Ed Walsh
Puritan Board Senior
This entire thread about the obligation, and the mistaken idea you and I as laypersons are obligated to the task of evangelism. I am sorry but as alluded to previously the "ordinary" way people come to Jesus is by preaching (which Our Lord can use the preachers in the scripture BTW). Any other extraordinary way, such as a dorm buddy who thinks they "led" (this for Josh) another to Christ, speaks against Romans 10:14
Hi Earl,
I am still in the midst of reading through all the posts so if what I say has been mentioned before please understand.
Here's a question: Does your view of Romans 10:14 bar parents from "preaching" teaching the gospel to their children? What about "masters" and servants?
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Q. 29. What are the duties of masters to their servants?
A. To be meek and gentle towards them, forbearing threatening, Eph. 6:9; to instruct them in the principles of religion, Gen. 18:19; to see to their external observance of the Sabbath, Ex. 20:10; and to pay them punctually their wages, Deut. 24:15. (Fisher's Catechism)
What about the third commandment and the duty of the father or other head of the household to enforce the Sabbath? Must he do this without the gospel?
Exodus 20:10
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
BTW - I agree that laymen should never set themselves up as or proclaim himself a preacher with a congregation under him, etc. But to not share the gospel, if one is able, is going against the tenor of Scripture and all that it means to be human. What did the early Christians go the lions for? Did they say nothing? Were they supposed to say nothing? I also agree that there should be no guilt trip placed on every member of the congregation to be a "preacher." In some instances, perhaps, some people should be dissuaded from sharing the gospel. But to think that a Christian can say just about anything EXCEPT the gospel is a bit strange to me.
Luke 6:45
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Acts 4:20
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
To think that I am forbidden from explaining the gospel to a friend or employee in the hope that God will grant repentance would be as unnatural for me as a fish out of the water.