We should welcome
objections because they will assist us in leading an honest person to
obeying the gospel. Objections tells what the one you are teaching
thinks and feels. They tell us how near he is to obeying the
gospel. It may be a sign the objector is seeking more
information. The average objector is a novice and his knowledge is
quite limited. He is a learner who is needing to be taught. Do
not take his objections too seriously. While he is saying not yet or
no, he may be wanting you to convince him.
Listen to the
objector carefully and hear him out completely. This will help to
disarm him. Treat the objection as a question which will help
eliminate tension. Restate the objection as a question and ask him if
you understand him correctly. For example you might say, "John, your
question is, 'Why wasn't the thief on the cross baptized?' Is that
right? John, do you have any other questions? If I could answer
this question to your satisfaction, is there anything else that would keep
you from being baptized tonight?"
If the objection has
nothing to do with the point you are trying to make, do not deal with it at
that time. You might say, "John that is a good question. Let me
write it down and study on it and then we can deal with it later.
Avoid a
belligerent, haughty, excited, argumentative, or angry attitude. If
you don't then a wall of opposition will spring up. Proverbs 15:1
says, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word
stirs up anger." It is better to say, "Could I share with you
what the Bible says that one must do to be saved?" or what ever the
objection was. We should talk with the objector in a calm, slow, low
pitched voice, particularly if he is becoming agitated or angry.
Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech always be with
grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every
man."
Today the vast
majority of the religious world says that they are saved by "faith only".
Many good people erroneously think they are saved when they "accept Jesus as
their personal saviour" and say the "sinner’s prayer". But where in
the Bible are we told this? It is not there. This may sound good
and impressive, but this is false. This is a lie of Satan. This
is something man has dreamed up. Then two or three weeks later many
denominational churches encourage people to be baptized to join that
denomination. They say that one does not have to be baptized to be
saved because they say you are saved before you are baptized. I cannot
think of a more flagrant crime against both God and Man than to teach lost
sinners, who want to be saved something different than what God says in the
Bible. In this case if they are eventually baptized, their sins are
not forgiven and they are not saved because their baptism was not for this
purpose. They still have every sin they have ever committed and are
still lost because they have believed a lie.
Answering Questions: 1 Peter 3:15,
"And be ready to give an answer to every man who asks
you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear".
Below are some suggestions on how to answer an objector's
questions.
1) What if you are asked, "Do you believe that only members of the
church of Christ are
going to Heaven and everyone else is going to
Hell?" Response:
"John, it doesn't matter what I believe, or what you
believe, or what anyone
else believes. What really matters is what
God says in the
Bible. Could I share with you what the Bible says we
must do in order
to go to Heaven?"
2) What if you are asked, "Do you think my mother and father are in Hell?
Response: "Knowing you, I am sure you had wonderful parents, but
we are not
their judge, God is. You are not going to give an account
for your
parents, but for yourself. Could I share with you what the Bible
says
we must do in order to go to Heaven?"
3) What if you are asked, "What will happen to someone who has never
heard of Christ or
the Bible?" Response: "John, the important
question right now
is what is going to happen to you who has a chance
to know what God's will
is? Could I share with you what the Bible says
we must do in order to
go to Heaven?"
4) What if it is stated, "There are too many hypocrites in the church."
Response: "Hypocrites get married, play golf, drive cars, rent houses,
and
run businesses. Would you not do these things because
hypocrites do
them? The hypocrite will be lost, but do you also want to
be lost
along with the hypocrite?"
5) What if you are asked, "Are you doubting my sincerity?" Response:
"No I
believe you are sincere, but sincerity alone will not get us to
Heaven."
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"Questions To Ask About One's Salvation"
