Our fall gospel meeting with Phil Arnold begins today and goes through Wednesday night. The topic is personal evangelism. We invite you to come.
What is a gospel meeting? First, let’s consider what it is not. It is not an emotional campaign to whip people into a spiritual frenzy and persuade them to “get religion.” It is not a means of pleading with people to make donations to an evangelist. It is not an entertainment extravaganza where show business stars are brought in to perform musical selections. It is not an occasion for Christians to stand up and “witness” to their own religious experiences. It is not an advertising scheme to peddle literature and books. It is not a showcase for some world-renown preacher to display his persuasive talents.
A gospel meeting is not for the promotion of or the building up of some human organization.
A gospel meeting is not for advocating political views, social reform or secular enterprises.
A gospel meeting is not for entertainment or amusement. There are no puppet shows, dramas, ball games, retreats, etc.
Now, let’s consider what a gospel meeting is. It is a series of worship services held by a group of simple New Testament Christians in which a capable student of the Bible is asked to present religious truth in a clear and understandable way for the benefit of anyone who is willing to study. We also sing hymns and offer prayers. Our emotions are certainly involved as we offer praise to God.
We advertise a gospel meeting, inviting people to come, but we “do not seek yours, but you” (2 Cor.12:14). We will pay the visiting preacher for his work with us, but we will not be collecting money from people at every worship service. We know that Sunday is the day in which God has authorized Christians to give (1 Cor.16:1-2). Even though Christians will not be “witnessing,” people will be offered an invitation to become Christians by obeying God’s gracious terms of pardon (Mk.16:15-16; Acts 17:30; Rom.10:9-10). Also, erring Christians will be invited to be restored to the Lord (Acts 8:22; 1 Jn.1:9). Christians who are weak in faith will be invited to have fellow-Christians pray for sing, study, learn, encourage, and be hospitable.
-Scott Vifquain
What is a gospel meeting? First, let’s consider what it is not. It is not an emotional campaign to whip people into a spiritual frenzy and persuade them to “get religion.” It is not a means of pleading with people to make donations to an evangelist. It is not an entertainment extravaganza where show business stars are brought in to perform musical selections. It is not an occasion for Christians to stand up and “witness” to their own religious experiences. It is not an advertising scheme to peddle literature and books. It is not a showcase for some world-renown preacher to display his persuasive talents.
A gospel meeting is not for the promotion of or the building up of some human organization.
A gospel meeting is not for advocating political views, social reform or secular enterprises.
A gospel meeting is not for entertainment or amusement. There are no puppet shows, dramas, ball games, retreats, etc.
Now, let’s consider what a gospel meeting is. It is a series of worship services held by a group of simple New Testament Christians in which a capable student of the Bible is asked to present religious truth in a clear and understandable way for the benefit of anyone who is willing to study. We also sing hymns and offer prayers. Our emotions are certainly involved as we offer praise to God.
We advertise a gospel meeting, inviting people to come, but we “do not seek yours, but you” (2 Cor.12:14). We will pay the visiting preacher for his work with us, but we will not be collecting money from people at every worship service. We know that Sunday is the day in which God has authorized Christians to give (1 Cor.16:1-2). Even though Christians will not be “witnessing,” people will be offered an invitation to become Christians by obeying God’s gracious terms of pardon (Mk.16:15-16; Acts 17:30; Rom.10:9-10). Also, erring Christians will be invited to be restored to the Lord (Acts 8:22; 1 Jn.1:9). Christians who are weak in faith will be invited to have fellow-Christians pray for sing, study, learn, encourage, and be hospitable.
-Scott Vifquain