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Teaching the Unbeliever
Introduction:
We never can know the good that can result from our efforts to teach
others the gospel. Read: “The Power of One” by Flavil Nichols.
The Power of One
Flavil Nichols, Jasper, Alabama
During the War Between the States, a young woman learned the truth
and obeyed the gospel. Her sweetheart, J.H. Halbrook, was a
confederate soldier. He was captured by the union army and kept a
prisoner in Michigan until the war was over. He was given a ticket
to Nashville, Tennessee, and $2.50. From there, he returned to
Centerville and found what was left of his home and family. He
found his girlfriend and they were married. His wife studied the
Bible with him, and he soon became a Christian. He thought the
truth was so good and so simple that he began to teach and baptize
many of his friends and neighbors. He began to preach, but he
recognized his need for more training, so he came to the original
Mars Hill Bible School, taught by T.B. Larimore. Upon completing
his studies there, instead of going back to Tennessee, they moved
farther south, coming into Walker, Marion, Fayette, and Lamar
counties in Alabama. One of his many converts was Charley Alexander
Wheeler. His wife taught him to read from the Bible. Along with
his wife, C.A. Wheeler obeyed the gospel and soon began preaching to
others. He started more than 100 congregations and baptized more
than 6,000 people.
But wait, the story is not ended! One of those 6,000 was my father,
the late Gus Nichols! Twelve thousand were baptized under his
preaching.
Among those baptized by Gus Nichols, no one knows nor can know how
many began to preach “the glorious gospel of Christ” (II
Corinthians 4:3-4); but I personally know several. I, Flavil
Nichols, am ONE whom he baptized and whom he encouraged to preach
the truth. And under my preaching, about 3,000 have been baptized.
A few among them preach the gospel, also!
Only eternity can reveal the total results of the conversion of that
one girl nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. The results are
not yet all in! But this shows that 21,000 people have
become Christians through this single thread of the fabric of her
influence.
“Go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37) YOU are important,
too! Dear reader, if you go to heaven, others probably will be
saved by you! “For what knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt
save thy wife?” (I Corinthians 7:16).
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew
6:16) Each ONE is very important.
The Words of Truth,
Vol. 36 No. 19, “The Power of One”, Flavil Nichols, Nov. 1999
Since our efforts can result in great good being done for the
Kingdom, where should I begin in teaching the lost? One writer,
Berry Kercheville, suggests three principles that need to be
understood by the unbeliever at the beginning.
Body:
I.
The Old Testament Covenant Has Come To An End
·
Give a brief history of the Old Testament like Stephen did in
Acts 7.
·
Discuss
Jeremiah 31:31-34
and
Hebrews 8:6-12, 10:9-10.
·
Also, discuss how Jesus took away the Old Law at the cross. (Ephesians
2:14-16)
·
Possibly include
Galatians 3:23-25.
II.
We Cannot Add To, Take Away From, or In Any Way Change What God Has
Said Without Being Condemned
·
Show the strictness of God’s authority using Nadab and Abihu. (Leviticus
10:1-2, 10:11)
·
Sincerity is not enough with Jehovah. (Mark
7:6-9)
We must obey His commandments.
·
Also read
Colossians 2:20-23
and
Revelation 22:18-19.
III.
The Plan of Salvation Includes Baptism
·
Stress its necessity. (I
Peter 3:21)
It is based upon the death and resurrection of Christ.
·
Baptism is the only means of entering the body of Christ. (Galatians
3:27, Romans 6:3-4)
·
Salvation is found “in Christ.”
(Ephesians
1:7, II Timothy 2:10)
Conclusion:
New Testament Christianity is very different from
denominationalism. Our prayer when we are teaching others is that
accepting these three principles will lead them to become a
Christian.
Bobby Stafford
January 27, 2013
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