There are many good ways to do evangelism, but this way, is a really bad way, and really needs to stop!
It's so common, but we would say that it is one of the top ways not to evangelise.
Many Christian flyers, booklets, events &
courses do this.
In summary, it is when we encourage unbelievers to "pray this prayer..." and announce the person as saved there and then.
Why is it so wrong?
1. It’s not found in the Bible.
Just the opposite: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6.
2. The Bible says we can’t know when someone is born of the Spirit - See John 3:7-8.
3. There are many who appear to be Christian in the Bible when they are not (and it will be worse for anyone like this at the judgment). For example:
a) Judas Iscariot (even the disciples did not know he was lost) - even though he followed Jesus!
b) Simon (the sorcerer) in Acts 8:9-24 - Simon believed from the preaching and was baptised but later offered money for the power that the Apostles had. “Thy heart is not right in the sight of God..” (he was only interested in his self before and after the rebuke).
c) The parable of the seeds:
i) Where the seed fell on the rock (Luke 8:6,13) - received with joy.. for a while believe.. and fell away.
ii) Where the seed fell among thorns (Luke 8:7,14) - go forth.. and bring no fruit unto perfection.
iii) Compare these to the last good ground, where fruit was brought forth.
d) i) Many who call Him Lord... ii) Many will prophesy in His Name... iii) Many will cast out devils iv) Many who will do wonderful works and yet the Lord responds with “I never knew you: depart from me” Read Matthew 7:21 onwards.
e) Those who walk away from Christianity:
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 John 2:19
f) People who come to damage Christianity: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15
Instead of making things worse for people, we would do far better to encourage people to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5.
This is not to say we don’t believe a person’s profession of faith.
But we should be very careful not to put confidence in the flesh.
What do you think? Should we ever announce people as saved? Leave your comments below.
We have the conversation , God does the conversion… we often plant seeds for someone else to water.. or water those already planted. I don’t believe an initial encounter and a prayer is likely to secure a conversion. However, finishing an encounter with a prayer , which is seldom refused, lifts them up to God.