After having presented the truths of the gospel, the next two elements necessarily follow, viz. being confrontational and pastoral.
5. Confrontational
Saving faith has historically been understood to carry three aspects: notitia (knowledge), assensus (assent), and fiducia (trust). What doctrinal evangelism through a biblical theological approach does is provide a healthy and rich dose of gospel truths to the minds of unbelievers. Two things I should mention here. There is no such thing as blind faith. God has given us a revelation that is both personal and propositional. Sinners put their faith into the truths they understand, the God who is real and has disclosed Himself to them (revelation) through Scripture (the written Word) and Jesus Christ (Living Word). Secondly, faith is not merely the intellectual acquisition (knowledge) or even agreement of the truths (assent); rather, saving faith is an attitude of dependence and act of trust where we appropriate the truths we have come to understand and agree. Simply put, we make them our own.
It is here where I call my unbelieving friends to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. I remind them that they are no better off for simply having heard the good news of Jesus Christ. It must become good news for them. The question Jesus asked in his day, “Who do you say that I am?” is a question everyone must come to terms with, for God is calling all men everywhere to repent. There were many who followed Jesus for the miracles he could offer or the amazing sermons he could deliver, but only few counted the cost to take up their cross and follow Jesus. This accounting is nothing short of declaring “Jesus is Lord” and experiencing that truth in our hearts and lives. It is an emphatic “YES” to everything that God is for us in His Son Jesus Christ.
6. Pastoral
The Puritans often called the work of a minister as a “physician of the soul.” When dealing with a sinner under conviction who has been confronted with their need to trust in Jesus, knowing how to address an illumined mind, wounded conscience, and broken heart is crucial. I want to press the law to expose their need for alien righteousness (that is, from Christ) and appeal to the promises of the gospel that Jesus will not cast out any that will come to Him. Knowing that the Shepherd will call out His sheep, my goal is to put as much Scripture before them as possible, confident that, as they hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, those who are called will follow.
One of the most difficult challenges I see at the point of decision is to not manipulate a sinner or try to force a decision by praying a prayer or any other superficial means. It is tempting to deal lightly with sinners by providing them a false sense of security, that after a prayer or whatever, we quickly say “Welcome to the family of God!” The fact is, I don’t know whether at that moment true conversion had taken place, for only God knows their hearts. If the Spirit has regenerated a sinner to new life where they in turn trust Jesus and turn from their sin, the fruit of that will become evident, but it is not my place to make any priestly pronouncement or appease their consciences. No one would trust a physician who treats cancer patients with Scooby-Doo bandaids. The truth is that the soul of my friend is before me, and the way I handle the gospel and counsel them pastorally has eternal significance.
Lastly, I understand that when a person who I shared the gospel with becomes a Christian, I am personally responsible to help them grow in Christ. Conversion isn’t the end but the beginning. These friends who have watched me live, pray, read my Bible, and witness with others will come alongside me and will do it together. Paul had much to say about being spiritual fathers and mothers to new Christians who are infants in Christ. We cannot expect new Christians to be as mature or sanctified as those who have walked with Christ for years. Therefore, being pastoral in leading them to Christ as well as caring for their spiritual growth should be the natural implications of evangelism and desire of our hearts. To the Thessalonians, Paul stated that he desired to share not only the gospel of God but also his entire life because they had become so dear to him (1 Thess. 2:8). To the Philippians, he speaks how he longs for them with the affection of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:8) . To the Galatians, he said that he was who was spiritual in labor until Christ was formed in them (Gal. 4:19). To the Corinthians, he stated that he became a father to them through the gospel (1 Cor. 4:15). Here is a man, an evangelist who understood that evangelism means much more than making converts. It means making disciples–a task that will require giving our lives for years to come. It is a task where the gospel is central in constant in our conversations in winning them to Christ and also in seeing them grow in Christ. Indeed, the need to be confrontational and pastoral is at the heart of the Great Commission.
Concluding this short series, I will mention the last element – doxological.
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