Why do christians witness?

Question

I've heard that ppl who have never heard your "good news" cannot go to hell, because they are innocent. Why in the world would you tell them then? Not to mention the dangers of missionaries bringing dis-eases to indiginous ppl and wiping out entire villages and tribes?

So all ppl who were not Jewish and lived before jesus...died and went to hell? Hmmmm, don't buy that one either.

Answer 1

A common misconception is that Jehovah's Witnesses go from door-to-door because they feel it is their duty to get a householder to "choose heaven or hell". In fact, Jehovah's Witnesses would go from door-to-door even if there were no hope that anyone would change their religion, or even if no one would listen to them!

That is because Jesus Christ specifically assigned the house-to-house ministry to the Christian congregation, with no regard for specific results.

(Luke 10:1,2) After these things the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come. 2 Then he began to say to them: “The harvest, indeed, is great, but the workers are few. Therefore beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.

Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to direct attention to the bible, and move on when their message is unwanted. Since each congregation in the United States tries to call at every home in its territory at least twice each year, there is strong motivation for them to move on where little interest is shown. Also, the Scriptures help the Witnesses to expect little interest from most:

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching ...and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/library/jt/index.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20020715/article_02.htm

Answer 2

Christians have indeed twisted scripture which really reads to tell people about Jesus "as you go" which does not include exporting desease. We get many things wrong but for some the motivation is to spread an experience that is so great that we just wish everyone could know it. Some have thought that by reaching every one the end would come sooner and then this life which is in many ways similar to hll would stop and the pain go away and everyone could live in peace and harmony which is a really naive and innocent view but not motivated by hate like war etc.

many also believe that if you do not know Jesus in this life you die and have no chance to get to heaven. This is promoted by preachers who want to fill their own treasure chest and I am not talking a good spiritual chest of treasures. These infiltrate anywhere that they sniff out profit look at our government which was specifically set up so that was less likely to happen yet here we are governed by the greedy.
am I out of the paper bag yet, it is so wet in here I just hate it
ask me a better question so I can blow you sox off.

Answer 3

True Christians were given the commission from Christ to be witnesses of him "to the most distant part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) Those who know what is going to take place in the future (namely, God's purposes for the earth and mankind) have an obligation to tell others about it. If they don't, they would be bloodguilty. Example - if I know there's a bomb in a building full of children but I don't warn them about it, I'm as guilty for their deaths or injuries as the one who put the bomb there in the first place because I could have prevented it. In the case in point, God has set a date (which no one but he himself knows) to put an end to the system of things ruled by Satan. When this happens, God's kingdom (ruled by Jesus) will take over rulership of the earth. Those who have listened to the words of the people who brought them the message of salvation and brought their lives into harmony with God's will are going to be very happy they did because they'll have the opportunity to live forever on earth (Ps. 37:29 - The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.) Those who didn't listen to the message will have to suffer the consequences a/k/a eternal destruction. (latter part of Prov. 10:30 - ... but as for the wicked ones, they will not keep residing on the earth.) And finally, those who did the witnessing work as directed by Jesus will be happy they followed his example because they will be blessed not only with the potential for eternal life, but also with a clean conscience and a clean standing before God.

Answer 4

There is a verse in the Bible that says
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
It is often refered to "The Great Commission"
People in an attempt to do follow lost sight of the character of Jesus who was telling it. He was trying to get people to make it know that the power of sin and death were broken. And that is what we are to proclaim so that people can really see it, and realize it is for them and no one is left out.
Each person God has created has within him a measure of which God reveals himself in them to them. Whether they know God on a personal basis or not, He knows them. He made them with a purpose and will fulfill that purpose in them. A God who created all things knows how to take care of all the details. I don't know how He does it, but I do know that He knows what he is doing, and no one else no matter what they think they know, can do it better. So if no "Christian" ever says a thing to a tribal warrior, I have to believe that God's got it covered.
The payment is already made right? So they are saved, they just don't get to enjoy the benefits of a personal relationship here on earth because it wasn't revealed in them yet.
By telling someone that their sins are forgiven, doesn't put them on the road to hell and damnation. On the contrary it tells them that the road they were on is no longer the one they are on. God's got only one plan. And he's already done the work for it. It is not "you're going to hell". It is Hooray! God destroyed sin and death. We don't have to be under its power.
It's Good News Remember!

Answer 5

I've never heard that happening, a missionary wiping out a tribe by bringing a disease to that tribe.
God leads men and women to the utter parts of the world to teach the good news to these tribes. The great commission is for us all (Christians) to go to all the world and teach the good news to all people.
In obedience to God is why they go.

Answer 6

I've wondered the same thing myself! Catholics at least have (or had) the belief in purgatory, but how would Protestants be helping?

And then there's the fact that if they do win a convert in some places, like Afghanistan or Sudan, life becomes very dangerous for the convert!

Answer 7

I do not believe that not knowing is means to salvation. Thats just like saying that you could break a law and claim you didnt know about the law, so you could get away with it.
Christians wittness to others so that they will have heard the truth, and will have a chance at eternal salvation. If they never hear the truth, how will they get into heaven??

Answer 8

strong emotions elicit strong actions...or something like that

I somewhat disagree with your first statement; ignorance of the law is not an exemption from the law....or so many proselytizers say..."cannot go to hell" ...I am not sure that all sects of christians would agree with that....ah well....takes all kinds..

as to the second point.....it seems that some missionaries will try to tell the "good news" to people even if it kills the intended converts....what a sign of "christian" love that is!!!!

I will stick with my original statement...strong emotions...
but weak minds...

Answer 9

Since when do people spreading the word bring disease?
Boy is that a statement you're going to get crap for.
The answer to the first question is because in the bible we are told to go find the lost and bring them back.

Answer 10

You are incorrect...all who fail to come to God will be eternaly seperated from Him in hell. Those of The True Christian Faith strive to obay God's commandment to Spread The Good News... so that as many as possable can be spared the fate of the lost....