Do Gospel Meetings Work?

The year was 2002, in the month of December. I was 11 years old. We were having a Gospel Meeting at a hotel. I can’t even remember which hotel it was. I can’t even remember the name of the American speaker, neither can I recall the topic that was preached. But I do remember that this particular gospel moved me to be baptized 1 month later.

A person cannot be converted in one night… do Gospel Meetings work?

The Philippian jailor was converted in one night (Acts 16:25-33). However, practically speaking in today’s context, this seldom happens. A person does need to undergo some studies to get a clear understanding before he can be baptized (Acts 8:12). Yet, as in the case of the Philippian jailor, all it takes is a moment of realization for a person to be motivated to study more and eventually obey the gospel. Personally, the training from my parents and my Bible class teachers had given me a firm foundation in the truth. Yet, a Gospel Meeting played a part to nudge me further in the right direction. The Gospel Meeting is an opportunity to prick the hearts of men and stir a lost soul into obedience to the gospel.

The message is always the “same”… do Gospel Meetings work?

The gospel is the gospel. However, every preacher presents the gospel from different perspectives and with different illustrations. During the Gospel Meeting, we have the opportunity to listen to foreign preachers whom we seldom hear. Perhaps we may hear something that will resonate within us. Personally, I still recall the illustration that the preacher used, way back in December 2002, which was this: Although we cannot see love, we can see the evidence of its existence; likewise, we cannot see God, but we can see the evidence of His existence. I may not recall the entire sermon, but the illustration that the preacher used has stuck with me. The Gospel Meeting is an opportunity for the gospel to prick the hearts of men via a different messenger.

There’s hardly any baptisms… do Gospel Meetings work?

A person may not be baptized during the Gospel meeting night, but the seed of God’s Word is planted. He may not be baptized during the Gospel Meeting night, but with follow-up studies, he may eventually be converted through the gospel. Personally, I was not baptized during the Gospel Meeting night. But I did obey the gospel a month after. The Gospel Meeting is an opportunity to plant the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of men.

Concluding remarks

Of course, the Gospel Meeting is not the only means to save lost souls. However, as Paul himself said, we try all means and measures so that we can by all means save some (1 Corinthians 9:22). Therefore, let us support the Gospel Meeting. Make time to attend and participate. Invite your friends to come and listen. Let’s share the good news today.