This isn’t a statement I ever thought would come from authorities well aware that over 84 percent of the population in Uganda is Christian. I mean, shouldn’t we have the most welcoming environment to preach the gospel of the risen Lord in public places?
I thought our current constitution was drawn with biblical principles at heart? If we have no room for they that bring good tidings, who are we welcoming then? Should city developments happen at the expense of the gospel? I am not trying to sabotage national plans – what I know is that it takes more than human efforts to protect or develop any city. What will become of Uganda when preachers are put behind bars for sharing the gospel publicly?
Did they at least seek advice from Church leaders on this matter? Forgive me – I just have a lot of questions on my mind.
Today, many people think of a preacher as a person who speaks behind a podium every week during a church service. Some may even say that preaching should be kept within the confines of the church. However, the Gospel does society no good if the saved only tell each other how to be saved, and the church is not being obedient if it is not carrying out the commandment of the Great Commission.
Since the lost will not come to church, the church must go to the lost. But is street preaching still an effective way to reach the masses? According to the words of Christ, the public proclamation of the Gospel must continue until the end of time: “And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14)
Romans 10:13-17 explains why: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him in whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things. But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. … So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”
Scripture also explains, “[I]t pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21) Therefore, street preaching, proclaiming the Gospel to the lost, is a method chosen by God to be a vehicle unto the salvation of men. Because of this truth, the Apostle Paul wrote, “[N]ecessity is laid upon me. Yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16)
Necessity is likewise laid upon today’s church. While the rest have no reservations about proclaiming their messages of corruption, abortion “rights,” drunkenness and lust in the streets, why are so many laws coming up to ban proclaiming the message of the Gospel in the streets as well? Public celebrations of sin are optimum locations to engage in street preaching and to “seek and save that which was lost” just like Christ did. Street preaching in such locations is the epitome of taking the light to the darkness and being the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-15).
Although many today may reject the public proclamation of the Gospel through street preaching, still this form of Biblical evangelism is not any less valid. Many turned away from Jesus when he preached in the streets as well because He exposed the sins of the people. (John 6:66) Jesus explained, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin. But now, they have no cloak for their sin.” (John 16:22)
Although those who engaged in street preaching were often persecuted, including every one of Jesus’ disciples, who all lost their lives for preaching the Gospel, street preaching continued faithfully throughout history. For a number of years, the church endured great affliction, yet it was not ashamed to rise to the occasion and declare the truth of God’s Word, especially due to the increasing apostasy being perpetuated by false religious establishments.
In these current times, until Christ comes again, the mandate is the same as is written in Ezekiel 2:2-7:
“Son of man, I send thee to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day, for they are impudent children and stiff hearted. I do send thee unto them, and thou shalt say unto them, ‘Thus saith the Lord God.’ And they, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear (for they are a rebellious house), yet shall [they] know that there hath been a prophet among them. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briars and thorns be with thee and thou dost dwell among scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak My words unto them, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear, for they are most rebellious.”
Contribution by Evangelist Samuel Balagadde, with support detail from Michael Marcavage.
