News-Record.com

You must be kidding. Billboards, newspaper ads, TV transmissions, radio transmissions, ads in theater slide shows, tee-shirts, bumper stickers, door-to-bloody-door salespeople, fliers left under windshield wipers... churches have used all of these around here in recent months, some of them have been going on for decades or even centuries.

How could anyone NOT know about them?

Synagogues and mosques (not to mention Buddhist wats) are more self-secure and don't feel the need to spread by marketing. Good on them -- they make far less annoying neighbors.

wanna know how there are churches, mosques etc. in the neighborhoods ......... why don't you come out tonite to asheboro high school and join in the many churches that are participating in the relay for life - you'll find me & my family along with our church there supporting this good cause.
eric you are right about one thing, many churches used many means to spread the gospel message - after all that is what Jesus commanded us to do. those others you mentioned were not commissioned to do the same, hence their lack of participation. and for you 'self secured' must rank high on your priorities - for me, self anything is destined for failure, i've been promised if i seek the kingdom and the righteousness of God FIRST, other things will be added. biblical Christianity does not march to the same tune that many others do - we have a higher calling and i thank God for Jesus Christ.

Buz, can I have your address? Thinking the next time the JW's wake me early on a Saturday and litter my porch with Watchtowers or the Mormon Bicycle Ninjas interrupt my dinner you wouldn't mind if I sent them to YOUR house.

"Synagogues and mosques (not to mention Buddhist wats) are more self-secure and don't feel the need to spread by marketing."

While I do not think all that tries to pass for evangelism in our modern techno-culture is valid biblically - especially the brazenly obvious hucksterism of some TV versions (miracle water for a price; or send us $$$$ and you'll get your miracle or cash reward), it must be realized, as Buz noted, that Jesus Himself has commissioned His disciples to spread the good nes of the Kingdom to the uttermost parts fo the earth; because His Kingdom is an unshakeable, everlasting one that is destined to bring true peace, justice and rieghteousness on earth (as it is in heaven)

The Jews still cling to their national-identity religion and rejected the opportunity to join Yeshua's onmi-racial, world-wide spirituality. Their "security" and insularity may be Law-ful, but it lacks the Messianic imperative of the Gospel message.

Buddhism is very ascetic and introverted, especially in its Hinayana
version; but even IT spread rather aggressively throughout S E Asia in certain historical periods.

And as for Muslims: they have a good understanding that sin can be restrained outwardly by law-keeping, but have no knowledge of NT forgiveness, grace and agape. And I do not consider blowing up innocent people being “secure.” And they ARE very aggressive in trying to win people over by persuasive means to Islam in countries that allow it – Europe for now.

But the best way for the Church to model and convince is to live out the powerful reality of the Gospel is simply to DO IT. But this requires dying to self, by grace, and giving all one is and has to God’s service. It's not the big programs and crussades that most truly reveal the Body of CHrist in the world, but indicidual lives filled with the Spirit, the love of Christ and everyday acts of grace and love.

alice,
thank you for your thoughtfullness but i feel the same as you do about unpreannounced visits from those you mentioned. when any church which i attend does the door to door calls, i pass on joining them. if others are comfortable with that approach then i say go and enjoy yourselves. personally i find many opportunities to share my faith on a daily basis (not that i always take advantage though).
i can't help but wonder when i read your posts, what has caused you to be so vehement towards God and those that serve him.surely you do not believe that if one is a Christian that they automaticaaly deserve your vehemnce ?
i believe that many of the atheist and agnostics who post here are good people that love family & friends and even serve their communities, albeit they are devoid of the love for God. that doesn't make them bad people - just lost from everlasting life - but even that has a remedy.
did you happen to make it out to the relay for life event fri or sat ? if you did i hope you ate one of the burgers or dogs i cooked ! :-)
nikos even though your last post did not have your name posted - it was a good post !!

I believe that the Church is in a great awakening move of God at this time. In fact, this MAY be the final phase in bringing the Messianic Kingdom into world-wide ascendancy. As Habakkuk 2:14 says, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”

But we Christians must become educated as to what the biblical mandate really is, and the requisite repentance and change that we must undergo if the kingdom is to truly come. I do not buy into the rapture theory at all. It is based on utter misinterpretation of key passages. Although things may look bleak and cataclysmic at present, I believe it is all simply a necessary phase in purifying and maturing the Church to be one of God’s means to advance and establish the Kingdom. The world must also be prepared to acknowledge the Messianic King; so the fearsome events that are taking place are part of that process as well. The “all things work together” dynamic of Romans 8.28 is the operative principle here.

Even if the Church is not fully ready and able to rule and reign with Christ on the earth for a thousand years (figurative language for a long, divinely ordained, period of time – ten is the number of divine perfection, and 10 cubed speaks of the Trinitarian element) – the Church must begin to stand firmly for the truth of the Gospel and the Law/Word of God, impacting every facet of civilization. Perhaps in the process of standing and being opposed, even persecuted, She will mature and grow. Now is always the time to “stand and having done all to stand.” The world is watching, and we haven’t given them much to look at over the last century or so – some bright spots, but a much greater degree of maturity and holiness is required.

nikos,
i have been accused of being your "yes" man and i admit i most often agree with your theology. and your last post have but one exception, that being, through my studies i have come to believe in the rapture of the church and i have looked into other views (such as yours)but still come away with my belief intact. the beauty of being able to disagree with you on this one point is that whether your right or i'm right, is that doesn't affect our salvation. now if you said you didn't believe in the resurrection then we might have a discussion ;-)
i agree the church has some maturing to accomplish, Amen.

You're exactly right, Buz. This is not an issue to be judgmental about or to withdraw fellowship over. I have some very good Christian friends with whom I disagree regarding eschatology. Our debates just help us to sharpen our interpretive and theological skills.

May I point out, in love, that Matt. 24 says explicitly that the generation with whom Jesus was speaking would witness all that follows. It is prophetic language, borrowed from OT passages. Stars falling and moons turning to blood are NOT meant to be taken literally, like narrative passages, but as "collapsing universe" imagery depicting the cataclysmic nature of the end of the OT Temple and sacrifical system, which had been superceded by Messiah's perfect atonement and New Covenant order. And the Book of Revelation bears internal evidence that the things it speaks about are to quickly come to pass - then, not at some future time.

The upshot of all this (and much more, of course) is that the Kingdom was inaugurated at Christ's ascension, and session at the right hand of the Father; and has been growing and increasing thru missions, evangelism and discipleship over the centuries; and will eventually be made manifest throughout the earth. As Peter said in Acts 2:34 & 35, "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'”

This passage speaks of the Father entrusting the Kingdom to His Son/Messiah to reign over and extend until all Christ's enemies, both human and Satanic, and vanquished.

Well, anyway, there are at least three ways to see the Kingdom and the manner in which it is to come. I respect your view; it has many fine Christian expositors among its proponents. It's great to be able to debate and discuss such important, if not key, issues in the love of Christ, isn't it.

You might want to check out www.AmericanVision.org for more books on millenial views and rapture theology.

The peace of Christ!

You're exactly right, Buz. This is not an issue to be judgmental about or to withdraw fellowship over. I have some very good Christian friends with whom I disagree regarding eschatology. Our debates just help us to sharpen our interpretive and theological skills.

May I point out, in love, that Matt. 24 says explicitly that the generation with whom Jesus was speaking would witness all that follows. It is prophetic language, borrowed from OT passages. Stars falling and moons turning to blood are NOT meant to be taken literally, like narrative passages, but as "collapsing universe" imagery depicting the cataclysmic nature of the end of the OT Temple and sacrifical system, which had been superceded by Messiah's perfect atonement and New Covenant order. And the Book of Revelation bears internal evidence that the things it speaks about are to quickly come to pass - then, not at some future time.

The upshot of all this (and much more, of course) is that the Kingdom was inaugurated at Christ's ascension, and session at the right hand of the Father; and has been growing and increasing thru missions, evangelism and discipleship over the centuries; and will eventually be made manifest throughout the earth. As Peter said in Acts 2:34 & 35, "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'”

This passage speaks of the Father entrusting the Kingdom to His Son/Messiah to reign over and extend until all Christ's enemies, both human and Satanic, and vanquished.

Well, anyway, there are at least three ways to see the Kingdom and the manner in which it is to come. I respect your view; it has many fine Christian expositors among its proponents. It's great to be able to debate and discuss such important, if not key, issues in the love of Christ, isn't it.

You might want to check out www.AmericanVision.org for more books on millenial views and rapture theology.

The peace of Christ!

Sorry folks, my computer is acting up.

nikos,
thank you for that explantion ( of which i was familiar ). whether yours, mine nor neither explanation is correct matters little to me - for i know in whom i trust and am assured of my fate. i generally go by the 30 second rule - which is :
i am on an airplane, the pilot says we are 3000 miles from land and that all systems have failed and the plane will crash in 30 seconds and most assuredly everyone will die - i can do several things, i can turn to the person next to me whom i already know does not know Jesus ( i know this because we have been in the air for hours before this emergency and have broached the subject of salvation )and try to explain the rapture and all the end time prophecies and do my best to get them to understand MY pov on these subjects and ultimately the plan crashes and all die - OR i can choose to tell them of Gods love and His wonderful plan of salvation and ask them to receive Christ as Savior. there is a place and time for theological discussions and there is more than amble time to share the gospel, of which i really prefer to do. so may the grace and peace of God fall on those whom it will, Amen !