There's a popular misconception that you cannot bring people to Christ in 2009 using techniques from the 1st Century. We tend to think of First Century evangelism as being much too direct and "in your face" for sophisticated Americans of the Twenty-first Century. Think again.
In Acts 17, we find Paul ministering in Athens. Historians tell us that 1st Century Athens is a cosmopolitan place; people value higher education and consider themselves very hip and well informed. They like nothing better than talking about the latest fads and ideas. And they have absolutely no background in Judaism or anything that might prepare them for the teachings of Jesus Christ. If you're familiar with Paul's ministry style, his approach here is surprising.
Read the text and you find that Paul begins his presentation to intellectuals at Mars Hill with what seems to be a compliment- at least in their minds. He mentions that it's apparent these folks are extremely religious because they have so many idols. Now you and I know (v16) that Paul has been extremely troubled by the pagan idols and icons that are everywhere in Athens. But he doesn't blast the Athenians and warn them they're about to bust Hell wide open!
Paul has learned a lesson that many 21st Century believers have never grasped: you don't have to say everything you know. He begins by building on common ground he shares with these pagans. First, he believes in a Creator God, just like they do. They even have a statue to an unknown God. Second, he agrees with their idea that such a God has clearly invested the universe with design and order. Then he adds a third point they haven't considered: that such a God must have surely done all this creative work for a specific reason- perhaps that men and women everywhere might seek him out and find him. He proposes to introduce them to that purposeful God whose existence is affirmed by their monument to the Great Unknown.
In his first 20 minutes with the Athenians, he tells them who Jesus is without ever mentioning the Lord's name. He begins with shared ideas and then leads them to conclusions they've never drawn before. He understands their culture and actually quotes pagan Greek poets to support the Gospel he is sharing with them. And the result is that several pagans become followers of Jesus Christ that day, and others move forward in a spiritual journey that will require a little more time.
Sometimes we assume that we must share the Gospel "at all costs." That's not really true. If the cost is offending someone so badly that he will never again consider the claims of Christ, that cost is too high. Our priority should be sharing Christ "in the most effective manner." You can share the Gospel without ever mentioning Hell, abortion, gay rights, evolution, the role of women, or the wiles of Satan. Don't misunderstand: you may well have the most accurate biblical position on all those questions, but they still aren't part of the Gospel.
Once a lost co-workers becomes a believer, we can hope he will have years to get all his doctrines right. However, we aren't saved by systematic theology. We are saved by trusting Jesus Christ and relying on His grace. So I never try and "water down" the Gospel. But like Paul, I do attempt to find common ground with lost people, and tailor my presentation to the way my lost friend thinks.
There is no such thing as a magic Gospel outline. The best way to share the Gospel is the way that gets a particular person saved. Think about it.
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