Why No Interest? Poll Included!!
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:56 am
Why when you can an evangelism meeting at Church only 10% (that's high!) or so show up? Why when you have a concert or a Bible study do a lot more people come?
I've read Acts 1:8 lots of times but most recently when I glanced over it something caught my attention that I hadn't noticed before. It had always clicked that the apostles received power from above (the Holy Spirit) to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and ends of earth...
Then two things connected - people aren't really interested in Evangelism. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, wrote in his book "The Coming Revival" that less than 2% of Christians share their faith regularly. If they aren't interested in being a witness for Jesus then I got to wondering if they have ever received (or been baptized in) the Holy Spirit.
So, here is the poll. Definitions:
1) For Baptism in the Holy Spirit see the following...
Acts 1:5, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:14-25, Acts10:44-48, Acts 11:16, Acts 19:1-7. By scripture, there is a distinction between salvation (believing the good news and trusting in Jesus) and being filled or baptized with the Holy Spirit (for the work of the ministry). I guess that's debateable in certain circles but just go with it for this poll.
2) Sharing faith - talking about God, scripture, doctrines, the gospel, etc. Sharing faith must include preaching Romans 10:14 not just living a certain lifestyle.
3) "Regularly" - around 3 times a week sounds reasonable. Once a week is acceptable too, there's 52 weeks in a year. That's 52 people to hear the good news!
I've read Acts 1:8 lots of times but most recently when I glanced over it something caught my attention that I hadn't noticed before. It had always clicked that the apostles received power from above (the Holy Spirit) to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and ends of earth...
Then two things connected - people aren't really interested in Evangelism. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, wrote in his book "The Coming Revival" that less than 2% of Christians share their faith regularly. If they aren't interested in being a witness for Jesus then I got to wondering if they have ever received (or been baptized in) the Holy Spirit.
So, here is the poll. Definitions:
1) For Baptism in the Holy Spirit see the following...
Acts 1:5, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:14-25, Acts10:44-48, Acts 11:16, Acts 19:1-7. By scripture, there is a distinction between salvation (believing the good news and trusting in Jesus) and being filled or baptized with the Holy Spirit (for the work of the ministry). I guess that's debateable in certain circles but just go with it for this poll.
2) Sharing faith - talking about God, scripture, doctrines, the gospel, etc. Sharing faith must include preaching Romans 10:14 not just living a certain lifestyle.
3) "Regularly" - around 3 times a week sounds reasonable. Once a week is acceptable too, there's 52 weeks in a year. That's 52 people to hear the good news!