Everyday Evangelism - Top 10 Myths About Evangelism

   There is a link on the www.proclaimcourse.com web site that takes you to a page entitled 'Top 10 Myths About Evangelism'. I must say, this article is excellent, and if you have a chance, go to the web site and click on the link to read the whole thing (It is not long).
  I was thinking about which one to discuss, and as I read the second myth, it talked about preaching the Gospel without using words (by osmosis). It reminded me of a quote that may have been from Saint Francis of Assisi, 'Preach the Gospel. Use words of necessary.' Well, that could be like saying, 'Feed the hungry. Use food if necessary.' How can you preach something without using words?
  On the other side of the spectrum, the Bible does talk about a woman who has an unsaved husband winning him over to the Lord by her life actions. I would think that the husband probably already knows the Gospel, but hasn't responded yet. He will see the demonstration of the Gospel in the life of his wife.
   I firmly believe that if we are to be preaching the Gospel, we need to be living lives that are demonstrating the Gospel. But demonstrating the Gospel is not the same as preaching the Gospel. We need to have both in our lives.

Myth #2. We can witness by osmosis (i.e. without words)

By definition a witness is “one who testifies.” What if all the “witnesses” in a court trial only answered in mime? As Christians our lives need to be consistent with our words but they are not a substitute for them.

Yes, we need to have a healthy relationship with the True and Living God. We need to be abiding in the Vine. We were appointed to bear much fruit. We need both demonstration and proclamation. We need the power of the Holy Spirit on us/in us to do the work of God.

Here is what we need. If the Apostles needed it, we do too.

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.