A Scriptural Paradigm for Gospel Proclamation

A Scriptural Paradigm for Gospel Proclamation
On the outset, I shudder at the thought of creating "A Scriptural Paradigm for Gospel Proclamation." First, history and the foregoing discussion shows us how dangerous these things can be. Second, far greater minds than mine have wrestled with these issues. Who am I to add to these?

Yet, Christians today need to do "something" in teaching the gospel. But what? This is the question I seek to answer.

I am convinced that what is needed is not a new catechism or study series but a radical new framework that is both doctrinally solid and flexible enough to meet individual needs. The framework must provide the opportunity to give the hearer a true faith in the true Jesus and a chance to respond to him without obscuring the gospel with relatively unimportant items.

The Primary Proclamation and Response
This study has shown that the primary proclamation is the identity of Jesus as the Son of God. To cite but one Scriptural example:

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, [2] by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. [3] For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [5] and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)

There are any number of ways that this might be proclaimed. This particular passage or others like it could be read or shared. Acts is particularly useful for this sort of teaching.

Those who believe in Jesus and want to live according to this fact may be baptized and become Christians. It can happen that very same day. It is that simple.

Answering Questions
Naturally, people may have some questions about Jesus, baptism, "faithful living" and the like. These are likely to be questions people are going to want answered before having a faith they can base their lives upon.

It is well known that many people believe in Jesus (more than 50% of all Americans), yet how many live faithfully? The objective of the evangelist (in the broadest sense of the term) here is to find out what the obstacles are to faithful living, and address them with solid Scriptural truth.

Ananias asked "what are you waiting for" of Saul in Acts 22:16, even as the Ethiopian asked "what prevents me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:36). A question-based follow-up to the fundamental presentation of the gospel has considerable merit and definitely has Scriptural precedent. Everyone has different questions and different obstacles to coming to faith. A Scriptural paradigm for conversion must allow the questions to be answered.

On the one hand, these questions should be addressed seriously and from Scripture. On the other hand, these questions should be kept in perspective as few questions invalidate the fundamental message of the gospel-- the truth of Jesus being the Savior. It is reasonable for people to believe in him and commit themselves to following him and learning more about what that means along the way. (It is fallacious to think that any amount of pre-baptismal instruction does not leave people in this position anyway, to some degree.)

But, the questions will come along. Some likely ones are included below, with possible study topics that would address these questions.

Question	Study Topic
What does it mean to be a faithful Christian?	Study on the fundamentals of faithful Christian living
Is there a God? What about other world religions? How do we know Jesus is the only way?	Comparative religion study Evidences for Christianity (creation, archaeology, history, etc.)
What was Jesus like?	Details of his earthly ministry-- events, teachings, etc.
Why baptism?	Study on baptism
What about religious issue "x?"	Study on religious issue "x"
Is the Bible reliable?	History and reliability of the Bible Overview of the Bible Principles of interpretation
Do I have to go to church? Why?	Study on the church and relationships with other Christians (one-another)
If there is a God, why do bad things happen? Why is there evil in the world?	Study on the nature of good and evil
What about religious leaders that you cannot trust and churches that are unfriendly?	Study on trustworthy leadership and how churches ought to be.
What about sin?	Sin study identifying the critical aspects of sin

Certainly this list could be much bigger, and there is plenty of room for discussion about how to approach answering some of these questions from the Scriptures. The point here is that subsequent studies to the basic proclamation should be focused on answering questions on the part of the candidate. This provides a Scriptural basis for helping the person overcome obstacles in his faith, resulting in him having a real and genuine faith. At this point, he is ready to commit his life in baptism to the Object of that faith with a clear conscience.