Evangelism Archives - Page 3 of 11

The What, Why, and How Of Born-Again

December 29, 2020 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

You won’t find a passage in the Bible more beloved or quoted than John 3 but why it is so prominent in Christian thinking?

What: The Significance

John 3 starts out as a private conversation and blossoms into the most significant passage in the Bible. It is the focal point of everything in the Old Testament and the summary of everything in the New Testament.

If the Old Testament forms a theological mountain of sorts, the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus represents the peak. The words in this passage would definitely be high on the list when choosing a motto for Christianity’s family crest: Ye Must Be Born-Again.

Nic and Jesus conversed only one time but the topic of discussion (the new birth) represents the starting point for every Christian. Christians may disagree on many things but the new birth isn’t one of them. It binds us all together. It’s the starting point and the foundation for every conversation.

That makes it one of the most significant and favorite conversations in the Bible. It is mentioned so often that even people who don’t attend church are familiar with the exchange.

What: The Predicament

The story isn’t complicated. Nicodemus approached Jesus at night, under the cover of darkness. He used the cover of night probably to avoid any backlash for meeting with Jesus, whose recent ministry activities had created quite a division among the Jews.

Nic probably had questions but instead of asking a question, he made a confession.

Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God for no one could do the things you do if God is not with him. (John 3:2)

He called Jesus Rabbi. Some translations use the word Master. Either word makes this a significant conversation. We mustn’t read over that too quickly. Rabbis were the most respected teachers in the community and Nicodemus was a Rabbi. A Rabbi calling Jesus a Rabbi was the equivalent of calling Jesus the Rabbi’s Rabbi, the master’s master.

[do_widget id=media_image-4]

The interesting point is Nic was moved by Jesus’ actions, not His words.

No man could do what you do except God be with him.

More importantly, though, this observation enabled Nic to recognize Jesus for who He was.

We know you are a teacher come from God.

Teacher, by the way, is another expression of great respect and all of this together reflects Nic’s logic. He saw the miracles Jesus performed (John 2:23). He probably witnessed Jesus cleansing the Temple but instead of taking offense like his fellow teachers, he was compelled to investigate further. Confused maybe. Uncertain, yes, but not indifferent.

While his Rabbi peers were skalking around finding fault, Nic came to the only sensible, logical deduction a person could reach: Jesus wasn’t just another trouble maker. He was from God.

But he couldn’t see further than that truth. His vision was good but only for so far. Jesus was still an enigma hence the reason for the meeting. Nic still had questions. [Read more…] about The What, Why, and How Of Born-Again

2 Categories of People Jesus Can Really Help

November 22, 2020 by EnnisP 2 Comments

Jesus Loves Everyone Equally
Even When They Don’t Know It

To be clear Jesus is more than capable of saving any and every soul. He died for everyone. Not just the elect or the specially chosen or those that actually believe.

He died for every single soul.

And that isn’t just an opinion. The Bible states this clearly in spite of anything you’ve heard to the contrary.

He (Jesus) is the propitiation (payment for) our sins (believers sins) and not for our sins only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)

The meaning is clear. Jesus didn’t die for believers only but for the whole world.

There is a figure of speech used here that further emphasizes this truth. The figure is called Epanorthosis in Greek and it means “Correction.” In this case, it corrects the original limitation of He died for believers’ sins by extending the meaning to everyone, even nonbelievers.

Instead of Jesus dying for believers only, the meaning is extended to He died for the whole world or every person. The word “World” is also a figure. It refers to the physical world and to everyone in it.

I don’t want to over labor the point but John 3:16 also says God loved not just those who believe but the whole world.

[do_widget id=media_image-4]

The question, though, is who are the two kinds of people that Jesus can really help? The answer is simple. The best among us and the worst among us. [Read more…] about 2 Categories of People Jesus Can Really Help

6 Observations From Jesus Healing A Leper

November 14, 2020 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

God Sees The Less Privileged Differently
And Honors Them With Accountability

Jesus is often referred to as a personal Savior but you have to break that down to understand what it really means. Saying He is a Savior is one thing. Calling Him personal is another.

The Savior part isn’t that difficult to understand. He died for our sins, all of our sins, a price we could never pay ourselves. That sacrifice makes salvation from eternal condemnation possible.

But what about the Personal part?

We could say “Personal” means He’s interested. His sacrifice was motivated by concern for us. The Bible clearly says that His death was an expression of love (Romans 5:8). What that means is He really cares about the individuals He saves. He not only saves them, but He also wants them to be saved.

He’s disappointed when they don’t get saved and elated when they do.

He’s spiritually and emotionally involved.

That’s personal.

[do_widget id=media_image-4]

The caring part shouldn’t be assumed. There are many people whose work involves saving people from calamities: lifeguards, Firemen, EMTs, police, and more. Lifeguards are required to be strong swimmers. Caring about the people they save from drowning is an added benefit but isn’t required.

Jesus did, however, care. He was emotionally involved and His caring is evident as the following story indicates.

Mercy Is Not A Synonym For Salvation

December 10, 2018 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Universally Offered
Individually Accepted

God made a curious statement to Moses in the Old Testament (Exodus 33:19), and Paul repeats it in the New Testament not once, but twice. The first repeat is found in Romans 9:15.

I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Though the wording is slightly different, the second is in verse 18.

The topic is Mercy and the context is Service in both passages.

It’s an interesting statement because it sounds restrictive, as if God is selectively rather than generously merciful. Makes it sound like some are in and some are out.

Interpretations vary but some take it to an extreme suggesting there is no rhyme or reason, no formula for who receives mercy and who doesn’t. God shows mercy only to a select few and reveals no reason for the choices He makes.

If you’re lucky enough to receive mercy, be grateful. If not, sorry.

[do_widget id=media_image-4]

The Romans passage does mention specific people: Ishmael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob. Even nations are named: Gentiles and Israel. And sure enough, in each pair, one is selected and the other is left out. [Read more…] about Mercy Is Not A Synonym For Salvation

Bible Election And The Case Of The Frozen Brain

November 2, 2018 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Question 7 of the Westminster Short Catechism asks:

What are the decrees of God?

I guess it’s a good question but the catechism gives no indication as to why they ask or why it’s important. Seems a bit mysterious.

I’m curious as to why they mention “Decrees” at all. The word doesn’t feature widely in the Old or New Testaments so you’re left wondering, but not for long. The catechism’s answer to this strange question takes a huge leap from the mysteriously broad to the philosophically outrageous:

The decrees of God are His eternal purpose, according to the counsel of His will, whereby, for His own glory, He hath FOREORDAINED WHATSOEVER COMES TO PASS.

The answer gets right to the point but instead of clearing the air, it leaves you confused and fretful, not to mention shocked!

Did they really say God ordained “Whatsoever comes to pass?”

If you’re a thinking person and you extend this short statement to its logical end, many difficult questions arise. So many, in fact, that the brain freezes up like a PC. It becomes a hailstorm of inquiry.

Did God really foreordain murder, mayhem, genocide, abuse, corruption, oppression, natural catastrophe and so on? The inferred meaning is impossible to miss. It’s also difficult to accept.

It really boils down to just one question. Are horrible things really a part of God’s will and has His personal counsel guided events to such conclusions?

And if the answer to that question is yes, you are compelled to ask an additional question. How can these horrible things possibly glorify God?

Amazingly, and in spite of the logical implications, those who hold these beliefs are unfazed. The unfortunate but unequivocal response to “Are you sure about this” is “Yes! Everything that happens is in sync with God’s predetermined will!”

[do_widget id=media_image-4]

And if in the interest of clarity you should inquire further, the rationale becomes a bit circular.

Everything happens and is foreordained by God in order to serve His eternal purpose and to glorify Himself, and because it is for His own glory, it’s all arranged by the counsel of His own will!!

In other words, everything is God’s will because God wills it to be so.

There’s even a simple explanation for those who are stumped by an intellectual impasse or two along this thought path.

God is beyond our understanding and does as He pleases whether we understand it or not.

No problem!

That, of course, isn’t an answer. This entire discussion implies many uncomfortable characterizations of God which are difficult to swallow but don’t be too disturbed. According to Paul, we can be sure God will not deny Himself. He will not do things contrary to His character (2 Tim. 2:13). [Read more…] about Bible Election And The Case Of The Frozen Brain