Theocratic Aid To Kingdom Publishers

Lesson 50

PRESENTING THE GOSPEL AT THE DOORS

When Jehovah's witnesses go from door to door in their gospel-preaching work it is not for the purpose of just calling at so many homes, or covering a certain section of territory, or putting in so much time. The primary purpose is to present the gospel. To ring the bell and greet the householder and then to permit oneself to be turned away by a trite excuse before the message is presented is not 'pushing the battle to the gate'. Many times the householder classes the witness as just another peddler, and dismisses the minister before understanding the nature of the visit. It may be the householder's routine method of meeting and 'getting rid of' door-to-door canvassers. In other cases, where the party visited does know of the work, a quick dismissal may be given because the preaching work has been misrepresented. In either event, the gospel-preacher should make an effort to break through this outer shell so that the Kingdom message can be presented. It is not a case of refusing to take "No" for an answer, but of being sure that the householder is not answering before he knows what the visit is about. The added effort of the Kingdom publisher, which must always be made kindly, considerately and courteously, is in the interest of persons of goodwill seeking the truth. Endeavor always to actually present the gospel at the door.

The question then arises, How may the various barriers raised be overcome and the gospel message presented? Let

this question be answered by taking a few of the many "excuses" with which the door-to-door preacher of the gospel is met. These typical cases will tend to set the general pattern for refutation at the door. Notice in each case that the tactful reply of the publisher either assumes the truthfulness of the householder's statement or tries to put the householder in a position resembling or paralleling that of the publisher.

(1) Householder: I'm busy.

Publisher: I understand; there is so much to be done these days. And that is why we print this literature explaining God's Word. It would take too long to explain and go into detail at the door; so to save your time we print this literature to leave with you. You do take time to eat every day. But Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone." (Matt. 4:4) Then why not take some time for spiritual food? Nothing is more important, and the message is prepared in a form to meet the needs and personal program of busy people.

(2) Householder: I'm not interested.

Publisher: Surely you are interested in the security of your home and family. And you must be interested in good government, and in what God's Word has to say about government. That is the chief concern of men and nations today. Perhaps you say you are not interested because you do not know just what this is all about. Please permit me to explain very briefly.

(3) Householder: I am a Catholic.

Publisher: Oh, then you doubtless have the Catholic Douay Bible and have noticed in its opening pages the encouragement given by different popes to Catholics to read and study their Bibles. Our message is strictly according to the Catholic Bible, and we are encouraging Bible study.

(4) Householder: I am a Jew.

Publisher: Are you? Well, we have a lot in common. Your forefathers were God's first witnesses. Also, we both have hope in the Jewish prophet Isaiah's words con-

cerning the coming "new heavens" and "new earth" of righteousness. (Isa. 65:17)

(5) Householder: I have my church.

Publisher: Oh, then you are striving to live a Christian life, and are interested in Bible study and sermons on the Bible. Quite likely, in these busy times you don't get to church as often as you would like. (The householder will generally agree to this.) When Jehovah's witnesses come to your door they bring you printed Bible helps and printed Bible sermons, so that whenever you have a few spare minutes to relax you can pick up this book and right here, in the quiet of your own home, can study it along with your Bible.

(6) Householder: I have my Bible.

Publisher: Splendid, because without it you could not understand this message. Practically every page of these publications refers to Bible texts, hundreds of citations appearing in each book. Points of information on a certain question or doctrine may be scattered throughout the Bible; these publications serve as time-saving study aids by bringing together within a few pages all the important scriptures on that particular point in question. Bible readers, above all other persons, appreciate these publications.

(7) Householder: I know all about that work.

Publisher: Do you? What do you think of it? I would be very much interested in your opinion. (Thus the party is drawn into conversation. In many instances the householder's opinion has been colored or prejudiced by misinformation. In any event, opportunity has been made to give true information and present the gospel message.)

(8) Householder: You people are against all religions.

Publisher: We are against all pagan religions, which are of the Devil; aren't you? But we aren't against Christianity, which is the doing of God's will and following in Jesus' footsteps. Neither are we against the people who practice religion. The Lord Jesus sent his apostles into all the nations round about that were practicing pagan reli-

gion. There they made disciples by exposing religion as being of the Devil, in order that honest persons might see the truth and turn to Christianity. Jehovah's witnesses today, in the interests of honest religionists, do the same thing.

(9) Householder: You don't salute the flag; I think that's terrible.

Publisher: We have the greatest respect for the principles for which the American flag stands. Tell me, What form of government do you advocate? Democracy? Very well; then you wouldn't salute the flag of another government, because it doesn't represent what you advocate. Isn't that so? Now try to understand the position of Jehovah's witnesses. To us democracy is the best form of man-made government. But we advocate the Kingdom for which Christ taught his followers to pray and work. That Theocracy also has a banner, which is the standard of truth. (Ps. 20: 5; Isa. 11:10; 62:10) Nevertheless, Jehovah never commanded his people to make a flag as an image or symbol of The Theocracy and to salute it, because such would be inconsistent with the second of Jehovah's Ten Commandments, which forbids paying homage to images of any kind.

(10) Householder: You people are against the government; you are seditious.

Publisher: Do you believe in Christ and the apostles and the work they did? (The householder usually answers, "Yes, of course, I am a Christian person.") I'm glad to hear that; but do you know that Jesus was accused of being seditious because of the work he did? (Luke 23:2) Do you know that the apostles were similarly accused? (Acts 16:20,21; 17:6; 24:5) No doubt the priest or minister of your church has told you about the life and preaching activities of Christ and the apostles, how wonderful that work was. Though accused of being seditious, there was nothing seditious about that work, was there? We are doing the same work, and suffer the same misrepresenta-

tion, as Jesus said his followers would. I'm going to leave some of our literature with you, so that you can read it for yourself and see that there is no statement in it that is seditious.

Thus the alert Kingdom publisher will seek to open the way for a full presentation of the gospel. If, after offering the testimony card or attempting a doorstep setup with the phonograph, the householder replies in vein similar to the above responses, still make a courteous effort to present the gospel. Above all, be brief. If the theme you start out on doesn't strike a spark of interest, quickly switch to another line of thought. If one particular thrust with the "sword of the spirit" does not break through and prove effective, try a different attack. Try to find common ground at the start, and from there lead into the Kingdom witness. Do not become "cut and dried" in your presentation. The above replies are not necessarily to be followed in all cases, but are merely given as illustrations of what might be used to advantage. If the answers to a given situation become stereotyped, then the publisher sounds as though he were reciting and sincerity is not evidenced in the presentation. Let it be stressed again, however: in seeking to make an opening for presenting the gospel after an initial refusal has been given, always be kind and courteous. Never be "smart" or cutting in your remarks. Remember that if you do place literature you will be making a back-call on that party, and even if you do not you or another publisher will have to visit that home again. Leave a good impression behind you.