Is This Evangelism?
Please take a second and watch this video called
"Man Arrested For Reading The Bible In Public"
A friend of mine on face book posted this on her facebook page asking for opinions. In that vain I am doing the same. My opinion is as follows I would love to hear yours as well.
Man Arrested For Reading The Bible In Public
Personally I think this pastor was rude not righteous. This sort of evangelism is ineffective. I do not believe it planted any good seeds. Had I been in the crowd, I would have been sympathetic, But I would not have been able to support this pastor. In my opinion, he left a bad impression. Most importantly, this event did not bring Glory to God. It seemed to me that these two men were not persecuted they were disciplined.
Guys the audience was waiting in a line. I suppose they could have left if they wanted to, but I agree with the officer, they were a captive audience. If they let us Christians do this kind of rude and intrusive evangelism, they will have to let the Muslims. Personally I was embarrassed. These men were out of line.
That said, I was shocked that they got arrested. I could not believe my eyes. I expected the officer to come up and ask them to leave. To give them a warning first. That did not happen, I suspect this group has been a thorn in the officials sides before.
We must never forget Paul's admonition to us
1 Timothy 2:1-2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Also, and more to the point;
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
Evangelism is important, indeed we need to take the gospel into the community but do so in a manner that brings honor to God's reputation.
Opinions are like noses, we all have one
ABR