How do we evangelize Protestants?

[justasking4]

Originally Posted by justasking4
If you look at the context you will see that these people were never saved to begin with. They were self decieved.

jmcrae
I look at the context and I see them saying “Lord, Lord.” I don’t see anything that says they were never saved to begin with. Obviously, they had initial faith of some kind, since they thought they were going to go to Heaven.

The self deception comes about when they were looking at the wrong things i.e. the great works of wonder instead of the fruit in their lives. This is what the New American Bible says on this:
[21-23] The attack on the false prophets is continued, but is broadened to include those disciples who perform works of healing and exorcism in the name of Jesus (Lord) but live evil lives. Entrance into the kingdom is only for those who do the will of the Father. On the day of judgment (on that day) the morally corrupt prophets and miracle workers will be rejected by Jesus.

 

[jmcrae]

The self deception comes about when they were looking at the wrong things i.e. the great works of wonder instead of the fruit in their lives. This is what the New American Bible says on this:
[21-23] The attack on the false prophets is continued, but is broadened to include those disciples who perform works of healing and exorcism in the name of Jesus (Lord) but live evil lives.

“Disciples” are people who profess to be followers of Jesus, right? They had an experience of grace at some point in their lives. (“Got saved,” in Evangelical terminology.)

Entrance into the kingdom is only for those who do the will of the Father. On the day of judgment (on that day) the morally corrupt prophets and miracle workers will be rejected by Jesus.

Can you work faith-based miracles? (If not, then doesn’t that mean that these miracle workers that Jesus will reject have more faith than you do?)

They are going to Hell because they didn’t follow the laws of the Church (God’s will); not because they didn’t have enough faith.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Non-Catholic Christians have a right to the fullness of the truth and so we have a duty to Jesus Christ not to horde it, but to share it. It’s not charitable but cruel to see someone in error and not share the truth Jesus Christ, in His infinite love and wisdom, desires all men to believe.

Many Protestants would agree with you - with one alteration: they would consider it their duty to evangelise Catholics.​

I’m not aware they have been thanked for their charity & zeal on our behalf

Protestants don’t need evangelising - they are already Christians. It’s not charitable, but officious & insulting, as well as showing total disregard of current Catholic teaching, to treat Protestants as though they were completely ignorant of Christ.

Why not concentrate on the many Catholics who are (so it is often said on this board) ignorant of Catholic teaching ? Some may indeed need evangelisation. But let’s not interfere with Protestant Christians - who do not need evangelisation. And let’s have none of this poaching cloaked as evangelising zeal - it merely makes us look like hypocrites who are interfering in the Christian lives of other Christians: despite the teaching of the Church we claim to care so much for.

 

[emeraldisle]

May I request that the topic be kept on topic, please?

I am interested in hearing various opinions, experiences, and suggestions about evangelizing Protestants. I appreciate all the thought-filled responses so far and I feel that I am getting a lot of different perspectives.

I especially like the idea that the word “evangelizing” is probably not the right word, although lately when I see how many Protestant friends and relatives who were once “on fire” for the Lord have now fallen away from the faith, maybe it IS the right word after all.

I’d also like to mention an idea that we learned back in the Campus Crusade training days. Satan tries really hard to convince us NOT to evangelize and give witness to our faith. He tells us that we are not spiritual enough, or that we have such a poor testimony due to various sinful practices that we should just keep our mouths shut.

I think that this is part of the problem that Catholics have with witnessing. We feel that we aren’t good enough. I know I have this problem. I think it’s a lie, because even if we aren’t good enough, Jesus is.

Cat, i understand that biblical evangelism is to point/lead “lost” people to Christ. So i can’t understand how you or anyone can evangelize “saved” protestants.

I think what you are seeking to do is to “convert” people to another religion. Again i say that biblical evangelism is pointing/leading “lost” people to Christ. People who are “saved” are in Gods family, therefore they don’t need to be evangelized.

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10

 

[JonNC]

There are major fundamental doctrines and practices between catholics and protestants. Do i think there are some catholics who are saved? Yes. The same goes goes for protestants. Just because you belong to a praticular church doesn’t automatically mean you are saved.

While you did not say “Catholics and Protestants” in your earlier post (you said “Christian - Roman Catholics issues”), I accept your explanation that you indeed do believe Catholics are Christians.

Thanks