Lesson #11
Handling Objections And Answering QuestionsWe should welcome objections because they will assist us in leading an honest person to obeying the gospel. Objections tells what the one you are teaching thinks and feels. They tell us how near he is to obeying the gospel. It may be a sign the objector is seeking more information. The average objector is a novice and his knowledge is quite limited. He is a learner who is needing to be taught. Do not take his objections too seriously. While he is saying not yet or no, he may be wanting you to convince him.
Listen to the objector carefully and hear him out completely. This will help to disarm him. Treat the objection as a question which will help eliminate tension. Restate the objection as a question and ask him if you understand him correctly. For example you might say, "John, your question is, 'Why wasn't the thief on the cross baptized?' Is that right? John, do you have any other questions? If I could answer this question to your satisfaction, is there anything else that would keep you from being baptized tonight?"
If the objection has nothing to do with the point you are trying to make, do not deal with it at that time. You might say, "John that is a good question. Let me write it down and study on it and then we can deal with it later.
Avoid a belligerent, haughty, excited, argumentative, or angry attitude. If you don't then a wall of opposition will spring up. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." It is better to say, "Could I share with you what the Bible says that one must do to be saved?" or what ever the objection was. We should talk with the objector in a calm, slow, low pitched voice, particularly if he is becoming agitated or angry. Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man."
Today the vast majority of the religious world says that they are saved by "faith only". Many good people erroneously think they are saved when they "accept Jesus as their personal saviour" and say the "sinner’s prayer". But where in the Bible are we told this? It is not there. This may sound good and impressive, but this is false. This is a lie of Satan. This is something man has dreamed up. Then two or three weeks later many denominational churches encourage people to be baptized to join that denomination. They say that one does not have to be baptized to be saved because they say you are saved before you are baptized. I cannot think of a more flagrant crime against both God and Man than to teach lost sinners, who want to be saved something different than what God says in the Bible. In this case if they are eventually baptized, their sins are not forgiven and they are not saved because their baptism was not for this purpose. They still have every sin they have ever committed and are still lost because they have believed a lie.
Answering Questions: 1 Peter 3:15, "And be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear". Below are some suggestions on how to answer an objector's questions.
1) What if you are asked, "Do you believe that only members of the church of Christ are going to Heaven and everyone else is going to Hell?" Response: "John, it doesn't matter what I believe, or what you believe, or what anyone else believes. What really matters is what God says in the Bible. Could I share with you what the Bible says we must do in order to go to Heaven?"
2) What if you are asked, "Do you think my mother and father are in Hell?" Response: "Knowing you, I am sure you had wonderful parents, but we are not their judge, God is. You are not going to give an account for your parents, but for yourself. Could I share with you what the Bible says we must do in order to go to Heaven?"
3) What if you are asked, "What will happen to someone who has never heard of Christ or the Bible?" Response: "John, the important question right now is what is going to happen to you who has a chance to know what God's will is? Could I share with you what the Bible says we must do in order to go to Heaven?"
4) What if it is stated, "There are too many hypocrites in the church." Response: "Hypocrites get married, play golf, drive cars, rent houses, and run businesses. Would you not do these things because hypocrites do them? The hypocrite will be lost, but do you also want to be lost along with the hypocrite?"
5) What if you are asked, "Are you doubting my sincerity?" Response: "No I believe you are sincere, but sincerity alone will not get us to Heaven."
Lesson #12 "Questions To Ask About One's Salvation"
By: Ron Boatwright