The Gospel and Culture

Mark 16:15

Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the

whole creation.

Genesis 12:1 KJV

Get thee out of thy country…

Ethnicity 2011 Pop 2026 Pop Growth Rate

European 3.2 million 3.5 million 0.4

Maori 675,000 810,000 1.3

Pacific Island 345,000 481,000 2.4

Asian 500,000 790,000 3.4

N.Z.’s Changing Context

Source: Statistic New Zealand

Ethnicity 2006 pop Growth Rate %

Muslim 36,000 0.4

Hindu 65,000 1.3

Buddhist 52,000 2.4

N.Z.’s Changing Context

Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel

to the whole creation.

Permanent Instructions

Be baptised (Acts 2:38)

Observe the ‘Lord’s supper’ (1 Cor 11:24)

Abstain from fornication (Acts 15:29)

Permanent Principles

Wash one another’s feet (John 13:14)

Sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs (Col 3:16)

Give to those who beg from you (Matt 5:42)

Culturally Dependant

Anoint the sick with oil (James 5:14)

Women should pray with their heads covered (1 Cor 11:5)

Use unleavened bread for communion (Luke 22:13, 19)

John Stott

Many people reject the gospel not because they perceive it to be false, but because they perceive it to be foreign.

Understand The Gospel

in its simplicity

in its fullness

Acts 14:8-16

Turn from vain things to the living

God

God was not foreign or new

Had not left Himself without witness

Acts 17:16-33

Debated with the Jews (from the

Scriptures)

Spoke to the Gentiles of the

‘unknown god’

Quoted their own poets and

philosophers

Resulted in people accepting his

message

Good News

Muslims: God is knowable and loves us

Buddhists: God offers an end to suffering

and pain

Animists: God is good and the supreme

power

Atheist: there is a God!