II. CONVERSION: The Salvation of Sinners
A. RESIDING. Live in the town. Go to where they are in the world. It is necessary to live among the people, rent a house. Learn their language. Assimilate with the temper and culture of the people. Go where the people are: ACT 13:14-16 14:1 Paul lived in Christian homes or friendly contacts 16:14, 15, 17:6-9 18:2-3, 7. KEY: eliminate or minimize the usual complaint that they are being invaded by an outsider.
B. CONTACTING. Be selective in your initial contacts. See them as link to wider community contacts and effective penetration of all classes of society. Gain the understanding and goodwill of local citizens/leaders. To by pass important leaders of the town may hamper the pioneering effort. Befriend the evangelicals and locate unchurched Christians, contact sympathizers (those favorably inclined to the gospel), aim to get as wide a hearing as possible for the Gospel. Work with and among web of relationships: relatives and friends of Christians.
C. PREACHING. Effectively communicate the Gospel. ACT 13:17ff 16:31 Clear, convincing, compelling; persuasive, relevant and demonstrated presentation, 1CO 2:3-5 2CO 5:11 1TH 1:4-6. Some are more responsive to the Gospel thru POWER encounters, some to WISDOM expositions of the Gospel, 1CO 1:18-24 MAT 22:29.
Communicate the subject areas where the Holy Spirit aims to convict and convert men: Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment, JOH 16:8, ACT 24:25. CONTEXTUALIZE: translate the unchanging content of the Gospel into verbal forms meaningful and understandable to people. Use variety of means of communication: Person-to-person, Crusade, Radio, House-to house, Bible Study Groups, Literatures. AVENUE FOR RECEPTIVITY: when we touch on their concerns, offering the Gospel as the best and most effective solution. Receptivity is enhanced when our presentation matches the peoples' aspirations, values and needs.
D. SPREADING. Widespread Evangelism. Aim for a widespread teaching and preaching of the Gospel. Work with team of preachers. Mobilize as many believers as may be available and can be deployed to evangelize the target area. If there is none to deploy, produce them. 2TI 2:2 Train converts as soon as possible to spread the Goodnews. ACT 5:28 says they FILLED THE CITY with their teachings. Every believer a minister, EPH 4:7-16. If we sow bountifully, we will reap bountifully.
E. CONVERTING. Seek for the conversion of people. ACT 13:48 16:14-15 Response to the Gospel must grow out of understanding, in a manner which is culturally appropriate (in cross-culture), and which will be genuine and lasting, resulting in spiritual fruitfulness. Conversion must exclude syncretism, 1TH 1:9 ACT 3:19 11:21-23 26:18. The confession of faith (indicating their decision or belief) can be:
1. Verbal ROM 10:9-11, 13
2. Official or Symbolic through Water Baptism 1PE 3:21 ACT 2:41 8:12-16.
3. Actual Life, evidence of faith ACT 26:20 TIT 2:10-11 JAM 2:17-18.