JeromeW

On another BBS, I often have political discussions (if they qualify as discussions). Some of the posters are religious nuts and make it clear. Others are crptyo-christians. That is to say they are obviously coming from a christian angle but for one reason or another they don't want to make the relationship clear (probably because it makes them and their positions look foolish). I think this wastes time in discussions because you fight over tangential points when the fundamental difference comes down to their religion or my lack of it.

I have posted there that not only is it annoying for them to hide their Christian faith (I'm not saying they need it in their signature, but that they shouldn't bob and wave if someone asks them about their religion), but it is not the Christian thing to do. One person (who refused to answer the question of whether Jesus was his lord and savior [but who I have seen coming from a christian viewpoint]) said it was obnoxious of me to assume that it was an unchristian thing to do (not proclaim your faith) because I wasn't christian.

Do you guys have any biblical passages that say christians must advertise their faith or at least not hide it when asked?

Chili

Yes Catholics use John 20:21 wherein Jesus showed his wounds and said to his disciples: "As the father has send me, so I send you."

From this follows that if the self proclaimed Christian cannot produce the stigmata as evidence for his faith you should call him a liar and tell him to come back when he has evidence of the good news that he is preaching.

Toto

The closest is probably Matt 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Luke 8 has a more cryptic version:

A Lamp on a Stand
16 "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

Clivedurdle

There is loads more - I send you to all nations, even the OT go forth and multiply has been used!

Isn't there a converse that if you fail to evangelise the Lord doesn't know you? You called me Lord Lord.

Revelation, the story of Laodicia - luke warm - spew out of my mouth.

My upbringing was if you were not evangelising continuously you were not a xian! And that is actually the biblical position - it is a sin of ommission if you have not done everything possible to get others to see the light.

Actually there is probably no where near enough martyrdom, sitting on styli, and holding everything in common!

John A. Broussard

Somewhere in my childhood I remember the Christian comment that if you saved one, single soul from hell, then you automatically saved yourself.

I doubt that the claim is in the scriptures, but it may help to explain zealous Christian proselityzing if it's a very prevalent belief.

Clivedurdle

That's me buggered then to an eternity in heaven - I saved two teenagers when I was eighteen on Operation Mobilisation!

Chili

Yes but the lukewarm ones of Laodicea were the saved sinners who keep saying "I am so rich and so secure" while not realizing how wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked they were.

Those who say "Lord, Lord don't you remember me, I saved 'all those people' in your name" will not be recognized since they are the antichrist leading innocent believers astray. The point is that as Christians we are already judged the moment we stood convicted as sinner.