Witnessing

[PlentyGroovy]

In witnessing, is it a bad idea to tell people that Jesus is the only way to heaven? I ask because on another board, a secular one, a christian poster was saying that we get to heaven by doing good and if we are good enough, then God will let us in. I posted that it's salvation through Jesus not through our own works. Then someone else posted that buddism was the only religion they found that had some truth to it. I posted that Jesus was the only way, he is the way, the truth and the life and posted John 3:16. I was told that was a very rude thing to say and I posted it may be hard for some to hear but it's the simple truth. And then the thread was locked. I'm feeling that I could of handled this better. Without getting the thread locked.

Does telling people that Jesus is the only way a turn off in witnessing? I know it's the truth but I don't want to harden hearts that are currently lost. :(: How could I have handled this better?

[newname]

Hey Groovy! How's it going?

I think you handled yourself and the gospel admirably! I guess when it comes down to it, the gospel of Jesus Christ is offensive to those that are in the darkness and will not soften their heart to kindness of God.

Also, telling people that Jesus is the only way..........well, that basically is witnessing. Look at what Jesus said:

Luk 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Luk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name

Like Jesus said: people MUST know that repentance and forgiveness of sins is only available in his name. Jesus is the only one that died and rose again and therefore forgiveness can only be found in regards to Him.

Just keep telling people about Jesus death and resurrection and implore them to come to him alone in repentance!

You're doing well --- God bless you in your efforts as you share this gospel!

Take care and God bless!!

Brent

[CountryPerson]

In witnessing, is it a bad idea to tell people that Jesus is the only way to heaven. I'm feeling I could of handled this better. Without getting the thread locked. . . . .

Does telling people that Jesus is the only way a turn off in witnessing? I know it's the truth but I don't want to harden hearts that are currently lost. :(: How could I have handled this better?

You told them the truth; you should not feel bad because you did what Jesus did and commanded us to do. The truth of the gospel always offends hearts that are hardened in sin and satanic lie that 'there are many paths to God.' The words you posted to them are the only words they heard that will lead to life. From what you've quoted here, the rest of the posters were ensnared in satanic deception that will lead them on the broad road to destruction. If you had not said that Jesus is the only way, then you wouldn't have been 'witnessing' at all. Our role is to tell the truth to the lost, and let the Holy Spirit quicken them which He does through the truths of Scripture. You planted some seeds; someone else may water them. Lots of people have come to Christ in saving faith renouncing their formerly held false perspectives that you describe because someone was faithful to tell them about Jesus, and how He is the only Way. :nod

[twelvesmaster]

You did alright! You stood up for the LORD. Very awesome.

[PlentyGroovy]

But maybe I could of said it better so it wouldn't have been locked? As it was, people witnessed me being told I was rude and then showed me being silenced, ugh. Maybe I should of said, here's what Jesus has done for me and my life, spoken more on that than showing 'you get in trouble for talking about Jesus'. :(: Like Paul, when he went to Greece and said, that one, the unnamed God, that is God, he didn't say all these other gods are bogus to them. Well, not at first.

[paul_v]

The truth hurts sometimes or saves, depending on how you look at it. You did the right thing posting the truth that only with the blood of Jesus are we saved. People get offended by that because they feel that they don't need to be saved. After all, they are "good people" right?

[twelvesmaster]

Sounds like you didn't have time to give details about your own salvation -- that thread was going to be locked anyway. You said what needed to be said, in the amount of time you had. The seed has been planted.

[sixfingers]

I understand what you mean.


Sometimes when dealing with people in groups, you can ask leading questions to bring out the point you want to make. Not that its bad to get straight to the point either, but its OK to reason with folks too. Ask them what they think about Jesus saying He was the way the truth and life? Then ask if Budda ever made a similar claim? This way might sound less like you are demanding your belief is right (even though it is :D: ), but you leave some room for reasoning, as well as allowing them to consider for themselves if what they believe could be missing something.

Remember, Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

By all means use scripture, but allow the word to proclaim its own truth, so to speak. Its your job to speak the truth in Love, The Holy Spirit will do all the heavy lifting and convicting.


Keep serving the Lord with your witnessing, and may God bless you in your efforts to reach the Lost.

Blessings!

[CountryPerson]

But maybe I could of said it better so it wouldn't have been locked? As it was, people witnessed me being told I was rude and then showed me being silenced, ugh. Maybe I should of said, here's what Jesus has done for me and my life, spoken more on that than showing 'you get in trouble for talking about Jesus'. :(: Like Paul, when he went to Greece and said, that one, the unnamed God, that is God, he didn't say all these other gods are bogus to them. Well, not at first.

You're allowing Satan to get a toehold in your thinking; don't allow him to rob you of the joy you should be experiencing after giving a faithful witness for your Lord. The enemy always does this. You don't need to keep questioning yourself. Any time we quote Scripture, it will offend hardened hearts, at least at first, until they finally hear and believe. You did the right thing, and it sounds like it was done in the right way, too. Just take a look at who called you 'rude' and 'silenced' you; it wasn't God's people. Should you be feeling bad because of persecution from the enemy?
I think not.
I would remember these folks in prayer, because as you pointed out to them, Christ died for sinners. Some of them may come to Christ and one day look back at the time they were told the truth by you, and rejoice that you cared enough for their soul that you would risk rejection/persecution in order to give them the words of life.

[HeIsEnough]

Like Paul, when he went to Greece and said, that one, the unnamed God, that is God, he didn't say all these other gods are bogus to them. Well, not at first.

It's a Spirit led thing, so don't feel bad about your efforts. Just make sure you follow His lead. It could mean boldly stating it flat out in the beginning, and it could mean a little further down the road, but it will mean it needs said at some point. Sounds like it was meant to be said up front.

Like others have said, the offense was to Christ's claims, so make sure they are offended by Him (and those offenses will come, He told us so) and not by us.

[PlentyGroovy]

I suppose it's good that I got as much in as I could before it was locked. :thumb I also got in that if anyone wanted to learn more, to look into Calvary Chapel. :B:

[BHiles]

The Holy Spirit already "led" in this matter.

Mr 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

II Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

The leading of the Holy Spirit is as clear and definite as it was the "day" He penned these words. Sow the seed. Sow the seed on fertile gound and on rocky soil. It is not our job to do a soil test. Sow the seed.

[PlentyGroovy]

I feel better now, I was upset that I didn't say things as well as it could of been said.

[paul_v]

I feel better now, I was upset that I didn't say things as well as it could of been said.

Don't be upset. The Lord called us to witness so you are only being obedient and obedience pleases God :)

[Forgiven_1]

In witnessing, is it a bad idea to tell people that Jesus is the only way to heaven? I ask because on another board, a secular one, a christian poster was saying that we get to heaven by doing good and if we are good enough, then God will let us in. I posted that it's salvation through Jesus not through our own works. Then someone else posted that buddism was the only religion they found that had some truth to it. I posted that Jesus was the only way, he is the way, the truth and the life and posted John 3:16. I was told that was a very rude thing to say and I posted it may be hard for some to hear but it's the simple truth. And then the thread was locked. I'm feeling that I could of handled this better. Without getting the thread locked.

Does telling people that Jesus is the only way a turn off in witnessing? I know it's the truth but I don't want to harden hearts that are currently lost. :(: How could I have handled this better?

It is never wrong to say Jesus is the only way. In witnessing, you first must have a revelation that the word of God is as a hammer that can break the hard heart of any sinner. That is the first thing you should pray for. Next, you should learn to witness biblically by making people aware of their sins. You will do this by presenting the law of God (Ten Commandments), because as Paul said, "the law is the school master to lead sinners to Christ." You can learn more about biblical witnessing by going to www.wayofthemaster.com