Christians Seeking to Evangelize Other Christians
written by SEA member, Roy Ingle
I have been a disciple of Jesus for over 20 years by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). I know that my salvation is based entirely upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His saving work at Calvary (John 6:29; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31). Salvation is a work of God from beginning to end (Jonah 2:9; Ephesians 1:13-14). Salvation is not by works of the flesh at all (Titus 3:5-7) and I believe that a person is justified before God because of the saving work of Christ (Acts 15:11; Romans 5:1-11).
And yet there are still Christians seeking to evangelize me. Most of the time it is Calvinists who write to me and express that I am wrong on so many levels because of my rejection of Calvinism. I willingly accept that I see God differently than Calvinists and I willingly accept that I believe in the work of Christ somewhat different than they do in that I hold that Jesus died for all and that all can be saved through faith in Him. I accept that I view election differently than they do as I hold to conditional election based on foreknown faith (Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:2). I acknowledge that we Arminians and Calvinists do disagree over theological issues.
Yet I don’t reject my Calvinist brethren as non-Christians. I don’t seek to evangelize them. I don’t mind questioning from time to time various aspects of a Calvinists theology but I am not out to make them into Arminians. I don’t feel this is my job nor is it my passion. I disagree with them but do not reject them as brothers and sisters in Christ (Galatians 3:26-29).
If you were able to view my IPod you would find many Calvinist Bible teachers from Dr. John MacArthur to Dr. Albert Mohler to even Dr. James White. I respect these men even if I don’t fully agree with them on all theological issues. I greatly enjoy listening to Dr. Mohler’s podcast as he helps me to think biblically about the world and about cultural issues. Dr. MacArthur is well-known for his exposition of Scripture and I appreciate his biblical knowledge and how his teachings are full of the Word of God. I appreciate the knowledge God has given to Dr. White in his understanding of cults. My passion is not to spend my time correcting these men nor is to convert them to Arminianism. I suspect they would not so why waste my time or their own.
I simply ask my Calvinist brothers and sisters to do the same toward me. I don’t want to convert you. I don’t want to argue with you. I understand we will disagree and from time to time we may debate but I don’t want to evangelize you. I want to evangelize the lost. I want to see sinners repent. I want to see the gospel go forth (2 Thessalonians 3:1). My passion is for people to be found in Christ Jesus (Mark 16:15). The gospel is what I value above Arminianism.
For the original post with comments, go to: http://arminiantoday.com/2013/01/16/christians-seeking-to-evangelize-other-christians/
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