One of the most common types of questions we get about LDS evangelism goes like this:
What about Galatians 1:8-9? Doesn’t it say not to follow another gospel – even if delivered by an angel?
Or
What about Ephesians 2:8-9? Doesn’t it say that salvation is by grace through faith apart from works?
The born-again Christian sees obvious contradictions between the Bible and Mormonism. His or her impulse is to point out the contradiction to their LDS friend in simple, straightforward language. At best, the born-again Christian prefers a direct disagreement. At worst, they’re asking permission to use the Bible to bludgeon their LDS friend.
Whenever we receive questions like these, we always want to highlight the following — The Bible tells us how to use the Bible. And when we use the Bible the way God intends, He delights to use it for His glory. Let’s consider three ways that Christians are to wield the sword of the Spirit.
Speak the Truth in Love
The same man who wrote “let them be accursed” in Galatians 1:9 also commanded believers to speak (or, live out) “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Paul goes even further in 1 Corinthians 13:2 – “If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge …, but have not love, I am nothing.” Peter reminds us that virtues like knowledge require the supplementing graces of patience, godliness, and love (2 Peter 1:5–7). John commands us to love especially “in truth” (1 John 3:18).
Yes, Paul had sharp interactions with Jewish leaders (and Christian ones, for that matter). I would simply observe that when given the opportunity for civil discourse, Paul typically steered the conversation toward a loving appeal. When King Agrippa, for example, balked at Paul’s audacity to convert him so quickly, Paul replied with remarkable grace, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am – except for these chains” (Acts 26:29).
Teach the Bible First
Jesus, the Word made flesh, was primarily a teacher. He’s called “Teacher” 48 times in the gospels; His explicit teaching takes up about 40% of the gospel narrative. At His ascension, Jesus commissioned a band of instructors — “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). The apostles took His command seriously, for “they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus” (Acts 5:42).
The Apostle Paul taught extensively in Cyprus, Antioch, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome. So prolific was Paul’s teaching that his accusers said he was “teaching everyone everywhere” (Acts 21:28).
Certainly, there is a time for a thus-says-the-Lord bluntness. Even Paul commands that overseers rebuke false teachers sharply (Titus 1:13). But the one doing the rebuking must not be arrogant or quick-tempered, but hospitable, self-controlled, and disciplined (Titus 1:8). It seems that Scripture would compel us to make blunt confrontation as the last resort and patient teaching as the first.
Persuade Listeners to Follow the Bible
When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he spent 3 months “reasoning and persuading” his countrymen about the “kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). Paul says his entire evangelistic pathos was persuasive (2 Corinthians 5:11). He’s not alone. Peter exhorted his audience at Pentecost saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation” (Acts 2:40). These servants were simply taking their lead from Jesus who wept loudly over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41–44) and stood during Passover to shout urgently, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink!” (John 7:7).
Genuine persuasion is not forced, but the product of love and instruction. Our love for God and others puts sincerity in the appeal. The clear rationality of Biblical instruction adds great substance to the call of God. When love, instruction, and persuasion combine, we end up with statements like Acts 4:33 to describe the early church’s evangelism — “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”
Concluding Thoughts
However satisfying it might feel to drop a truth bomb and walk away, it misuses the Bible. God expects His truth to be taught lovingly and persuasively, which takes time and patience. The next time you want to mention a Bible verse to your LDS friend, ask yourself: How can I teach this verse? How can I lovingly persuade my friend to believe it?
You may be asking yourself, “Okay, how do I teach a verse?” Although a fuller explanation will have to wait for another blog post, I would simply observe that the prerequisite to teaching is knowing. Please allow me to translate Peter’s final exhortation hyper-literally, “But you all be growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Grow in your knowledge of the Word and you’ll find yourself teaching it to others.