When Providence called the Advent Movement into existence, a definite task was assigned to us—that of preaching the everlasting gospel to all the world. And that gospel had to be proclaimed in the setting of God's great judgment hour.
This movement was to be a preaching movement. Whatever its form of organization, nothing must obscure this definite preaching program. While the Christian church throughout all her history has to a greater or less extent sensed her divine commission—to make disciples of all nations and to teach her converts "to observe all things"—yet in a particular way we sense this to be the work for which we have been called of God. To do this we must of neeessity carry out our evangelistic commission.
In recent months references have been made in some of the leading religious journals concerning the questions of proselytizing. This has raised questions in the minds of some of our workers. Does it mean that our evangelism is to cease? By no means. Nor was this the intention of those who made such statements. The impression that we as a people should cease our evangelistic program was never in their minds. Of this we have been assured over and over again. They know, and we know, that a church that ceases to be evangelistic will soon cease to exist. The definite commission of our Lord requires that we evangelize, for the Lord has commissioned us to teach all nations "all things whatsoever I have commanded you."
But the question is, How shall we carry out this commission? Certain methods of proselytizing have been discussed very frankly by various Christian groups of late, and in every case the question has not been "Should Christians win converts?" but rather, "What methods should be employed in that work?" No truly Christian denomination challenges or seriously questions the right of another denomination to preach what it believes to be its God-given message, even though in the preaching of that message certain teachings differ from those of other groups. Neither does anyone who understands the principles of true religious liberty challenge the right of one to change his religious affiliation after having been convicted by the Spirit of the Lord that that is what he should do. The vital question is, "What shall be the method of our teaching?"
The apostle Paul wrote of certain false brethren who came into the Galatian congregation "unawares." He declared they "came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus." Certain people purporting to be Christians mingled with the believers, but their methods as well as their doctrines were wrong. We as Adventists know something of what he was facing. Sometimes there have come into our congregations those who would undermine the faith of the members. Purporting to be in full harmony with the truth, and claiming at times to possess additional light, these people, outwardly pious, have had one purpose, i.e., to lead the unwary astray. They usually begin their subtle work by undermining confidence in the leadership of the church. These methods we abhor. And it is that kind of approach to which Christian leaders of other denominations refer when they speak of "proselytizing." We regret that occasionally such tactics have been followed in the name of evangelism by various Christian groups. This the writers referred to recognize. Such subversive methods we deprecate and condemn.
On the other hand, the straightforward presentation of our message, with a clear declaration of who we are and what we stand for, brings results without implicating our sincerity. And such a program is in no way resented by our fellow Christians. We have nothing to hide, and for a number of years this journal has advocated that our evangelists when opening their campaigns, and particularly in some areas, they clearly declare themselves. This is in harmony with the counsels of the Lord. We read, "We should scorn concealment."—Evangelism, p. 179. As we begin a series of meetings we of course do not need to advertise every subject on which we are going to preach, but it is far better if we let the people know who we are.
Our Lord never felt it necessary to conceal His identity. He came as a great lover of men. His messages were full of sympathy. He understood men's needs, and "His tender compassion fell with a touch of healing upon weary and troubled hearts. . . . Had it not been for the sweet, sympathetic spirit that shone out in every look and word, He would not have attracted the large congregations that He did."—The Desire of Ages, p. 254. And this was the secret of our Lord's success. He made Himself one with the people, and the afflicted ones "longed to abide in His presence, that the comfort of His love might be with them continually."—Ibid., p. 255.
Those who will study the manner of Christ's teaching, and educate themselves to follow His way, will attract and hold large numbers now, as Christ held the people in His day.—Evangelism, p. 124.
While some of the messages of Jesus cut across the customs of His day, yet He proclaimed the truth in love, and great crowds followed Him.
A few months ago I was standing where our Lord stood when He proclaimed the principles of His kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount. His audience was made up of people who came from great distances, not only around Galilee, but from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond Jordan. Some of those people had traveled hundreds of miles, and they represented a variety of needs. In the group were wealthy Romans; others were outcasts from society. Some were hard-working farmers and housewives; others were teachers and philosophers. And there was the usual sprinkling of religious rulers. But Jesus had a message for each.
As I envisioned that great multitude following this Teacher up and down Palestine, there came to my heart a new appreciation of "the manner of Christ's teachings." He had a method, but it was not concealment. There was no hesitancy to declare His identity. And yet all came to realize that here was "a teacher come from God." He discussed the problems of the day in a new light. And although He recognized that His work would close in a crisis, and that the cross was inevitable, yet He did not precipitate the crisis. He went on calmly with His work, sowing the good seed of the kingdom. There was nothing unawares" about this model Evangelist. Nor should there be anything "unawares" about us.
We have been called of God and commissioned by the Captain of our salvation. Our work is to call men of all ranks, classes, and creeds to "fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come," and all this in readiness for the return of the King. Our work is to call out those who will be citizens of His kingdom.
One of our evangelists from Jamaica, West Indies, is right now working in the City of Panama. The Lord is greatly blessing his ministry, and the influence of his evangelism is being felt by all classes. The following, taken from a city newspaper, shows the effect of his message. The -writer refers to a controversy over who is better, Frankie Lymon or Elvis Presley—two prominent figures in today's world of entertainment. But this man says, "I have found one who is better than both Frankie and Elvis," and he goes on to describe his impressions of this evangelistic campaign. Speaking of the evangelist, he says:
That man stationed himself somewhere in Parque Lefevre. There he preached to capacity audiences throughout the four nights of carnival. He had no attractive toldo as a base of operations. Instead, all he offered was a drab canvastent. He had no carnival fever to strengthen his appeal. All he had was his Bible.
"There in that unromantic setting that man told me that both Frankie and Elvis are out of step. And he pointed out the seven steps in rock and roll that make us serve evil. I left his tent with a new idea of living. I was attracted by the large gathering that I mistook for a carnival celebration. When I learned it wasn't, I was so deeply interested that I could not depart. However, the thoughts I carried there departed from me. I canceled my plans to dance at the toldo and informed my date that I was not entering the fifty-dollar dance contest as we had planned. Though I'm sure I could have won, I have no regrets. I am a greater winner now. I no longer compare squeaks with wiggles. Instead I compare Christ with His evil opponent, Satan."
In this area of the world evangelism moves with rapid pace. One of the conferences in the West Indies reports that the ministers there are actually doubling their results since the institute held recently by Walter Schubert, one of the Ministerial Association secretaries. "We are all on fire with evangelism," he says. "We baptized more than a thousand during the month after the institute." Commenting on 1957 reports, he says, "Our ministers will baptize twice as many this quarter as they did for the same quarter of 1956."
Then he adds this note: "Our tithe is increasing tremendously. Twenty-five per cent increase last year, and this year so far a 40 per cent increase." Results like this always follow real evangelism. Beginning the first week in June, eighteen major efforts are going forward in this small conference. No minister is being sent out alone, but following one of the most successful methods of our Lord, men are being grouped together, and young ministerial students are being brought in to associate with these evangelistic teams. Such evangelistic planning always brings results.
In looking over the figures for the last quarter of 1956, there are some things that give us cause for serious thought. The first quarter of 1954 saw an increase in the North American Division of 10,044; 1955, 7,671; and 1956, only 6,536. That in itself is disquieting, but when we look at the baptismal results we find the same disquieting figures: 1954, 18,565; 1955, 16,925; and 1956, 16,578. Of the ten union conferences here in North America, only three showed a gain over the previous year, and one of these a gain of only two members.
This situation poses a problem, not only for the evangelists and pastors, but for the field leaders. We might well ask ourselves what lies behind these figures. We cannot complain of our poverty or lack of facilities. The Christian church, the Advent Movement included, was never so well off in material possessions as it is today. But are we losing our vision? Or do we feel inhibited?
As we meet in executive committees and evangelistic groups to plan our work, it would be well for each of us to ask himself the question, What am I doing individually to spread the news of our Lord's return and to prepare a people to meet Him in peace?
We must plan wisely and well. But the strength of any army is measured not only by the efficiency of the headquarters staff, but rather by the ability of every officer in that army to inspire each individual soldier, building his morale and helping him to move forward under the vision of victory. And in the army of the Lord nothing less than this can meet the challenge of these times, for is not the church about to advance into her final and decisive battle with the hosts of evil? Proclaiming the message in the fullness of God's revealed truth is our responsibility. But let us use the methods of the Captain of our salvation. When clear conviction grips the preacher, and love and sympathy mark his mission, he will always see results. We need feel no inhibitions in the proclamation of our distinctive truths. So let us preach God's last message with all the definiteness it demands. But let us preach it in love, and with due appreciation for the work of our fellow Christians who with sincerity, and to the best of their ability, are also endeavoring to bring a knowledge of Christ to the millions of earth who are still sitting in darkness.
R. A. A.
