It seems to me as if we are saying the same thing. They were drawn to Him because they were thirsty for Truth because their life was not satisfying the thirst for Him. Repenting isn't necessarily just a quick decision. He must first be revealed to us, we must see ourselves in that light and desire to change. The sinners who came to Him, just as we come to Him come in the same way - as did those before His incarnation.
Yes, the Lord sent and sends us out among the sinners, but your own words are my point. If they do not accept and desire to have Him be the Lord of their lives, to accept the gospel, and the multitude of other ways to say it, then we are to move on as He leads. But.. that is not what is happening here in having 3+ yr long "bible study" at Hooters. (If I read the article right.). It is one thing to proclaim Him to those who frequent there, or other places. But it is another to continue to stay there and "teach" truth - to continue to bring people back to that place, which has a reputation for feeding on sexual lusts - to teach God's Truths. That is my point. In your analogy, these people are continuing to stay at the place where God's Truth is not really accepted.
I think you left out the line about a "true Bible study only being in the King James Version"
I am not sure why you said this, and I won't get into that debate, but if you are KJVO, I can send you many references to debunk that. If you meant it as a personal slam, then that would show how off base you seem to be, or how you have misread what I am trying to say.
Jesus revealed himself to people in different ways and in different depths depending on the circumstances.
He still does!
If he walked with the disciples for 3 years before he revealed himself and he told people he had healed not to reveal his divinity why do you assume one of his followers should not spend one night a week for a year introducing a sinner to the person of Jesus Christ?
There are many differences between then and now. First, He did not always tell others not to say who He was - but those He did was because it was not yet time for His sacrifice on the cross. That is no longer the case. I am not saying it may not take many times lifting up His name, in multiple ways on multiple occasions before they come to the Lord, but just not in a place like Hooter's. FYI - our daughters (and sons) spent several years, witnessing (in many ways) and bringing many of their friends to our house for food, love, etc before several of them really starting coming to the Lord. But we are not to be always tempting others to sin while showing them the Lord. It is an oxymoron to say the least.
Very few come to the Lord through apologetics and being given the "Christian rule book " before they know Christ.
I would agree. It is the power of God's Word, working in out lives (thus I quoted the Hebrews 4 passage). I think you have misunderstood, or perhaps I did not say it clearly. It is NOT about what we say - it is the power of God's truth working in us that brings anyone to salvation (and sanctification). And that comes from the Word/Truth of God. Taking bits and pieces from scripture (usually out of context) usually does not convey that, which is what it sounds like is happening with this group. Most of the time, it does not present the whole counself of God. That is why we need to be discipling others by teaching them that they must seek His face and the the best way to do that is to develop a love for His Word.
The only "rule" book is the Word of God - which reveals WHO God is and who we are in relation to Him and the consequences of whom we choose to be putting our trust in. Thus we are brought to a choice. Trust in Him and His goodness and righteousness, and holiness, and sovereignty and merciful kindness, or in our own sinful powerless self.
Paul said:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
When you proclaim their is only one way to have a Bible study and their are places the Gospel should not be presented you deny God's sovereignty.
This article was not about them presenting the gospel in Hooter's, but to have an ongoing bible study there for their group. I would hope and pray that my words have never indicated there is ever a time when we should NOT be proclaiming His Truth, but there is very much a limit on where we disciple others. The article appears to be about the latter - continuing to disciple others at Hooter's. And, I read your post as saying that it was acceptable to be doing that. That is what I responded to. My apologies if that is not what you were saying.