is it supposed to be every christians role to "go forth and spread the word"?

Question

looking at what Jesus taught the general people, the commandment was to let your light shine by being loving and forgiving and tolerant and so-forth, and in so doing glorify God ... so why is it assumed that its every christians duty to evangelize the masses, go door to door or whatever .. is that what Jesus taught to do or was that what He told the 12 to do .. isnt that supposed to be a special position and a gift to specific people that God chooses to do that ? .. if im forgetting somthing tell me im open to being wrong on this ...

to clarify, im not questioning if we are to win souls or be fishers of men .. i agree on that totally .. my question is on the method we are to do that ...

Answer 1

Yes, but there are many ways to spread the word. Not all of us share the same gifts. Some are called to the Pastoral Ministry, some spread the word through financially supporting their own and other congregations, some look after the flower beds at the Church, some witness to friends and family, and some answer Questions on yahoo.

For as many Christians as there are, there are that many ways to spread Gods Word, weather with words or actions.

Thank God that The Holy Spirit has so many gifts to give us.

Mark

Answer 2

Jesus did command us all to go and make disciples of all nations and I believe we should do that, according to the measure of and the giftings given to us by the Holy Spirit. However, not everyone is called to be an evangelist. This is a specific gifting from the Holy Spirit and I do think sadly, that some think they are more gifted than they are. We should each take time to find our true giftings and allow God to use them through us. Our gifts are usually more obvious to others than they are to ourselves and so we should also encourage others where we see results. If we feel we have a gift which is not endorsed by our fellow Christians perhaps we are trying to exercise one we have no authority for and that's where problems in witnessing to the world come in.

Answer 3

Ah where you seem to be confused is...

Not all of us have the gift of evangilism to the masses (check out Spiritual gifts)

However all of us do have to have a part in go forth and spread the word - not all 12 disciples did a peter (check out Acts 1 - but all have been mandated to spread the word)...

Matt 5:12 (around there I am probably wrong) - let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven...

You tell them why you live your life this way, you don't have to cram it down there throats, everybody I know, knows I am a Christian and at various stages we have discussed it, but I don't do it to death like I do on here.

Answer 4

Jesus told the Disciples to go and proclaim the coming Kingdom of the Lord and this proclamation was to the entire world from ages til the time His kingdom would come, His gospel is to continue and Jesus said to go and make disciples in every nation, baptizing them in the name of the father,Son, and the holy Spirit and signs would follow them that believed.Mark 16:15-21. So every one coming to Christ is to be anointed his king being prepared for his coming kingdom and those who reject this message, also forfeits their rights not only to be a king but their rights to his coming kingdom as well.. So there is allot more here than anyone even realizes what the gospel of Christ is really all about. Jesus is still calling disciples to come unto him in this day and hour..

Answer 5

hmmm....that's actually the first time I've heard anyone suggest that God only calls special "representatives" to spread his word instead of it being the job of the general masses. I will say that if we are to follow Jesus' example, he did walk from city to city telling stories and telling people about God's love. I don't know the answer to your question. I personally believe Christians should just let their ACTIONS and their life speak for themselves. When you live a life that's truly modeled after Jesus, I think you'll find you don't NEED to hit people over the head with your beliefs. They will seek you out.

Answer 6

Alright here goes another answer by Stevo. See we were called to be Fisher's of men. We are to be images of Christ, what is a life Worthy to God if we are only going to Church and coming home and going to bed. But Jesus said to follow him John 8:12- When Jesus spoke again He said I am the light of the World and whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life. And Therefore having the light of life and following Him we are to do His commands. I believe within your own family at home it is better to do it with actions but in the World we need to speak the truth. We are called to the 4 corners of the earth. And the bible says He who does the will of God will have Eternal life.

Answer 7

SOME people do that. Most people, I think, can spread the word through the way they treat people. Have you ever heard the song,
"They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love"?
You have made an excellent point.

I don't know if the evangelizers realize how they are actually hurting the cause with their zeal. It is a turn off to most people.
It almost seems like an attack to go up to a person and tell him/her that he/she will go to hell unless............

You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.

I think people would be more open if we just lived like we ought to do and were kind, etc.
It might make others want to know what we have, that we are always kind and loving to those who do not believe as we do.

JMO

Answer 8

This is Paul advising Timothy, and he was not one of the twelve.

2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."

This is Paul speaking of himself. He was not one of the twelve, but still considered an apostle nonetheless.

1 Corinthians 9:16
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

Proverbs 11: 30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise."

Aren't you glad you asked? ;-)

Answer 9

the apostle is also a shepperd,minister,pastor,a brother in Christ''surely is they are travel to spread the Gospel of Christ house to house if was'nt so how would the people from afar hear the GoodNews by foot they go by boat they continue until the last strength of their soul and teach it to the Brethren and now evry' brothers and sisters of the church continue the task until the word was receive by the people of God in 4 corners of the earth to those living in the hard to find places they must also hear and believed and be baptized and be saved in the name of the Lord jesus and be a christians

Answer 10

Revival starts when christians (all) decide to tell those lost in their sin that Jesus is waiting to forgive.

Matt
18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus said teach them to observe all things whatsoever I command you:
What did He (Jesus) Just command them? GO is what He just commanded them.
Christians (and fence riders) want to be "couch potatoes".There are 6+ billion people on this earth and many need to hear before it's too late.
Billy Graham probably will never go door to door in most cities in the world.