What is Evangelism?

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Atheists are passing this around saying how warlike Christianity is...

I wrote this response...

That is a parable... the sword represents "the word of God" (the pen is mightier than the sword). Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

I am an agnostic but I did study the book for whatever that is worth...

Words do divide people and sometimes for good reasons.

Hebrews 4:12 (King James Version)
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

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@TheCobbler,

Quote:

Is The Bible More Violent Than The Quran?

...

Defense Vs. Total Annihilation

"Much to my surprise, the Islamic scriptures in the Quran were actually far less bloody and less violent than those in the Bible," Jenkins says.

Jenkins is a professor at Penn State University and author of two books dealing with the issue: the recently published Jesus Wars, and Dark Passages , which has not been published but is already drawing controversy.

Much to my surprise, the Islamic scriptures in the Quran were actually far less bloody and less violent than those in the Bible.

Philip Jenkins, author of 'Jesus Wars'

Violence in the Quran, he and others say, is largely a defense against attack.

"By the standards of the time, which is the 7th century A.D., the laws of war that are laid down by the Quran are actually reasonably humane," he says. "Then we turn to the Bible, and we actually find something that is for many people a real surprise. There is a specific kind of warfare laid down in the Bible which we can only call genocide."

It is called herem, and it means total annihilation. Consider the Book of 1 Samuel, when God instructs King Saul to attack the Amalekites: "And utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them," God says through the prophet Samuel. "But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey."

When Saul failed to do that, God took away his kingdom.

"In other words," Jenkins says, "Saul has committed a dreadful sin by failing to complete genocide. And that passage echoes through Christian history. It is often used, for example, in American stories of the confrontation with Indians — not just is it legitimate to kill Indians, but you are violating God's law if you do not."

Jenkins notes that the history of Christianity is strewn with herem. During the Crusades in the Middle Ages, the Catholic popes declared the Muslims Amalekites. In the great religious wars in the 16th, 17th and 19th centuries, Protestants and Catholics each believed the other side were the Amalekites and should be utterly destroyed.

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124494788

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@camlok,

What is so bloody and violent about subduing an entire region of the world by the sword anyway? (cynical)

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@TheCobbler,

evangelist:
2099. euaggelistés

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
evangelist.
From euaggelizo; a preacher of the gospel -- evangelist.

2097. euaggelizó

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
declare, bring good tidings, preach the gospel.
From eu and aggelos; to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel -- declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).

Evangelists are actually 'preachers'.
Teachers are those that 'teach' upon that which the evangelist preached.

Hebrews 4:11-12 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: "

These 'members' are supposed to be part of every 'body of Christ', if possible.

apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, deacons, saints are supposed to be in every and each Church or 'assembling of Christ' if possible.

apostles are those that are 'sent' forth, like missionaries.
prophets are those that prophesy and utter the dark mysteries of God.
Evangelists are those that preach the Word/read the Word outloud/read the verses of the Word/etc... sharing the word, etc..
Teachers are those that 'teach' on the Word, hopefully on that which the Evangelist 'preached/shared' from the Word.
deacons are ministers/helpers/assistances/ which have many physical duties within the Church. Kind of like 'errand' worker.
saints are those that are being formed into Christ, the entire Church more or less.
And bishops are the overseers of the church. Not evangelists, not teachers, not prophets not apostles, not deacons. They oversee the running of the entire Church.

oh, and pastors. They are as it sounds. Pastoring the sheep. What a shepherd does to sheep is what pastors do for the Church. Which requires knowledge of what shepherds do for their sheep. They are like ministers and deacons, the physical side of work, with more personalization to the flock, more the 'go to person' if an emotional issue arises.

If a member went to the Pastor and needed some personal emotional helps or whatever 'personal' it may be, and if the Pastor needed an errand ran, whatever the example might be, the minister/deacon would be the one responsible for getting that which the pastor needed to 'tend to' what that member of the Church required.

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@daverod,

Pastors can also be as Physicians.

The evangelist would bring the 'good news', the cheer, the hopes, the celebrations of Christ and His Resurrection, His Father and His God, etc...

The teacher would be the one to go to IF something of the Word shared needed some clarification or reference or expounding, etc....

Apostles would be more of those sent here and or there to do certain things for the Church, sort of like an envoy of/to the Church being represented..

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: "

For the edifying of the body of Christ. But keep in mind that each Community has many individual Churches. But they are each 'the body of Christ' also.

These responsibilities were given by God, the same Spirit, to each Church. These 'roles' make Church easier to deal properly in order with.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

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@daverod,

Ephesians 4:11-12....

Not Hebrews 4:11-12.... Ephesians.

Those roles were also given by Christ (J)esus. That the Church could run easier and smoother with much less time 'spent' on unnecessary preparations since the preparations were already given. And The Apostle Paul and the others, when they 'went' out to form bodies of believers, these 'roles, were also introduced to their lives so that they could run and maintain the Church with efficiency. Each Church was/is supposed to have some form of self sufficiency with self preservation and self 'ability' to be able to be upright, for the men and obedient as wives, for the women.

Church was to be a 'strong' family/persons of 'Church' 'workers' and minsters and congregation and helps, etc to live/share/meet/plan/ etc... All knowing how to at least greet one another by first name basis and a holy kiss to see how life was going for them.. If a member needed a certain item, the minister/deacon would be called, although the deacon is more for the internal church whereas the minister is for mostly outside and inside if the deacon needed more assistance. But keep in mind that when at Church, women would be encouraged to be with their husbands. Why would single ladies be in a Church 'organization' of workers if they are not actively in a form of 'home relationship'?

If Church members were to be treated with sternness if they were unwilling to let go of certain sexual 'escapades', the same would have to apply for and to the single ladies. And what more than a single lady would raise questions as to the 'urges' of both single life; for men and for women? And if this Church was in a small location/town, surely that person would be seen around town doing different things at different times unknowingly though. In my opinion, single ladies should not be in Church if they are not there with their husband seeing that there is a lot of things being done in Church more than sitting and listening. Well, that's the Church then.

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@daverod,

A possible word to use might be 'active'. An active Church.

God is not God of the dead but of the living.

Mark 12:27 "He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err."

Ephesians 2:1 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;"

How many in your Church are still 'dead in their trespasses and sins'? Even after months or years, they have still remained 'undecided'.

How many months or years should the rest of the Congregation of Saints need to wait to begin moving onward and upward while all the 'workers' of that church might be overly concerned about having 1 person's emotions hurt by asking that person to depart in peace?

It should be obvious that The LORD did not bring such a person.

2 Timothy 3:5-8 "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith."

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@daverod,

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Where is the doctrine, where is the reproof, where is the correction, where is the instruction in righteousness, where is the man of God furnished unto all good works?

doctrine: evangelist or teacher?
reproof: deacon or minister?
correction: pastor or bishop?
instruction in righteousness: Bishop or evangelist?
man of God: Saint or never learning?
good works: fruits or questionings to doctrines/reproofs/corrections/instructions in righteousness/man of God/good works?

If you want to grow in The Lord, you will have to take it seriously, right? Otherwise, why are you attending, week after week?

If members want to take it seriously, who will provide for their growth if no one is 'at work' within the Church besides a Pastor or maybe a Deacon? When will they continue onward and upward with what they have received?

The word(s) received in Church might increase knowledge. And knowledge tendeth unto life. Where are the life(s) being attended to?

Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”

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@TheCobbler,

If you have nothing or are not against your mother or your father or your home, then you might be doing well. And if your mother or your father or home is not against you, then you might be doing well. If you and your entire family are doing fine with one another, then you might be doing well.

You are either a saint, easy to get along with, do nothing wrong, or turning the house upside down and the others can't do a thing about it and so have put up their arms and surrendered.

If your home is cooperative with one another but do wrong, then I would think that you are easy going with one another.

School students usually contend with their parents over 'grades'.
Teens usually contend with their parents over 'chores'.
Pre adults usually contend with their parents over 'outward appearance', job/clothes, etc....
Adults usually contend with their children within their soul after the children leave home and leave town after they have gotten married and sometimes left without leaving a note. Same sex, opposite sex, which ever. Leaving town, leaving city, to live the 'better' life that they think is more 'worth' their presence.

And for those that are doing well, they are happy when they are reunited and hugs and kisses and they get along well.

So Church, with the working members and the Congregation with the husbands and wives, are actually growing, within The Church, within the soul, within the Community. Especially now with Church Buildings being larger than mansions.

Sending out invitations for Church 'functions' to the General public is like being invited to a Mansion 'ball' with the size of the buildings. But because the 'workers' within the Church is not full, these things are not occurring.

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@daverod,

'But please, dress appropriately'.

http://mudke.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/group.jpg

http://www.jeremy-joseph.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Wedding-Dresses-for-Men.jpg

Slim fitted slacks require a tie

https://fusion.werindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Trouser-Fusion-WerIndia.jpg

I guess the first one is out, then.

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@daverod,

Why the concern for the outer appearance when Jesus wore nothing but a sheet and sandals.

Matthew 23:27
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones.

Comment:
Today's homeless bums are closer to the heart of the Bibles's Jesus than most evangelicals.

And the part about "obedient wives" supposedly written by Paul who never married a woman is rather disgusting and insulting to women. No woman would have him if she was wise.

Considering most if not all of the writing attributed to Paul was not written by him, the New Testament writers were a varied bunch of authors with an errant and schizophrenic outlook on culture and customs.

"Some" of the spiritual guidance seems sound enough but the advice on families and society are so far off base that they seem deviant and repressive.

It is the same God that energizes the spirit and its workings, operations and manifestations but which God is that?

That God that caused a deluge of genocide and directed tyrants to utterly destroy races of people?

The same God who spares a drunk so he can sleep with his daughters? The God who spares murderers and lets his son die by crucifixion?

The God who allows a thief to take everything from Job just so Job can have more obedience?

Is this the same God that energizes the spirit?

The God that thinks the earth is flat and shellfish and plaid colors are an "abomination"?

The God that thinks the earth was created before the sun?

It seems the God that energizes the spirit is an abomination unto itself...

A jealous and petty God that has no more moral character than a greedy despot seeking divinity and blind obedience from its followers.

A God that sees free will as an original sin and now this God wants to "energize" our spirit?

It all sounds like a form of trickery that renders people into fools and imbeciles.

Perhaps there is a life force that energizes our spirits but it is certainly prudent to avoid the idea that it is the malevolent God of the Bible.

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Why don't these pastors ever perform healing in hospitals?
https://www.facebook.com/United4Truth/videos/570693776637099/

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@TheCobbler,

If they closed all the religious schools in my state which receive very few taxpayer dollars and provide a quality education at a much lower cost per student than public schools, they'd have to close all the fire departments and many other government provided services to pay for it. Fortunately all the parents who send there kids to private religious schools must also send their tax dollars in and fund the public schools also.

Maybe we should tax churches and set up a voucher system for our education system. I suggest the churches that run schools (not to mention soup kitchens, counseling services orphanages, hospitals, etc . . .) mostly on their donations will come out financially on top. What do you think?

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@camlok,

camlok wrote:

Quote:

Is The Bible More Violent Than The Quran?

...

Defense Vs. Total Annihilation

Violence in the Quran, he and others say, is largely a defense against attack.
"By the standards of the time, which is the 7th century A.D., the laws of war that are laid down by the Quran are actually reasonably humane," he says. "Then we turn to the Bible, and we actually find something that is for many people a real surprise. There is a specific kind of warfare laid down in the Bible which we can only call genocide."

It is called herem, and it means total annihilation. Consider the Book of 1 Samuel, when God instructs King Saul to attack the Amalekites: "And utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them," God says through the prophet Samuel. "But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey."

First- who has the RIGHT to determine who lives and who dies?
Our MAKER does.

Second- I have read the Quran, and have read how "infidels' must be exterminated. Just because the graphic details aren't specifed means its 'less viloent'.

And it is utter fiction- like Muhammad splitting the moon in half!

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THIS is evangelism...

Antigay megachurch pastor caught on tape talking about all the gay sex he’s had
https://www.queerty.com/antigay-megachurch-pastor-caught-tape-talking-gay-sex-hes-20190123

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@TheCobbler,

The Greek word eu- means "true" or "good". "Angel" is a messenger.

Evangelism is simply speaking the good message. Almost nobody knows what the message is because Christian churches don't teach doctrines and nobody knows how to study the bible. It reaches a point where actually quoting the bible is considered impolite.

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@Jewels Vern,

The "good message" has a lot of really terrible and hateful words contained therein.

The dark ages forbid religious preaching, other than by catholic clergy, all other disciplines have had a renaissance since then, except for the Bible... The past is a good place for religion to remain...

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@TheCobbler,

Is lying moral? I think you think so or are very ignorant.

Quote:

The dark ages forbid religious preaching, other than by catholic clergy, all other disciplines have had renaissince then, except for the Bible... The past is a good place for religion to remain...

Would you like to tell us about Islam's renaissance?

Is it a lie or ignorance? Which one is it?

1 Reply

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