There are two essential things for the story teller to know. This is assuming that he or she already has a working knowledge of God’s Word. First he needs to be aware of the basic Bible truths which a person needs to hear and understand in order to be open to salvation. There is a suggested list of some twelve truths that need to be considered. Not all of these truths will need equal treatment as some may already be understood or at least not challenged by the people’s existing belief system. Others may need extensive treatment as the people might have strongly embedded beliefs and practices in their culture. One basic starting point is the issue of the sovereignty of God which includes His sovereignty over the spirit world as well as the visible world and all its people. Others will have to do with local concepts of sin and how that sin may be atoned. Others have to do with the afterlife, its nature, and who goes where. The greatest is that God himself provided the needed Savior according to his promise. Here is a suggested list:
Basic Bible Truths Leading To Salvation:
- God alone is Sovereign, acting in history and communicating with man.
- God is all powerful, all knowing, the source of grace (love, peace, mercy, forgiveness, Salvation, provision for man’s needs).
- God communicates through his Word and is faithful to keep it.
- God loves man and wants fellowship with him.
- God is righteous, hating sin.
- God punishes sin by death (separation from God).
- Man is accountable to God for all he says and does.
- Man is a sinner separated from God by his sins.
- Man can do nothing to save himself from God’s righteous judgment.
- Man can approach (have fellowship with) God only through a perfect (acceptable) sacrifice. This involves faith and trust in God.
- Jesus the Son , the One sent by God, is the only perfect sacrifice.
- Salvation involves faith in God’s provision in Jesus as Savior.
Some would add repentanceto this list though we often do not deal with it in a major way initially to avoid giving the impression that our works make us “acceptable to God”. It is only the grace of God that saves man. Repentance must be covered thoroughly in discipling to be sure that new believers understand they are a new creation in Christ. Repentance is inferred in several stories like Zacchaeus and when Jesus told the adulterous woman to leave her life of sin (John 8:11).
Written by an IMB missionary whose identity will be protected
