on the Lord’s Day, we are a picture of what will happen at the rapture. We are called out from the world as Born Again Baptized (water) Believers. Just as one day we will be called by a trumpet and a shout out of this world as Born Again Baptized (Holy Spirit) Believers.

But to be sure, God does recognize individual churches in cities as the scriptures above indicate.

By: kristina

kristina — Wed, 26 May 2010 03:08:25 +0000

Thanks for that valuable insight. Often it angers me when people force humanistic points of view upon God himself and his Son Jesus. I think these are the two beings that general rules of speech and action do not apply.

By: Pauline in AZ

Pauline in AZ — Wed, 12 May 2010 18:10:36 +0000

I really enjoyed watching this video–I’ve wondered about Judas from time to time. Thanks for clearing that up. Me and my 2 kids (ages 3 and 4) had a good time learning and watching you cut up the fish! The littlest one, when the video was over, said, “Mommy…that was Mr. McGregor!” I guess your hat and beard reminded my son of the illustrations in our favorite Beatrix Potter book!

By: John

John — Sun, 02 May 2010 12:48:16 +0000

I’ve worked on many construction jobsites and have always stuck to the 10 points above. Those guys are rough and tough, but after some time even the most macho man will ask questions and be softened in his heart.

By: Larry Yoder

Larry Yoder — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 11:48:35 +0000

Great props Mike. Love it. Right on about the definition of church.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:11:45 +0000

I do appreciate your answer as well. I am a man who still struggles with being bold and speaking to people very much at all, although God has been helping me tremendously in that area of late through His grace. I thank you for showing that not all witnessing isn’t so direct but in living your testimony. I have a great desire to do so much for the Lord but find my own backwardness getting in the way and I know that one day through Christ I will overcome but this article is encouraging now. Thank you and you and your ministry will be in my prayers and I hope I will be in yours.

By: Gina

Gina — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 04:01:53 +0000

Thank you SO MUCH for this article. I have always felt troubled about witnessing because sometimes I’m just not sure how. I was thinking more along the lines of outright straight to the point type witnessing when I got discouraged – what I mean is I don’t feel I tell enough people the magnitude of what Christ has done for me. But the subtle approach, such as emitting the light of Christ in my life, is definitely what I do (though never enough!). I guess I didn’t really realize that it is witnessing since it is not an outright statement “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Of course I will learn to be more direct when necessary and to not fear, but this article really encourages me to persevere and continue in both of these approaches of witnessing. Thank you for your ministry in so many ways, and may God bless your family!

By: Melissa Wilson

Melissa Wilson — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:53:15 +0000

Michael-
I really enjoyed reading your answer to this question. I am a homeschooling mom of four. I found it helpful in also dealing with believers who are not living as disciples. We live in a country where homeschooling is almost unheard of and even those who claim to love the LORD look at us with contempt and scorn that we could live so differently. It is a wise piece of advice you give here in number 6 to not be prudish and standoffish but rather gracious and cheerful in your righteousness and very different choices than those around you. Sometimes, I have acted this way or at least come across this way without even intending. I think graciousness and cheerfulness demonstrate that you really do BELIEVE in your convictions and that they do yield fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Thanks-
Melissa