How to witness

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Permalink Reply by Ron Payne on January 31, 2009 at 1:21pm

Hi Craig,

Unless you are standing on the rock and very confident in the truth of your own doctrines, rather steer clear.

Be warned, verses can easily be twisted to mean something they don't say. Be warned again that they are also aware of where they fail according to the Christian doctrines and are almost Masters at counter arguments. Through their door to door experience, they have possibly heard and learnt what your arguments will be on different doctrinal points, before you even open your mouth.

Jehovah Witnesses are very active so I would assume you are referring to them. Again be careful because I recently had a discussion with three of their group and was very surprised to find that they showed a vast improvement on their style and presentation. They knew what issues would be raised and what arguments would be forwarded against them. Therefore I was surprised to find that they cleverly avoided discussing them and brought different arguments into the discussion. Their changed arguments and points of view were not that mind boggling, but they were not on common every day doctrines. Had I not had a sound background in my bag, I would have faltered and out of necessity, invite them to come back again, thereby giving me time to study.. But once they realised that I was not flummoxed and had the counter arguments they already knew and expected me to have. They excused themselves and left. They were obviously well trained, had learnt the answers and questions that would come from an experienced opponent,... and more important for them - To get up and leave.
The "Old Timers" of years back would have sat there and argued till midnight.

Their Bible Studies are different to ours. We study the Bible to learn what God has to say to us and what His plans are concerning the world etc. They study the Bible in order to become proficient in their door to door "Sales"' Hence they have been taught and programmed to easily confuse issues and get a person arguing on the back foot. Should they succeed in this, they don't graciously leave and walk away. It is then that they test your knowledge with their old and fanciful doctrines, searching to discover the size and content of your own knowledge and how far they can take you over the edge..

The web is full of information that can be retrieved regarding their beliefs, faulty doctrines and answers . From this, one can gauge how to reply to them.

But honestly Craig, I would not' waste my time. You will always be the loser even if you have won the discussions with excellent points. You will have lost, because they will walk away when they realise that you cannot be fooled. The frustration is that they leave before you have an opportunity of pointing them to the cross. Furthermore you will have learnt nothing in return. A waste of time. The door to door "Salesmen and women are the "Professionals". Rather watch for one that has still to be programmed and it may prove to be far more fruitful.

Ron.

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Permalink Reply by Craig on January 31, 2009 at 1:51pm

Hi Ron,
Thanks for your response. However, I'm not so sure we would be wasting our time witnessing to the lost souls that come to our door, whether they be unbelievers, or those in a "cult". Every soul is precious to God and as Christians we are called to evangelize. This is never more urgent than today with the rise of Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and others.

God promised His word would not return to Him void. Even if it "appears" that we've made no headway during our witnessing, remember, the Holy Spirit's job is to open the hearts of the lost. We can only pray, plant one seed at a time and ask God to bring other Christians in that lost person's path, and who knows, maybe one of these Christians may just be the one who gets the chance to share the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many lds missionaries have claimed to have found Jesus after their missions were over because Christians cared enough to let them in their homes, used the power of the Word of God and asked the questions that planted seeds of doubts in the minds of these missionaries.

I have to admit I was saddened to read on a well known Evangelist's website that he never opens the door when these lost souls come knocking. One cannot help but wonder all the missed opportunities God gave us and we chose to hide behind the drapes and pray they would just leave.

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Permalink Reply by Craig on January 31, 2009 at 3:33pm

Another thing has occurred to me. Too often Christians are afraid to witness because they feel ill equipped or ill prepared. They don't feel they know enough about what the Bible says and what the Christian doctrines are. Many Christians can't find where verses are or know the order of the books of the Bible.

Because we prefer to shy away from witnessing we leave it to our overworked pastors and others in leadership positions in the church to do it. As a result, the cults are left unchecked across our nation to convert not only unbelievers, but even Christians are being mislead and snared away. I've heard of newly converted cult members who were once catholic or protestant and left the faith because someone who "appeared" to know the Scriptures, sprinkling their false teachings with some truths to make it sound biblical, had won them over. One Jehovah's Witness who came to my door, used to be a Baptist pastor!

If these cult members are well trained and can "win" every argument, then let this put us all to shame.

When Christianity was just beginning, every Christian was considered a potential Evangelist. When did we become so lazy and so complacent. Since the sword, which is the Word of God, is a very powerful weapon, why arent we using it fearlessly to combat and weed out heresies and cults? Why arent we doing our homework and diligently studying God's Word so we can carry out the Great Commission as Jesus commanded?

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Permalink Reply by Ron Payne on January 31, 2009 at 10:40pm

Hi Craig,

It's not a case of Christians not being trained.
I think you missed the point. When J.W's find themselves being confronted by an experienced Christian, well versed in the Scriptures. They have their excuse and will promptly leave. Despite their promises of coming back to give you a more informed answer. You will never see them again.
That, Craig, will have been a waste of time. Yes, you may argue that at least they have heard God's Word in truth. As I explained, they already know what your replies are going to be. Your replies and mine, will have been well discussed in their group classes, with a half dozen reasons why we are wrong. They stop listening when you quote truths, your truths are already twisted and answered in their own minds.
Also as I said, and I will repeat.... Don't waste your time on die hard JW's. Look for the new convert
and you may have some success. Keep in mind though that they may first want go and ask their seniors for answers, to what you have given them . Chances are good, that you may also, never see them again. but Being new converts to J.W's, you may have planted a doubt in their minds. Again new converts are discouraged and not allowed to go on door to door missions. When they are ready, they can only do the visitation with two or three experienced die hard Witnesses.

Somewhere on AAG I have given my experiences as a Three day old Christian, where just about every cult was sent to my door. They had never worried me before. But once I was converted, they were sent almost weekly. Name whatever cult you like, they came to my door. In those days (1958) they were all prepared to argue even when they knew they were being shown up. I honestly believe that God allowed this in order for me to learn my Bible. In 6 months I knew Christian doctrines backwards, able to quote chapters and verses like an "Old Pro" But you know what? Despite attempting to win them over with love, patience and true concern for their souls, added with good sound basic Biblical principles...... In 50 years, I have yet to see one die hard J.W. convert.
My history here on AAG is a proven one of being able to help people. It is my joy and privilege to say the right things and give them encouragement and verses to continue in their walk with God.
But despite this ..... and I believe many readers will confirm. that they too have yet to bring about the conversions of J.W's. Should there be one or two who say they have, It is a conversion they will not repeat, as they would in bringing the lost to Christ.

Ron.

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Permalink Reply by Craig on February 1, 2009 at 6:25am

Ron,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and insights.

Actually I wasnt referring to just JW's when I mentioned cult members ringing my door bell. Mostly its been LDS, and these young missionaries and I have had wonderful talks and they left as friends and no doubt with a few "seeds". Although its been difficult, its also been very rewarding.
However, I have had some experience sharing the gospel with several JW's and 3 did indeed return to my home several times. (their idea, not mine) Never once did we argue. The key is patience, exercising restraints, remembering that God cares for the soul of this person, and most importantly, totally relying on the Holy Spirit's help and promptings.

I believe the key is not focusing on whether we scored any "points", but rather taking advantage of even 5 minutes if that's all we may have with these lost people. I have even had a family member slip a bible tract in the car of these people who were in my home.

Walter Martin, in his book: Kingdom of the Cults", shared something that I found very useful. He said when witnessing to JWs, instead of being all over the place with doctrines and Bible verses, what he would do is insist on praying first and leading the prayer and calling God, Jehovah, which causes the JW to take your prayer seriously because of their deep respect for Jehovah God. The secret is to present the true Gospel of Jesus Christ in your PRAYER and the unsuspecting JW isn't aware of this at first. After the prayer, you allow the JW to say whatever he's gonna say. You listen quietly and then after 30 minutes or whatever, you tell them of the lateness of the hour or that you need to end the conversation because you have plans or appts. to attend to. Then you again insist on ending it with prayer and you say it, spending the last few minutes finishing your presentation of the true Gospel.

The rest after that point is up to God who promised His Word would never return to him void.

Craig

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Permalink Reply by Carla on February 1, 2009 at 8:06am

Hi Craig,

I'm an not sure if you are familiar with the preacher Paul Washer. He speaks the truth with boldness... Anyhow, here is his approach when witnessing to JW's.

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