What is the biblical method of "winning souls" or converting others to christianity?

Question

Many people in Y!A Religion and Spirituality have expressed that the reason they are so urgent to convert others to their faith is because they are ordered to. It is true that Jesus did command his followers to go into all the world, spreading the good news. But he also gave specific instruction on how to "draw all people unto him." Does his specific instruction on "how to" oppose the accepted method of conversion? Jesus didn't tell his followers to tell others that they would burn in hell if they don't follow christ. Jesus didn't tell his followers to point out all of humanity's shortcomings to bring about conversion. Jesus didn't tell his followers to quote scripture until boredom induced coma takes over.

Do any of you know the specific instruction Jesus gave on how to draw EVERYBODY to him?

Do you care? Or is it more fun to be a stumbling block to others instead of following christ's instruction? Remember, if you are not with him, you are against him.

indiebaptist: You repeated what I said, you didn't answer the question. What was the "method" Jesus specifically gave for drawing EVERYBODY to him? This isn't a dificult question.

Answer 1

I think you expose a bit of a raw nerve with "some" christian movements/churches.

Of course Christ and conversion is all aboout love and experiencing the living God.

Jesus was/is the source for conversion when he walked the earth and he preached love, compassion forgiveness, love the sinner-hate the sin.

Christians should not feel they do God's work and try to convert others because they have been "ordered" to do so, but because they "love" to do it, becuase they experienced God's love and want to share that.

If you are saved and live in God's ways and you know somebody you like/love which is not, it's almost unbearable to realise that this person might not share heaven with you, might never experience God's love for his children, will never feel the soothing calming guiding spirit of the Lord.

How to draw people to the Lord ?
Love thy heighbour ...

and when this love is really showing, people will be drawn to the Lord through you ...
God Bless you

Answer 2

There isn't any specific method we are supposed to use. It can be different for each person. Some people become Christians when they are confronted with their sins and realize that there are consequences for them. Others convert when they notice the peace or love that a Christian displays in their life and actions.

However, I don't think it is helpful to say "What you did is wrong and you need to repent." The Bible tells us that we do not have the right to judge others, but God does.

Also,
Romans 10:17
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

People need to hear God's word (the Bible) although it may not be the first thing you share with a person.

Answer 3

You would do well to go to the source, the Bible, specifically the New Testament.

Matthew 28: 18-20 is very clear. Jesus told them to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ... and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

In Acts 16:13-15, Luke gives a graphic account of this in action, Here we see Luke, Paul, Timothy, Silas, and others while they were staying in the Roman colonial city of Philippi:

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to some of the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira... The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.

Luke goes on to say that Lydia and the members of her household were baptized.

So basically, "making disciples" means talking to people, and finding anyone willing to listen. Some people will respond favorably, others not. But there is no way getting around the fact that in order to find converts, a Christian must open his mouth and share the good news with people. People are then free to listen, or not.

So if someone sharing Christianity with you offends you, don't listen. Just say "Thanks," and go about your affairs. Why do people get so uptight about this whole thing?

Answer 4

Christ intended the original conversion method to be love, compassion, and understanding. However, I do recall in the Bible he also states that the end justifies the means, so maybe he knew it would end up differently. Historically the method has been through force, fear, and intolerence.

I dont beleive the 'for him or against him' thing, either. I think if you aren't a supportor of Christ, it means you are intended for another path. I also think that we all belive in the same thing in the end, just under different presentation. Its impossible for EVRYONE to have the same beliefs, thats why there are so many religions, so we can find what works for us to connect to divinity. There is one Divine, and we all see It in the way that suits us best.

Answer 5

St Francis of Assisi taught us to preach the Gospel daily, and if necessary, to use words. What he meant was to preach the Gospel by the witness of our lives. Not just repeating bible quotes incessantly. Christianity above all is a way of life, not a belief out of a book. The book can be used to clarify why we act and believe the way we do, but the book is not REQUIRED. The Epistle of James sums it up nicely in Chapter 2. Please read it slowly and prayerfully. Consider also the Lord's Prayer, wherein we wish "THY will be done on earth" -- how will it be done if not through US who profess to believe, carrying it out?

Answer 6

You aren't ever going to win my soul because I don't believe in Christ being anything more than a great teacher. What I will say is that very few if any Christians get what he taught. It wasn't about him at all...it was about the power of you and I to make our world a better place...EMPOWERMENT through LOVE is what he was teaching. To venerate the guy beyond accepting the basic teachings is unacceptable. PEACE!

Answer 7

Christ tells us to go out into the world and spread the good news. He didn't tell us to use rock music or hot dogs and hamburgers to draw the crowd...He told us to use HIS word. And us independent fundamental baptists do. It's much better to use truth than the ways of the world...

Answer 8

"Jesus didn't tell his followers to tell others that they would burn in hell if they don't follow christ."

Jesus said:

Matthew 23:33 Serpents! Brood of vipers! How shall you escape from the condemnation of hell? 34 Therefore, behold, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and you will crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues and you will persecute from city to city, 35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood being shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation. 37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 Behold, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I say to you, you shall by no means see Me from now until you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' "


"Jesus didn't tell his followers to point out all of humanity's shortcomings to bring about conversion."

Matthew 9:10 Now it came to pass, as He reclined to eat in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners, having come, were reclining to eat with Jesus and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but those who are ill.

"Jesus didn't tell his followers to quote scripture until boredom induced coma takes over."

Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
:o)

Answer 9

i think of this relies upon on the age and information. verify out what the islamic international locations do to their babies, and you will see that infants might desire to be ignored of person schedule's. i in my view have faith that a newborn is able to evangelize whilst they have an entire wisdom of what they are sharing.. this might come after the emotional curler coaster of puberty, yet that's not continuously the case. in spite of this, they might desire to have the skill to describe and understand those concerns. in answer on your 2d question.. faith is poison.. The Bible Is reality. if i had to grant you a "decision", it would be Messianic judaism.