Unless men may come to a reasonable, solid persuasion and conviction of the truth of the gospel, by the internal evidences of it,. by a sight of its glory; it is impossible that those who are illiterate, and unacquainted with history, should have any thorough and effectual conviction of it at all. They may without this, see a great deal of probability of it; it may be reasonable for them to give much credit to what learned men and historians tell them. . But to have a conviction, so clear, and evident, and assuring, as to be sufficient to induce them, with boldness to sell all, confidently and fearlessly to run the venture of the loss of all things, and of enduring the most exquisite and long continued torments, and to trample the world under foot, and count all things but dung for Christ, the evidence they can have from history, cannot be sufficient. Jonathan Edwards
About This Quote

Dr. Charles Hodge is best known for his work in Systematic Theology, but he also wrote a number of books on the subject of evangelism. One of these books was A Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, in which Hodge outlines what he believes are the “five utmost necessaries” for witnessing. These are: 1.

The testimony of the apostles, both with respect to Jesus Christ, and his gospel; . . . 2.

The manifestation of the Spirit in the day of conversion; 3. The evidence of miracles in evidence; 4. The establishment of the truth by proofs drawn from nature and history; 5.

The inspired utterances of God in His word. . .

. It is very important that we should keep these in view in every part of our work in this direction, and especially so when we are engaged in seeking to persuade others to embrace Christianity. We shall do well to remember that no man can be saved without faith, without believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; that he died for sin, and rose again; that he will come again at last with power and great glory; and that he is now reigning 2000 years over his church, and till the end of time will be doing more than ever before for its preservation and triumph.

Source: The Religious Affections

Some Similar Quotes
  1. It does not matter how long you are spending on the earth, how much money you have gathered or how much attention you have received. It is the amount of positive vibration you have radiated in life that matters, - Amit Ray
  2. And he leans in, so carefully. Breathingand not breathing and hearts beatingbetween us and he’s so close, he’s so close and I can’t feel my legs anymore. I can’t feel my fingers or the cold or the emptiness of this room because all I feel... - Tahereh Mafi
  3. Tucker: Why would you tell me now if it's against the rules? Clara: Because I love you. - Cynthia Hand
  4. Images flashed through his mind. He saw Nico and his sister on a snowy cliff in Maine, Percy Jackson protecting them from a manticore. Percy's sword gleamed in the dark. He'd been the first demigod Nico had ever seen in action. <span style="margin:15px; display:block"></span>He was... - Rick Riordan
  5. Would you like to know your future? If your answer is yes, think again. Not knowing is the greatest life motivator. So enjoy, endure, survive each moment as it comes to you in its proper sequence -- a surprise. - Vera Nazarian
More Quotes By Jonathan Edwards
  1. The spirit of bondage works by fear for the slave fears the rod: but love cries, Abba, Father; it disposes us to go to God, and behave ourselves towards God as children; and it gives us clear evidence of our union to God as His...
  2. But that is the nature of true grace and spiritual light, that it opens to a person's view the infinite reason there is that he should be holy in a high degree. And the more grace he has, and the more this is opened to...
  3. But saints and angels behold that glory of God which consists in the beauty of His holiness; and it is this sight only that will melt and humble the hearts of men, wean them from the world, draw them to God, and effectually change them....
  4. God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here....
  5. A truly Christian love, either to God or men, is a humble broken-hearted love. The desires of the saints, however earnest, are humble desires. Their hope is a humble hope; and their joy, even when it is unspeakable and full of glory, is a humble...
Related Topics