Web Based Evangelism Guide

Acts 17:16-32 and 1Cor 9:19-28

The Apostle Paul teaches us and challenges us to evangelize.

In Acts 17:16-32 Paul journeys with his followers into the temple city of Athens, Greece - the home of many pagan philosophers. The people of Athens were also Idol worshippers - even to the point of worshipping Idols inscripted "to an Unknown God".

The people of Athens were also some of the better educated people at the time.

Paul was also well educated so none of the Athenian behavior shocked him - I suspect it was what he expected. He wandered the streets soaking it all in. Then he began preaching - first acknowledging their beliefs and then weaves their existing beliefs into Christianity.

He refers to this type of process in 1 Cor 9:21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the law - I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ - But I obey the law of Christ.

Salient Points

• Paul goes to where they are.
• He shows respect to them
• He tries to gain their confidence
• Then he preaches the Gospel

Web Based Evangelism

In January 2002 - 33,000 people each day literally type the word satan into a search engine and press find. 661,000 web sites advertise that they have information on satan. 233,000 people each day search on money, 985,000 on lottery, 473,000 on casino, and 991,000 on harry potter.

Much of this behavior is essentially Idolatry.

Internet based evangelism begins with knowing how to walk into Athens and soak it all in - and then knowing how to preach.

First: you will need a few pair of sandals:

• Search Engines and Directories will help locate where groups are clustered
• Tools like 1st Position will tell you what they are looking for (and talking about).

Second: you will need to be able to listen in on the conversations - this means:

• learning how to find and participate in discussion groups.
• using email effectively.

Third: you will need to preach. This means

• creating and participating in threaded discussion groups.
• creating and participating in email groups.
• producing and distributing electronic newsletters.
• producing streaming audio and video.
• mastering various marketing methods so you sound respectful when you preach.
• creating and promoting web sites.

Forth: Teach and empower the teacher.

• This is what JConline does - it creates awareness, and provided the educational resources to help the traditional preacher make the leap.
• See our members list for the webmasters in your area that have a passion for this ministry and may be able to help you.