Body: | 4 Essential Truths that are required for someone to convert!
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4 Things Every Seeker Must Believe Before Conversion
At least four fundamental truths must be accepted by a seeker before he/she
can be converted to Christ. After setting up a one-on-one study with a
non-Christian friend, what lessons should be studied? It is up to you to
guide the discussion with lessons that meet the student's needs. What are
the needs? This article will identify and discuss four of those needs.
After the seeker accepts these truths, continue teaching lessons that bring
the person to Christ.
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Truth #1: The Authority of the Bible
It is of vital importance that non-Christians realize the authority of
Christ revealed in the Scriptures. In this area we are battling many
liberal trends. Some view the scriptures as a high quality literary work.
Others feel that the Bible is outdated and contains no relevant information
for us today. Some even feel the Bible cannot be understood by the common
man. And still others think that the scriptures are not all sufficient.
It is interesting to note that most of the people we study with on a
one-on-one basis already accept most of the basic principles of Bible
authority. The authority of Christ tends to be a non-controversial subject
and serves as an excellent neutral ground introduction that emphasizes a
belief you have in common with the seeker. If a person does not accept the
Bible as God's word, the rest of the lessons will not have any impact.
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Truth #2: False Doctrine is Sin!
A prevalent belief today is that false doctrine won't send you to hell.
People have been unable to comprehend the horrible results that logically
follow from having one Bible and 500-plus different denominations. The
masses are forced into accepting that one church is as good as another!
Jesus, however, has a different point of view and we must teach this to the
seeker. It is important to show that all churches use creeds in addition to
the Bible. At first, do not dwell on specific false doctrines taught by
these churches. Rather, show that the creed book is used as doctrinal
authority in addition to the Bible. Do this by confronting the student with
the teachings found in the creed book used by his/her own church. Show that
the creed book teaches things foreign to the Bible. Let me illustrate by
two examples.
A. The Discipline of The Methodist Church (1960)
First, from the Discipline read the following: We have therefore expected
that the discipline would be administered, not merely as a legal document,
but as a revelation of the Holy Spirit working in and through our people.
Then ask, Does the Methodist church use the Bible only? Second, read the
following: Wherefore that we are justified by faith only is a most
wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort. Then compare this statement
with James 2:24.
B. AGC Articles Of Faith And Doctrine (1983) (Canadian denomination)
First, from the Articles read the following:
Calling of the Pastor at the induction service, the pastor-elect
shall be required to affix his signature to the following declaration: I
hereby affix my signature to this official document as assurance that I
subscribe wholeheartedly to the Articles of Faith and Doctrine as set forth
in the constitution of the AGC, and I pledge to conduct myself as a pastor
of the said church in strict conformity to the aforementioned constitution.
Each pastor shall be required to reaffirm his position annually. Failure to
conform to this article may result in loss of standing.
Then ask, Do the AGC Pastors use the Bible only to determine doctrine?
Second, read the following: Baptism is not a saving ordinance . . . nor is
it necessary for salvation. Then compare this statement with 1 Peter 3:21.
Strongly emphasize the Lord's teaching on false doctrine and then make the
application to the seeker's denomination. You must have the applicable
creed book in your possession. It will take some work but it will pay off
in effectiveness. Otherwise, the seeker will not believe you when you say
his/her church has a creed book.
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Truth #3: The Seeker is Lost Eternally!
Have you ever met anyone who believed they were going to hell? Think about
it! Everyone thinks they are going to heaven! It doesn't matter if they
haven't been to church for 30 years or are living in fornication, they
still think they are going to heaven. After the disciples had walked with
Jesus for a few months they asked him, Lord are just a few going to be
saved? The Lord answered: Seek to enter by the narrow door for many I tell
you will seek to enter in and will not be able to (Luke 13:23).
We need to present the gospel in all its power in order to show people they
are lost. This can be done by presenting a simple lesson on baptism.
Emphasize the how, who, and why of baptism and then compare it to what the
seeker has done. By this we can show the seeker that they have never obeyed
the gospel of Jesus. Yes, they obeyed the gospel of men or some creed but
not Jesus. It can be a highly emotional study when teaching someone they
are lost after they have believed for 20 years that they were saved!
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Truth #4: The Seeker's Level of Commitment
Quite simply, will the seeker ACT upon the words of Christ? A simple way to
determine if a person has a commitment to God is to ask if he/she attends
church every Sunday. This is the true acid test. It is simple yet 99
percent effective in making the determination. Unfortunately, one of the
hardest obstacles to overcome when teaching people who are not in the habit
of attending church every Sunday is to get them to make the commitment.
Those who forsake the assembly are lost. The world teaches that attendance
is an option that may be chosen. Attendance is not an option and it needs
to be taught thoroughly.
All seekers must commit themselves to the Lord to the extent that they are
willing to make changes in their lifestyle and any personal sacrifices
needed to conform their life to Christ. Such changes or sacrifices may
include the getting out of bed on Sunday morning, ceasing an illicit
relationship, being forsaken by friends, etc. Teaching that points out the
costs involved in being a Christian is needed. When they realize the costs
involved, they may think twice. Help overcome their second thoughts by
enumerating the blessings to be found in Christ.
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Customizing the Approach
Seekers usually fall into one of two basic groups. The spiritual condition
of each indicates the need for different approaches.
1. The strong religious type (regular church-goers):
The emphasis should be doctrine and teaching them that they are lost. Start
with the lesson on doctrine and then follow with a lesson showing them that
they are lost because their baptism was not the baptism taught in the
Bible. When studying commitment, emphasize that they need to leave their
false religion and that this may result in being persecuted by others.
Resistance encountered may be from family, friends, church friends, or
their religious leaders. Prepare them for these possible encounters. The
important question to ask in advance is: If leaving your church causes you
to be ostracized by all your family and friends, will you still make the
change? A lesson on Foundation of Authority is unnecessary unless you wish
to establish common ground at the beginning. Most strongly religious people
already accept the Bible as God's word.
2. To the uncommitted (Non-regular church-goers):
Seventy-five percent of the populace are not committed to Christ. The big
question will be whether they are willing to put the words of Christ into
action. Most already know they should attend church every week; they just
don't feel like doing it. For the uncommitted, the choice is not which
church to attend but whether they will obey Christ at all. It is important
to show that Jesus is Lord and that we must obey him. Begin with a lesson
on commitment. The focal point needs to be church attendance and purifying
their lives of sin (ceasing fornication, etc.). There is no need to waste
your time on those who are not interested in acting upon the words of
Christ. If they aren't ready after the first session, they won't be ready
after the 10th! Determine up front if they are willing to commit. It may
save a lot of time that could be better spent with those willing to obey
Jesus. If they are willing to commit, follow with a lesson on doctrine.
Finally, show them they are lost by teaching a lesson on salvation which
includes the teaching on Bible baptism.
Steve Rudd
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