has anyone successfully converted an agnostic or an atheist? How seriously do you take His directive to spread His word? I myself am an agnostic who continuously searches for answers, and have had many discussions with devout Christians. Although I find some of their beliefs dubious, I cant help but admire the Mormons for their mission of spreading their faith. Giving 2 years of their life (is it 2 years?) of their life to go on a mission, is a sacrifice that speaks to their devotion to their faith.
2007-12-22 10:53:29 · 28 answers · asked by sammy 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
to dr. jay. only 2 years? i am sure they do it their whole life. i'd like to see you donate 2 years going door to door etc. big talker...
2007-12-22 12:21:44 · update #1
Christians are told to feed the sheep not convert people.
True revelation of God comes from God to those who love and seek the truth,
Christians share this truth but true revelation comes from God not from any man,
Many are sucessful at spreading God's message...It is God who makes the message real to you.
2007-12-22 11:15:53 · answer #1 · answered by djmantx 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I know my uncle didnt really believe at all until he crashed what he thought was a party, hoping to party harder, and then found out it was a mormon youth group meeting. He then later asked his friend what that was all about, who was mormon, who then invited him to take the missionary discussions. He agreed and went from a pot smoking, party going drinking wild kid who couldnt even walk in his graduation because of some choice words to his principal, to a straight A lawyer, zero substance user, convert who ended up serving a 2 year mission and has been faithfully married to his wife for 15 years now.
His life pretty much changed dramatically because he tried to crash a party.
Shane,
actually missionary work is highly encouraged. Many adults serve missions as couples. There are also ward missionary callings you serve right at home. All members should consider themselves missionaries. The only thing is we are also taught to respect the beliefs of others and not to try to convince anyone thru religion or bible bashing. You are suppose to just pray and ask the spirit to prompt you when you feel a person might be interested and respect others when they say they arent.
My M
No we dont. Noone has ever been kicked out because they didnt do missionary work. Know what you are talking about before you make yourself look completely ignorant.
2007-12-22 11:01:18 · answer #2 · answered by cadisneygirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jehovah's Witnesses devote their entire life to preaching the truth about God's Kingdom. Some of us go to far away lands to do that, some people move to areas that are not so foreign but still need more workers... most of us though, spread the good news of the Kingdom where we live in various cities and towns.
I, personally, have not had the chance to have a Bible study with an agnostic or atheist, but I know many who have.
2007-12-22 11:03:49 · answer #3 · answered by Xyleisha 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian and I agree with you that Mormons display an awesome amount of faith and dedication. Jehovah's Witnesses do as well. And one can find similar beliefs in each sect . These are generally good people who are devoted to the religions to which they belong. This is a good thing and you don't seem to find Baptists and Methodists out going door to door to share the faith with others like you see the Mormon's and the J's Witnesses doing. It needs to be noted among the protestant religions that the work being done to bring others to the faith is being done by those who do not believe as the ones who feel their religion is the real religion, but by those many protestants would quickly label as cultists. Why aren't the Baptists and Methodists out going door to door to speak with others about their faith? I don't know why, but they need to be. The only real fact that remains when you ask which one is right and which is wrong is found in the Word of God, the Bible. It clearly tells us in the book of John chapter 14 and verse 6 where Jesus says,"I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes unto the Father except by me." This is where the truth is as to which religion is right or wrong. If the religion believes that a soul is saved from hell by accepting Jesus, then the Bible says that is correct by the words Jesus gives us to refer to here in John 14:6. In many other religions the emphasis is put on doing good and being good. Doing good and being good are not bad things of course. But when one desires to do good and doesn't acknowledge the need for Jesus first, he isn't going to get even one tiny toenail inside of Heaven's gates. It is also written in the Bible that "Faith without works is dead." To me all this put together means that not all who show faith, do good, or even quote the scriptures to the people in the neighborhood by knocking on every door, or setting aside 2 years for life as a missionary will be part of God's family in Heaven. Only those who accept Jesus as Lord will enter in. Now I'm preaching to the Baptists and Methodists as well as others who believe the same as I, the time is drawing near and the work is plenty. What will you do today for your Lord?
2007-12-22 11:37:57 · answer #4 · answered by froggsfriend 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not everyone will listen to that message. That is the key. Even Jesus didn't get everyone to listen and accept his message, why would we today?
You speak highly of mormons. They do good for their preaching work, but why stop after 2 years? MOST, I know not all, but most stop after the mission is up. Like a military service thing...they did their time.
Jehovah's Witnesses continue their preaching activity well after 2 years. Some have been doing it for many, many decades. Give them some credit too. Many give up a lot in this world to serve their God full time, devoting up to 120 hours a month preaching.
2007-12-22 11:01:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To spread the word is one of our expectations of our walk with Jesus. Not everyone is called for the mission field, as not everyone is called to be a Pastor or Priest, or Rabbi.I'm disabled and can't walk a lot , so I use this site to try to help lead some to Jesus. Of course I won't be able to lead everyone ,but, if I could get some thinking, then it will be worth the hours I spend on here a week. I can only tell of my experience and the peace since I accepted Jesus.If you study it, the Bible will work and I try to spread that word.
2007-12-22 11:06:44 · answer #6 · answered by HappyCamper 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think this a problem that many people have today. Christianity is not spread by a convincing one-liner or a really cool and inspiring sermon.
People convert to Christianity as a result of many "seeds" that have been planted over the course of a person's life. Realization comes to a person when the Holy Spirit convicts that person and all those planted seeds start to kick in and grow.
2007-12-22 10:57:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I once lived my life as an agnostic, and did sinful and wicked things, but I was like you and I wanted to know more.
The more I found out, the more I wanted to know. It was like a thirst for the Word of God.
When I finally read the Bible, the more I knew, I wanted to live my life righteously. I changed my life. I knew that I had been so stubborn before and set in my old ways. I thought I had everything in control. -I didn't.
I asked the Lord into my life whole heartedly and asked HIM to forgive me for my sins.
I was Baptized. When I finally made that choice to bury the dead. I was healed inside out. My heart was whole again. Something came over me and it was truly amazing. I felt the love of God. HE changed my life forever. I knew what I have been missing out on for so long.
HE has truly blessed me and HE gave me a second chance. HE can do that for you if you set your stubbornness and pride aside. Seek Him with all your heart.
He will bless you with peace, hope, forgiveness, love, joy and prosperity. You just need to have a little faith and believe in Him. He loves you so much. He is a patient GOD, and He is waiting for you with open arms.
When you have a chance. Please look at this site below.
www.fathersloveletter.com
May God Bless you and your family.
2007-12-22 11:10:03 · answer #8 · answered by †Evonne† 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just read this and in John and Hosea in the bible God says "I was mercy, not sacrifice" (NIV). I read that same scripture in "The Message" bible and it says God wants you to KNOW him not just do another bible study. I'm not discounting missions work, that is awesome!!! I'm just saying that sacrificing 2 years of your life if you really don't KNOW God is just speding two years of your life talking about someone that you would love more if you really knew who Jesus and God were.
I think now days, people are not just looking for words, although they need to hear the message but they want an experience. Something that they can't explain. They want to see signs and wonders. I think this is seriously how people get convicted and choose to change their lives. I have seen it happen and it is powerful when someone chooses God because they experience HIM.
2007-12-22 11:06:23 · answer #9 · answered by Abundant Life 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any time someone has:
fed the hungry
visited the sick
clothed the naked
embraced the outcast
...they have done the work of our Lord. Right there.
Because when you do it for the least of these, you do it to Him.
He said as much.
So, should the question be "how LITERALLY do you take the directive to spread His word?"
He himself IS the Word. Not a book, mind you. Jesus is the living Word or Expression of G-d.
So that's how one would "spread Jesus" - be Jesus to the people standing right in front of you.
2007-12-22 11:00:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
As soon as I saw your question I planned on commenting about my 2 year mission. Then I read the details and saw that you mentioned it. Thank you for the honorale mention. Yeah I have helped and taught lots of agnostics. The thing that helped me teach was explaining to them the after Christ and His apostles died His authority left the Earth until it was restored by His servants... ressurected and having authority.
It is amazing!
Answer to "only 2 years": FULL TIME!!! 18 hours a day for two years. Then mormons have different things they do in the church ALL FREE!!! The rest of y'all get paid for serving!
2007-12-22 10:57:36 · answer #11 · answered by Brig 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋