Overcoming Objections to the Gospel Message and Evangelism
Overcoming Objections to the Gospel Message and Evangelism
The gospel message has faced numerous objections throughout history, with some viewing it as foolishness or a stumbling block [5]. The apostle Paul acknowledged this, stating that the gospel is "to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness" (1 Corinthians 1:23). However, he also affirmed that it is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" [5].
In 1 Corinthians 1:25, the message of the cross is described as being "wiser and stronger than anything the world has to offer" because it solves the world's greatest problem: sin [4]. This message is not tailored to please men but is instead entrusted by God to those who preach it, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, where Paul says, "we speake, not as they that please men, but God, which approoueth our hearts" [1].
Objections to the gospel often arise from a misunderstanding of its message or from a hardened heart against it. In Romans 11:28, it is noted that the Jews were "enemies to God and Christ, to the Gospel, and the ministers of it" due to their rejection of the gospel, which was partly because of the Gentiles' reception of it [7]. Despite such objections, the apostles remained committed to their message, with Paul stating that he was "well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake" [2].
The early Christian community faced opposition and persecution, yet they continued to propagate the gospel. Matthew Henry notes that Jude wrote his epistle to encourage believers to "profess and propagate, and contend for" the Christian faith, especially in times of opposition [3]. The perseverance of early Christians in the face of adversity is seen as a testament to the power and truth of the gospel message.
The integrity of the gospel message has been protected throughout history by warnings against altering its content. In Revelation 22:18-19, a curse is pronounced upon anyone who adds to or subtracts from the book of Revelation, emphasizing the importance of preserving the message [8].
The gospel's power lies not in its ability to appease human objections but in its divine origin and the transformation it brings to those who believe it. As seen in Zechariah 14:16, those who were once enemies of the faith can become worshippers of the God of Israel after experiencing His mercy [6]. The message of the gospel remains a cornerstone of Christian evangelism, with its proponents encouraged to persevere in the face of objections and opposition.
Sources
- I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 2:4 (Geneva1599) — But as we were allowed of God, that the Gospel should be committed vnto vs, so we speake, not as they that please men, but God, which approoueth our hearts.”
- 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 12:10 (NASB) — Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
- Jude (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Jude 1:3: We have here, I. The design of the apostle in writing this epistle to the lately converted Jews and Gentiles; namely, to establish them in the Christian faith, and a practice and conversation truly consonant and conformable thereunto, and in an open and bold profession thereof, especially in times of notorious opposition, whether by artful seduction or violent and inhuman persecution. But then we must see to it very carefully that it be really the Christian faith that we believe, profess, propagate, and contend for; not the discriminating badges of this or the other ”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:25: 1:25 What the unbelieving world considers foolish and weak—Christ and the message of the cross—is in reality wiser and stronger than anything the world has to offer. It solves the world’s greatest problem, the problem of sin, and overcomes all the powers of evil that oppose human beings.”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel--(The words, "of Christ," which follow here, are not found in the oldest and best manuscripts). This language implies that it required some courage to bring to "the mistress of the world" what "to the Jews was a stumbling-block and to the Greeks foolishness" (Co1 1:23). But its inherent glory, as God's life-giving message to a dying world, so filled his soul, that, like his blessed Master, he "despised the shame." for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth--Here and in Rom 1:17 the apostle”
- Zechariah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Zechariah 14:16: Three things are here foretold: - I. That a gospel-way of worship being set up in the church there shall be a great resort to it and a general attendance upon it. Those that were left of the enemies of religion shall be so sensible of the mercy of God to them in their narrow escape that they shall apply themselves to the worship of the God of Israel, and pay their homage to him, Zac 14:16. Those that were not consumed shall be converted, and this makes their deliverance a mercy indeed, a double mercy. It is a great change that the grace of God makes upon them”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 11:28: As concerning the Gospel,.... Whereas it might be objected to the call and conversion of the Jews, their implacable enmity to the Gospel, the apostle replies, by granting, that with respect to that, they were enemies to God and Christ, to the Gospel, and the ministers of it, and particularly to the apostle: for your sakes; the Gentiles, to whom it was preached, and by whom it was received, and which greatly irritated and provoked the Jews; or the sense is, that they were suffered to reject the Gospel, and treat it with hatred and virulence, that by this means it ”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 22:18: 22:18-19 I solemnly declare: John issues an oath to protect the integrity of the book of Revelation. He declares a curse upon anyone who alters the contents of the book or its message (cp. Deut 4:2; 12:32). The curse contrasts with the statement of blessing on all who read aloud, listen to, and obey the prophecy (Rev 1:3). At the time Revelation was written, scribes would sometimes alter books to suit their own views. Early Christians quickly developed means of authenticating both messages and messengers (see John 21:24; 1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11; Col 4:18; 2 The”