Drawn by the Spirit

[David from New Bern]

The Bible indicates that no one comes to salvation unless first the Spirit draws them. What is my role as an evangelist? Can I be guilty of trying to do the job of the Holy Spirit?

[Heavnlyfragrance]

To my understanding an evangelist goes out and tells people about Jesus and how to become saved. The Holy Spirit pricks people's heart to listen and respond to what is being taught

Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

[SwordFish]

there is no better of an example of the role of a evangelist to follow after than the pattern of philip the evangelist found in Acts 8:26-40 for in that one story alone is found the great commission at it's fullest being fulfilled. there is being sent by God, there is teaching or preaching and discipling, there is conversion of the sinner, and then there is water baptism. one cannot go wrong if they follow this biblical pattern of evangelism.

swordfish

[hebrews_beauty]

Your job, as an evangelist, is to share the Good News. The job of the Holy Spirit, I believe, is to do His work in the person's heart who is receiving the Good News. "I planted it, Apollos watered it, but only God makes it grow." (paraphrased)

[David from New Bern]

Is there a need to discern if Holy Spirit is working in the life of an individual to determine how far to proceed with an evangelistic encounter?

[SwordFish]

Is there a need to discern if Holy Spirit is working in the life of an individual to determine how far to proceed with an evangelistic encounter?

swordfish

if you are being sent by the holy spirit you can then expect the holy spirit to move on individuals lives either to reject or to receive the witness that God has so sent to the people to hear the gospel message. not all will receive but there are so many who's hearts are so hungry for one morsel of spiritual food they will embrace the spirit's call that is being sent out by you as the vessel in which God uses to reach the lost. we cannot hide our gospel for when we do it is hid to those that are lost. as far as your question goes i think we should always be sensitive to the holy spirit in our encounters with others and if we will listen closely in the conversations we are having with others their speech will tell us much in what they are wanting to talk about for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. so just be sentitive and listen to the person and guide the conversation towards the Lord in this regards and you may be pleasantly surprised at the results.

swordfish

[nanasimmons]

God said His word doesn't return void, as the parable of the sower explains it really depends if the soil in their hearts are ready to recieve it .One plants,and another one waters..except in case where the one you are evangelizing has total disrespect toward God's word.Don't give what is holy to the dogs,neither cast your pearls amoung swine.

[Ovedya]

Is there a need to discern if Holy Spirit is working in the life of an individual to determine how far to proceed with an evangelistic encounter?

I don't believe so. As constituants of the Lord's ministry our primary duty is to faithfully spread the good news:

"Now after these things, the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to come.

And He said to them, The harvest is great, but the workers few; therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest that He would thrust out workers into His harvest. Go; behold, I send you as lambs in the midst of wolves. Do not carry a purse, nor a bag, nor sandals; and greet no one on the way.

And into whatever house you enter, first say, Peace to this house. And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon it; but if not, it shall return upon you. And in that house remain, eating and drinking the things from them, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move from house to house." (Luke 10:1-7)

According to the principal here, as a worker of the Lord it is only your duty to spread the news of Christ's coming (ie. the gospel). The only discernment required is in how the gospl is received by the person to whom you are preaching. They will either receive you or reject you. Your only duty is faithfulness.

[felix]

The Bible indicates that no one comes to salvation unless first the Spirit draws them. What is my role as an evangelist? Can I be guilty of trying to do the job of the Holy Spirit?

We can all be guilty of trying to do the job of the Holy Spirit when we go over what the Lord has commanded us to do even if it is a good work. Sometimes I may be guilty of either doing too much or too little. In here we are talking about doing too much...

We have to deny ourselves and have the Lord as our entire leading. We do nothing out of ourselves but solely for Christ. Ultimately we just have to be obediant. John the Baptist for instance was thrown in jail by the Lord's arrangement because He kept carrying on his ministry when it was time for it to stop...as he was still baptising.

Sometimes I try to minister Christ to people my own way and it fails. However, if I just let Christ do it it works. For instance my explaining the scriptures to my sister does not work (this is my own way)...but when I confess my sins and shortcomings to her (Christ's way) she sees Christ. In this way Christ is ministered to her.