BV 3790 .S45 1923 Sellers, Ernest 0. 1869- Personal evangelism , ■ 4 <.V ; . T ' T / Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library https://archive.org/details/personalevangeliOOsell r PERSONAL EVANGELISM ERNEST O. SELLERS “Whatever happens, be self-possessed, flinch from no suffering, Do Your Work as an Evan¬ gelist, and discharge all your duties as a minister.” 2 Timothy 4:5 — Moffatt’s Translation. PERSONAL EVAN Studies in Individual Efforts to Souls into Right Relations to CHRIST BY ERNEST O. SELLERS NEW YORK GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY COPYRIGHT, 1923, BY SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION PERSONAL EVANGELISM. II PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA INTRODUCTION ERNEST ORLANDO SELLERS A Biographical Note By George H. Crutcher, D.D., LL.D. PROFESSOR OF EVANGELISM AND APPLIED CHRISTIANITY OF THE BAPTIST BIBLE INSTITUTE, NEW ORLEANS, LA. Ernest Orlando Sellers is a native of Michigan. Graduating from the Lansing High School at sixteen years of age, he soon thereafter was ap¬ prenticed a Surveyor and Civil Engineer and at twenty-one was elected City Engineer and Super¬ intendent of Public Works of Lansing, Michigan, devoting more than six years to the construction of sewers, pavements, bridges, and other munici¬ pal enterprises. Always prominent in musical affairs, church and social, he spent some time as a student of music at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. In the fall of 1896 he entered evangelistic singing, being associated with Mr. Fred B. Smith, now of New York City. Two years later he went to Macon, Georgia, to be associated with Dr. John L. White, then the pastor of the First Baptist Church of that city. VI Introduction While in Macon he was first elected to the Board of Directors and later General Secretary of the Y. M. C. A., an organization dear to his heart, for it was in the Lansing Association that he was led to accept Christ as his Savior. After building and dedicating a new building in Macon he accepted a position with the Washington (D. C.) Y. M. C. A., and while in that city was soloist of the First Baptist Church. Later he spent one year as General Secretary of the Wilmington, Del., Y. M. C. A., resigning to ac¬ cept a position as Director of Music and Men’s Work in the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio, church home of the elder Mr. Bockefeller. In this city Mr. Sellers spent four exceedingly busy years. The Men’s Brotherhood attained a paid membership of more than 600. The Men’s Bible Class had an average attendance of nearly 100 men. Mr. Sellers also taught a Sunday School teachers’ training class, in the church, that aver¬ aged more than fifty workers each week, and or¬ ganized and led a May Musical Festival Chorus of 1,100 members. In 1908 Mr. Sellers accepted a position on the faculty of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago and was connected with that institution, counting his war work, for a period of twelve years. The first five years at the Institute he was assistant to the late Dr. D. B. Towner in the Music Depart- Introduction vu ment and following that had charge of the Night Classes (upwards of 600 students) and taught Pedagogy, Child Study, and Sunday school meth¬ ods in the day classes. During this period of time he had a great deal of evangelistic experience, eight months with Dr. Torrey in many parts of the country and also assisted Gipsy Smith, Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman, Dr. A. C. Dixon, and others in various Chicago campaigns. He was also much in demand for con¬ ventions and Sunday school tours in this country and Canada. While living in Chicago he was for nine years the teacher of the famous Friendly Bible Class of the Moody Sunday School, the attendance for each Sunday being upwards of 300. In the summer of 1916 Mr. Sellers was invited as a speaker and singer by the Canadian Y. M. C. A. to visit the great Valcartier camp near Quebec and in the summer of 1917 he was a mem¬ ber of a party under the leadership of G. Sher¬ wood Eddy to visit the British camps of England and France. Returning to this country, he soon succeeded Dr. John Timothy Stone as Religious Work Director for the Y. M. C. A. at Camp Grant, Rockford, HI., a like position to that oc¬ cupied by Dr. Mullins at Camp Taylor. In November, 1918, he again started for Europe, reaching Paris just after the armistice, and re¬ mained in France and Germany as a member of viii Introduction the Speakers’ Bureau of the Y. M. C. A. until August, 1919. During the summer of 1919 President DeMent made overtures to him to become associated with the Baptist Bible Institute of New Orleans, and in September of that year he took up his work as Director of Music and for the first two years acted as teacher of Personal Evangelism and director of the students’ practical activities. It was while thus teaching that he prepared these lessons. It is a matter for rejoicing that the head of the department of Gospel Music knows both the value of and the best methods for doing Personal Work. It will guarantee a stronger type of Gospel singers and a more acceptable type of Pastor’s Assistants. Mr. Sellers is a man of pleasing personality and an untiring worker and one of the best conductors to be found. In his book on “ Personal Evan¬ gelism” he has condensed the fruitage of his studies and practical activities and I hail it with joy. G. H. C. CONTENTS PAGE Introduction by George H. Crutcher, D.D., LL.D. v PART ONE: EVANGELISM CHAPTER I Need and Importance . . . . . 15 II God’s Plan for Man . . . . .21 III Man’s Responsibility for Man ... 26 IV Where and When To Do Personal Evan¬ gelism ...... .30 V Using the Bible with Men ... .35 VI The Individual To Be Won .... 40 VII Our Dependence upon God .... 45 VIII Those Who Desire to Know the Way of Life .50 IX Those Who Are Indifferent .... 56 PART TWO: DIFFICULTIES I Those Who Depend upon a Righteous Life 63 II Those Who Say: “God Is Too Good to Damn a Soul” ...... 68 III Those Who Say: “I Am Feeling All Right. What More Is Needed?” ... .73 IV Those Who Say: “I Am Too Great a Sinner” .77 V Those Who Say: “I Must Become Better” 82 IX Contents x CHAPTER PAGE VI Those Who Say: “I Cannot Hold Out or Give Up My Bad Habits 33 ... 87 VII Those Who Say: “I Have Tried and Failed” ...... .93 VIII Those Who Say: “The Christian Life Is Too Hard ” or “There Is Too Much to Give Up” . 99 IX Those Who Say: “I Cannot Be a Chris¬ tian in My Business—I Will Lose My Friends” ....... 104 X Those Who Are Afraid of Ridicule and Persecution . .109 PART THREE: DIFFICULTIES [Concluded] I “I Have Not Enough Feeling” . . .117 II “Inconsistent Christians” .... 121 III “It Is Too Late—I Have Sinned Away the Day of Grace 33 ...... 125 IV The Unpardonable Sin . . . . .130 V “God Is Unjust and Cruel 33 . . . .135 VI “Why Should Christ Die for Me ? 33 . . 140 VII “I Do Not Understand the Bible 33 . . 145 VIII “I Cannot Believe 33 ..... 149 IX Doubt and Doubters . . . . .154 X The Need of Confession and Church Mem¬ bership . .159 PART FOUR: SPECIAL CLASSES AND SUGGES¬ TIONS I Those Who Lack Assurance . . . 165 II The Backslider . . . . . .170 III The Backslider [Concluded] . . .174 Contents xi CHAPTER PAGE IV Skeptics and Infidels ♦ • 180 V Skeptics [Concluded] • • 186 VI Procrastinators .... • • 191 VII Special Evangelistic Opportunities • • 196 VIII Special Evangelistic Opportunities eluded]. [Con- • • 201 IX Hints to Workers .... • • 206 X The Evangelist’s Devotional Life • • 211 PART FIVE: FALSE TEACHINGS I The Roman Catholic 219 II The Roman Catholic [Concluded] 224 III The Jews . 230 IV The Adventist .... 236 V The Unitarian and Universalist . 242 VI So-Called <( Christian Scientist” . 248 VII The Spiritualist .... 253 VIII The Russellite .... 258 IX The Mormons .... 264 X Pentecostalism — So-Called “Holy Rollers” 271 XI False Prophets; the Afflicted; the Obstinate 280 XII Suggestions and Conclusion . • • 286 Bibliography . • • 291 /O PART ONE: EVANGELISM PART ONE: EVANGELISM Chapter I Need and Importance I: INTRODUCTION 1. Methods . In the preparation of these les¬ sons there has been no idea of attempting any¬ thing new or startling in the line of personal evangelism. Indeed it is doubtful if there is any¬ thing new to be offered. While this is true, still there is the ever new approach to each individual soul that is to be won, and hence the need of study and frequent review. There is, of course, danger in relying too much upon “Methods” or “Courses of Study.” In nothing is it more true “that we learn by doing,” than in leading lost souls to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The ground and methods for doing personal evangelism, which after all is the sum and es¬ sence of all Christian work, have been so well set forth in so many text books that the chief value of this course is to direct the student’s study and research and the amount of work he is to do each 15 16 Personal Evangelism week. We earnestly urge that every student se¬ cure and read as many as possible of the books mentioned in the Bibliography. 2. Who can do this workf It ought to go with¬ out saying that every worker must be a saved person and one who knows that he is saved. There is also a needed consecration to this work and a separation from the world and worldly practices that is not monastic separation nor a “holier than thou” attitude of life; rather a divine passion that impels us, in whatever place or position in life God calls us, such as thrilled and impelled Finney, Moody, Whitefield, John Knox, Spur¬ geon, and every other successful worker past and present. II: THE HEED AND IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL WORK 1. Definition. By Personal Evangelism is meant the personal, individual effort on the part of a saved soul to lead other definite, separate and distinct individuals to repent, accept and confess Jesus Christ as their individual, personal Savior and Lord; they in turn to become Ministering Servants. 2. The Gospel. A careful study of 1 Cor. 15:1-4 in particular will clarify our comprehension as to what is meant by “the gospel.” PauPs “good news” consisted of the fact of God incarnate in the flesh, one who died upon the Need and Importance IT Cross and rose again from out of, or from among, the dead; one who is now living and is again to appear in a bodily form, visible to all. 3. It is not enough that we are evangelical. (Look up the word evangelical and tell what it fully means.) Personal evangelism is not “ denomination- alizing.” Our first and chief concern is to lead the soul to accept and confess Christ as his Savior and Lord. Church membership and denomina¬ tional interests, as such, are of secondary im¬ portance. Church membership, involving confession, bap¬ tism and the observance of the Lord’s Supper is the natural, essential and important sequence of a fife of full and complete obedience. It follows repentance and faith as day follows night. Church membership is important and essential to a life of full obedience but not to salvation. We need to be careful lest our insistence upon * baptism and church membership be understood as implying that these things are a requirement for ' salvation. 4. It is not safe to dep&nd upon revivals. A normal evangelistic spirit in a given church does not wait for “the meeting,” but is aggressive at all times. The life insurance agent does not con¬ fine his efforts to a possible four hours each week; nor should the Christian rely upon the Church, Sunday school and Young People’s hours of as- 18 Personal Evangelism sembly. Calvary Baptist Church of Washington, D. C., we are informed, never held a revival series of meetings during the more than forty years of Dr. Green’s pastorate, yet thousands point to it as their spiritual birthplace. It is an interesting study to see how and under what circumstances the Master called his follow¬ ers; few, if any, came in the set or formal gath¬ erings of his auditors. 5. Religion is a personal matter. All men everywhere are said to be religious (Acts 17:22 R. V.), but only a small part of so-called Christen¬ dom makes a profession of being Christian. Chris¬ tianity is first of all, a personal equation, though in its application it is ethical and federal, i.e ., we do right unto others, to all men everywhere, as we are first of all right in the sight of God and because of our standing in Christ. Christianity is dy¬ namic. All civic righteousness must be founded upon in¬ dividual righteousness if it is to become effective. The “evangel” is the good news of a possible redemption from the condemnation of sin and the evangelist is the herald of that fact. But it in¬ cludes more than the mere forthtelling of these facts. Personal evangelism deals with the sepa¬ rate individual to be won. 6. Personal evangelism is not sermonizing . We are to fish, not in a bath tub nor in shallow water, but by going where the fish are to be found, Need and Importance 19 not with one form of tackle only, nor always for the same character of fish. It is a work that can¬ not be done by proxy. Illustration: Read Matt. 4:18-22 and Mark 1:16-20 and tell in yonr own language how Peter “changed about,’’ i.e., was converted. Read the story of Mr. Moody’s con¬ version as recorded by his son, Mr. W. R. Moody. 7. The advantages of personal evangelism. (a) It can be done anywhere. On the highway, in the home, the hospital, shop, field, in fact, wherever two souls chance to meet that is the place God has designated as an opportunity for us to work for him. (b) It has no time limit. “Say ye not four months till the harvest, behold, now is the day” (John 4: 35). (c) It is definite. A sermon is general; a tract may miss the case entirely; a class lesson cannot impress all alike nor be equally adapted to every one present. David could not escape Nathan’s “Thou art the man” (2 Sam. 12:7). (d) It is the method of successful salesmanship. Few men can secure the “signature on the line” when working with more than one man at a time. There is too much to divert attention unless work¬ ing singly. QUESTIONS 1. What motives have inspired or moved yon to take up these studies? 20 Personal Evangelism 2. Read 1 Cor. 15:1-4 and from that passage give, in your own words, what you think Paul meant by “the gospel.” 3. Why is a man not saved by joining a church? 4. How many of the disciples, if any, were reached in what might be termed a regular church service ? 5. Give additional reasons why Personal Evangelism is so broadly effective and valuable. 6. Name from your own experience at least six different sets of circumstances under which men accepted and confessed Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. 7. Answer these words of Dr. John Timothy Stone: “Have you talked or attempted to talk personally with some other man, woman, or child as to his personal relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ within the last twenty-four hours, or even the last week for that matter?” Chapter II God’s Plan for Man Take a good concordance and trace in the Bible the word “gospel.” The “good news” we pro¬ claim is not primarily a new social environment nor a cure for physical ills and evil habits. It is rather the presentation of a “new life” in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17, Eph. 2:1-5, John 5:24). The change of environment and alleviation of human ills are the natural and logical outgrowth of changed individual lives. I: MAN HAS GREAT VALUE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD No one gives his highest and best for that which is useless and worthless. God gave his best gift for our salvation (John 3:16). God’s mind is “full” (mindful) of man (Ps. 8:4). In the parable recorded in Luke fifteen are pre¬ sented three things each of which had great value, yet was lost: 1. A lost sheep . Sheep are for food and to produce wool; they produce great material value. “All we, like sheep, have gone astray.” 2. A lost coin. A coin represents value and 22 Personal Evangelism bears the stamp of the government. In this place it was also a sign in that it meant as much for that woman to lose it as for a modern one to lose her wedding ring. 3. A lost son . A father’s heart alone can ap¬ preciate such a loss. In this chapter the Shepherd (The Son), the Woman (The Spirit) and the Father (God) are all anxiously seeking that which “was lost” and “is found.” ii: god’s plan for man Great misunderstanding and much useless argu¬ ing have arisen over < ‘ predestination. ’ ’ That God “foreknows” all are willing to admit. It is not our task to reconcile God’s foreknowledge with man’s free will. Both are undoubtedly true. We do not have to understand the laws of sound in order to hear, nor those of light that we may see. 1. God’s plan is that men should be conformed (Rom. 8:29) (transformed) “into the image of his Son”—that we “become like him” (1 John 3:2) and the only requirement is that we “be¬ lieve” on him whom he hath sent. Sincerity and a love for humanity cannot take the place of the new birth (John 3:7), and repentance is not to be separated from believing. “In the gospels there are one hundred and fif¬ teen passages at least where ‘believe’ is used alone and apart from every other condition as the way 23 God's Plan for Man of salvation. In addition there are upward of thirty-five passages where the synonym ‘ faith’ is used and but six wherein repentance appears alone or in combination with other issues.”—Chafer. 2. Christ said: “Except ye repent (change your mind), ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Repentance is man’s work of turning from sin to Christ, his first and the important step. “ Three things are involved in the duty to re¬ pent: (a) A new thought, a new view, of sin; (b) a new feeling toward sin, a recognition of its heinousness in God’s sight; (c) a new attitude toward sin, a turning from it.”—Dr. P. E. Bur¬ roughs. Remorse leads to apathy, mortification and despair, but repentance leads hack to life. While it is true that we cannot he saved unless we repent, still it is likewise true that it is not the repentance that saves. 3. Belief is primary, confession of sin is the secondary condition of salvation (1 John 1:9, Eph. 2:8). We are to “hear and believe” (Acts 15:7). We also read “believe and be baptized” (Acts 8:13, Mark 16:16 R. V.). Note that when this statement is repeated negatively there is no reference to baptism. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; and he that believeth not (disbelieveth) shall be condemned.” Man is con¬ demned for lack of believing and not for lack of baptism. 24 Personal Evangelism hi: god’s plan is plainly set before men 1. God has caused the light (John 3:19) to shine in the world. Every law of God is the voice of love speaking to men (Gal. 3: 24). But the light is of no avail without eyes to see and when men darken their hearts (Romans 1:21) there i% pro¬ duced the condition Christ set forth in Matthew 6:23, etc. But the light continues to shine, the lack is in men. God’s greatest gift is Christ (John 3:16). He is God’s personal evangelism for us; our Savior from sin; our Physician if ill; our Master to teach us the trade of living; our Father for protection and care. Compare Romans 6: 23 with 2 Cor. 9:15. In Christ we have “all things richly to enjoy.” See also Col. 2: 9 and 3:11. 2. But a local Christ or a historic one will not meet the needs of men, hence the manifestation on Pentecost of the abiding One. See Acts 2: 33, John 16:13,14, Gal. 2 : 20. QUESTIONS 1. What is the key-word of Luke, chapter fifteen? 2. Look up Mark 8: 2 and Luke 10: 33 and tell in your own words what is meant by the expression “compassion” ? 3. What appreciation of the value of human souls do Chris¬ tians ordinarily show? 4. What reasons can you suggest for the fact that Christians seem to have so little compassion for the lost ? 5. Did God act from a sense of duty when he conceived and set forth the plan of salvation? 25 God's Plan for Man 6. How else, other than in a man (the Incarnation), could God cause his love to become manifest—“made to be seen”f 7. What is God’s plan for lost men? Quote Romans 8:29. 8. Is it through repentance or belief that men are actually- saved? What is man’s first and important, essential step? 9. Wherein can you show that baptism is not essential to salvation ? 10. What three things are involved in repentance? Chapter III Man’s 'Responsibility for Man That God has shut himself up to the one method of reaching men through men needs constant re¬ affirmation. Light is valuable only as men see; so then, those who have 44 the light of life” must give it to those who have it not by living among their fellows. Christ said, 4 4 1 am the light of the world’ ’ (John 9:5), and then said to his followers, 44 ye are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14-16). This explains Paul’s statement about 44 living epistles” which are known and read of men (2 Cor. 3:2). We must know in order to believe, but we believe in order to know. Every man who accepts Christ becomes a trustee and a witness. I: IT IS A CRIME TO BE UNCONCERNED Various figures are given for church growth. One careful estimator gives seven per cent as the annual growth. Think of it! One hundred church members working twelve months to reach and save seven! William E. Reynolds, the great Sunday- school worker, was once asked by his next-door neighbor, 44 How long have you known me!” He replied, 44 About fifteen years.” 44 And you claim to be a Christian and to care if I am saved 1 Well, 27 Man's Responsibility for Man I do not believe it, for we have talked of every topic under the snn but that of my salvation.” That conversation was the beginning of a change in his life which led Mr. Reynolds to great use¬ fulness in Christian work. II: TO WIN MEN TO CHRIST IS OUR SUPREME DUTY AND HIGHEST PRIVILEGE 1. A thing is a success if it accomplishes that for which it was constructed. Men are created to be more than athletes, social successes, philoso¬ phers, millionaires or poets. Man was created in the image«of God and to have fellowship with him. Unless he possesses that eternal life for which his faculties were created he is a failure as an im¬ mortal soul. 2. We must realize our own salvation through Christ and that nothing can be compared with the life that is seeking to win others to become his disciples. This is the fulness of joy. The true Christian does not do his work from a sense of duty. ‘ ‘ The love of Christ constraineth us ’ 9 (2 Cor. 5:14-21). Ill: WE HAVE OMNIPOTENT POWER TO AID US (Phil. 4:13) An English Baptist evangelist, Henry Varley, said to Mr. Moody, “The world has yet to see 28 Personal Evangelism what God can do through the man who is fully given up to him; that he can trust with his power. 99 That was at the beginning of Mr. Moody’s great power. 1. Obey a law and it becomes your servant . Electricity is a boon and a blessing so long as you obey the laws that govern it. God is on the side of the man who obeys him (Romans 12:1-6; see also Job 17:9). This explains Moses and Paul, Luther and Moody. What a changed world we would soon see if every professed Christian would make it his ambition and earnest endeavor so to serve the laws of God that God would be¬ stow upon him the fulness of his power. God is ready, and only awaits our meeting his conditions (Acts 1:4-8). A redeemed, serving, witnessing life is the greatest argument for Christ that can be found in any given community. 2. The serious and sad fact is that so few Chris¬ tians accept their responsibility; they do not deny but they quietly ignore. By their acts they seek to pass the responsibility over to the pastor or to the evangelist. It is a pertinent question for us to ask ourselves if we are honest when we say that we desire the power of God and say that we are ready for any sort of service that would glorify him if that power were bestowed upon us. Such an inquiry demands a painstaking exami- 29 Man's Responsibility for Man nation of our standing before God,, our habits of life and customs of speech to see if the example of our lives is influencing others for God. “What the cause of Christ needs is not so much more of us, as a better brand of us.”—Henry Drummond. QUESTIONS 1. On what ground can we assert a necessity which rests upon one class of Christians, such as pastors and teachers, and does not rest equally upon all other believers'? 2. Have you a written list of unsaved friends, loved ones, companions, scholars or acquaintances for whom you are praying and whose salvation you are earnestly endeavoring to accomplish? 3. What is the greatest argument for Christianity, outside of the Bible, that you can find in your community? 4. Wherein and why does it seem that our expectations differ as to converts in the home land and on the foreign field? 5. Are you really ready to change anything God may reveal as a hindrance in your life to being a successful personal evangelist ? 6. Do we know in order to believe or believe in order to know ? Give reason for your answer and illustrate. 7. Why is it a crime for church members to be unconcerned about the salvation of souls? 8. What is meant by, “Obey a law and it becomes your serv¬ ant”? Quote Phil. 4:13. 9. What equipment do we have as recorded in Acts 1:8? Chapter IV Where and When to Do Personal Evangelism I: SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP 1. Unless the worker has a constraining convic¬ tion as to the necessity for doing the work of per¬ sonal evangelism, a positive personal experience of salvation in Jesus Christ, and a clear and defi¬ nite assurance of God’s readiness to save any one who believes, no matter what his past life might have been or his present condition and circum¬ stances, there is little need of going further in these studies. 2. While the worker should live at all times in the atmosphere of prayerful expectancy, yet it will he profitable if frequently he observes a time of quiet prayer and meditation. Definitely ask the Spirit to guide at the beginning of each day, and then obey his leading . Walking the streets of Cleveland, the Spirit called to a worker’s mind a young man who had missed two or three sessions of the men’s Bible class. Turning completely around and walking several blocks, the young man was located in an office high up in a modern business building. 30 Personal Evangelism: Where and When 31 Asked out into the corridor, in a quiet nook by the stairs, it took less than five minutes to lead him to a definite and clear decision for and confes¬ sion of Christ as Savior and Lord. That was the Spirit’s leading. A full list of places where to do this work will he as long and as varied as the experiences of life. II: SOME SUGGESTED OPPORTUNITIES 1. In regular religious services —not alone the revival, but the ordinary church gatherings. Where can we find a better place to lead men to “become sons of God” than in the Father’s house? The sad part is, that we are so blind and often so criminally careless of this pre-eminent matter concerning the lives of men. Are men and women, hoys and girls really to be saved? Pray definitely that you may be used by the Spirit the next time you enter the house of God. As a rule, do your work singly, men with men and women with women. 2. In your home. Your lips will be effectually barred unless you are living aright. Education, social standing and business success are of second¬ ary importance in the lives of men, especially those of your own household. 3. To and fro and at your work. A not widely- known evangelist spoke kindly words and placed a loving hand upon a boy’s shoulder whom he 32 Personal Evangelism chanced to meet in the school yard. That boy r to-day a prominent Christian worker, testifies that he can feel that hand, see the look of those eyes and hear the tone of that voice after nearly forty years have elapsed. (Acts 17:17 E. V.) It is, of course, not wise to force ourselves upon others. “ There are five marks of a good oppor¬ tunity: when one is alone, unoccupied, in good humor, communicative and in a serious mood.” —Torrey. 4. In prisons, hospitals and public institutions . Some of the most famous Christian workers came out of prison walls. The church at Philippi (Acts 16) and Jerry McAuley are but two illustrations. Some workers hesitate to take advantage of a man’s circumstances, fearing lest the confession obtained be not genuine and sincere. But let us ask, are we sure that God may not bring men into such conditions that they may then listen to the claims of the gospel! Public servants, such as street car workers, po¬ licemen, firemen and others of like nature are largely shut off from Sabbath observances and the privileges of public worship. Are their souls of any less value because of this fact! Ill: OUR HESITANCY It is comparatively easy to excuse the person who, in an honest effort, makes a mistake, but no Personal Evangelism: Where and When 33 one can pardon the hesitant, vacillating man who never makes anything, not even a mistake. Moses hesitated to obey the call of God (Ex. 3:10-18), but afterward, urged by divine con¬ straint, he could not rid himself of the conviction that through him God would deliver Israel. David hesitated to go forward to fight in Saul’s armor (1 Sam. 17: 31-40), and it proved to be his salvation, for out of it came a “holy boldness.” Isaiah (Isa. 6:1-8) and Jonah (Jonah 1:1-3) both thought too much of “conditions,” and each had to be shown his folly. Peter had to overcome education, training and environment and to learn that it is comparatively easy for men to break with old prejudices once they really long for Christ (Acts 10). Discouragement and hesitation kept Israel out of the Promised Land (Heb. 3:12-19), and yet had God not delivered them from plague, the sea and enemies about them? QUESTIONS 1. Give from your own, or from the experience of others known to you, evidences of the Holy Spirit's leading. 2. Make a list of as many different sorts of places as you possibly can wherein men have accepted Christ as their personal Savior. 3. Are the places suggested in this lesson for doing the work of personal evangelism unusual or unreal? 4. What can you say as to the natural hesitancy of pro¬ fessed Christians in doing this work? 34 Personal Evangelism 5. What are the marks of a good opportunity for doing the work of personal evangelism? 6. What did Jonah and Peter have to overcome before they obeyed the leadership of God in this matter? 7. What shall we do with discouragement that may come into our experience when we undertake this work? Chapter V Using the Bible with Men I: THE PRE-EMINENCE OF THE BIBLE There is no hook, other than the Bible, so effectually used in doing personal evangelism. God sets forth no promise for the word of man like unto that of his own Word (Isa. 55:11). Nevertheless, there are times when for a worker to display his Bible would he like showing our traps to the game we are seeking. “Some men take by guile, ’ ’ literally we are to snare them. When Paul preached in Athens (Acts 17: 22-31) he began by quoting a Greek poet, and only intro¬ duced the Scriptures and the gospel toward the end of his address. Many men are prejudiced against the Bible, or else object to its ostentatious display or use, since it “smacks of hypocrisy” (1 Cor. 2:14). This demands that we use great tact and judgment. Yet, to read a given passage is always more effective than to quote the same. Commit it to memory so it can he quoted if not read. ii : MIRACLES To some men the question of miracles is a real hindrance, and we shall treat the question more 35 36 Personal Evangelism fully later. The wise worker will tactfully avoid any argument if possible. If miracles appear to be a genuine difficulty, call attention to the fact that if God is omnipotent, he certainly is able to change, hasten or modify any or all of his own laws. The purpose of the miracles of Christ was to authenticate him as the Messenger of Jehovah, and to show that God is greater than any or all the gods of men (Ex. 3:19-20; John 19:10,11 and 20:30,31). As man learns to know and use the laws of God he is increasingly doing the miraculous—witness the modern radio as one illustration out of many. The achievements of modern science would have been quite as wonderful a thousand years ago as any of the miracles (save that of the resurrection) that are recorded in the New Testament. Ill: ITS SUFFICIENCY 1. The personal evangelist is not called upon so much to defend the Bible as to use the same in every relation of life. In doing personal evan¬ gelism the Scriptures (Old and New alike) are said to be the “Sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17; 1 Tim. 4:1, and Rev. 22:19). The worker will be more readily listened to if he frankly acknowledges his ignorance and lack of comprehension of some of the things recorded 37 Using the Bible with Men therein. Even Peter said as much of some of the writings of Paul (2 Peter 3:16). This does not affect your faith in, or acceptance of every word as “thus saith the Lord.” 2. The Bible alone contains the plan of redemp¬ tion —the message of the atoning love of Jesus. It holds before us the rewards of righteousness and the penalty for sin. It has consecrated the institution of marriage, and exalted labor to a place of honor among men. Witness the spurning of the Book by the French Revolution and in mod¬ ern Bolshevistic Russia. “AVhen the Bible has its place, righteousness is exalted as the mark of true character, and the holy measure of real success in human life, while un¬ selfish service of Christ-like love is the sign of fellowship with men. The light of a blessed im¬ mortality shines from its pages upon the way everlasting. It proves sufficient for the loftiest ambition of the noblest men of the ages. It is the bread of life for every man who hungers after righteousness. Let every inquirer ponder these plain, priceless facts.”—Dr. Howard Agnew John¬ ston. 3. The Bible is not a text booh upon history or psychology, or any of the sciences , hut wherever it touches these subjects it speaks absolute truth. The Bible is a text book ox the spiritual life—• man’s condition in the sight of a holy God. It is the only and absolute authority on every question 38 Personal Evangelism that lias to do with the spirits of men, past, pres¬ ent and prospective. 4. Regarding the fundamental questions of man’s right relations to God and to his fellow- men, the authority of God and his Son Jesus Christ and the amplification and application as recorded by the divinely inspired writers, the Bible is supreme, infallible and eternal. iv: OUR TASK Let us hear the conclusion. In dealing with human souls use tact and judgment, patience and perseverance. Do not scare away your inquirer, but before you are finished, clinch all you have to say by the “thus saith the Lord.” Sometimes all you will be able to do will be to quote a promise or a warning, and leave the Spirit to carry home conviction by the use of the Word. In the parable of the Seed and the Sower and the Soil (Mark 4), some fell “by” the wayside; some fell “on” the stony ground; some fell “among” the thorns; and some fell “into” the good ground. Jesus tells us (John 6:63) that his words have in them the life-giving principle, —they will produce eternal life. Our task, then, is to lodge his words “into” the good soil of human hearts, that they may spring up and “bring forth eternal life.” Using the Bible with Men 39 QUESTIONS 1. According to modern pedagogical science, why was a miracle one of the best ways of teaching? 2. What does history reveal as to the effect of the Bible upon the nations of the earth? 3. Why did Paul not begin his sermon at Athens by quoting the Old Testament? 4. What should be the personal evangelist’s attitude toward the Bible? 5. In what respect is the Bible unique? 6. Upon what is the Bible infallible? Upon what is the Bible not a text book? 7. Does the saying that the Bible is not a text book upon history or science imply any inaccuracy? What is im¬ plied? 8. Compare Mark, chapter four, with John 6:63 and tell what peculiar and particular fact is emphasized. Chapter VI The Individual To Be Won I: OUR SOURCE OF WISDOM 1. Our fathers did not talk much about psy¬ chology, but they did set great value upon the ability some men had of being “good mixers,’ upon what they termed having “good sense, tact and judgment.” A familiarity with elementary psychology will be of inestimable value to any Christian worker. 2. The Christian worker must be the wisest of men, for, in addition to his native God-given com¬ mon sense, he may have, for the asking, the “unction,” literally the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit (James 1:5; 1 John 2:20, hnd Acts 1:8). II: OUR GREAT EXAMPLES How Christ dealt with different individuals, also how the disciples followed his example in this regard can be best understood by a careful study of the following: Andrew and Peter; Nicodemus; John 3: John 1:35-42. 1-17. 40 The Individual To Be Won The Samaritan Woman; John 4:1-42. Peter; Matt. 4:18- 22 . Zacchaeus; Luke 19: 1 - 10 . Pan!; Acts 9:1-22. 41 Philip and the Ethio¬ pian ; Acts 6:1-6. Peter and Cornelius; Acts Chap. 10. Lydia and the Jailer; Acts Chap. 16. Onesimus; Philemon. Ill: TEMPERAMENT AND CIRCUMSTANCES 1. A man’s temperament, the differing condi¬ tions and circumstances under which we meet him, our own attitude of self-sufficiency, our own even temper, patience, attractiveness, lack of irritation —these and many other similar elements need con¬ stant thought if we are to succeed in any large measure, or for any long continued time in doing the work of personal evangelism. 2. A man’s companions and circumstances in life are important considerations. A man who is surrounded by all the blessings of life, home, loved ones, social advantages and friends must be ap¬ proached quite differently from the one who is lonely, a stranger, fighting fierce temptations and who lacks most of the helpful social surroundings of life. The message of eternal life is the same for both, but the way and manner of approach must differ. Personal evangelism must not be done by any rule of thumb. 42 Personal Evangelism 3. We cannot always change a man’s com¬ panions, and so it will often be wise to discuss other subjects at first, and by kindness and a care¬ ful testimony show him the ‘ 4 better way. ’ ’ Do not argue—little is ever gained that way. One of two things must soon appear by following this method, either the man will seek new friends among those who are Christians, or else he will become more fully wedded to his idols. Ever remember that we are not to convert men—God alone can save— we are to witness. Do not tell a man that he is saved except as he obeys what the Bible directs him to do and even then let the Spirit speak through the Word rather than tell him he is saved (John 5:24; Romans 10: 9,10). IV: STUDY EACH CASE Make a study of every case with whom you are dealing. Find out his likes and dislikes, his weak¬ nesses and his strong points. A stubborn will stands in the way of most men (John 5:40). Some men are fond of music; some men like to do things for others. Plan how to use his strong points and to lead him through his social instincts. At all times appeal to his heart. Do not degrade the Christian life by making it so easy that it will lose its appeal to red-blooded men. Appeal to the heroic and the sacrificial. Always strive for an open confession. The Individual To Be Won 43 V: SUMMARY 1. Seek to discover the things a man really does believe and build thereon. Every man has faith of some sort. It may be in some person—gener¬ ally it is—it may be in some method of living or the teaching of some book. (See John 9:35-38.) Avoid as long as possible all reference to, or dis¬ cussion of a man’s doubts. Some one has wisely said, “ Doubt your doubts and believe your be¬ liefs.” A creed is a statement of what a man be¬ lieves. Get your man to tell you what he really does believe (John 11:25-27). It is recorded of Bismarck that he once said, “Tell me what you be¬ lieve : I have doubts enough of my own. ’ ’ 2. Every person has something of which he is certain. Character is a supreme matter to nearly every man. “Do you doubt the character of Christ?” “Was Christ an incarnation of what he believed and taught?” If a man will affirmatively answer these questions he will, if honest and sin¬ cere, begin a study of the life and teachings of Christ. 3. A Princeton graduate, not a professing Christian, went to China to teach in a college. Almost at once he was given a class of young men to lead in the study of the life of Christ. Making a clean breast he said to the class, “I know about as little of this matter as you do, but we will go to it with open minds and honest hearts.” To-day 44 Personal Evangelism he is, after his war experience, a Christian layman in an eastern city, an outspoken Christian lawyer, and a warm advocate of Christian missions. QUESTIONS 1. What was the essential difference in the way Christ dealt with Nieodemus and the woman at the well? 2. Wherein does a man’s temperament affect the work of personal evangelism ? 3. Why is the message of eternal life alike for all men no matter what may be their companions or circumstances? 4. Why is argumentation of little value in the work of per¬ sonal evangelism? 5. What reason can you give why the worker ought not to tell a man that he is saved even when that man has taken the needed steps and made the necessary confession? 6. Quote: John 5 : 24 and Romans 10 : 9,10. 7. Why is it necessary for us to make a study, if possible, of every case with which we deal? 8. For what must we always strive? 9. Why is the appeal to the heroic such a strong one? 10. Tell, in your own words, what were the difficulties that Jesus encountered in dealing with the woman at the well. Chapter VII Our Dependence upon God “Pray as though everything depends upon God: work as though everything depends upon men.” I: THE HOLY SPIRIT 1. A consideration of the Holy Spirit reveals (a) The work of the Spirit (John 16:7-11) i.e. y to reveal Christ, to exalt Christ, and in so doing to convict men of sin. (b) The gifts of the Spirit. In doing his work he uses human instrumentalities, and in order to use men he imparts gifts (lit., en¬ ablements) u severally as he willetli” (1 Cor. 12). (c) The fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5 : 22-23). These, as contrasted with the fruits of an evil life, are to be the evidence to the world that we are Spirit led and Spirit tilled. 2. Thus we can see our absolute dependence upon the Holy Spirit. He is to teach and guide us (John 15: 26), and to show us the things of Christ (John 16:14). He will quicken us (Eph. 2:1-5). He is the agent and Christ is the substance of our eternal life (John 3:5-7; Bom. 5:10, and Titus 45 46 Personal Evangelism 3:5). He sheds abroad the love of God (Rom. 5:5), and demonstrates to the world his leader¬ ship and that we are Christ’s (Rom. 8:14). II: OUR DEPENDENCE 1. The Spirit’s power is absolutely essential to the success of the personal evangelist (Zech. 4:6). This is not some hazy, emotional or theoretical experience, but a clear-cut and practical, as well as blessed, one. This experience does not depend upon the eloquence of man, nor the charm of a song, nor an aggregation of numbers. These things may help, and are often useful, but to con¬ vict men of sin, to win them to a regenerated life, requires the power of God. Great, consecrated scholarship is of inestimable value as an aid in bringing men to Christ and in upbuilding the Kingdom, but as a substitute for the grace and power of God it is never to be considered for one moment. 2. Just as God was “made to be seen” in Jesus (John 1:18; 1 John 3:5, 3:8), so there took place certain physical manifestations when the present age of the Spirit was inaugurated. But that drapery or framing, so to speak, has largely passed away as no longer needful while the fact, he, the Spirit, remains. He, a personality, having intelligence, emotion \ Our Dependence upon God 47 and will, is here in the world to-day acting as the all-seeing executor of the God-head. He, the Spirit, is as mysterious, as powerful, as universal and as mighty as “the mighty, rushing wind. ’’ He, the Spirit, does illuminate (intellectually and spiritually), energize and purify like unto “fire.” He, the Spirit, does enable us to speak in tongues (understandable and intelligible to men), in a lan¬ guage, a lingo that is unknown, misunderstood and misinterpreted by the world. He, the Spirit, does bring that Christian be¬ liever ’s unity, that altruism and those active so¬ cial relations and services of which Pentecostal communism is a type, though not commanded. in: THIS MATTER IS NOT A QUESTION OF OPINION OR CHOICE, BUT A DIVINE IMPERATIVE 1. This experience does make a difference. It spells the difference between continued success and ultimate failure and barrenness (Eph. 5:18). 2. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables men to call Jesus the Christ (1 Cor. 12: 3). Dwell¬ ing along with us (the Paraclete) and also m us we have limitless power and resources. Even as one can dip a cup into the ocean, so are we “filled unto (or into) the fullness” (Rom. 8:11; John 14:16-17). He dwells in, jealously yearns over 48 Personal Evangelism us and assures us of victory (James 4: 5-6). Paul tells us (Eph. 5:18-22) that we are to 64 walk in,” be “led by” and to produce the “fruits of” the Holy Spirit. This enduing is to “sanctify” or set us apart for bis service that be may “witness” through us (1 Peter 3:15), thereby exalting God the Father and Christ Jesus his Son. He is our “Paraclete,” helper by our side; our “Inbreather,” breathing into us the breath of the new life in Christ, and is our “Helper,” aiding us intellectually, physically and in every relation of life. 3. The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17), hence the need of familiarity there¬ with. Reverently be it said that God cannot, or will not hide that Word in our hearts, minds and memories—that is our work. We are hopeless and helpless in our spiritual warfare without the Word. Preaching, teaching and testifying depend upon such knowledge. 4. How may we obtain this power! We are only to “ask” (Luke 11:13; Acts 4:31), but being commanded (Eph. 5:18) who dares to ignore! The promise must be claimed (John 16:7; Acts 1:8), and our lives offered as volunteers (Ps. 110: 3), and Christ enthroned in every act, thought and word (John 7: 39). Read and study carefully Chapter V of “With Christ After the Lost,” by Hr. Scarborough. Our Dependence upon God 49 QUESTIONS 1. Why is a dependence upon the Holy Spirit an essential qualification for the personal evangelist? 2. To what may the physical manifestations of the day of Pentecost be likened? 3. To what extent does God use other agencies such as the speech of man, the attractiveness of song and the wisdom of the scholar? 4. Give in your own words, quoting Scripture to confirm your statement, what the indwelling Holy Spirit enables men to do. 5. What is the agency which the Spirit most largely uses? Quote: Ephesians 6 :17. 6. Have you looked up carefully every Scripture reference given in this lesson? 7. Have you accepted your salvation as complete, and are you going forward in the assurance of the unction of the Spirit? Or, are you still waiting for some peculiar physi¬ cal or emotional manifestation of the Spirit in your life, the experience of others or that suggested by some one else? 8. Look up and study carefully, and at one sitting, the fol¬ lowing passages of Scripture. (If this has been done, answer “yes” or “no.”) John 1: 21 Micah 3: 8 Zech. 4: 6 John 14:16 Eph. 4:30 Luke 24:49 John 20: 22 Acts 1: 8 Acts 2: 38 Eph. 5:18 Acts 6:3 John 7: 38-39 Judges 6: 34 Acts 5: 32 1 Thess. 5:19 and Luke 11:13 Chapter VIII Those Who Desire to Know the Way of Life This is naturally the easiest class with which we have to deal. They are to be found at the regular services of the church, in Sunday school and wherever religion is being discussed in other than a controversial manner. We are constantly being rebuked by the unsaved who express a wonder that we should be so silent in not setting forth the simple and plain plan of salvation. This lesson should be thoroughly mastered and every Scripture reference mentioned committed to memory. It is Dr. Torrey who has so pithily said: “ There are two things a man needs to know, and one thing he needs to do in order to be saved. First, he needs to know that he is a sinner and that Christ is the all-sufficient Savior; and second, he needs to accept this all-sufficient Savior whom God has provided!” I: SHOW MEN THAT THEY ARE LOST As we shall consider this matter more fully in the next lesson, the present reference will be brief. 50 Those Who Desire to Know Way of Life 51 Let us once more emphasize the fact that it is the Holy Spirit alone, and usually through the use of the Word, who is able to convince a man that he is lost. “Behold, 1 was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” {Ps . 51:5). “For there is not a just man {upon the earth, that doeth good and sinneth not” {Eccles . 7: 20). “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” {Rom. 3:23). Sin is not crime, that for which the law sets forth punishment for its violation. Sin is unbelief which leads to the violation of law. “When he is come {the Spirit), he will reprove {“convict”) the world of sin, and of righteous¬ ness, and of judgment: Of sin because they believe not on me” {John 16:8-9). Of sin, why! Because they get intoxicated, com¬ mit adultery, are thieves, liars or murderers? No! “Of sin because they believe not on me”— they do not accept him as Savior and follow him as Lord and Master. These so-called “sins’’ are but the fruit of the tree of unbelief, the tap-root of which is the denial of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. II: SHOW MEN THAT JESUS CHKIST CAN SAVE 1. For men to be “lost” or “dead” is to be out of vital, life-giving relations with God. 52 Personal Evangelism “All ive like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:13). “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who kneiv no sin: that we might be made the righteous¬ ness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5 : 21). 2. This Savior is able to save to the uttermost all who come to him. He saves us from the sins that are past; from the power of sin with which we come into daily contact; and will ultimately save us from even the presence of sin. “Wherefore he is able to save them to the utter¬ most that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed at the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). 3. It will be well for us to pause and consider again Paul’s definition of the 4 ‘gospel” (1 Cor. 15:1-4), how Christ died, a substitutionary and sacrificial death, for our sins and that he was buried and rose again “according to the Scrip¬ tures.” A Christ upon a crucifix is but half the story, and would leave us helpless and hopeless of Those Who Desire to Know Way of Life 53 eternal life, to say nothing of power to overcome sin in this present life. Get men to make a definite decision and an ac¬ ceptance and confession of Christ, feeling or no feeling. Peace and satisfaction will speedily follow. Ill: JESUS MUST RULE IN' THE LIFE 1. First of all, this demands a verbal confes¬ sion. By verbal confession we do not necessarily mean a recital of the whole catalogue of sins and transgressions we have committed. It does mean to deny that we, ourselves, possess any righteous¬ ness or merit in the sight of God, therefore we are sinners. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” {Rom. 10:9-10). 2. Simply to be saved is a meagre, impoverished and selfish position for any one to take. “He must be Lord of all or else not Lord at all. ,, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” {Acts 2:36). 3. We must make Jesus our own personal 54 Personal Evangelism Savior. Not in the broad sense that he deals with humanity in general but with each separate individual. (t But as many as received him, to them gave he power (or right, because of proper, competent authority) to become the sons of God” (John 1 : 12 ). See also: John 3:16; Acts 10:43, and Acts 26:18. IV: ASSURANCE This too we shall consider more fully later on in these studies. It is sufficient for the present, therefore, for the student to commit the following: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3: 36). “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemna¬ tion; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). These passages, out of many others that might be mentioned, are sufficient to show that if men believe, a definite transaction will take place. Con¬ fession and obedience are necessary and logical corollaries—the work of man—but eternal life “is the gift of God.” Those Who Desire to Know Way of Life 55 QUESTIONS 1. Give Dr. Torrey’s suggestion as to the things needed in order that a man may be saved. 2. How would you go about, from the Scriptures, to show a man his standing in the sight of God? 3. Quote the following (learn to locate Scripture as well as quote and to quote accurately): Psalms 51:5; Romans 3: 23; John 16: 8 and 9. 4. What is the root of all sin? What is meant by the word, “believe” ? 5. From memory, and by quoting necessary Scripture, show how Jesus can save a soul. 6. Upon what do peace and satisfaction in spiritual matters speedily follow? 7. After belief and confession what is demanded of men? 8. Quote the following: Romans 10:9,10; Acts 2:36; John 1 : 12 . 9. Under the question of assurance, what two passages of Scripture can you quote? Apply the same. Chapter. IX Those Who Are Indifferent The vast number of non-church-attendants and those who are otherwise indifferent to the claims of religion ought to convince any one that this is by far the largest class with which we have to deal. Indifference is by long odds the hardest difficulty we have to overcome. Having by some means secured at least a degree of attention: I: TRY TO SHOW MEN THEIR STANDING BEFORE GOD The most important thing is to convince such men that they are not only sinners but great sin¬ ners as well (Matt. 22: 34-40). Jesus tells us we are to love God with the whole heart, emotions and affections; with all of our souls, our wills, our volitional natures; and our minds, our intelligence and thinking, i.e., we are to love God supremely. i ‘This is the first and great commandment.” It is logical that if one breaks the first and great commandment one becomes the chief and guiltiest sinner. And a second like unto it is this, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. ,, Those Who Are Indifferent 57 Surely, judging by these two, “we have all sinned and come short.’’ Another passage of great value in this connec¬ tion is Romans 14:12. Others to learn and use are Amos 4:12 and Romans 2:16. II: ENDEAVOR TO BRING BEFORE MEN THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN Frequently all we can do with an indifferent man is to bring to him a Scriptural passage like Amos 4:12, and let the Holy Spirit use it as he sees tit and the man permits. If, however, the person will converse or listen, endeavor, by the use of the Word, to bring before him the consequences of his sin, using such pas¬ sages as Romans 6:23; John 8:34, and Romans 6:16. “Wages” is that which one receives for labor performed. If we work for Satan we neces¬ sarily receive his “wages” and must finally go to that place that is “prepared” for him and his fol¬ lowers (Matt. 25:41). God’s gift to us is “eter¬ nal life” and all we need to do is to accept the gift. The vast majority of men we meet confess to a belief in Jesus Christ, but it is only an intellectual, historical or ethical belief which is by no means a saving faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:18-19), and men need to be reminded that it is this same loving Savior who alone gives them any authentic sug- 58 Personal Evangelism gestion even, to say naught of revelation, as to the future state of the unbelievers. Look up and familiarize yourself with the following: Acts 2: 36-37; Hebrews 10: 28-29; Hebrews 11: 6; John 8: 24. in: SHOW MEN WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO BE LOST We have learned that “all have sinned/’ that “none doeth righteous’’ and that “all have gone astray.” Let us remember that it is the indiffer¬ ent that we are dealing with, and that our constant lookout must be to arouse the interest and, by making an appeal to the will, cause men to act. All one needs to do to be destroyed in Niagara is to drift with the current over the falls; no effort is required. The prisoner will remain behind the bars if he fails to accept the pardon offered him, and every such pardon is a “gift.” It cannot be earned, or else it would not be a pardon. All one does to be lost is to neglect—not to be¬ lieve—for belief involves the act of one’s will. Study carefully Hebrews 2:3; Acts 3:22-23, 13: 38-41, and John 3: 36. The saddest words that ever fell from the lips of the Savior are recorded in John 5:40, “ and ye will not come to me that ye might have life.” All that an omnipotent God can or should do for a man’s salvation, he has done. All that weak, sinful men have to do is to Those Who Are Indifferent 59 repent—“change the mind,” believe and begin a life of obedience and testimony. Salvation is both an act and a process. By the act we become “sons” (John 1:12), and by the process we are ultimately to become “like him” (1 John 3:2). IV: EMPHASIZE god’s LOVE “More flies are caught by molasses than vine¬ gar.” It is all too easy to threaten men when they fail to do what we tell them, especially when there is, to us, no question as to the necessity for their following the course we have set before them. Love will thaw out most men. When once they are convinced that it is a sincere, honest and un¬ selfish love that is directing our conduct, that the “love of God is shed abroad in our hearts” (Rom. 5:5), we are apt very soon to win men to “him who first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Look up and familiarize yourself with the fol¬ lowing : Isa. 53:5; Gal. 3:13; Romans 2:4-5; 1 Peter 2: 24. By no means do we expect personal evangelists always to follow the foregoing suggestions, or always to deal with different cases in the same manner, or even in a logical manner. Ofttimes the person approached will not permit us clearly to present the truth, and seldom shall we be able 60 Personal Evangelism to go over all the ground suggested. Nevertheless, we should strive to be sure by one or another method, thought or passage, to do as thorough work as possible. It will thereby be permanent. Let us remember that we do not convert men and that God has endowed every man with a free will to act as he, the man, may choose. QUESTIONS 1. From the use of the Scripture show what is the greatest sin that men commit. 2. How would you convey to men the consequences of sin? 3. Do you in your heart of hearts really believe that unre¬ pentant men are to be eternally punished? 4. In your own words explain the terms “wages” and “gift.” 5. Quote the following (always locate when quoting) : Romans 6:23; John 8:34; 3:18, 19, and Matt. 25:41. 6. What is necessary for a man to be lost? And what to be saved? 7. Wherein can we say that salvation is both an act and a process ? 8. Why emphasize the love of God? 9. Are you familiar with and can you quote the following: Isa. 53: 5; Gal. 3:13; Romans 2: 4-5, and 1 Peter 2: 24? 10. After all what is the great impelling motive whereby we win men to Christ? (2 Cor. 5:14.) PART TWO: DIFFICULTIES PART TWO: DIFFICULTIES Chapter I Those Who Depend upon a Righteous Life It is safe to say that more people depend upon living a life of right acts—actions that will bal¬ ance the accounts of life—than upon any other one thing outside of that which is required of God, viz., a simple confession of faith. Eather than present to God the “righteousness of Christ,” as their claim upon eternal life, men seem instinctively to feel that they must do something, the doing of which will win merit and favor in the sight of God. “I am doing my best,” “I am not so great a sinner, ” or “ My life will compare pretty well with that of other men”—these and a score of similar replies are constantly being met by personal evangelists. “Justification” means to be judged right, or declared righteous, i.e., the full and complete pen¬ alty, fine or punishment for the violation of the law has been met, paid or otherwise satisfied. In other words the account is closed. For a sinner to become justified—right in the sight of God— 63 64 Personal Evangelism he must not only account for the sin he has in¬ herited along with the whole human race, hut also the sins of his own past life and the contagion that comes upon him by reason of the defilement of his daily contact with sin about him as well as any violations he may commit in the future—an im¬ possible task of himself. Having been justified we are adopted (lit., “placed as sons”), becoming sons of God (John 1 : 12 ). I*. WE MUST BE PURE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD To be accepted in his sight we must be spotless (Eph. 5:27; 2 Peter 3:14; Heb. 9:14), for God’s eyes are too pure and holy even to behold sin (Hab. 1:13). For a man to become thus pure enough to enter the sight of God, for him to be justified in his sight, becomes a herculean task, impossible of human accomplishment. II: IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MAH TO BALANCE ACCOUNTS God has distinctly told us that we cannot be accepted in his sight on the ground of our indi¬ vidual character (Gal. 2:16; Kom. 3:19-20). To come otherwise than by the way of the cross would stultify God and make Calvary a mockery. From the passages just cited we are distinctly told that Those Who Depend upon Righteous Life 65 “by the deeds of the law,” i.e ., by presenting our own righteousness, “shall no man be judged as righteous. ’ ’ The law was given to stop the mouths of men who make such claims. It is interesting to note that all non-Christian religions lay great stress upon the doing of righteousness, and in none of them do their ad¬ herents find satisfaction, or assurance that the ac¬ counts have been satisfactorily balanced. All such attempts of men are failures (James 2:10). Further, we must face the impossibility of get¬ ting men to agree upon a moral standard to which all must attain, or a price value of good works which all men must or may exchange for a righteous life—one to be accepted by a just and holy God (Matt. 5:20). Ill: RIGHTEOUSNESS IS A CONDITION OF THE HEART Every attempt to secure self-righteousness is based upon the false assumption that it is our outward conduct, seen of men, that will win favor and eternal life from God. Read carefully such passages as Luke 16:15; Rom. 2:16, and 1 Sam. 16: 7. Whatever the outward life may be, few men could stand the exposure, if it were possible to picture them upon a screen, of the innermost thoughts and interests of their hearts. Again such a concept of righteousness is based 66 Personal Evangelism upon a false understanding of the fundamental idea of sin. Sin is not crime or misdemeanors: sin is an attitude of life, a relation to God through his Son (John 16:9), that results in these overt acts of unrighteousness. The Master has told us what the “first and great commandment” is, and Paul has enumerated the fruits of the violation of this command (Gal. 5:18-21). IV: RIGHTEOUSNESS IS ONLY BY FAITH We have already shown in Part One, Chapter II, that salvation is conditioned upon faith (Heb. 11:6; John 6:29). It is “imputed,” liter¬ ally, made over to us, or credited to our account. QUESTIONS 1. Tell in yonr own language, using Scripture passages to confirm, why it is that God will accept only the righteous¬ ness of Christ. 2. Give in your own language the meaning of “justification.” 3. What does God require of all who come into his presence and why? Quote James 2:10. 4. If a man could earn enough merit in the sight of God to be saved what would the result be as related to Calvary? 5. What difficulty do we encounter when we attempt to reach a, standard of morality? 6. What do you understand to be the fundamental character of sin? 7. Using the Scripture, tell what are to be the products, or fruits, and the final result of sin in a man’s life. Those Who Depend upon Righteous Life 67 8. When we tell men that only through faith can they be saved, what is implied? Faith in what? 9. Quote Acts 4:12. 10. How may we secure a righteousness satisfactory to God? Chapter II Those Who Say: “God Is Too Good to Damn a Soul” This is a 4 ‘ stock argument ” offered honestly by many, but more often it is offered as an excuse to cover up a life of lax morals. Men selfishly seek to continue living in sin and then to crawl into heaven on the goodness of Giod. They are not willing to suffer the penalty invoked by their selfish modes of living. The only knowledge we have of God’s goodness is that revealed to us in the Bible, and in it alone have we any clear assurance even that he is Love. There is no love revealed in nature—“red in tooth and claw . 9 7 i: GOD IS GOOD FOR A PURPOSE That God is good and that none of us has re¬ ceived blessings according to our merits all will acknowledge, but we all need to be reminded that in this goodness he has an end in view (Rom. 2:4). Most men seem to fail to comprehend the corol¬ lary truth, viz., that the penalty for an outraged, spurned love and violated justice must be satis¬ fied, else God would, himself, be unjust. 68 “God Is Too Good to Damn a Soul” 69 The man who ruins womanhood, blasts char¬ acter, sets free slander or wrongs mankind, to say naught of outraging God, is surely treasuring up “wrath” against the day of the full revelation of the righteous judgments of God. II: GOD DOES NOT DAMN ANY SOIJL Nowhere in the Word are we told that God damns the souls of men. God is both loving and righteous. He has also provided a complete and a satisfactory righteousness which is free to all men. He is not willing that any should perish; to assert otherwise is to slander (2 Peter 3:9). If men are ultimately and finally lost none will ever be able to accuse God of any responsibility for their lost condition. If men choose to follow the Evil One, to do his behests, then they and they alone are responsible if they are judged worthy to accompany him to that place prepared for him and his servants (Matt. 25:41). The saddest words our Master ever uttered are those recorded in John 5:40, “and ye would not come unto me, that ye might have life.” Ill: WE MUST JUDGE GOD IN THE FUTUKE BY GOD IN THE PAST If men still persist in seeking thus to excuse their careless lives, it may be well to show how 70 Personal Evangelism God has dealt with men in the past (2 Peter 2: 4-6 and 9). This passage removes from onr thinking all speculation as to the future. What we may expect of him hereafter is clearly indicated by what he has done in his dealings with men in the past. Try to get men to see that a present safety (John 3: 36) is much more to be desired than to take chances upon an uncertain future (John 3:18-19). Dr. Torrey relates how a missionary “ simply quoted the Bible, ’ ’ rather than entering into a con¬ troversy, to one who brought forward this stock, universalist statement, with the result that by the next day the Spirit had so moved upon the man’s heart that he sought the missionary, not this time for an argument, but rather to have pointed out to him the way of life, lest he “perish” (Luke 13:3). IV : SHALLOW SKEPTICISM We shall consider later the skeptic as a class, but a few words here will not be out of place. Men who make the reply suggested as our lesson subject reveal their shallow thinking as regards spiritual matters. Our aim should be to deepen their sense of need before God. Have them read Heb. 2:1-4. It will help to quicken it. Men who hold to this opinion are shortsighted “God Is Too Good to Damn a Soul” 71 in that they have a sentimental idea of God as one who lacks strength of character and who is governed by his emotions irrespective of facts. They do not comprehend the awfnlness of sin, nor the compassion of Jesns for the lost (Luke 19:41-44). 4 ‘ Imagine a pupil coming to his father, who is his teacher, with his problem wrong, and his father saying, ‘It does not matter. I love you so much. We will let it pass/ You would say he did not really love his child and did not love mathe¬ matics. ”—Dr. Howard A. Johnston. So when we come to God, his love does not over¬ look our sin, but because he does love us so much we must have the problem of sin made right, and as the true teacher he will help us. If we are not willing to let him help to make the problem right our case is hopeless, even though love has provided the solution. QUESTIONS 1. From memory write out an outline of this lesson. 2. What is the purpose of the goodness of God? 3. What must of necessity accompany the goodness of God to make him righteous ? 4. Do the Scriptures anywhere say that God “damns” a soul? 5. Quote and locate passages that prove the contrary. 6. For whom was punishment prepared and on whom does Jesus throw the burden of responsibility if a man does suffer ? 72 Personal Evangelism 7. By what may we judge God’s future judgments upon men? 8. Have you met persons recently who have made the reply mentioned as the subject of this lesson? Tell how you dealt with them, the Scriptures you used and the result. Chapter III Those Who Say: “I Am Feeling All Right . What More Is Needed V’ It seems passing strange that persons who will not allow their feelings to govern their conduct with respect to their business will at the same time be satisfied about their soul’s eternal welfare by such an illogical attitude of life. While it is true that many never knew the mo¬ ment of their conversion, and also that no two persons ever find Christ in exactly the same man¬ ner, it is also true that every man may know that he has 1 ‘passed from death unto life ” (John 5:24; 1 John 3 :14). The honest man therefore is the man who will examine himself and fearlessly answer the ques¬ tion, “Have I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord?” I: EMPHASIZE THE NEED OF POSITIVE AND DEFINITE ACTION The person, who honestly takes stock of his spiritual condition and standing before God, may be as sure of his standing as he is that Christ is God’s Son and our Savior. Willing obedience 73 74 Personal Evangelism is the price of knowledge. If men will set their wills in right relation to the will of God they will soon have the answer to their question, ‘ 4 What more is needed?” (John 7:17). The prophet tells us that “we may know if we follow on to know the Lord” (Hos. 6:3). Re¬ ligious knowledge, like every other sort of knowl¬ edge, depends upon experience (Jer. 29:13). In every relation of life, business, education, politics, love—every one—men realize, to a de¬ gree at least, the need of action. They exercise faith and make public confession of their beliefs. Not long do they rely upon and act solely upon a state of their feelings; if they do they soon have cause to rue such a course of life. II: FEELINGS ARE UNSTABLE The Apostle James (1: 6-8) admonishes us that in our thinking and our conduct we must not be governed as are the waves of the sea by the set of the wind. Our entrance into heaven is more sure than that we happen to “feel that we are saved.” To¬ morrow we may have indigestion or receive some¬ body’s rebuff and feel quite differently about the question. The Word tells us that the “heart is deceitful and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9); also that, “there is a way that seemetli