Ellen White on Sunday Evangelism and Church Visits

Seventh-day Adventists are encouraged to use Sunday as a day for intense missionary effort and evangelism, which includes visiting people in their homes and participating in religious meetings to share the truth in a guarded and Christlike mannerMR1033 44.3+2. While direct instruction on visiting a church building during a Sunday service for the purpose of evangelism is a matter of exercising wisdom and tact, the overarching principle is to use the day to advance the message of God through personal labor and kindnessSpM 193.2+2.

The Purpose of Sunday Missionary Effort

• When laws are enacted to enforce Sunday observance, the wisest course is to refrain from ordinary work and devote the day to missionary laborLDE 139.5+1.

• This is a precious opportunity to show the people the religious sincerity of the workers and to present the reasons for your faithEv 445.3.

• Instead of being a time of idleness, Sunday should be a day of decided effort to reach souls who are otherwise in darknessCM 13.1+1.

• The Lord calls for volunteers who will enter places of error and superstition to open the Scriptures to the people and call them to repentanceCM 13.1.

Tact and Christlike Diplomacy

• When visiting or laboring among those of other denominations, it is crucial to make no personal thrusts at other churches, including the Roman Catholic Church20MR 127.1+1.

• Efforts should be focused on the affirmative of truth rather than attacking error, as harsh words can quench conviction in many mindsRH October 7, 1902, par. 2.

• The labor should be discreet and cautious, as many people in different denominations can only be reached through the greatest sensitivity20MR 127.1+1.

• Workers should maintain a sweet, free, and pleasant dignity, representing Christ as a child of God in every interactionMC 31.2+1.

Methods of Personal Evangelism

• House-to-House Labor: This is the most effective way to make the preaching of the Word a success and to build a sure foundation for those investigating the truthEv 432.4+1.

• Personal Connection: Jesus set the example by entering the homes of men, comforting the mourner, and healing the sick in personal contactWM 60.3.

• Bible Readings: Opening the treasure house of God's Word in families allows for a deeper understanding of the truthEv 462.3+1.

• Ministry to the Sick: Relieving physical suffering often opens doors that were previously closed to the mere preaching of the gospelEv 513.3+1.

Responding to the Crisis

• The exaltation of Sunday is a human tradition and an institution of the papacy that lacks any Scriptural authorityDD 24.1+2.

• In the coming crisis, the contest will be between the commandments of God and the commandments of men 1 Kings 18:17-18ChS 157.2.

• As the enforcement of Sunday observance becomes a national issue, God's people must stand as sentinels of light to warn the world of the impending danger Matthew 21:11-125T 711.3+1.

• By using Sunday for missionary work, you fulfill the commission to "go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature"RH October 16, 1888, par. 12+1.

Instruction for the Youth and Laymen

• The Lord specifically calls upon the youth to labor as canvassers and evangelists, doing house-to-house work in unreached areasFE 488.3+1.

• Every member of the church should feel an individual responsibility to preach Christ through their daily practice and personal effort2SAT 6.3+1.

• Parents are to educate their children to be laborers together with God, instilling a spirit of self-denial and sacrifice for the sake of othersCCh 61.1+1.

The ultimate goal is to win hearts through the melting love and rich grace of Jesus, showing a nobler example of faith in all actionsPaM 116.2+2. While we must remain true to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, we are to treat our neighbors with humility and seek every opportunity to lead them to the truth Genesis 2:1-33SM 399.1+1.