The concept of persuasion is integral to the Christian faith, as it involves the act of convincing others of the truth of the Gospel and the teachings of Scripture. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how believers are to engage persuasively in their witness and ministry.

Biblical Examples of Persuasion

1. Paul's Ministry: The Apostle Paul is a prime example of someone who used persuasion in his ministry. In Acts 18:4 , it is recorded, "Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks." Paul's approach often involved reasoning and dialogue, aiming to convince his listeners of the truth of Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

2. Agrippa's Response: In Acts 26:28 , King Agrippa responds to Paul's testimony by saying, "In such a short time would you persuade me to become a Christian?" This highlights Paul's persuasive efforts in sharing his faith, even with those in positions of power.

3. Apollos' Eloquence: Apollos is described as an eloquent speaker who was "competent in the Scriptures" (Acts 18:24). His ability to speak persuasively was instrumental in his ministry, as he "vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ" (Acts 18:28).

Principles of Persuasive Communication

1. Truth and Love: Ephesians 4:15 instructs believers to speak "the truth in love." Persuasion in the Christian context is not about manipulation but about lovingly presenting the truth of the Gospel.

2. Gentleness and Respect: 1 Peter 3:15 advises believers to "always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect." This verse underscores the importance of a respectful and gentle approach in persuasive communication.

3. Reliance on the Holy Spirit: Persuasion in the Christian life is not solely dependent on human effort. John 16:8 speaks of the Holy Spirit's role in convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Believers are to rely on the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those they seek to persuade.

Warnings Against Deceptive Persuasion

The Bible also warns against using persuasion for deceitful purposes. Colossians 2:4 cautions, "I say this so that no one will deceive you by fine-sounding arguments." Believers are to be discerning and avoid being swayed by persuasive but false teachings.

The Goal of Persuasion

Ultimately, the goal of persuasion in the Christian context is to lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to edify the body of believers. 2 Corinthians 5:11 states, "Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men." This reflects the earnest desire to see others reconciled to God through Christ.

In summary, persuasion in the Bible is characterized by truth, love, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, with the aim of advancing the Gospel and strengthening the faith of believers.

How the Temperate Style is to be Used.
... For as the function of all eloquence, whichever of these three forms it may assume,
is to speak persuasively, and its object is to persuade, an eloquent man ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 25 how the temperate style.htm

From all this we May Conclude, that the End Arrived at by the Two. ...
... For as the function of all eloquence, whichever of these three forms it may assume,
is to speak persuasively, and its object is to persuade, an eloquent man ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 55 from all this.htm

Conversation and Public Speaking
... If he presents the facts he will speak convincingly; if he is deeply in earnest
he will speak persuasively; and if he be an educated man his speech will have ...
/.../kleiser/talks on talking/conversation and public speaking.htm

Human Arts as Well as Divine Knowledge Proceed from God.
... For sensibility finds and invents; since it persuasively exhorts to application.
And practice will increase the application which has knowledge for its end. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iv human arts as well.htm

Concerning St. Hilarion and the virgins in Heliopolis who were ...
... city, who had long entertained inimical feelings against him, because, during the
reign of Constantine, he had more spiritedly than persuasively elevated the ...
/.../chapter x concerning st hilarion and.htm

On the Holy Trinity, and of the Godhead of the Holy Spirit.
... They charge us with preaching three Gods, and din into the ears of the multitude
this slander, which they never rest from maintaining persuasively. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the holy trinity and.htm

Maximinus C??sar Having Come at that Time into the Government...
... as he was offering libations, and fearlessly seizing him by the right hand, straightway
put a stop to his sacrificing, and skillfully and persuasively, with a ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iv maximinus caesar having.htm

But if Men Either Knew Themselves Thoroughly, or had the Slightest ...
... than that we may learn to know the rules and differences of nouns, the intervals
in the sounds of different tones, that we may speak persuasively in lawsuits ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/19 but if men either.htm

1 Cor. x. 13
... tables?". "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the
Blood of Christ?" Very persuasively spake he, and awfully. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiv 1 cor x.htm

1 Timothy v. 15-Nov
... And observe how persuasively he speaks; he has not said, "let them maintain them
expensively," but "let them relieve them." "That the Church," he says, "may ...
/.../homily xv 1 timothy v.htm

Persuasively (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Persuasively (1 Occurrence). Acts 19:8 And having
gone into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three ...
/p/persuasively.htm - 6k

Nabal (18 Occurrences)
... She so courteously and persuasively pled her cause that David's anger was appeased,
and he said to her, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which sent thee this ...
/n/nabal.htm - 16k

Persuasiveness (3 Occurrences)

/p/persuasiveness.htm - 7k

Persuade (20 Occurrences)
... King James Version writes "persuading the things" (the Revised Version (British
and American) "as to the things") for "present the things persuasively." And in ...
/p/persuade.htm - 15k

Persuasive (4 Occurrences)

/p/persuasive.htm - 7k

Pestilence (57 Occurrences)
... King James Version writes "persuading the things" (the Revised Version (British
and American) "as to the things") for "present the things persuasively." And in ...
/p/pestilence.htm - 31k

Persuasion (2 Occurrences)
... King James Version writes "persuading the things" (the Revised Version (British
and American) "as to the things") for "present the things persuasively." And in ...
/p/persuasion.htm - 9k

Who was Gregory of Nyssa? | GotQuestions.org

What is secular humanism? | GotQuestions.org

What is homiletics? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus