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Rev. Wesley Sewell
We choose open air preaching because it is the most Biblical form of proclaiming God's word to the world. Noah preached as he worked on the ark. Moses proclaimed God's law to Israel from a mountain side. We find the prophets of the Old Testament preaching in the streets, courtyards, and any else. Isaiah said in Isaiah 58:1, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."
Street preaching in particular is the form of open air preaching that we practice. Jonah was a street preacher sent to Nineveh to proclaim God's judgment. Solomon said in Proverbs 1:20-21, "Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying."
We go to the New Testament and find many other examples. John the Baptist preached by the riverside. Jesus preached on the mountain side. Jesus preached from a boat. Stephen was a street preacher as was Paul also.
Open air preaching is definitely Bible based. Street preaching is definitely backed by the word of God. The world may never come to the church, but the church can carry the word of God to the world. |
