How to witness to the Visitor at your door

 What do you do when you get a knock at your door at the most inopportune time?

 Many Christians think they have to spend a lot of time but I have found that this is not necessary. In fact, it’s better to spend 10 minutes than an hour. This should encourage you to answer that knock from whatever church or sect/cult is going through your neighborhood.

Let me explain how to be fruitful in less time…

As you converse ask them if you can use the Bible you read, they will often say yes (especially if it is a KJV or NKJ). Insist that they use only the bible, without referring to their literature (the Watchtower for JW’s) for answers. By doing this we have a chance for God speak to them about what is true without any interference.

 I know we can show them false prophecies or their history and get into all kinds of deep discussions that can go long but this is not the way to get them to think, or understand that they have a different Jesus, a different gospel or are practicing a different Christianity than the historic faith. So these points are put aside for another time when they are open and ready.

What I do is ask simple questions that deal with having a relationship with the Lord. Questions: not telling them, or proving they are wrong.  We all know we can win an argument and still lose the person. It is about them, their soul, there eternity.

You may be wondering then how do you get anywhere? It’s really simple.

I first ask them what the gospel is they bring– they will say “the kingdom which will be Paradise on earth.”

I then ask a Jehovah Witness if they have salvation? Most, if they are honest will admit they will one day in the future (this is why they are knocking on doors now).

Again, you are not telling them the difference and driving it home, but are keeping the peace and having their heart open because you are avoiding conflict. You make the point by them reading the Scripture that their gospel is not the gospel the apostles, disciples or believers preached after the resurrection. The gospel is to save us now, not for us to wait later. They are not, nor cannot be saved by THEIR gospel. That is the main point you want to get across — the Bible says today is the day of salvation -- not sometime in the future. If they are not saved- they cannot be preaching the gospel of salvation and they have nothing, they are not pleasing Jehovah.

My next question to them is axiomatic. I ask: you tell me you are bringing the gospel when you are not saved by the gospel how does that work? Do you know the Bible says you can be saved NOW?

(it’s like the old saying: can one lead another to water when they haven’t drank from the same well)

 It is here where I open the Bible to the passages they need to know and I ask them to read it OUT LOUD. The reason for this is so they hear the words in their own voice, it’s not you telling them but God is.

Acts 2:47 And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” They were saved by believing the gospel and anyone can be saved now the same way.  There are numerous other scriptures that can be used to prove this

After they read it I ask them what do you think that means. Now they find themselves in opposition to their church or organization that is telling them something different, about working for salvation.

They are not experiencing Ephesians 1:13-14: “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance”(Acts 15:11; 16:30)

1 Cor. 1:18-19 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

 Saved –past tense, they have experienced the power of God in salvation.

Paul’s gospel presentation had the goal to save:

1 Cor. 15:1-3 “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved , if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.” The gospel is then explained by three points Jesus’ death burial and resurrection: simple.

Ask the why they are not saved? If necessary, have them read the scripture out loud again. This is the crucial point to have them take home… why are you not saved NOW?

 If they believed the gospel and they would already be saved --  therefore they have a different gospel than the Bible. Your goal is to have them come to that conclusion by your questions and by their own reading of the Scripture. (2 Tim. 1:9)

There are so many Scriptures you can bring them to show salvation they are hoping for by their works is dead end. But again you want to keep it simple

Eph. 2:5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), v.8 then goes into details of saved by grace and not by works. We become alive by being spiritually reborn - born again. For it is the Devil that prevents them from being saved now (2 Thess. 2:8b; Titus 3:5).

Follow this outline, do not deviate from the main point - Have faith, be confident, be an intercessor as you spend time. Thousands leave the Watchtower org. and other churches and become Christians every year.

2 Cor. 2:15-16 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

You can be God’s tool to lead them to salvation, just step out in faith and give them a few minutes of your time.

I have been doing this for over 25 and found by trial and error what actually works and what does not work. It is not how long you spend with them, better to spend 5-10 minutes, than a long doctrinal conversation and get into a debate -- make a few strong points on their actual spiritual need and leave it with them to ruminate what was discussed. They will remember a few points rather than a whole conversation that travelled through many points.

Later when they are open you can discuss all the doctrinal errors that misled them.

1 Tim. 2:4-5 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. “