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LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 78

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

IIE /-—

78 THE CONVENTION ESSAY

Pentance and to a burning desire to work for changes
that are needed.

The Gospel is the word of reconciliation that does
change human nature. It produces the “new creation,”
It is the answer, not only for Salvation and life in
heaven; it is the power that transforms men, women,
and children into those who love their fellowmen, who
long to help them, in this life, but above all to secure
for them the treasures of the life to come.

love by Social action. But to feed, to clothe, to free a
man, that is not the ultimate. Many well-fed, well_
educated, Privileged, and affluent people wil] spend
eternity in hell, The top Priority is the final victory,

creations in Christ. It all adds up to this that evan-
Selism is the top priority, the Principal work of those
who are ambassadors for Christ,

Evangelism is a word borrowed from the Greek of
the New Testament. It means “to proclaim the Good
News.” In a way the entire program of the church, the

eternity,

Evangelism deals with the “one thing needfyl.”
Peter declared: “And there is salvation in no one
else, for there is no other name under heaven given
among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4; 12),
St. John assures us: “He who believes in the Son has

The charge the resurrected Savior 8ave to His dis
ciples was unmistakably clear: “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded
you” (Matt. 28: 19-20), He also told them: “Thus it is
written that the Christ should suffer and on the third

all nations beginning from Jerusalem, You are wit.
nesses of these things.” (Luke 24: 46-48)

Thus in obedience to our Lord the circle of evan-
8elism was to widen out to encircle the globe. In
response, Christians in every generation have pro-
claimed the Gospel,

We ought not argue the cause of aid to the needy

unique task, is evangelism. Christ’s words, quoted a
“Make disciples”;
“preach repentance and forgiveness of sins.” It is in

must come first — foy us and all men. Jesus Himself
Said it: “What is a man profited if he gain the whole
world and lose his Own soul?” (Matt. 16- 26) and “Seek
ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and
all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6: 33)

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