The Conservative Christian Reader

3 - General and Special Revelation - Special Revelation

3 - General and Special Revelation - Special Revelation

Now that we have looked at General Revelation, let’s look at special revelation.

I think the best place to begin is to look at John 1:1.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”  Later in this chapter we see that the “Word” is a reference to Jesus.  The Greek word used here is “logos,” generally meaning “a discourse.”  It is a revelation/discourse referencing what “is.”  It is what is divinely mentioned – coming directly from God to us to reveal what “is” about God and His character.  Within this logos is the gospel message – the story about redemption and salvation as a matter of the Grace of God. 

This reference does not mean that special revelation is more “special” than general revelation, but that the two, used in unity, reveal God, though in different ways.

An easy way to look at it is that special revelation is the Bible, but that is not exactly complete.  For instance, in Genesis – and this was prior to the fall – God tells Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply, among other things.  Prior to the fall and prior to the written Word, God spoke directly to man.  He did so throughout a good part of the Old Testament.  In addition, God commissioned prophets, later in the Old Testament, and used them to speak to His people.  This too is a part of God’s special revelation. 

In the Old and New Testaments, special revelation can be seen as coming through the use of the “lot”.  We wouldn’t or shouldn’t use that method today, mostly because we have the Bible, but nonetheless it was a way that God used to communicate to man.  Was it used in a redemptive way?  I tend to think not, but there are others who would disagree.  Similarly, the urim and the thummin were used in the Old Testament by the high priest.  In the Old Testament, God communicated by dreams and visions.  Prior to the incarnation, angels of the Lord appeared to carry God’s message to man.  The same took place in the book of Revelation in the New Testament.  The pre-incarnate Christ appeared to Daniel delivering a divine message.  Certain acts of God throughout history can be seen as some sort of revelation from God.  Many of the forgoing examples, I remember from reading Basic Theology, by Charles Ryrie, who I admire greatly.  He states that revelation need not be found exclusively in the Bible, but in the acts of God and in a subjective encounter with God.  Some of that may be hard to measure, but who am I to disagree with Ryrie?  He also stated that there must be many sayings spoken by Jesus that are not recorded in the Bible that would certainly be God’s special revelation.  I wholeheartedly believe that.

There is a question today, whether or not one who is called to proclaim the Gospel, whether from the pulpit or otherwise, and who truly listens to and hears from God, is delivering God’s special revelation.  Though, I believe strongly in my friend and pastor, Bill Oudemolen, I also believe that the canons of Scripture and prophecy – as a gift – has ceased, so I would not necessarily regard Pastor Bill’s sermons as rising to the level of special revelation.  He is great and he reveals God’s truth, often with a distinctive Gospel message.  He is called, he proclaims the Gospel and he is dynamic.  I believe that he speaks with authority, the Word of God.  I do not believe that God speaks to him in the same way as He spoke to the prophets.  I’m still wrestling with this concept.  Some would be upset at me for saying this, but I know Pastor Bill well enough to be able to say it.  I’ve never asked him, but I suspect he would agree with me on this subject.  On the other hand, I doubt that any of the prophets had a head of hair as cool as Bill’s head of hair, but that’s another story.

Finally, some believe that certain of the “sign” gifts are evidence of special revelation.  I have no doubt that if God wants to give a special message to and through someone, He can and will do that, but I do not personally believe that the miraculous sign gifts are alive today as spiritual gifts.  I believe that these “signs and wonders” ceased at the end of the apostolic age.  They were needed then, but not now.  I have charismatic friends who would disagree with that, but it is my opinion and one that is shared by most of the conservative, Christian community.  I do know that this belief or non-belief has divided the Christian community in a number of areas, special revelation, being one of them.  What I know is this:  If someone claims to prophesy and is wrong, s/he is a false prophet.  If one claims to prophesy or claims to have “a Word” of knowledge or truth that is contrary to the canons of Scripture or the character of God, that person is a false prophet. So whatever you decide in this area, make sure you use the right standard by which to test.  Don’t lightly take someone at his word that he is a prophet of God or has a word of knowledge or truth from God.

On the other hand, it is not good to shy away from the concept of special knowledge merely because you do not agree with this portion of a Christian denomination or sect.  Special knowledge is true and He is faithful.  Just use the right measuring stick.

So, I hope this mini-lesson in revelation has been helpful.  I had fun thinking it through.

Who knows what I’ll do next.  I suspect I will take a break as I visit my brother in Tucson through April 18.  He is oh so much older than I am.  He turns a massive 65 four days after I become a young 63.  I may check in a few times, but right now, I really need a break.

Thanks for checking in.

Doug

2 - General and Special Revelation - General Revelation (Part 2)

General and Special Revelation - General Revelation (Part Two)

Now that we have had the chance to look at General Revelation just a bit, let’s look at some basic Bible passages to illustrate the point.

1.      One standard passage is Job 36:24 - 37:24.  Most of us are fairly well familiar with this passage.  These verses suggest that such things as thunder, rain, lightening and the bright sun are all examples of how we can see God in nature.

2.      Another passage is Psalm 19:1 ff that begins “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”  This entire chapter is replete with general revelation references.

3.      In John 1, reference is made that in Jesus there is life.  The rest of this chapter makes a number of references to general revelation.

4.      Also see Acts 15:15, 17 and 17:22, 23.  Also Romans 2:14, 15.

5.      Check out Romans 1:18-2. 

Next time we will look at special revelation.

Doug

1 - General and Special Revelation - General Revelation (Part 1)

1 - General and Special Revelation

I received a request a week or so ago to comment about the topics of general and special revelation, so here goes.  God “reveals” to us – discloses to us – in a variety of ways, generally falling into two categories.  These two categories are general revelation and special revelation.

General Revelation:

Both general and special revelation are considered divine disclosures, though general revelation does not specifically disclose matters necessary for salvation.  We’ll talk about that more when we look at special revelation.

By general revelation, we can see the existence of God.  We can see that God created the universe and is actively involved in it today.  We can see the power of God and the wonder of God.  We can see the eternality of God.  We can see the evil that is the reaction to the holiness and goodness of God.

The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology states the following regarding a summary of positions for general revelation:

1.     Some scholars deny any reality to general revelation.  Postulating an infinite qualitative distinction between God and persons and destruction of the imago Dei (the image of God) by the fall.  Barth refused to acknowledge any revelation outside the Word of God.

2.     Others concede the givenness of general revelation but deny that it registers as actual knowledge.  The Dutch Reformed School of Kuyper, Berkouwer, Van Til and followers insist that nature and history point to God only in those who antecedently have been illumined by regenerating grace.

3.     On the other extreme, many liberals insist that the light afforded by general revelation is sufficient for salvation.  One tradition focuses attention on the illuminatory value of ecstatic religious experience.  . . . A second liberal tradition claims that the human mind, utilizing the scientific method, is capable of ferreting out truth sufficient for humans to order their lives.  Thus, H.P. Van Dusen, H. DeWolf and others argue that since the world is ordered by God and reflects His will, a scientific analysis of persons and their environment will lead savingly to God.

4.     Aquinas and Thomistic tradition claim that the rational mind, aided by the analogy of being between God and humans and the law of cause and effect, is capable of proving God’s existence and the infinity of His perfections.  . . . Although optimistic about one’s natural ability to amass knowledge of God, he stressed that salvation requires higher truths mediated by special revelation.

5.     Authorities such as Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Hodge, Warfield, and Henry argue for the objective reality of general revelation and its limited utility for mediating elemental knowledge of God’s existence, character, and moral demand.  . . . Luther stated that ‘all men have the general knowledge that God is, that He has created heaven and earth, that He is just, that He punished the wicked, etc.’  Calvin similarly insisted that ‘evil wicked men are forced, by the mere view of earth and sky, to rise to the Creator.’  . . .”[1]

So, what does all of this mean?  General revelation is supplied by our view of the world around us.  Does general revelation save?  No, but it could lead someone to search further or to be persuaded to be more receptive to special revelation.  Why do I say that?  Some will argue that to view the sky or a tree or the birth of a child is sufficient to disclose salvation, but I think that is misguided.  Clearly those things are evidence of the existence of God, but they do not instruct that God’s salvation plan is that Jesus would come, live, die and resurrect – by the Grace of God – so that we can spend eternity with Him.

Let’s don’t discount general revelation, but let’s seek to understand its limitation and the necessity of special revelation.

Next time we will see if there are some traditional references to general revelation in the Bible.

Doug

[1] pp. 1019-1020.

Break

Looks like I'll be taking a break until March 29.  Then I have a vacation coming up starting April 5 through April 11 and then I'll be visiting my brother in Tucson the following week, so posting will probably be sparse during those two weeks as well, but I'll see what I can do.

Sorry is this inconveniences anyone.

Doug

Time Out

Now that we've finished the basic material that I use for my Christianity 101 class, I need to take a few days off.  I have received a request to talk a bit more about General and Special Revelation and I think that is a good topic.  I will plan to be back online after the weekend, so please check back in on March 22.

Thanks for all of the activity.

Doug

8 - WITNESSING AND EVANGELISM (Personal Methods)

8 - WITNESSING AND EVANGELISM (Personal methods)

Last time we looked at one method of witnessing that might be helpful. This time we’ll look at some personal methods.

I think one of the best methods of witnessing is one’s life style.  How do you live?  How to you act?  How do you react?  There are at least two dangers here.  The first is that this method could certainly be used as an excuse to not make any active effort to witness.  So be careful here.  Second, the life style must reflect Christ.  Of course no one ever does this completely well.  So take some time to contemplate your life.  How do I come across to people?  Is my Christian reputation good inside the church, but also outside the church?

One of my favorite ways is to simply ask the question:  How’s your spiritual life?  I have often done that at work.  In the legal business, people often come in with their lives flashing before their eyes.  Often it seems that everything is in ruin, whether by their fault, the fault of another or a combination of the two.  So, I’ll just sit and listen and take notes.  When the client is done, I’ll sit back and look.  The client will be looking for some good words of comfort.  Some pearls of legal wisdom.  Then, when it is quiet, I’ll say, “How’s your spiritual life?”

Sometimes clients have walked out. Sometimes they look at me as if I am a moron, but it is interesting.

Let me give you a short example.

One day a client came in.  He was huge.  Big and burley.  And hairy!  His hair came out of his chest through the buttons that ran up and down his shirt.  He had a permanent frown and a permanent snarl.  His voice was deep and gravelly.  He was an imposing and scary figure.  I listened to him for maybe a half hour.  He never stopped staring at me the entire time.  When he finished, I contemplated life style witnessing, but finally asked him the question, “How’s your spiritual life?”

This great big, gnarly guy frowned deeper and snarled deeper and then he sort of shook all over.  I thought about running, but my desk and this man sat between me and the door.  I thought to myself, “So this is how my life will end.”

And then, as he shook, he began to cry.  He shook and cried like a baby.  His shoulders heaved up and down like I have never seen.  It was uncontrollable and loud.  Finally, he asked me what I meant and I shared briefly with him.  Then he rose and we shook hands and he said he had to leave.

I never saw him again.  I’d like to tell you he knelt right there and prayed to receive Jesus.  But that didn’t happen.  Somewhere, somehow, I believe a seed was planted.

So, how’s your spiritual life?

Doug

7 - WITNESSING AND EVANGELISM (A Crutch)

7 - WITNESSING AND EVANGELISM (A Crutch)

Last time we looked at how people will treat me.  This time we’ll look at one method of witnessing that might be helpful.

There is a way, however, a crutch if you will, that will help.  One way is what is called “One Verse Evangelism” advanced by Randy Raysbrook, Discipleship Journal.  It is sometimes called “The Bridge to Life” used by The Navigators.  This approach is based on Romans 6:23:  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

You can use this verse on a napkin or an envelope.  It is pretty simple.

Sorry that you can't the the picture of the napkin here.

First, use the verse.  You can ask the person to whom you are witnessing, if I could sum up how to get to heaven in one Bible verse, would you want to hear it?  If the answer is “no,” you may not need to push it.  Otherwise, go ahead and write the Romans 6:23 verse down.  Next, draw the diagram, below.

It is best to draw the two cliffs first, with MAN on the left cliff and GOD on the right cliff.  Write WAGES, SIN and DEATH under MAN and ask:

1.                How would you define wages?

Something we receive for work.

2.                How would you feel if your boss didn’t pay you what you deserved?

I wouldn’t like it.  It wouldn’t be fair or right.

Point out that we have earned wages from God for how we live our lives. And ask:

3.                How do you think you have lived your life according to how God would want you to live?

Not so well.

Well, I haven’t lived that well either.  Sure, I’m not the worst person in the world, but I’m sure that God has expected more of me.

4.                How would you define sin?

I suppose that would be doing something bad.

Exactly.  Whenever we do something that is wrong or bad, that is sin.

5.                How would a person have to live in order to get to heaven?

Pretty good, I guess.

6.                Have you always lived a life as you have just described?

No.  or I’ve done OK, but not always.

Point out that sin has separated us from God by using the space between the cliffs in the picture.

7.                What thoughts come to mind when you think about death?

Not very pleasant thoughts. or I don’t think about it much. or It doesn’t matter.

The Bible teaches that death is forever.  It is eternal.  The Bible teaches that when one dies, he goes either to heaven or to hell.  If we die on the MAN side, there is no way to get to heaven.  No way to get to God.  This is what the Bible calls eternal death, or hell.

But there is good news.  Do you see the “but” in the Bible verse?

(Now write BUT at the bottom, between the two cliffs.  Then, below GOD, write, GIFT OF GOD, and ETERNAL LIFE.  Note the difference and the contrast between the words on either side of the cliffs.)

8.                How would you describe a gift?

That is what someone gives you for nothing.  It is a gift.

Right.  Some people think we have to earn God’s favor with what we do and how good we are, but that’s not true.

9.                “Of God” means that God has a gift for us.  It has already been paid for.

With all that is going on around us in this life, does a gift sound good to you?

Yes.

10.            How would you describe eternal life?

It is always and forever.

11.            Where are you now, in this picture?

I’m on the MAN side.

12.            Where would you like to be?

I’d like to be on the GOD side.

Here’s how to get there.  Not by works.  Not by just trying to be good.

13.            Do you see the final words of the Bible verse?  “…in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Yes.

14.            That’s the answer.

(Draw the cross in between the cliffs and write Jesus Christ horizontally.  Then write our Lord vertically, below that.

Jesus is the only path to heaven.  He is the only way to get to heaven.  By His death and resurrection, the price has been paid for your life.

15.            Would you like to cross that bridge right now?  It’s easy.  It is a gift.  All you have to do is to:

 

ADMIT that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.

BELIEVE that Jesus died and was resurrected as the price for your sin.

RECEIVE Jesus as your Lord and Savior and accept this free gift of eternal life.

If you would like to do that, we can pray right here, right now and you will know as of that moment that you will go to heaven when you die.

Now this is pretty formulaic and it is not magic, but it is a way to get started.  You may not be able to answer all of the questions, but even so, you can invite this person to study God’s Word with you or to join you in a Bible study or class or to attend church. 

Remember, it is not up to you.  Trust the Holy Spirit to work in your life and leave the results to God.

Next we’ll look at my personal approach.

Doug

6 - Witnessing and Evangelism (How will people treat me? Part Two)

6 - WITNESSING AND EVANGELISM (How will people treat me? Part Two)

 

Last time we looked at the first part of criticism.  Now we’ll look at the last part.

 

Our first character is the blind man.  Not only is he blind, but he has been blind from birth.  In the first five verses, the question being posed is who has sinned, to have caused such a disability.  This brings us to the second of the unnamed, that is, the Pharisees.  The inference of the question is that sickness or infirmity is necessarily caused by sin.  Of course, there is some truth in this because we are all born with a sin nature because Adam and Eve sinned.  But that is not what the Pharisees are asking.  After all, the Pharisees thought that they were without sin if they kept the law.  So the premise is that when one has a debilitating sickness or infirmity, it comes from sin.  Hence the question, not only who sinned, but was it the blind man himself or his parents.

 

My personal opinion on this issue is that particular sin may be a cause or even the cause of a particular illness.  I believe that God disciplines in a variety of ways.  Not that He would cause this infirmity, but that He may allow it. Not that He may allow it in order to punish us or just to be mean, but that it may be allowed in order to discipline us to righteousness and peace.

 

Heb 12:5-12

 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

 

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."  

 

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

 

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

 

This is a classic passage on discipline, hardship and endurance.  It is quite often difficult to accept hardship as loving discipline, but verse eleven says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  The message of this passage is that a father who disciplines in love wants the endurance to produce both righteousness and peace.

 

It seems clear to me that not all sickness or infirmity can be traced to sin.  It seems further true to me that not all sickness or infirmity can be traced to discipline.  Illness might very well be discipline, but it might also be just another part of God’s plan in which we are an extremely small piece.  We may never know what piece we are playing or we may find out much later.  Indeed, God’s plan has multiple purposes.  That is the beauty of our relationship with God.  Life’s great adventure!

 

The John 9 passage looks first at this theme of illness and sin and unequivocally say “no” by the words of Jesus.  Verse three says, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”  Is this discipline?  Is it another part of His great plan?  We don’t know about the former, but the latter is certainly true. 

 

So Jesus heals the man and, then the interesting thing happens.  This unnamed man has the opportunity to witness.  Some people don’t even recognize him.  The formerly blind man simply tells the truth.  Jesus has healed him.  The neighbors ask where is Jesus and he simply tells the truth.  He doesn’t know.  Now the trouble begins.

 

In verse 13, this man is brought before the Pharisees to answer the pseudo-claim that Jesus had healed him on the Sabbath.  Watch now what happens.  This is serious business at this particular time in history.  To violate the Sabbath is a crime!  Jesus is branded a sinner because He healed on the Sabbath.

 

Then in verse 18, the Pharisees want to talk to this man’s parents because they don’t believe that he was actually blind.  This is an interesting point because if the man wasn’t blind, then Jesus would not have healed him and therefore, no crime or sin of healing was committed on the Sabbath.

 

So now they ask the parents if this man is their son and if he was born blind. The parents, understanding the serious nature of the situation, answer that this is their son and that he was born blind, but as to why he can now see, “we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself. (v. 22)"   They were afraid of being put out of the synagogue.

 

So this man is called before the Pharisees a second time to ask about the event and about Jesus.  In one of the most profound statements in the Bible about witnessing:  25 He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

 

He is subject to insults and further questioning, but he continues to respond with the truth.  The bottom line is just as he has said, once I was blind and now I see.  Here is the lesson of witnessing.  No matter how difficult it gets, first tell the truth about your life and your conversion.  Just like this man, once I was blind and now I can see.  For you and me, it is probably not a physical blindness, but rather a spiritual blindness; a spiritual blindness that will cause eternal death.  But I can say to you, and you can say to others, “Once I was blind, now I see.”  This is a wonderful example of witnessing. 

 

The secret is what we see from Paul throughout the book of Acts.  What he did was to tell about his life before conversion, his conversion and his life after conversion.  This is an excellent example for us.  Tell about your life before conversion, tell about your conversion and tell about your life after conversion.

 

I understand that all that has been said so far can still be a bit intimidating.  Remember that we have already recognized the main key is to focus on Jesus.  There is simply no hope if we focus on ourselves. 

 

Next we’ll look at one method of witnessing.

 

Doug

5 - Witnessing and Evangelism (How will people treat me? Part One)

5 - WITNESSING AND EVANGELISM (How will people treat me? Part One)

Last time we looked at the question of confidence.  Now we’ll look at the question of criticism.

How will people treat me?  Will I be criticized?

The answer to this question is, “Of course!”  After all, we are in good company.  Jesus was criticized.  Most of the great biblical characters were criticized.  Look around you.  Whether famous, infamous or someone just like you and me, if the Gospel is shared, if faith in Jesus is expressed, there will be criticism. 

Let’s look at a good biblical example.

John 9:1-34

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 

6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7 "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Some claimed that he was.

Others said, "No, he only looks like him."

But he himself insisted, "I am the man."

10 "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.

11 He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."

12 "Where is this man?" they asked him.

"I don't know," he said.

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see."

16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath."

But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided.

17 Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened."

The man replied, "He is a prophet."

18 The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents. 19 "Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"

20 "We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself." 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."

24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."

25 He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

26 Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"

27 He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"

28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."

30 The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."

34 To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.

Here is a terrific story of what can happen if you have a story of grace, love and mercy to tell.  Other than Jesus, there are no names to this story, but the characters stand out in a bold and dynamic manner. 

Next we’ll continue to look at these verses.

Doug

4 - Witnessing and Evangelism (Confidence)

4 - WITNESSING AND EVANGELISM (Confidence)

Last time we looked at the question of why I must witness.  Now we’ll look at the question of confidence.

What if I am not Confident?  What if I don’t know what to say or how to say it?

This concern is understandable and it is one that many people advance.  Take a look at what Paul had to say about this very issue.

1 Cor 2:1-5

2:1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.   2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

Note that, from the words of Paul, we do not have to be eloquent in our speech.  We do not have superior knowledge or wisdom.  We do not have to use wise and persuasive words.  We do not have to be strong and fearless.  If we think we do, we are missing the point!  The focus is not on ME!   It is not I who accomplishes the task, but rather it is up to the Holy Spirit who is within us.  The focus is on the cross!

Paul tells us to focus on the cross in verse two.   “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”  This IS the key.  Focus on the cross.  The Gospel message IS that Jesus went willingly to His death that WE might live! 

John 15:13-14 says “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”  There is no greater love than that which Jesus has shown us.  There is no greater love, in spite of what may be going on in our personal lives, than our Father-God has sought fit to sacrifice His Son that WE might spend eternity with Him!!

So the real key is to understand that it is not my power, but rather that power of the Holy Spirit.  I must recognize this and then look at a non-believer with the compassion of Christ.

I can’t remember where I first heard this definition of witnessing, but I think it is a good one.  “Sharing the truth of the Gospel to others and leaving the results to God.”

Next we’ll look at criticism.

Doug