More and more the winning of lost souls must rest upon the work of those who will do personal evangelism. It is a work of unselfishness and love to give one’s heart and labor to teach the gospel of Christ personally to those who are willing to study. Souls can be won for Christ if Christians will make the sacrifice to reach out to those who do not know the gospel.
Preachers must not only preach from the pulpit but must do personal studies if they expect to be successful in soul winning. We need only to read the personal advertisements for ministers in our publications to see that many congregations realize the importance of personal evangelism. These congregations are seeking applicants who can preach sermons and do personal work.
When we open our Bibles to the book of Acts, we see right away that this was the case in the early church. Look at the example of Philip, who preached to the Samarians. Many obeyed the gospel, yet Philip ran to join himself to the chariot of an Ethiopian eunuch so that he could preach to him Jesus (Acts 8:26-40). Paul, after his conversion, taught the jailer (Acts 16:23-34). Lydia (Acts 16:13-15) and others on a one-on-one basis. Peter went to Cornelius and preached to him the gospel (Acts 10:1-48). Cornelius and his house obeyed the gospel and were saved. These good men, great gospel preachers, not only were saved. These good men, great gospel preachers, not only preached to large crowds but missed no opportunity to teach individuals.
We need to read Acts again to see how the early church reached out to the lost. In Acts chapter eight, we see how the Christians at Jerusalem were scattered abroad and went everywhere preaching Jesus. We need to turn back to this effective and Biblical method of reaching lost souls to be successful in our own communities.
- Dale Grissiom has for many years served as an elder and minister for the Dexter church of Christ in Dexter, MO. Travis L. Quertermous preaches for the congregation. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.dexterchurchofchrist.com/
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