Why do Christians Quote Scripture to Non-Believers?

Question: Why do some Christians quote the Bible to people that don't believe? 

My Reply:

I can think of 4 reasons:

1. There's life in the scriptures, and they're hoping that by quoting them, non-believers might recognize this life and embrace it.
2. Whenever Jesus encountered Satan, He countered him with scriptures. It's not to say that we believe non-Christians are possessed or anything, but that we realize the fact that Satan is the one who blinds them from understanding and accepting...so it's sort of like taking out the guy behind them with a sniper rifle.
3. Sometimes the Christian’s not properly trained in talking with non-believers.  Many Christians also grow up learning to use certain scriptures when witnessing. Unfortunately they're not taught that many people just don't believe the Scriptures as Truth...they don't realize that non-believers may be looking at our Bible the way we look at that of a Mormon, Jehovah Witness, or any other religious cult...so in other words, ignorance.

I often use scriptures when talking with somebody because:

• I'm addressing a question about scripture taken out of context, and so it needs to be addressed within its context, and supported by other scripture, for it's really pointless and naive to use only one passage to explain the whole gospel; 
• To show that I'm not just blowing hot air out my mouth...it shows authority to what I'm saying, and that it's not just my opinion.

---Pastor Andy G.

Which Method of Evangelism is Better?

Question:

Which do you think is a better way to evangelize: Witnessing, or reading Scriptures to a non-believer?  I think witnessing is by far better.

My Reply:

How about witnessing, but use scripture in your witnessing?  Often times, your witnessing is allowed only because you've built trust with the person. So when witnessing, they're trusting your word for your experience because they trust you.
Now, they may be familiar with scripture, but not see its authority. If you include it with your witnessing, then they may begin to also trust the Scripture and understand it in line with life today, which is what you want because our witnessing is to point them to Jesus and His Word, which is a Word for all times.

---Pastor Andy

What Can I Do About A Friend Who Doesn't Believe In Christ?

Question:

I have a friend who doesn't believe in Christ or any of that...she never did.  She is "too smart" and has thought up a theory of what happened.  

I worry about her.  Her life is hectic, the recent flood wrecked her dads house and she can't visit him, and I just want to help her.  I have a strange longing to help her but I don't know how.  I'm afraid to ask her to go to church and I just don't know what to do.  PLEASE HELP!

My Reply:

Wait, she doesn't believe that Jesus the person existed, or that God exists and that Jesus is the Son of God? The reason I ask is because she may be surprised to hear that even secular writers of the day had written about Jesus and His teachings.  And even though the Jews don't accept Him as the promised Messiah, they do at least confirm His existence.

It's tough for a non-believer to accept God's existence (or even His concern for His creation) when things are going bad, and it's easy to ask where He is in all that's happening to them.

If you want to help her with everything going on, then be the friend that she needs, and your relationship with Jesus will shine through in your words and concern for her.  Then maybe one day she'll be open to asking you about this Jesus you pray to, and to hearing your answer.  But if she's not ready, then she'll continue to reject Him and push away anything you have to say about Him.


Pray daily for her, too.  As Christians with non-saved friends and family, we often tend to forget that the Holy Spirit is also involved in reaching them.  So pray for her and ask for opportunities to work along side the Holy Spirit in introducing her to Christ.

As for inviting her to church, I say ask her, for what have you got to lose?  Or better yet, ask her to an event held by the church.  For example there was a time when I didn't attend church, and my girlfriend at the time brought be to her church's annual picnic.  When I'd learned that this energetic guy doing flips and with whom I was playing soccer was the Pastor, I remember saying, "I've GOT to hear this guy preach!"  I later became a regular attendee and even involved with the denomination.  So try inviting her to one of the events at the church.  Then keep inviting her to such, allowing her to get to know others in the church.  You may find that she's asking about the participation of some of the people next time you invite her.  It's not so much of a "frontal attack", so she may put her guard down and allow the Lord to work on her.  Then, when she begins asking questions, be ready to share your experiences/testimony (as Peter says to do in 2 Peter).

---Pastor Andy

Why do Christians no longer follow the Great Commission?

Question:

Why do Christians no longer follow the Great Commission?  As Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

My Reply:

I'm glad you asked this, because it is a huge problem.  A large number of Christians today no longer follow the Great Commission because either they're comfortable in their lives, their too afraid of "offending" somebody with their beliefs, they don't recognize the Bible's authority, or they're not too sure about their faith themselves.  And people don't get fired up about something that they too doubt.

---Pastor Andy