What is Evangelism in the Bible?
Evangelism is the sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection with the world. It’s a way of witnessing to strangers and sharing the gospel message with others. According to the Bible, evangelism is essential to the mission of the Church, and it should be done with earnestness and commitment. This article looks at what evangelism is in the Bible and how it should be done.
The Biblical Commission
In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus gave the Great Commission to His followers. He said: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” In Matthew 28:19-20, He further says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” These passages confirm Jesus’ mandate that believers must spread the gospel—that is, evangelism—to all creation.
Instructions for Evangelizing
The Bible also offers instruction for effective evangelism. Paul explains in Romans 10:14-15 that it “is necessary for them to hear the gospel in order to believe.” Paul further advises in 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 that evangelism should not be done in a rhetorical or unenthusiastic way. Rather, we should do it “with sincere love out of a pure heart, and with a good conscience, and with a sincere faith.”
Embracing Diversity
In Isaiah 6:8, God says His fishermen and fisherwomen should be “fishers of men.” This command to fish for souls involves not just evangelizing to those who are within our grasp but to also reach out to those who are different. This might involve efforts like going outside the walls of the church building and connecting with people at their points of need. As Christianity is a worldwide religion, this diversity involves evangelizing to people of different backgrounds, social statuses, genders, and races.
Putting the Message into Practice
The next step is putting what has been discussed into practice. The Bible encourages believers to look outside their four walls and seize the opportunity to share the gospel with as many people as possible. In Acts 13:47, we read: “For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the nations, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” Believers should be bold in evangelism and make it their mission to introduce Jesus to the world.
The Power of Prayer
Prayer is another powerful component of evangelism, for it brings us closer to God and increases our faith. As Jesus says in Matthew 21:22, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Prayer deepens our relationship with Jesus and further prepares us for evangelism.
Living Out the Message
When Christians evangelize, it is essential they do so in the context of living a life that reflects the love of Jesus. We read in 1 Thessalonians 1:7 “So you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” To spread the gospel, we must demonstrate it through our actions and attitudes.
Living a Pure Life
Moreover, the Bible states that our characters must reflect God’s holiness. In 1 Timothy 4:12 the bible says, “Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” Believers should strive for spiritual character and purity and stay away from sin. This will help them build up their faith and increase their zeal for evangelism.
The Responsibility
Evangelism is a biblical mandate, so it is a responsibility that we must not take lightly. As believers, we are called to share the gospel no matter the circumstances or setting. To effectively spread the gospel, we must be willing to be courageous and leave our comfort zones.
Witnessing with Humility
Humility is another important aspect of evangelism, which allows witnesses to speak truth without insulting or offending people. As the Bible states in Proverbs 16:19, “It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Evangelism is an opportune way to share the truth with others in an open and humble way.
Being prepared to give an Answer
The next step of successful evangelism is being prepared to give answers to inquisitive souls. As Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”. This calls for believers to be equipped with facts and arguments about their faith before engaging strangers in spiritual conversations.
Defending the Faith
Witnesses should also be prepared to defend the beliefs of their faith against sceptics and non-believers. Jesus expects this from His disciples, as He commands in Luke 22:35, “Then Jesus asked them, ‘When I sent you without purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?’ ‘Nothing,’ they answered. He said to them, ‘But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.’ ” In other words, Jesus is commanding them to be equipped, both spiritually and intellectually, to defend their faith against adversaries.
Loving Your Neighbour
The ultimate goal of evangelism is to introduce Jesus to people and have them accept Him as their Lord and Saviour. This endeavor is made even more effective through the act of loving your neighbours. As we read in Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus says, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” In other words, to be effective witnesses of God, we must model our behaviour after Jesus’ example and loving our neighbours.
Sharing the Truth in Love
The Bible emphasizes the need to share the truth in love. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 that we should be patient and kind in our evangelism efforts. He says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” We should be mindful to offer the same love and compassion that Jesus extended to us, and seek to lead people to Him in the gentlest of ways.
Declaring The Gospel in Confidence
When we share the gospel, our confidence speaks volumes. Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 to preach the gospel with a bold and confident voice. He says, “Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.” In other words, we should lovingly share the Good News with confidence as anything done with love will never fade away.
Reaping from the Harvest
Evangelism enables believers to reap from the harvest of souls. Jesus promised in John 4:35 “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” As the world’s population is growing, opportunities for sharing the gospel abound. In evangelism, the harvest will never run out and the reward is eternal.
Becoming Disciple Makers
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructs His disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” and this is what disciples of Jesus today aim to do. As believers, it is their responsibility to train and equip others to be disciple-makers. Paul clarifies in 2 Timothy 2:2 “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” The Bible emphasizes equiping others to evangelize and share the gospel.
Blessing Others with the Good News
Evangelism is an act of blessing. It ultimately points people to Jesus and eternal salvation. As Jesus said in Luke 4:18-19; “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” By taking the time to share the good news, we give people the chance to receive the same blessings.
Receiving God’s Promises
The Bible is full of promises God offers to those who go out and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Mark 16:17–18, Jesus promises that the signs which follow believers will accompany those who evangelize. He says “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” This is God’s promise to those of us who are willing to take the risk of evangelizing and putting our faith in Him.
Reflecting on the Message
Evangelism is a form of spiritual warfare, and so believers should be mindful of the attention it requires. They should be prepared for resistance and never to give up on sharing their faith. In all circumstances, believers should reflect on their purpose of evangelism and remember that God is in control and working all things out for His glory. Romans 1:16-17 encourages us to “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ ”
Recognizing the Sacrifice
Finally, believers must always remember Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for the sake of mankind. His death on the cross enabled believers to experience God’s grace and share it the world. As Paul explains in
