The Fallacy of Present Day Evangelism (Acts 20:26-27)

I was listening to a sermon once preached by A.W. Pink in which he was describing the disadvantage of present day evangelism. In his sermon he ascribed some points that need to be examined by all who are Disciples of Christ.

1. It’s not warranted by Scripture…
2. It requires little spiritual discernment…
3. It’s filled with worldly entertainment…
4. Visible results are the center focus of such evangelism…
5. It is filling the church with empty professors…

Our aim in our preaching and evangelism should be to glorify God…

Is evangelism an ends of our own? If it is, it is followed by a means of its own… Evangelism rushes individuals to make a formal affirmation of faith without having an inward transformation by the Holy Spirit.

The focus has been shifted from promoting the glory of Jesus Christ to converting individuals to fill church rosters. Evangelism often robs individuals from hearing the whole counsel of God… John 3:16 is preached but Scriptures such as Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; John 15:14 are ignored. Total depravity of man is watered down and man is made to think he’s in control of his own destiny.

Modern day evangelism is lacking of the following:
1. Lacking that which is vital to genuine conversion…
2. Lacking of the sinner knowing their need for a Savior…
3. Lacking that which would produce a transformed life in Christ, Jesus…
4. The mercy of God is given precedence over His holiness…
5. The love of God is given precedence over the wrath of God…
6. Have turned the grace of God to a license to sin… (What I mean by this is, we often seek to convert individuals without them first coming to hatred for their sins. What’s often preached to these individuals is that they could be saved if they just acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Savior while they’re wedded to their idols, while they’re still in love with sin… such evangelism is a lie…) A correct contextual understanding of Acts 16 must be taken into consideration when using the text “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thy shall be saved…” A. look at the context of Acts 16 and see who this charge was given to… B. The seven-fold answer… 1. The man had just witnessed a miracle working act of God. 2. The man was deeply disturbed even to the point of self despair. 3. He felt the need of illumination and called for light. 4. His self-worth was shattered. 5. He took his proper place before God. 6. He showed consideration of Christ servants. 7. He then took self examination of his soul and sought out the requirements for salvation…
7. Rom 3:20 shows us that the law must be presented first and applied to their heart before they come into realization of their sinful condition.
8. The first task of the evangelist is to preach upon sin… such preaching won’t make the evangelist popular… but Christ is glorified…
9. Luke 13:3… Matthew 21:32; Mark 1:15; Sin must be renounced and repented of… Isa. 55:7;
10. The order is Lord and Savior not Savior then Lord… Isa. 44:20; Heb 5:9; Luke 19:14;
11. Eph 5:11… we’re to separate ourselves from such preaching and evangelism… this type of preaching is having many believe that salvation is by works and one’s efforts…

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The problem many are facing today is the want of evangelism... vs. the need of discipleship... many congregations get caught up in evangelism (because of the numbers game... man wanting to brag about how many converts he have)...but fail at discipleship... the great commission is to go and make disciples... the evangelism fallacy leaves many congregations to back door theology... (they come in the front door and leave out the back door)... consider if you would the teaching of Jesus... "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation." (Matthew 12: 43-45)... this is the result of evangelism without discipleship... (leaving the job undone)... let's be honest... how many times have we found ourselves evangelizing our areas on a given Saturday... going door to door giving the people a three minute prayer and telling them they're saved and then we just move on to the next because we have a qouta to meet? That's the fallacy of present day evangelism... when the early church evangelized... they stayed as long as it took to not just give them a three minute prayer...but to disciple the people... we see it in Paul... he wasn't just concerned whether they accepted Christ... but his letters/epistles followed up to make sure they were living Christ... he kept them close to his heart... that's discipleship...


Pastor Ali, I agree we must pray for the power and direction of the Holy Spirit... we also must learn how to wait and not move ahead of God because we have an agenda...
If the people will stop looking at the material things and look more to the spiritual things of God then shall they all find peace and God will satisfy the soul. Follow the instructions, repent meaning to pray at your bedside and name your sins to God then forsake sin. Then be baptized so that you are washed clean do this now and you shall know the truth.
You are a very wise young man, I want to encourage you in your boldness and love for the things of Yah...

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