Mark H. Stevens, M.

Min
15 March 12, 2010
TH-7044 Evangelistic Theology
Intro!ction
The Art of Christian Conversation
The o"ening state#ent can $e e$ata$le I in%t agree &ith it "ersonally' (It is )!st
nat!ral *or +hristians to talk,. The reason I isagree &ith this o"ening assess#ent an
stereoty"e o* all +hristians, it si#"ly this, I* yo! &ere a -!ite intros"ective "erson "rior
to conversion chance are yo! &ill re#ain so a*ter&ars. The &riter see#s to *eel that
the .e& /irth (#akes, a "erson talkative. I &ill give yo! a /i$lical e0a#"le o* &hat I
a# trying to say. 1es!s ha 12 isci"les an o!t o* that gro!" He chose a s!$-gro!"
calle the Inner-+ircle 23eter, 1a#es, an 1ohn4 yo! rea a$o!t 3eter an 1ohn o*ten an
harly anything a$o!t 1a#es' 5et 1a#es &as one o* 1es!s closest isci"les. I o agree
that the Holy S"irit give !s co!rage to share the 6oo .e&s, He still oesn%t overrie
or inivi!al &ill. I really o not think a "erson &ill $eco#e #ore e0troverte $y
acce"ting +hrist. I o $elieve that &e are a"t to share o!r *aith $eca!se o* o!r love *or
1es!s an the ins"iration the Holy S"irit gives !s. /!t I also $elieve o!r "ersonalities are
&hat they are an the inivi!al +hristian "ersonality is &hat it is.
I* yo! get isco!rage re#e#$er to "ray on it, like yo! i $e*ore yo! starte to try
to &itness to others. 7et 6o hel" yo!. He &ill give yo! the co!rage to hel" yo! on
yo!r )o!rney to $ring #ore "eo"le closer to Hi# an on the roa to salvation. I o
agree &ith the a!thor that &e are co#"elle to share o!r *aith $y virt!e o* the Holy
S"irit%s "ro#"ting, ho&ever that oesn%t #ean 6o &ill #ake !s talkative i* $y nat!re
&e are -!iet or introverte. 3rayer is essential in the +hristian8s li*e. 9itho!t it yo!r
&itness &ill $e *ar less e**ective an yo! &ill $e *ar #ore v!lnera$le to the ene#y.
9hen yo! &itness, yo! nee the $lessing an s!""ort o* the 7or. 5o! nee to $e in
*ello&shi" an "rayer &ith The 7or on a consistent $asis in orer to $e an e**ective
&itness. I think &e #!st re#e#$er that it is the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit 2:cts 1;<4
that ena$les !s to &itness. It is not o!r elo-!ence or &itty s"eech that convinces "eo"le
to acce"t +hrist. 3eo"le are ra&n $y 6o. :s *ar as o!r conversation goes I $elieve
that the *r!it o* the S"irit &ill also hel" !s $eca!se o!r #anner o* s"eech &ill rastically
change as &e gro& in 6race.
O!r #anner o* talking is so i#"ortant a #atter, not #erely *or getting along in this
li*e $!t also *or reaching the ne0t, that the #ost *la#ing o* the :"ostles, St. 3a!l, *iery
trail $la=er to salvation, eclare, >5o!r #anner o* s"eaking #!st al&ays $e gracio!s,
&ith an ege o* liveliness, reay to give each -!estioner the right ans&er.>1 I sho!l
like es"ecially to call attention to his re-!iring >an ege o* liveliness> in a goo
+hristian8s conversation? It "leases #e to inter"ret this to #ean that a *ello& &ho never
li*ts a coin *ro# his #other8s "!rse, $!t &ho !ses !" *i*teen an then-s to tell ho& he
talke the >co"> o!t o* a tra**ic ticket, has a #ighty sli# chance o* &riggling thro!gh
that $i$lical >eye o* a neele> that is the gate o* heaven?
1ohn 7ocke, the English "hiloso"her, sai, >/e*ore a #an can s"eak on any s!$)ect it
is necessary to $e ac-!ainte &ith it.> 9e recall that Sa#!el 1ohnson sai that *or
conversation >There #!st, in the *irst "lace, $e kno&lege, there #!st $e #aterials.>
@ne cannot get o!t o* a sack &hat isn8t in it. Since conversation is the co##!nicating o*
*acts, ieas, an *eelings, one #!st have the# to talk the#.
9hile &e think o* eating as largely a "leas!re, &e kno& it is also the #eans o*
kee"ing !s alive. Si#ilarly &e think o* conversation as a satis*action an a#!se#ent,
yet o not -!ite so &ell reali=e that it is also the s!stenance o* o!r #ental li*e. It is an
ocean that never ries !", $!t &hich, &hen it stagnates ca!ses a shriveling !" o*
everything else, an &hich, &hen it e$$s an *lo&s an "!shes in all the strea#s an
inlets, gives a livelier "!lse to li*e every&here.
Th!s, the "ro$le# o* evangelis# is not getting "eo"le to o it, $!t rather a lack o*
s"irit!al reality. It is a "ro$le# o* $eing a$le to eliver &hat is asserte; &hich is an
a$ility to irect others into the "resence o* the living 6o in act!al enco!nter.
I* &e &ish to $e evangelists, let !s seek the 7or &hile He can $e *o!n. :n once &e
kno& Hi# really, then &e can intro!ce others to Hi#. 7et !s not $e *ra!s i* &e o not
have real access to Hi#, nor let us encourage hypocrisy in others, nor sho!l &e $e la=y
2an !nlikely "ro$le#, really4--i* &e have #et Hi#--to share o!r $o!nty &ith others.
Since the #a)or "ro$le# is the lack o* reality, evangelis# training #!st start &ith an
e#"hasis to know God *or those &ho ho"e to $e a$le to >lea others> to Hi#. 9e #!st
kno& ho& to get there, an have gone o!rselves. :nything else is a hieo!s *ra! an
sin. 2Mt 2A;154
Be#e#$er that o!r >testi#ony> is not a >s"iel>, or "re"ackage scri"t, $!t the tr!th a$o!t
&ho &e are an &ho 6o is, &hat &e have one an &hat He has one. To this &e #!st
&itness, an >reckon o!rselves ea> to all else.
6o hates tr!#"ery an "honiness an has #ae this -!ite clear, so &e nee not "reten
&e kno& all the ans&ers or are in so#e other &ay >"re"are> to start. 9e :BE his
&itnesses, an as &e s"eak o* o!r o&n e"ravity 2as o""ose to &orlly $oasting an
sel*-"ro#otion4 an 6o8s gooness &e &ill *in those chosen $y 6o &ill ee"ly
resonate to this #essage $y the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit.
:s 1es!s sai in 1ohn A, >&e s"eak &hat &e C.@9...>
.otice ho& 3a!l al&ays tells 9H:T H:33E.ED to hi#--ho& 6o save HIM--&hen
>&itnessing>. Th!s, &e have the sa#e story tol three ti#es in the $ook o* :cts a$o!t
&hat ha""ene on the road. The telling, an re-telling, o* this #ae hi# look like rather a
ch!#", $!t this &as the "oint. Be#e#$er it &as 3a!l &ho sai >6o8s strength is #ae
"er*ect in &eakness>. So 3a!l boasted o* his history o* st!"iity an eliverance,
sha#e*!l as it &as. This kin o* >&itness> is the ho"e o**ere to others that they too can
$e heale an #ae holy $e*ore 6o.
This is tr!e >+hristian &itnessing>. :ll else I call >Mor#on &itnessing>--the logical
s"iel--the "rogra#, the #ental strong-ar#ing, the sales-"itch, etc.
9e si#"ly are honest a$o!t o!r o!$ts, o!r eliverance, o!r i#"atience 2like Davi--&ho
ha >a heart a*ter 6o>4, o!r *ail!res, &hat He has one *or !s, His gooness, an the
like--&itho!t e0aggeration or hy"e--an let the Holy S"irit o the rest. I think o!r nat!ral
a$ilities to co##!nicate either ver$ally or in &ritten te0t can $e e-!ally e**ective
$eca!se it is not !s $!t the +hrist in !s that is act!ally to!ching the hearts o* #en an
&o#en. So#eti#es &itnessing sho!l $e as nat!ral as striking !" a conversation at a $!s
sto" an isc!ssing last night%s $ase$all ga#e. 1es!s +hrist is not )!st &ho &e $elieve in
$!t rather He is in !s an s"eaking thro!gh !s.

Mark H. Stevens, M.Min
15 March 12, 2010
TH-7044 Evangelistic Theology
+ha"ter @ne
Through Him All Things were Made
The o"ening verse o* scri"t!re !se $y the a!thor &as really "er*ect *or this cha"ter
$eca!se the thing that se"arates +hristianity *ro# all other *aiths is the iss!e o* 1es!s
+hrist a!thority an eity. I think there is *ar to #!ch co#"ro#ise on the iss!e &hen
#oern era +hristians try an evangeli=e to non-$elievers. I "ersonally *eel the iss!e o*
1es!s eity cannot $e co#"ro#ise to satis*y the ene#ies o* the cross. Millions o*
"eo"le think 1es!s 25esh!a4 &as )!st a (goo, #an, a g!r! o* sorts, or a "ro"het &ith a
nice #essage. 1es!s &as an is 6o. +.S. 7e&is sai a #an that #ae the clai#s 1es!s
i ha to $e 6o or a l!natic. Denial o* this *act can cost yo! yo!r so!l. I* this
kno&lege is S@ i#"ortant, &hy is it hien to so #anyE
It is interesting that the a!thor intro!ces the in*l!ence o* Carl Mar0 an +o##!nis#
as a #a)or in*l!ence on society. 9hile I agree there &as an in*l!ence *ro# +o##!nis#
in attacking the iss!e o* 1es!s a!thority an the valiity o* +hristianity, I *eel that
:#erican i##orality an racis# "laye a role in hinering the #essage o* the cross at
ho#e an a$roa.
Millions o* "eo"le are o* the o"inion that 1es!s &as so#e New Age g!r! that *o!n
nirvana, The Holy S"irit is so#e i#"ersonal *orce 2i.e. Star 9ars4, an 6o is a cos#ic
$ig $ang that accientally s"a&ne #ankin *ro# so#e le*t-over "roto"las#. The
"ro$le#s &ith these lines o* tho!ght are that they &ill leave yo! &itho!t a heavenly
Father, a Savior *or yo!r so!l, an a S"irit to kee" an g!ie yo!. There are so#e
s"eci*ic things that &e shall e0a#ine to hel" yo! e*en an !nerstan the tr!th a$o!t
1es!s h!#anity an eity. 1es!s is the #ost talke a$o!t #an in history, an saly the
#ost #is!nerstoo an #isre"resente. 1es!s &as a 1e&ish car"enter &ho &as also The
Son o* 6o. To so#e it see#s -!ite contraictory *or 6o to s!$)ect hi#sel* to s!ch a
h!#$le e0istence. The 1e&s e0"ecte the Messiah to $e a &arrior an not a h!#$le
servant. Even +hristians *orget that 1es!s &as the !lti#ate e0a#"le o* servit!e.
Be#e#$er 3eter%s reaction &hen 1es!s &ante to &ash his *eetE 3eter kne& that 6o &as
kneeling $e*ore hi# an it &as har *or hi# to !nerstan ho& the Messiah co!l &ash
his *eet.
I a# gla the a!thor later in this cha"ter oesn%t a$solve :#erica *ro# the ecline o*
+hristian val!es. He $rings !" a vali "oint a$o!t the :#erican%s sense o* inivi!alis#
an rive *or intellect!al an #aterial &ealth.
9hen &e are save &e $eco#e a ne& creation, accoring to 2 +or. 5;17; (There*ore,
i* anyone is in +hrist, he is a ne& creation' ol things have "asse a&ay' $ehol, all
things have $eco#e ne&., This is the ne& state o* $eing res!lting *ro# the action o* the
ne& $irth. 9here the ne& $irth e#"hasi=es the raical trans*or#ation &e !nergo, the
ne& creation e#"hasi=es the raical ne& "erson &e $eco#e. Ho& is it "ossi$le to
$eco#e an ol creation once againE +an &e $e !ncreateE .o& i* &e ha any o!$t as to
the e0tent o* this creation, 3a!l is"els it $y s"eci*ying that the ol things have "asse
a&ay. :ll things have $eco#e ne&. I* I go o!t an $!y a ne& car an ecie I on%t like
it, I can give it $ack an contin!e !sing the ol one. /!t i* I have re$!ilt the ol car,
sane o** the ol "aint an re"ainte it, torn o!t the !"holstery an ha it re!"holstere,
re"lace the ol engine, tires an electrical syste# an taken the ol "arts to the !#"G
ho& can I "ossi$ly !ntrans*or# it an #ake it $ack into the ol carE 6o%s &ork in this
ne& creation is #ore than restoration, it is act!al creation; &e have $een create a (ne&
#an, in 6o%s i#age 2E"h. 4;24' +ol. A;104.
For #any religions it is har to acce"t the *act that 1es!s is the +reator o* the Hniverse,
$!t it stans to reason that the sa#e #irac!lo!s "o&er that create the Hniverse is neee
to re-create !s a*ter the original sin. +hristians on%t really *atho# the #irac!lo!s &ork
o* salvation. Salvation is 6o%s &ork not the &ork o* #en. I $elieve that &e o*ten *orget
that &e cannot (save;, anyone. Too o*ten religion get%s in the &ay o* the "rocess an
#iracle o* salvation. I $elieve too #any ch!rches $l!r the i**erence $et&een
)!sti*ication an sancti*ication. Hnerstaning the i**erence $et&een )!sti*ication an
sancti*ication can $e as i#"ortant as !nerstaning the i**erence $et&een salvation an
a#nation. Bightly iviing $et&een the t&o is o* cr!cial i#"ortance. 9hen yo!
!nerstan &hat they are, yo! can then ra& a line in the san an say, >This is &hat
saves. This is not &hat saves.>
Even tho!gh &e are !n&orthy o* salvation, even tho!gh &e are !n&orthy o* 6o8s love,
even tho!gh &e are !n&orthy o* #ercy, even tho!gh &e are &orthy o* &rath, 6o save
!s. He i so not $eca!se o* &ho &e are, $!t $eca!se o* &ho He is, not $eca!se o* &hat
&e o, $!t $eca!se o* &hat He i. The real anger o* not *!lly !nerstaning that &e
nee to $e )!sti*ie is &e $eco#e like 3harisees. Sancti*ication can @.75 take "lace
a*ter $eing )!sti*ie $y acce"ting the *ree gi*t o* salvation.
Sin oes t&o things; it o**ens 6o an it kills #an. Ho&E It o**ens 6o $eca!se it is
His la& &e $reak. It kills !s $eca!se o* the nat!re o* 7a&. Have yo! ever hear o* a la&
&itho!t a "!nish#entE : la& &itho!t a "!nish#ent is only a slogan. Since 6o is )!st
an la&s have "!nish#ents, then 6o #!st "!nish the la&$reaker. /!t that is not the en
o* the story. 6o is also #erci*!l an gracio!s. His )!stice *ell !"on Hi#sel* -- on the
cross. His #ercy *alls !"on !s -- $y grace thro!gh *aith.


Mark H. Stevens, M.Min
15 March 12, 2010
TH-7044 Evangelistic Theology
+ha"ter T&o
Against You, O Lord, Have I Sinned
The e0istence o* evil is o*ten enie es"ecially $y those in the intellect!al co##!nity
an those o* an atheistic #inset. This cha"ter really *oc!ses on the ile##a *acing
:#erica an the evelo"e co!ntries o* the &orl. It is har to convince so#eone they
nee a (savior, &hen they on%t think they are in nee o* saving. The o"ening -!ote $y
Carl Menninger Suddenly we awoke from our pleasant dreams with a fearful realization
that something was wrong is really a""ro"riate es"ecially in :#erica. For years
:#ericans have live in an ivory to&er $elieving &e are a (+hristian .ation,, even
tho!gh &e ha slaves *or over A00 years an al#ost annihilate a race o* "eo"le 2native
:#ericans4. So#e&here the rose colore glasses ca#e o**.
This $ook is really interesting $!t like #any $ooks &ritten *ro# an :#erican "oint o*
vie& &e still see# to think :#erica &as at so#e "oint (+hristian, an so#e&here along
the &ay &e lost o!r &ay. I think :#erica ha a religio!s history that has ha "ockets o*
real +hristians &ithin. I *in it har to $elieve that tr!ly /orn-:gain $elievers co!l o&n
slaves, $!t that is #y h!#$le o"inion. 7ike the e0a#"le the a!thor gives on "age 75
a$o!t Satan casting o!$t on 6o%s &or in the 6aren o* Een, I $elieve *or the #ost
"art that &as the case in o!r history in :#erica. 9e ha a (*or# o* 6oliness, $!t tr!ly
enie the "o&er.
I think one o* the $iggest hinrances to the s"rea o* +hristianity in :#erica is the
(I%# @C yo!r @C, &ay &e a""roach things "ertaining to 6o. It al&ays a#a=es #e
ho& :#erica can cone#n atrocities in other co!ntries an ignore the ones that have
ha""ene on o!r o&n shores. : lack o* ackno&lege#ent o* "ersonal sin is a #a)or
hinrance to acce"ting the nee o* a Savior.
It sho!l not s!r"rise !s that as &e *ollo& +hrist, "eo"le &ho &ant to re#ain in sin &ill
start to get !nco#*orta$le aro!n !s' that &e &ill $e acc!se o* $eing >)!g#ental>
$e*ore &e have sai a &or, an that in general &e are islike an avoie *or the sake
o* His na#e. @thers &ill $e attracte to !s *or this sa#e reason. This is s!re "roo* o* the
in&elling o* the Holy S"irit. I* this oes not ha""en, can anyone rightly clai# to have a
#eas!re o* the !oly S"iritE Holiness, $y its very nat!re, ill!#inates sin in shar" relie*.
@s&al +ha#$ers; >+onviction o* sin is one o* the rarest things that ever strikes a
#an. It is the threshol o* an !nerstaning o* 6o. 1es!s +hrist sai that &hen the Holy
S"irit ca#e He &o!l convict o* sin, an &hen the Holy S"irit ro!ses the conscience an
$rings hi# into the "resence o* 6o, it is not his relationshi" &ith #en that $others hi#,
$!t his relationshi" &ith 6o.>
I $elieve Davi%s 3sal# o* contrition 23sal# 514 is the te#"late *or the Holy S"irit to
!se in !s toay. The attit!e o* Davi &hen he re"ente is &here the Holy S"irit &ants to
take !s a*ter &e sin against 6o.
9hat is the i**erence $et&een conviction an cone#nation in the &ay o*
re"entanceE +onviction is "ortraye in Scri"t!re as the *irst 2&elco#e4 &ork o* the S"irit,
an cone#nation as the 2)!st4 sentence o* 6o on o!r sin*!l nat!res. This #!ch,
ho"e*!lly, is clear in its "ractical $ene*it in o!r s"irit!al re*le0es to "ro !s $ack into
+hrist &hen &e *in o!rselves >in the *lesh>.
7et !s $e clear a$o!t this; sin stinks--to !s an 6o--$!t it has a "!r"ose. /oy it h!rts,
$!t God feels the pain all the more" So &hy oes He in His Sovereignty allo& !s to #ake
s!ch a #ess, es"ecially i* He Hi#sel* *eels the "ain #ore ac!tely than &e oE Is this
really the right &ay to c!re o!r &o!nE Is this the treat#ent neee to cra*t so!ls that can
an &ill sho& tr!e eternal "assion to&ars 6oE
: *alse "ro"het is one &ho re"resents 6o8s &or incorrectly. 9hen &e s"eak on
$ehal* o* o!r 6o, are &e saying &hat He &ants, or are &e "ro#oting o!r o&n "rogra#
!ner His $annerE False "ro"hets are #ore intereste in #aking *riens than isci"les,
#ore intereste in "leasing #en than 6o. I* &e *alsely re"resent &hat 6o re-!ires, &e
not only enco!rage others to re)ect 6o8s #essage, $!t &e share in the )!g#ent o* those
&e have *aile to convict o* sin. The Holy S"irit never enco!rages o!r carnal nat!re--the
*lesh. The tr!th is, o!r carnal esires an nat!re #!st ie. 9e are &icke "eo"le. Since
&e long to *ello&shi" &ith an !tterly holy 6o, so#e$oy has got to change, and it will
not be God" 6o o**ers eternal enco!rage#ent $y the &ay o* the 6os"el; eath, $!rial,
an res!rrection. The starting "oint is the tr!th. The tr!th convicts; &e are g!ilty o* sin.
+onviction is the *irst ste" in the cycle o* sancti*ication, an &e sho!l e0"ect it an
&elco#e it as it oes its ealy &ork on the ol #an.
5et so#e in the #oern ch!rch have #ae an in!stry o* >solving the g!ilt sy#"to#>--to
the s"irit!al e#ise o* #any. 9e pay money to have so#eone #ake !s *eel goo &itho!t
re"entance' to give !s the te#"orary ill!sion o* 6o8s a""roval o* o!r sin' to ass!age o!r
g!ilt &ith s#ooth &ors. /!t !nless the sin &hich ca!se the g!ilt is ealt &ith, any relie*
is only te#"orary an #ay #ake the "ro$le# &orse. :*ter all, conviction is the *irst &ork
o* the Holy S"irit?
I#agine a octor in a clean, &ell lit hos"ital having the *ollo&ing ialog &ith a "atient;
>9hat see#s to $e the "ro$le#E> The "atient re"lies, >My *ingers are great.> >6oo, $!t
&hat is &rong &ith yo!.> >9ell, #y *eet are really *eeling *antastic.> >Fine, $!t this is a
hos"ital, &hat can &e o *or yo!E> >9ell, let #e $rag a$o!t #y legs, I have $een &alking
on the# all ay?> >6reat, $!t this is a "lace o* healing. :ro!n here, &e *oc!s on what is
wrong so that &e can #ake yo! *!lly healthy. .o& then, &here oes it h!rt.> .o&
i#agine the "atient saying; >That isn8t very "ositive, I &o!l rather talk a$o!t &hat is
right a$o!t #e> or >I think I8ll *in a ne& hos"ital. I *eel so >sick> here, everyone see#s
to $e so )!g#ental an *a!lt*ining.>
@r, on the contrary, i#agine a neeier "atient going into a hos"ital an $egging *or hel"
*or a "artic!lar "ro$le#, an having the octor say, >Don8t cone#n yo!rsel* $y
a#itting yo! have a "ro$le#. I on8t receive that, $rother? 7et8s *oc!s on the "ositive.
/esies, &e &ere having a cheer*!l conversation a$o!t ho& great the hos"ital
a#inistrator is... (The ch!rch sho!l *!nction as a spiritual hospital a "lace *or sinners
to co#e an $e heale. /!t #ore o*ten, in #oern +hristianity, ch!rches have $eco#e
"laces &here "eo"le are a**ir#e in their sickness, or &orse still &here sick "eo"le $rag
a$o!t sel*-&ellness. +.H. S"!rgeon; #$here can be no grace where there is no guilt"""
%ou are such kind people that, out of complement to religion you say, &%es, we are all
sinners"& 'ut you know in your heart of hearts you do not mean it" %ou will never ask for
grace (power)* for you have no sense of shame or guilt"#
+.S. 7e&is; >.o #an kno&s ho& $a he is till he has trie very har to $e goo. : silly
iea is c!rrent that goo "eo"le o not kno& &hat te#"tation #eans. This is an o$vio!s
lie. @nly those &ho try to resist te#"tation kno& ho& strong it is. :*ter all, yo! *in o!t
the strength o* the 6er#an ar#y $y *ighting against it, not $y giving in. 5o! *in o!t the
strength o* a &in $y trying to &alk against it, not $y lying o&n. : #an &ho gives in to
te#"tation a*ter *ive #in!tes si#"ly oes not kno& &hat it &o!l have $een like an ho!r
later. That is &hy $a "eo"le, in one sense, kno& very little a$o!t $aness. They have
live a sheltere li*e $y al&ays giving in. 9e never *in o!t the strength o* the evil
i#"!lse insie !s !ntil &e try to *ight it; an +hrist, $eca!se he &as the only #an &ho
never yiele to te#"tation, is also the only #an &ho kno&s to the full &hat te#"tation
#eans--the only co#"lete realist.> I o*ten reali=e ho& #erci*!l 6o is only &hen I a# on
#y o&n knees seeking His *ace kno&ing *!lly I o .@T eserve anything *ro# Hi#. I
kee" this in #in &hen I a# sharing +hrist &ith so#eone, it kee"s #e h!#$le an *ro#
*alling into sel* righteo!sness.
Mark H. Stevens, M.Min
15 March 12, 2010
TH-7044 Evangelistic Theology
+ha"ter Three
I Have Come That They May Have Life in All Its ullness!
The *act that 1es!s rose *ro# the ea is the thing that se"arates 1es!s *ro# all others.
I* 1es!s ha not rose *ro# the ea o!r salvation &o!l not $e vali. : great #any *alse
religions clai# their "ro"hets are e-!al to or greater than 1es!s. .o one ever sa&
M!ha##a &alk o&n the street a*ter he ie. +on*!ci!s in%t have l!nch &ith his
*ollo&ers a*ter he ie. /!ha never a""eare to his $elievers *or an a*ternoon lect!re.
My "oint is Messiahshi" $elongs to 1es!s alone. 1es!s not only rose *ro# the ea, $!t
he ascene $ack to the throne roo# o* heaven, His right*!l "lace. 1es!s "ose the sa#e
-!estion the a!thor i &hen He aske His isci"les (9ho o 5@H say that I a#E, an I
think &e *orget that the right ans&er @.75 ca#e as 6o Hi#sel* reveale it to Si#on
3eter. 9e o*ten *orget in o!r =eal to &in so!ls that salvation is really 6o%s &ork an it
take the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit to reveal that to the lost.
1es!s aske 7a=er!s sister a serio!s -!estion, (Do yo! $elieve I a# the
res!rrection. Do yo! $elieve that tr!sting in #e &ill give yo! eternal li*eE,
The *act that 1es!s rose *ro# the ea is the i**erence $et&een Hi# an all other so-
calle #essiahs.

The *act that 1es!s e*eate eath #akes Hi# #ore than )!st a (goo #an,. 1es!s rose
*ro# the ea $oily, not )!st as a s"irit. He a""eare to over 500 "eo"le a*ter the
cr!ci*i0ion. Eviently the Bo#ans an the Sanherin &ere a*rai he &o!l rise *ro# the
ea, they "!t ar#e g!ars o!tsie o* His to#$.
1es!s allo&s His closest isci"les to see Hi# in His glory, &hyE 1es!s ha to
enco!rage the# concerning His eath. They &ere nervo!s a$o!t all the talk o* His eath'
1es!s &ante the# to kno& that eath ha no "o&er over Hi#. The Father also
rein*orce His "osition $y eclaring to the three isci"les, ( This is #y $elove Son, in
&ho# I a# &ell "lease, HE:B HIM? I see 3eter initially #ae the sa#e #istake #any
toay #akesI"!tting 1es!s on a level &ith great #en. 2Eli)ah an Moses4 1es!s &as 2is4
#ore than a great #anIHE IS 6@D? I $elieve 1es!s trans*ig!ration is His $olest
state#ent concerning His eity. 9hyE Si#"le? It is here that he sho&s "eo"le He is
6o. 1es!s gave The Inner circle 23eterJ1a#esJ1ohn4 a gli#"se o* His glory. They
share the sa#e "rivilege Moses, 1osh!a, E=ekiel, an Isaiah iIto see the 6o an His
glory. The a!thor oes a great )o$ e#"hasi=ing the *act that 1es!s is $oth *!lly 6o an
$oth *!lly #an, a *act that is vital in sharing the *aith that &e have in 1es!s +hrist.

1es!s -!ote this "ro"hecy o* Isaiah in the synagog!e $e*ore the Elers an His "eers.
This &as 1es!s eclaration o* His (#ission state#ent,. 1es!s starte His earthly #inistry
eclaring &hat he &o!l o. 7ong $e*ore M!ha##a :li "reicte knocko!ts o* his
o""onents, 1es!s "roclai#e His "eerless "o&er to those aro!n Hi#. 1es!s valiate
His eity $y oing things only 6o co!l o. 1es!s heale every isease he enco!ntere.
He o"ene $line eyes, he cleare ea* ears, the !#$ &ere a$le to s"eak, an the la#e
&as a$le to &alk. 1es!s e#onstrate "o&er over nat!re as &ell' He &alke on &ater
an cal#e the stor#. 1es!s ha "o&er over e#ons, they tre#$le at His a""earance.
1es!s *orgave sin an heale the $rokenhearte. /!t the #iracle that really valiate His
6ohoo &as the a$ility to e*eat eath. 1es!s raise the ea? .o other "ro"het goo
or *alse co!l o the things that 1es!s i. 9hen 1ohn the /a"tist &as in "rison he got
isco!rage an sent a #essenger to 1es!s an aske the -!estion, (are yo! the oneE, I
i#agine 1es!s co!l have easily sai 5ES? Instea 1es!s sai, (tell 1ohn the $lin see,
the la#e &alk, an the ea* hear., This &as 1es!s &ay o* re#ining 1ohn, (Hey I a# the
real eal?, He in%t &alk aro!n &ith t!nic that sai (I%M 6@D?, 1es!s sho&e
everyone He &as 6o. 1es!s &as not $ash*!l either, contrary to &hat so#e "erceive
a$o!t Hi#, 1es!s o*ten sai things to valiate His eity.
I* yo! &ere to ask the average "erson to gather in*or#ation a$o!t 1es!s, they &o!l
"ro$a$ly start &ith the 6os"el o* Matthe&. They &o!l $e "artially correct in starting
there' ho&ever, there are AK @l Testa#ent $ooks that isc!ss Hi# as &ell. 1es!s &as
$orn o* a virgin 2Mary4 that &as i#"regnate $y 6o 2The Holy 6host4 27!ke 1;2L-A24.
He &as given the na#e 1es!s 25%sh!a4 or 1osh!a in He$re&. The na#e #eans 5ah&eh%s
Salvation or Salvation is o* the 7or.
1es!s &as $orn to ie *or the sins o* the &orl. /!t &as this the $eginning o* His
e0istenceE .o it &asn%t? His $irth &as not the $eginning o* His e0istence, $!t the
$eginning o* an incarnation. The 7or 1es!s +hrist al&ays e0iste, as the Son o* 6o.
Be#e#$er 1ohn 1;1 states, In the beginning was the +ord, and the +ord was with God,
and the +ord was God"
.o& so#eone #ight arg!e the "oint, (Ho& o &e kno& that THE 9@BD is 1es!sE
9ell let%s look at other scri"t!re. I 1ohn 5;7 says, $here are three that bear record in
heaven, $he ,ather, $he +ord, and $he !oly Ghost* these three are one" 1es!s 2The
9or4 is a co-e-!al "artner in the Holy Tri-!nity o* 6o. 2Tri!nity is a &or I !se to
escri$e I 1ohn 5;74 There is only one 6o, $!t in three "ersons. The FatherJ9orJHoly
S"irit they are in co#"lete agree#ent &ith each other, hence the &or >Tri!nity,. They
are one in "!r"ose an "o&er. The /i$le says 1es!s has :77 "o&er in His hans" @nly
6o can have :77 3@9EB? The *act that 1es!s rose *ro# the ea is the thing that
se"arates 1es!s *ro# all others. I* 1es!s ha not risen *ro# the ea o!r salvation &o!l
not $e vali. : great #any *alse religions clai# their "ro"hets are e-!al to or greater
than 1es!s. .o one ever sa& M!ha##a &alk o&n the street a*ter he ie. +on*!ci!s
in%t have l!nch &ith his *ollo&ers a*ter he ie. /!ha never a""eare to his
$elievers *or an a*ternoon lect!re. My "oint is Messiahshi" $elongs to 1es!s alone. 1es!s
not only rose *ro# the ea, $!t he ascene $ack to the throne roo# o* heaven, His
right*!l "lace.

Mark H. Stevens, M.Min
15 March 12, 2010
TH-7044 Evangelistic Theology
+ha"ter Fo!r
"e#irth and "enewal in the Holy S$irit!
This cha"ter is very i#"ortant *or $elievers that have a #in *or Evangelis# $eca!se &e
#!st tr!ly !nerstan that only thro!gh the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit can &e e**ectively
"reach 1es!s +hrist an live *or 1es!s +hrist. To #e, the #ost i#"ortant Scri"t!res in the
/i$le are the ones that are "rinte in re. They are the 7or8s s"oken 9ors &hen He
&as on the earth. 9e kno& that the entire /i$le is ins"ire o* 6o, $!t these &ors in
re are the very &ors o* 6o o!r Savior.
%ohn &'()*, >/!t the +o#*orter, &hich is the Holy 6host, &ho# the
Father &ill sen in #y na#e, he shall teach yo! all things, an $ring
all things to yo!r re#e#$rance, &hatsoever I have sai !nto yo!.>
1es!s &ante His isci"le to !nerstan they #!st e"en on the Holy S"irit to lea the#
an g!ie the# as "reachers an as &itnesses. @ne iss!e that has &eakene the e**ect o*
+hristianity in :#erica is the lack o* !nerstaning a$o!t the role o* the Holy S"irit in
the $elievers &alk. 9hile there are signi*icant attacks on the eity o* 1es!s there are also
attacks on the "erson o* the Holy S"irit. Fro# the heresy o* :ri!s to the #oern ay
1ehovah%s 9itnesses, there contin!es to $e an assa!lt on the nee *or Be$irth an
Bene&al.
This Holy S"irit8s *!nctions are to co#*ort, teach, an g!ie. 1es!s is the Savio!r. The
S"irit o* 6o &as "resent &ith 1es!s &hen He &alke the earth. 9hen 1es!s goes $ack
to heaven an $eco#es the 9or again, the S"irit o* 6o &ill still $e "resent on the earth
in the Holy S"irit. In all o* this, notice the !nity o* the &ill o* the Father, Son, an Holy
S"irit. Thro!gh the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit &e are to contin!e the &ork o* 1es!s
+hrist. This &as #y *avorite cha"ter o* this $ook $eca!se it hel"s the reaer reali=e that
the Holy S"irit is the real &itness an so!rce o* "o&er. 1es!s traine t&elve orinary #en
to contin!e His evangelis# an healing #inistry, an then He sent the# o!t on a short
#ission%s tri" to "!t into "ractice &hat they ha $een learning;
7!ke K;1-2,L,10; >9hen 1es!s ha calle the Twelve together, he gave the#
"o&er an a!thority to drive out all e#ons an to cure iseases, an he sent
@n their short-ter# #issions tri", the a"ostles preached the 6os"el, healed the sick, an
cast out e#ons. 1es!s &as "re"aring the# to take over His evangelis# an healing
#inistry. .otice in the "assage a$ove that the apostles heale the sick 2$y the "o&er o*
6o4. In the sa#e &ay, you can heal the sick in 1es!s8 .a#e 2$y the "o&er o* 6o4.
In 7!ke 4;1<, 1es!s sai that 6o ha sent Hi# into the &orl to have an earthly #inistry
o* preaching the 6oo .e&s an healing the sick. In 1ohn 17;1<-1K 1es!s tol His
Father that He ha sent the isci"les into the &orl to o the same #inistry that He ha
$een sent to o. Then in 1ohn 20;21 1es!s tol the isci"les that He &as sening the#
into the &orl to o the same #inistry that He ha $een sent to o;
7!ke 4;1<; >The S"irit o* the 7or is on #e, $eca!se he has anointe #e to "reach
goo ne&s to the "oor. He has sent me to "roclai# *reeo# *or the "risoners an
recovery o* sight *or the $lin>
1ohn 17;1<-1K; >As you sent me into the &orl, I have sent them into the &orl.>
1ohn 20;21; >:gain 1es!s sai, >3eace $e &ith yo!? As the Father has sent me, I
am sending you.>>
In Matthe& 2<;1<-20, 1es!s gave the isci"les &hat &e call >the 6reat +o##ission>;
Matthe& 2<;1<-20; >Then 1es!s ca#e to the# an sai, >:ll a!thority in heaven
an on earth has $een given to #e. There*ore go and make disciples of all
nations, $a"ti=ing the# in the na#e o* the Father an o* the Son an o* the Holy
S"irit, an teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. :n s!rely
I am with you always, to the very end of the age.>>
The Holy S"irit is the one *orce in the &orl toay that is restraining the &orl *ro#
"l!nging healong into the arkest e0"ression o* its sin an re$ellion. /!t there &ill
co#e a ti#e in the *!t!re &hen the Holy S"irit &ill &ithra& an $elievers &ill $e
snatche a&ay 27!ke 17;A4-AL' 1 Thessalonians 4;1L-1<4 - an then the *!ll e0"ression o*
sin &ill $e reveale in ti#e *or the o!t"o!ring o* 6o8s )!g#ent. :s vessels o* the Holy
S"irit, &e too are enco!rage to $e instr!#ents o* His restraint 2see Matthe& 5;1A' 1
Ti#othy 2;1-24. The early +h!rch &as $irthe in the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit, an it
&as that "o&er that gave evience o* the reality o* &hat they ha e0"erience.
@ne o* the Holy S"irit8s *!nctions is to testi*y to the tr!th o* the 6os"el $y "er*or#ing
#iracles an &oners. 9e have $een given the Holy S"irit, $!t He is only release to o
His &ork in o!r lives as &e allo& Hi# to. 9e are not only to >receive the Holy S"irit>
21ohn 20;224, $!t are to 88&alk in the S"irit88 26alatians 5;25, C1M4 - to live !ner His
cano"y an allo& Hi# to have *!ll in*l!ence over o!r aily lives.
The Holy S"irit is the $on that !nites !s &ith 6o. This is not >the Force.> 6o is
"ersonal, so the Holy S"irit is a "ersonal "resence. +hristians live in co##!nity. 1es!s
escri$e hi#sel* as a vine, &ith !s as the $ranches. It is not "ossi$le to $e !nite &ith
hi# &itho!t also $eing !nite &ith other +hristians. The #otivating *orce $ehin the
+hristian li*e is love. Since love is a "ersonal relationshi", there8s no &ay to gro& in love
other than to $e &ith others. This +hristian co##!nity is calle the >+h!rch>.
The +ree s"eaks o* the +h!rch as holy an catholic. The ter# >catholic> #eans
>!niversal>. /eca!se the +h!rch is +hrist8s $oy, there is !lti#ately only one +h!rch.
9hile the ieal is that the +h!rch is holy an one, the reality is that it is h!#an. That
#eans that it is o*ten less than holy, an it is all too o*ten *ar *ro# one. This oes not
#ean that &e can live &itho!t it. +hristian love isn8t real !nless it8s &illing to co#e to
gri"s &ith real h!#an relationshi"s an the "ro$le#s that arise &ith the#.
The ter# >co##!nion o* saints> re*ers to the !nity o* all o* +hrist8s *ollo&ers, living an
ea.
Forgiveness o* sins is one o* the key #arks o* +hristianity. +hrist ie to seal o!r
*orgiveness $y 6o. 9e are e0"ecte to res"on $y *orgiving each other, an acting as a
*orce *or reconciliation in the &orl.
The ter# >res!rrection o* the $oy> is &orth a note; It8s *airly co##on *or religions to
$elieve that there is so#e e0istence a*ter eath. Ho&ever this is o*ten seen in &ays that
&o!l $e $etter escri$e as >i##ortality o* the so!l>. That is, #any religions $elieve
that there is so#ething in h!#an $eings $eyon the $oy. This s!rvives eath, an is in
so#e &ay !nite &ith 6o. I really $elieve that the greatest &ork o* the Holy S"irit is
the conviction o* sin. The conviction o* sin is &hat (kee"s !s,, the /i$le tells !s that
:77 have sinne an *allen short o* 6o%s glory. So ho& can *allen #en an &o#en
hel" *!l*ill the 6reat +o##issionE Thro!gh the a&eso#e "o&er o* the Holy S"irit &e are
al&ays re#ine o* the Holy #anate in o!r s"irit. It is har *or a S"irit-*ille $eliever to
ignore the t!g o* conviction, that conviction constrains !s to share the #essage o* 1es!s
not only ver$ally $!t in o!r ees as &ell.
+hristians generally $elieve in the i##ortality o* the so!l 2tho!gh a *e& o not4.
Ho&ever the characteristic +hristian $elie* is so#ething else; the res!rrection o* the
$oy. +hristianity, like 1!ais#, sees the $oy as an intrinsic "art o* a h!#an $eing.
They o not $elieve that the so!l &ill e0ist in the long r!n ine"enent o* so#ething like
a $oy. 2So#e +hristians o $elieve in an >inter#eiate state> $et&een eath an the
*inal )!g#ent. D!ring this "erio, so!ls #ay te#"orarily e0ist &itho!t a $oy.4
9hen 1es!s aresse His closest *riens in the !""er roo# on the eve o* His cr!ci*i0ion,
He intro!ce the# to the *ar-reaching #inistry o* the Holy S"irit G the >other>
+o#*orter 2>another> o* the sa#e essence4, the $lesse 3araclete. :#ong the roles 6o
the S"irit e0ercises is a convincing role. 1ohn 1L;<-11 is very clear, +hen !e comes, !e
will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and -udgment. about sin, because they do
not believe in Me* about righteousness, because / am going to the ,ather and you will no
longer see Me* and about -udgment, because the ruler of this world has been -udged.
Theologian Her#an /avinck &rote an i#"ortant vol!#e calle An /ntroduction to the
Science of Missions. Dra&ing *ro# the &or translate >convict,> he coine the &or
elenctics. His arg!#ent, &ritten in the conte0t o* the #i-20th cent!ry, &as that #issions8
strategies an #ethos o* his era ha *allen short o* the 6reat +o##ission #anate. He
&rote;
>9hen &e s"eak o* elenctics &e o &ell to !nerstan it in the sense that it has in 1ohn
1L;<. The Holy S"irit &ill convince the &orl o* sin. The Holy S"irit is act!ally the only
conceiva$le s!$)ect o* this ver$, *or the conviction o* sin e0cees all h!#an a$ility. @nly
the Holy S"irit can o this, even tho!gh he can an &ill !se !s as instr!#ents in his
han.>2
The Holy S"irit, !sing the $i$lical #essage o* the +ross, >a&akens in #an that ee"ly
hien a&areness o* g!ilt. He convinces #an o* sin, even &here "revio!sly no
conscio!sness o* sin &as a""arently "resent. The Holy S"irit !ses the &or o* the
"reacher an to!ches the heart o* the hearer, #aking it accessi$le to the &or.>A
9hen the Holy S"irit convinces "eo"le o* their sin, o* 1es!s8 righteo!sness, an o* certain
)!g#ent, He a&akens the h!#an heart to hear an see tr!th in a ne& &ay. H"on seeing
and perceiving 2c*. Isaiah L;10' Matthe& 1A;154, the h!#an heart cries o!t *or 6o.
In ancient ti#es, 1o$ e0"erience this *irst han. Surely / spoke about things / did not
understand, things too wonderful for me to know """" / had heard rumors about %ou, but
now my eyes have seen %ou" $herefore / take back my words and repent in dust and
ashes 21o$ 42;A, 5-L, e#"hasis s!""lie4.
/e*ore the S"irit o* 6o a&akene his heart, 1o$ *elt *ree to s"eak his #in to 6o.
Ho&ever, so#e&here along the &ay, so#ething trans*or#ational ha""ene in his heart.
He &ho ha not seen, no& sa&. 9hyE The S"irit o"ene his eyes. He $eca#e convince
o* his o&n *init!e an o* 6o8s eternal #a)esty an glory. :n a&akening took "lace.
Ho&E To !s it is a #ystery, *or only the 7or 6o can e**ect s!ch change in the h!#an
heart. The &hirl&in o* 6o8s S"irit con*o!ne 1o$8s every tho!ght, irecting hi# to see
6o an 6o alone. The &in ha $lo&n a&ay every last vestige o* earthly reliance an
sel*-righteo!sness, an 1o$ &as change.
9henever 1es!s sho&e !", He $ro!ght ivision a#ong #en. He $ro!ght inner "eace
to a *e&, $!t o!t&ar hostility a#ong "eo"le &ho &ere getting along *ine !ntil He
sho&e !". +hrist8s S"irit is the great "olari=er, &ege river, sword" I* this sa#e S"irit
lives in !s, &e sho!l e0"ect that &e too &ill ill!#inate &hat eternal sie "eo"le are on.
It sho!l not s!r"rise !s that as &e *ollo& +hrist, "eo"le &ho &ant to re#ain in sin &ill
start to get !nco#*orta$le aro!n !s' that &e &ill $e acc!se o* $eing >)!g#ental>
$e*ore &e have sai a &or, an that in general &e are islike an avoie *or the sake
o* His na#e. @thers &ill $e attracte to !s *or this sa#e reason. This is s!re "roo* o* the
in&elling o* the Holy S"irit. I* this oes not ha""en, can anyone rightly clai# to have a
#eas!re o* the !oly S"iritE Holiness, $y its very nat!re, ill!#inates sin in shar" relie*.
Mark H. Stevens, M.Min
15 March 12, 2010
TH-7044 Evangelistic Theology
+oncl!sion
+ea,e to Those -hom He Sends!
The concl!sion o* this $ook &as very short $!t very i#"ortant $eca!se it ealt &ith
the concl!sion o* the #ission an #inistry o* 1es!s +hrist. The a!thor $lens the
i#"ortance o* the 6reat +o##ission &ith the En o* the :ge an +hrist Bet!rn. 1!st
$e*ore 1es!s ascene into heaven He gave the isci"les the #ission o* the .e&
Testa#ent +h!rch, as &e sa& in Mark 1L;15-1< 2a$ove4. I* the 6reat +o##ission
involves "reaching the 6os"el, healing the sick, casting o!t e#ons, s"eaking in
tong!es, an e#onstrating the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit, then &e sho!l e0"ect to see
so#e o* the a"ostles an early +hristians oing all o* these things, rightE In *act, that
is exactly &hat the .e& Testa#ent escri$es? The a"ostles inter"rete the 6reat
+o##ission to #ean that +hristians sho!l "reach the 6os"el an set the ca"tives
*ree, )!st as 1es!s i. This is &hy thro!gho!t the $ook o* :cts &e *in n!#ero!s
e0a#"les o* the 6os"el $eing "reache, "eo"le $eing heale, s"irits $eing cast o!t,
tong!es $eing s"oken, an the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit $eing e#onstrate, )!st as
the 6reat +o##ission says to o.

The a"ostles an early +hristians &ere continuing 1es!s8 evangelis# an healing
#inistry !ntil He ret!rns, &hich is &hat 1es!s co##issione the +h!rch to o. 1es!s
has not ret!rne yet, so we sho!l $e contin!ing His evangelis# an healing #inistry
as &ell?
The 6reat +o##ission is not )!st a #atter o* going o!t an >&itnessing> in orer
to get "eo"le to say a >sinner8s "rayer.> 1es!s i not si#"ly co##an !s to #ake
ne& +hristians, He co##ane !s to #ake ne& disciples 2i.e. +hristians &ho &ill do
&hat the /i$le says4, teaching the# to continue His evangelis# an healing #inistry
!ntil He ret!rns 2Matthe& 2<;1<-204. 1es!s live a li*estyle o* oing goo an sharing
the 6oo .e&s an e#onstrating the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit, an the a"ostles an
early +hristians *ollo&e His e0a#"le as they contin!e His #inistry. Doing goo
an sharing the 6os"el an e#onstrating the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit are all #eant
to $e "art o* our li*estyle as &ell? 1es!s #ae the s&ee"ing state#ent that anyone
&ith *aith in Hi# &ill o e0actly &hat He ha $een oing, an then He re"eate over
an over that +hristians #!st o$ey &hat He has co##ane. Then, in the 6reat
+o##ission, 1es!s tol the original isci"les to teach all new isci"les to o$ey &hat
He ha co##ane. There*ore, all +hristians sho!l $e o$eying 1es!s8 co##an that
>anyone &ho has *aith in #e &ill o &hat I have $een oing>? This incl!es oing
goo, sharing the 6oo .e&s, casting o!t e#ons, healing the sick, an training
others to o the sa#e. My concl!ing tho!ghts on this $ook are overall very "ositive
$eca!se I $elieve the a!thor is very =ealo!s a$o!t the 6reat +o##ission an he *!lly
!nerstans the nee *or the "o&er o* The Holy S"irit 2:cts 1;<4 to *!l*ill the
#anate to &itness an "reach the 6oo .e&s o* 1es!s +hrist.
1es!s is the 9or o* 6o? He al&ays e0iste an He $eca#e F7ESH, $orn o* a
virgin na#e Mary. The &ay the Messiah &as to co#e &as o* a h!#$le *ashion,
$orn o* yo!ng $etrothe $!t !n&e #other. Mary an 1ose"h co!ln%t even *in a
"lace s!ita$le *or h!#an stanars to give $irth to the Cing o* the Hniverse. He &as
$orn in a #anger 2a "lace *ro# &hich ani#als rank &ater4. : sta$le &ith stra& an
hay see#s harly the "lace *or a Cing to enter the &orl He create. 1es!s &as not
only a king, $!t a s"otless la#$ reay to give His li*e *or a !niversal sin sacri*ice.
1es!s &as I##an!el, 6o &ith !s. He ha to $e $oth 6o an #an to *!l*ill o!r nee
*or a Messiah. It took a $eing inca"a$le o* sin to eliver !s *ro# sin. 1es!s &as
te#"te $!t never sinne. /eca!se o* this &e can have victory over sin. The 6reat
+o##ission is not )!st a #atter o* going o!t an >&itnessing> in orer to get "eo"le
to say a >sinner8s "rayer.> 1es!s i not si#"ly co##an !s to #ake ne& +hristians,
He co##ane !s to #ake ne& disciples 2i.e. +hristians &ho &ill do &hat the /i$le
says4, teaching the# to continue His evangelis# an healing #inistry !ntil He
ret!rns 2Matthe& 2<;1<-204. I $elieve that having a goo !nerstaning o* $asic
+hristological kno&lege is critical to o!r s!ccess as &itnesses in aition to the
*!llness o* the Holy S"irit.
The cr!ci*ie, res!rrecte, an ascene +hrist is no& in&elling the s"irits o* His
"eo"le NBo#. <;1LO as the S"irit o* li*e NBo#. <;2O, #aking +hrist real to the#. This
in&elling S"irit o* +hrist NBo#. <;KO is $oth the Holy S"irit an the S"irit o* 6o.
The #ain *!nction o* the ivine S"irit is to i#"art the ivine li*e into 6o%s "eo"le
N1ohn L;LA' 2 +or. A;LO, regenerating the# N1ohn A;LO, anointing the# N1 1ohn 2;20,
27O, sancti*ying N2 Thes. 2;1AO an trans*or#ing N2 +or. A;1<O the# $y sat!rating
the# &ith the very ele#ent o* 6o. 9atch#an .ee #inistere on this #atter
e0tensively.
1es!s live a li*estyle o* oing goo an sharing the 6oo .e&s an
e#onstrating the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit, an the a"ostles an early +hristians
*ollo&e His e0a#"le as they contin!e His #inistry. Doing goo an sharing the
6os"el an e#onstrating the "o&er o* the Holy S"irit are all #eant to $e "art o* our
li*estyle as &ell? Bichar Foster; >In so#e &ays &e &o!l "re*er to hear 1es!s8 call to
eny *ather an #other, ho!ses an lan *or the sake o* the gos"el than his &or to
&ash *eet. Baical sel*-enial gives the *eel o* avent!re. I* &e *orsake all, &e even
have the chance at glorio!s #artyro#. /!t in service &e #!st e0"erience the #any
little eaths o* going $eyon o!rselves. Service $anishes !s to the #!nane, the
orinary, an the trivial.
9orks +ite
1. The +ase *or +hrist P 7ee Stro$el P Qonervan R1KK<
2. The +ase *or Faith P 7ee Stro$el P Qonervan R1KK<
A. Many In*alli$le 3roo*s P Henry Morris, 3h.D Master /ooks R1K74
4. +harts o* +hristian Theology P H. 9ayne Ho!se P Qonervan R1K77
5. The Han$ook o* /i$le :""lication P Tynale - R2000
L. .elsons .e& ill!strate /i$le Dictionary P .elson - R1K<L
7. The Ministry o* 6o%s 9or P 9atch#an .ee P +hristian Fello&shi" 3!$lishers
<. The S"irit!al Man P 9atch#an .ee P +hristian Fello&shi" 3!$lishers
K. The +ollecte &orks o* +.S. 7e&is P +hristian Fello&shi" 3!$lishers