Sexton, Hyles, and Murphrey: Examples of Salesmanship Posing as Soul-winning

I very much agree with you that too much of present-day evangelism is shallow and focused too much on “saying a prayer.” This article addresses the major culprits who have for many years influenced wrongly fundamental churches. However, I do believe that leading a soul to Christ, though it may require a level of pre-evangelism and elementary indoctrination, whenever the moment arrives that the individual understands the gospel and what God requires of him (repentance and faith), a confession — be that simply an oral statement or a sincere prayer of faith — is all that is required. We need not complicate the matter further, IMHO.

[jimcarwest]

What I was referring to in my comments about “limited atonement” are those people who believe that Jesus Christ did NOT die for all mankind but only for a select few who are referred to as “the elect,” “the foreordained,” “the predestinated to life eternal.” That is what I cannot accept. Please don’t confuse the issue.

Not trying to confuse the issue here, as I am one who believes that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are unified in their purpose as regards the salvation of man.

God chose a bride for the Son.

Christ satisfied the wrath of God in atoning for the bride (and not for the non-bride).

The Holy Spirit, by means of the preached gospel, brings the bride to salvation.

Seems like your view (that Christ died for both the non-bride and the bride) puts Him at odds with the Father and the Spirit.

[jimcarwest]

…whenever the moment arrives that the individual understands the gospel and what God requires of him (repentance and faith), a confession…

What God requires, he provides, as repentance and faith are gifts given by God, not something from within man that he uses correctly to gain salvation.

Acts 11:18 - When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

2 Peter 1:1 - Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 4:7 - For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?