The importance of two-way conversations in a Church

How preaching from a stage is contrary to the bible

When someone today thinks of a Christian church today, what usually comes to mind is one person – often on a platform, talking to people.

But this is not something we see that the Apostles did.

We see plenty of evidence for a two-way communication. But we do not find support for that the Apostles preached for a long, uninterrupted period. Even at for example the Pentecost in Acts 2, where we see one of the longer speeches in the book of Acts, we see that people replied and asked them about what they should do.

A one-way conversation is again a tradition that made its way into the churches over 1500 years ago. Rumours tell us that this comes from a pagan tradition, that made its way into churches when they had lost sight of the true Gospel.

And it has been evident for hundreds of years now that this tradition is harmful.

The person on the platform gets big – which is not good for him, and many have started well, but ending up in shipwreck.

And the people listening gets pacified – which is not good for them and opens for heresies to enter the church.

In addition, this paves the path for people that only want power, and are anything but servants, to come into the church and wants to get that position. Something that we can see in churches everywhere today.

But not only that this tradition is harmful – we do not find any support for it in the Bible. And true Christians want to do it the Bible way.

So, let us look at for example the Apostle Paul, our example and role model.

He spoke with people man to man. Face to face. Not as a star, but as a servant.

Because servants talk with people. It is a two-way communication.

Let us look at some bible verses on this matter.

When Paul came to Thessalonica we read:

“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” (Acts 17:2-3)

Here we clearly see that preaching is supposed to be a two-way communication. When Paul preached – he reasoned with them.

When Paul visited Athens, we read:

“Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.” (Acts 17:17)

Here we see he disputed with them. So again, a two-way communication.

And when he came to Ephesus, he again reasoned with them:

“And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.” (Acts 18:19)

And one thing that can be noted here, is that at that time the synagogues were in once sense similar to a church. So, this can also in that sense be applied to churches today.

But the synagogues are not the only example where Paul reasoned with people.

When he came to Corinth, he met 12 that were baptized unto John’s baptism:

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

He said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

And all the men were about twelve.”(Acts 19:1-7)

In the verse right after, we see that he again went into the synagogue, holding two way communications:

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.” (Acts 19:8)

Afterwards, we see that he separated the disciples, disputing daily:

“But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 19:9-10)

There are many more examples in the book of Acts where we see the Apostles and Christians engaging in two-way conversations.

Like for example on the day of the Pentecost (Acts 2:7-40), Philip and the eunuch of Ethiopia (Acts 8:30-37) and Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10:26-43). The list could go on and on, but if you want to read more, you can read through the book of Acts, as examples of two-way communication can be found everywhere.

As documented, the Apostles engaged in two-way conversations all the time.

And we see this is a very effective way of doing it. Yes, the result was that all the people in Asia heard the word of the Lord.

So now when we see what the Apostles did, you might wonder if Jesus did the same as well.

The answer is a resounding yes. Let us look at what Jesus did.

The Gospel of John gives us a lot of detailed insight into how Jesus acted and we see 2-way conversations in every chapter of the book.

In chapter 3:1-2 for example, you can read about a two-way conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Here Jesus said the most famous quote of the entire bible in verse 16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

In chapter 6:25-58 we see a long two-way conversation which took place in the synagogue.

In chapter 8:12-19 we see another two-way conversation with the Pharisees. And in the verse after, we can read the following:

“These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.” (John 8:20)

So, as we see from here, to teach also means a two-way conversation.

And after this in chapter 8:21-59, you can read about the standoff Jesus had with the Jews, where they became so angry that took up stones to cast at Him. Again, a two-way conversation.

The list of examples would be too long to mention here, as examples of two-way conversations between either Jesus and the disciples, other believers, Jews and Pharisees can be found in every chapter of the Gospel of John. If you want to read more, I would suggest you start from chapter 1 and read the entire account (highly recommended!).

As we see, Jesus and the Apostles engaged and taught in two-way conversations – as a dialogue, not a monologue.

When both Jesus and the Apostles did this, it is overwhelmingly clear that we also ought to do the same.

Now the bible even mentions specifically that in a church, everyone should contribute. Not only a pastor or a preacher:

“How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” (1Corinthians 14:26)

And this does not exclude people that are newly saved.

No, the bible says every one of you.

It cannot be clearer than that, for someone who wants to do God’s will.

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This is the second part of my new article on How modern churches are contrary to the Bible, in my series Debunking Heresies.

The next part will be coming out soon, where I will be going through the problems of going against the word of God.

JESUS IS KING!