Were All Early Christians Preachers? (page 2)

A Paduan

'Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words' - Francis of Assisi

WHO did he send in pairs? Not every disciple, but only the ones He had chosen for the task. On one occasion the twelve, and on another, seventy. But Jesus had thousands of disciples. Why didn't He send them all, if it was His intent that they all be preachers?

Joker10

Well Jesus did preach and lived as an example for all of us.

rocketman

True joker10. But Jesus also never bought a home, settled down, married, raised a family, etc. He did a special 'missionary'-type of work for a limited period of time. Interestingly, for 30 years, he did live a basic normal family life.

If one were to strictly say that we must live as Christ did (after he became Christ), then we'd eschew many of the norms of daily life, and 'have no place to lay down our head' just as Jesus did. The question is, how far do we take it? Does following his example mean living like he did?

Going back to Eph 4:11, Jesus was "given" as an evangelizer. He was also given as a teacher. Actually, he embodied the fullest extent of Chrsitian living, but how many people can actually do all the things he did?

Joker10

Yes, rocketman. But one would think a follwer would participate in some kind of preaching activity, specially thoese who are joyeous about Christ that moves them to do so.

onacruse

Perhaps it would help to distinguish between "preaching [Gr. kerusso]" and "evangelizing [Gr. euangelizo]." Evangelizing is much the more positive term, which is why it is typically translated something like "to bring good news," and is used well over 100 times in the NT. Preaching is more like "to herald, announce," and frequently means "bad news." It's used barely 30 times in the NT, and over half of those occurences are in the Gospels, describing the pronouncements of John the Baptist and Jesus. The same pattern holds through in the Septuagint.

So, in that respect, I'm still "evangelizing;" not interested in anymore of the "pronouncing doom and gloom" stuff, though.

Craig

NeonMadman

But one would think a follwer would participate in some kind of preaching activity, specially thoese who are joyeous about Christ that moves them to do so.

One might well think that, and, indeed, every Christian is responsible to be a light shining before the world by his word and conduct.

However, such "preaching" in no way implies door-to-door distribution of Watchtower publications in assigned territories under pressure from and under the direction of a controlling, monolithic organization. Such activity is clearly contrary to the intent of the scriptures. There is no evidence that early Christians ever engaged in such a work, or that such a work is commanded, or even authorized, in scripture. It smacks much more of being "peddlers of the Word of God," which Paul indicated was inappropriate for Christians.

ozziepost

However, such "preaching" in no way implies door-to-door distribution of Watchtower publications in assigned territories under pressure from and under the direction of a controlling, monolithic organization.

This to me is the crux of the matter. I personally don't see that the scriptures prohibit door to door witnessing but I don't see that they command it either. The point is left for the individual christian to decide for himself or herself how they will "let their light shine". It shouldn't be forgotten by WTS apologists that only a minority of new dub converts come from the public door to door ministry. So, in itself, it's not the main feature of christian disciple-making activity and here we come to the revealing of the borg's error: it demands its members proselytise in a particular way, namely house to house, and this has become the main identifying mark of a "loyal" dub.

Cheers, Ozzie

rocketman

Religions other than jws have grown at rates that are often much faster than the rate of jw growth. Evidently, somebody somewhere was getting the word out, but not necessarily by means of a door-to-door campaign, which, as Ozzie mentioned, is the way demanded by the jw org.

Joker10

"Religions other than jws have grown at rates that are often much faster than the rate of jw growth. Evidently, somebody somewhere was getting the word out, but not necessarily by means of a door-to-door campaign" We all know the history of religion = Politics. Many, if not all, political leaders used religion to attract followers. This is how religious organizations have spread all around the globe.

Were All Early Christians Preachers?

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