Witnessing -- By: Roger L. Peterson
Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 07:2 (Summer 1964)
Article: Witnessing
Author: Roger L. Peterson
Witnessing
Every Christian should be given the opportunity to learn about this important task from a study of the Scriptures as to its command, as to the approach one uses, and as to the plan that should be used in leading another to Christ, The command is repeated over and over in the Scriptures (Matt. 4:19; 28:18–20; John 15:16; 20:21; Acts 1:8). It is sometimes argued that this command was for the apostles and preachers, but a look at Acts 8:1, 4 quickly erases that view. Here we see that all the Christians were scattered abroad, except the apostles, and those who were scattered were doing the preaching of the Word. Notice, also, the preaching was done privately in the homes as much as, if not more than, in public places (Acts 2:46; 5:41; 20:20).
As to the approach we should take when we deal with the unsaved, it is well for us to look at Jesus’ approach to Nicodemus and also to the woman at the well in Samaria. With Nicodemus He used the direct approach. Jesus does not waste any time. He says, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Why is he so abrupt? Remember, Nicodemus came to Him. His heart was prepared. All he needed was the answer to the unspoken question upon his heart. With the Samaritan woman He used the indirect approach. Jesus was careful to prepare her before He announced Himself (cf. John 4:1–26). As Dr. R. V. Clearwaters has said, “He attracted her attention (7–9), appealed to her heart (10–15), and aroused a consciousness of sin within her (16–24) before He announced Himself as the Messiah (25, 26).” This is the approach that is needed when we go from house to house, when we go from individual to individual with the Gospel.
Here is a very simple plan with an indirect approach. There are other variations of it, (1) To start, the soul-winner talks about spiritual things in a general manner. He may be taking a religious survey or he may be following-up a person who attended one of the services of the church. He should fill out a census card on the fa...
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