A New Approach
Material from the book: New Testament Witnessing by Elden K. Walter
How Traditional Methods Evolved
Doctrine the Essence of Denominationalism
Trying to understand the traditional approach to evangelism, I suppose one would need to recognize that especially since the days of the reformation, the existence of various denominational persuasions has necessitated an evangelistic approach built on doctrinal argument. Only in this fashion could they convert others to their faith. It seemed necessary to justify denominational entities.
The rise of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the mid-nineteenth century made such a doctrinal approach more necessary because of it’s unique beliefs.
Early Adventists United by Doctrinal Agreement
Since they came from a wide spectrum of denominational persuasions, they could only experience unity through the catalyst of doctrinal agreement. This union was hammered out in early Bible conferences held by the pioneers. These historical facts resulted in looking to the doctrinal pillars held in common as the essence of the message, leaving the fundamental good news of salvation to be taken for granted.
Doctrinal Approach Effective in Christian Community
Doctrinal Approach Effective in Christian Community
Doctrinal Approach Effective in Christian Community
So evangelism had become largely a process of explaining to others doctrinal truth, the assumption being that when one understood what church was teaching the “faith once delivered to the saints” in terms of doctrinal truth he would be compelled to embrace the message. This assumption was valid because most people were already persuaded of the basic claims of Christianity. This approach worked and it bore fruit. Those who were already evangelical Christians in their experience, regarded it as a forward step in their Christian life. Those who were backslidden from their Christian up-bringing and principles, upon being revived in regard to the great truths of the Bible were often brought to conviction and rededicated their hearts to the Lord simultaneously with their acceptance of the truth.
No Longer Effective
The present problems arise from the fact that several generations ago, this ceased to be a valid staging from which to launch the thrust of the three angel’s messages.
Beliefs of Population Have Changed - Limits Potential - Soul-Winning Approach Must Change
In the first place, such a concept of our work limits the target group with whom we propose to work, to those who are already truly Christians or have latent Christian convictions. That target group probably constituted a majority of the population here in the United States until well into the twentieth century, but several generations ago, this kind of target group dwindled until today it probably constitutes a very small minority. Consequently the methods we have used have become less and less productive. Our approach is nearly irrelevant to an ever-growing majority of the population. What difference can it make which day you keep to one who doesn’t even believe the Bible? What significance is the 2300 days or the Millennium to one who doesn’t believe in prophecy? Of what concern is the judgment or standards of Christian conduct to one who isn’t sure there is a God? The appropriate question now is “Where is the best place to begin with today’s majority?”
The Eternal Gospel is the Forgotten Message of the First Angel!
Everlasting Gospel Must Come First - Assurance of Salvation Basic - Masses are Responsive to Provisions of Gospel
Review and Herald, Feb. 22, 1887, “There are many who want to know what they must do to be saved. They want a plain and clear explanation of the steps requisite in conversion.… to especially make plain the way that sinners may come to Christ and be saved. They should point them to Christ, as did John, and with touching simplicity, their hearts aglow with the love of Christ, say, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ ”
SOP Urged this New Emphasis - “Without Me You Can Do Nothing”
The entire concept was put into book form in Steps to Christ. How slow we have been to realize that a saving relationship with Christ is best arrived at just in the way it is put in this book: first understanding God’s love and His mercy and grace, then man’s lost condition and the sinner’s need, followed by what Jesus did to meet that need and the salvation He purchased for us on Calvary and then the assurance of eternal life and the sonship with Christ, which comes with consecration and faith and acceptance. If the book Steps to Christ, says anything at all, it says that this is the most winning approach to lost men and women. Only after these steps do we find presented it’s chapters on the duties of the Christion life and the tests of discipleship. Should we be surprised that the results of our evangelistic endeavors are so meager, when we have first persuaded men and women of doctrinal truth, then urged upon them every idealistic duty of Christian living; and after building the platform so high, invited them to come up on it in one giant step, by surrendering to Christ. Without first having Christ’s power in the life and the assurance of salvation through Jesus, one could scarcely find the courage to accept the high calling which we espouse. Without the hope that a saving relationship with Christ brings to the heart, the requirements of church membership can lead often to despair.
The Great Need Today is the Simple Gospel
“Bring the people right to Jesus Christ, in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered.… presenting it in a simple style …”
“There are more souls longing to understand how they may come to Christ than we imagine. Many listen to popular sermons from the pulpit, and know no better than before they listened, how to find Jesus and the peace and rest which their souls desire.… the people are more ignorant in regard to the plan of salvation, and need more instruction upon this all-important subject, than upon any other.”
“The very first and most important thing is to melt and subdue the soul by presenting our Lord Jesus Christ as the sin-pardoning Saviour.”
Assurance Before Membership
Some question the propriety of teaching an assurance of salvation before there is reformation and church membership. Let’s study this question.
In the light of the clear mandate we have above, why have we insisted on putting a study of salvation far down the list of subjects, after teaching reformation of life? Could it be the fact that if you present Jesus first, you should invite the person to accept Him. And if you did, he just might receive Him! And then you would have to believe that he was a child of God and has eternal life! (John 1:12; 6:47; 1 John 5:9–13). And this could be a real problem if you have believed that righteousness by faith was only for good church members!
Where is Motivation for Growth and Obedience - Love is a More Powerful Motive
Some may ask: If an unbeliever merely receives Christ as His Saviour and claims pardon and eternal life in such a brief presentation of the gospel, would this not stifle motivation for further growth and reformation of life? The answer is most emphatically “no”. Love and acceptance are far stronger motivations for reformation of life than fear or rejection. Have you ever noticed the miraculous change in grooming habits when a teen “falls in love”? All the bribes or threats were of no avail! But when there is a new love experience, PRESTO!
“Some seem to feel that they must be on probation and must prove to the Lord that they are reformed before they can claim His blessings.” “There are conscientious souls that trust partly to God, and partly to themselves. They do not look to God, to be kept by His power, but depend upon watchfulness against temptations, and the performance of certain duties for acceptance with Him. There are no victories in this kind of faith. Such persons toil to no purpose; their souls are in continued bondage, and they find no rest until their burdens are laid at the feet of Jesus.
“God will accept every one that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified Saviour. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there is an abiding, peaceful trust. Every burden is light; for the yoke which Christ imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness. This is walking in the light as Christ is in the light.”
“… lead them to behold Christ in His loveliness; then they will turn away from everything that would draw their affections away from Him. This is the principle of the Saviour’s dealing with men; it is the principle that must be brought into the church.”
Seeing is Believing
More importantly, if we were accustomed to witnessing the transformations and miracles of victory that follow a simple trust in Jesus as Saviour, we would not even suggest that assurance of salvation destroys motivation for spiritual growth and obedience. The only way to gain confidence in this kind of work is to see it actually happening in all of its mystifying power.
Christ Gave Assurance First
Think it through, at what point in his Christian life is it proper for one to have assurance of salvation? None would doubt that those who are well along the Christian pathway may claim assurance. Yet even after we become stabilized members of the church, we are still far from the ideal of Christlikeness. We still need motivation for victories and reformation! So if insecurity were essential to growth, assurance would never be the Christian birthright, as the scriptures declare it to be. And if an individual is ever to have a right to the assurance of God’s love and acceptance, if he is ever to possess the assurance of eternal life, he has that right from the moment he receives Christ as His Saviour, as well as at any other moment of growth along the way. The assurance of eternal life is based upon a relationship with Christ and not on a stage of growth, as witness Bible examples: the thief on the cross, the delivered demoniac of Gadara, the adulterous woman …, etc. The Bible teaches that we may rejoice in the assurance of salvation all along this growing way. Righteousness by faith is not just for better church members. It is for every believer, from the moment he comes to Christ. (The second chapter covers this subject more thoroughly.)
So the first secret of a new and more successful approach to witnessing will be found in presenting first the first message of the first angel—the eternal gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, bringing the believer to the assurance of eternal life.
Why Public Evangelism Must Be Different in Some Respects
(Although public evangelism is not the subject of this manual it will nevertheless be asked: “Can we successfully approach a public presentation of the message in this way?” Some are making progress in this direction, however it is my belief that we must recognize that public evangelism makes certain demands in the matter of holding an audience night after night, which is not true when one is winning souls on a one to one basis. Therefore subjects of current interest, and prophecy, which do not neglect to include the gospel, will probably be used largely in the early stages of public presentations. Since you cannot know which night a person will first attend a crusade you cannot control what he hears first. But in personal evangelism you have this control. It was no doubt undesirable to structure personal evangelism along the lines of public evangelism in the first place. Furthermore the ideal in public evangelism is to have, as a large proportion of the non-member attendance, individuals who have been led to Christ by the laymen. This is what will bring about a new day in public evangelism.)
Essential Elements of This New Approach Which Distinguish it From the Traditional Method
A Standard, Basic Presentation Memorized
Training in the Homes Absolutely Essential
A regular, in-service training program for lay witnessing, actually taking the laymen into the homes and letting them see how it is done, and supervising their first presentations. Probably it could be said that our disappointments in lay evangelism can be charged as much as anything to failure on this point.
The Great Credibility Gap
Failure of Classes in Soul-winning - Minister to Give Individual Instruction
Many Good Plans Don’t Work in Field
Minister to be a Talent Scout
Working for Unsaved a Special Work - On-the-Job Training Essential
Regular Weekly Schedule for Soul-Winning a Must
Noon or Evening Lunch is Helpful
Best to Begin with Few
Work of the Trainers
Wise Laborers Discern and Develop Talent
Present Testimony That Will Excite Desire to Find Christ
The use of personal testimony and the assurance of eternal life enthusiastically presented so as to excite in others a desire for personal salvation through Jesus Christ. One whole chapter of this book will deal with learning to present a winning testimony.
“God desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its power.… His blessings He presents in the most alluring terms. He is not content merely to announce these blessings; He presents them in the most attractive way, to excite a desire to possess them. So His servants are to present the riches of the glory of the unspeakable gift.”
Change Soul-Winning Psychology from “Warning” to “Good News”
We need to let our imagination grasp the psychological difference between our traditional doctrinal approach and this new salvation first approach.
Our traditional, doctrinal approach gives one the feeling that he is going forth to straighten out the people on their doctrine, to tell them they are wrong about the day that they keep, wrong about the food that they eat, wrong about their understanding of death, etc., and if they will just get straightened out on their beliefs, they would be Seventh-day Adventists.
We have also conceived of our message as a warning message, and it does have a warning in it, but it ought to be first and foremost and above all “Good News.” Bearing a negative message of warning is dreary work at best.
There is little doubt that ministers and laymen alike, would be far more enthusiastic about “bearing of good news to lost people.” The psychology is dramatically different, as we have witnessed in our training programs. The doctrines and warnings must be given, but they are given and received in a new and positive light when Christ and salvation have come first.
The Contrast of a Christ-First with Doctrine-First Approach
Souls are longing to hear of a God who loves them, who will forgive their sins and remove the fear of death with the promise of eternal life. The story of the cross is welcome to every class of people.
The distinct difference in a “doctrine” versus “salvation” approach has been pointed out: “Often the doctrinal subjects are presented with no special effect; for men expect others to press upon them their doctrines; but when the matchless love of Christ is dwelt upon, His grace impresses the heart. There are many who are sincerely seeking for light, who know not what they must do to be saved. Oh, tell them of the love of God, of the sacrifice made on Calvary’s cross to save the perishing!”
“The love of Jesus will melt and win hearts when the mere reiteration of doctrine will accomplish nothing.”
“Present Jesus because you know Him as your personal Saviour. Let His melting love, His rich grace, flow forth from human lips. You need not present doctrinal points unless questioned. But take the Word, and with tender, yearning love for souls, show them the precious righteousness of Christ, to whom you and they must come to be saved.”
“To the Gentiles, (Paul) preached Christ as their only hope of salvation, but did not at first have anything to say upon the law. But after their hearts were warmed with the presentation of Christ as the gift of God to our world … he showed … that they might be saved by surrendering their hearts to Him. Thus when melted and subdued, they gave themselves to the Lord, he presented the law of God as the test of their obedience. This was the manner of his working.…”
It Takes Time to Train Effective Workers - Thorough Training Required
Self-Image of Many Ministers Needs Change
Blundering Members Who Are Working Are to be Preferred over Perfect Preachers Who Are Not Putting Members to Work.
“Now, God has made us teachers of the flock, and He wants us to educate them in every branch of the work, that we may bring in all the talents. Our ministers do the labor instead of educating others to take the responsibility of the cause. The minister’s work should be the work of a teacher. One laborer might set twenty to work in less time than it would take him to do the work himself. Let them blunder and make mistakes, and then kindly show them how they can do it better, and then you can be educating, educating, educating, until you have men and women who have experience in the things of God and can carry responsibility, and this is what we have been suffering for.”
Working for Unsaved is the Work of Christ
“The greatest help that can be given our people is to teach them to work for God, and to depend on Him, not on the ministers.… There are times when it is fitting for our ministers to give on the Sabbath, in our churches, short discourses, full of the life and love of Christ. But the church-members are not to expect a sermon every Sabbath.… Let church-members, during the week, act their part faithfully, and on the Sabbath relate their experience. The meeting will then be as meat in due season, bringing to all present new life and fresh vigor. When God’s people see the great need of working as Christ worked for the CONVERSION OF SINNERS, the testimonies borne by them in the Sabbath service will be filled with power.
The Cause of Coldness and Formalism
“We have a message from the Lord to bear to the world,—a message that is to be borne in the rich fulness of the Spirit’s power.… God has not given His ministers the work of setting the churches right.… no sooner is this done apparently, than it has to be done over again. It weakens those who know the truth for our ministers to expend on them the time and talent that should be given to the unconverted. In many of our churches in the cities the minister preaches Sabbath after Sabbath, and Sabbath after Sabbath the church-members come to the house of God with no words to tell of blessings received because of blessings imparted.”
“Our ministers are not to spend their time laboring for those who have already accepted the truth.… Just as soon as a church is organized, let the minister set the members at work. They will need to be taught how to labor successfully. Let the minister devote more of his time to educating than to preaching. Let him teach the people how to give to others the knowledge they have received.”