What Does The Bible Say About Evangelism
A Christian must be soaked in the Word of God for him or her to truly understand what evangelism means. Our evangelistic efforts become more powerful if we have biblical knowledge about why the Gospel of Christ means “good news” for everybody. The message of evangelism becomes more persuasive if we present the gospel as it is. We pray that the Holy Spirit will open your mind today and help you understand the potency of evangelism.
First of all, we must understand that we were all sinners and that all of us fell short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,). Our sinful nature separated us from the righteous and Holy God (Deuteronomy 32:4; Isaiah 43:15). And because God is Holy and righteous, it is just that He punishes evil and those who sin. The Bible tells us that God hates sin and that He is angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11 God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.). Both death and judgment are inevitable (Hebrews 9:27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,). No one can escape that judgment by the Almighty One of Israel (Isaiah 28:14-16). Man is spiritually dead and there is nothing in him that makes him capable of saving himself. But the good news is, Jesus was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised to life to make us right with God (Romans 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.). If we confess with our mouth that “Jesus is Lord” and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, then we will be saved (Romans 10:9; Acts 16:31).
Do Not Sugarcoat
Evangelism is about presenting the Holiness of God, the sinful nature of man, and salvation from Christ. The method of evangelism has not changed ever since. How can an individual appreciate and fear the Holiness of God if he or she is not aware of his or her sinful condition? The more we preach about the Holiness of God, the weightier and more burdensome our sins become. This is the time when we long for someone to comfort us, someone who could unload all evilness and wickedness inside us. And there is no other Great Comforter out there than Jesus Christ Himself. It is He Who can give you rest, for His yoke is easy to bear, and the burden He gives us is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
Evangelism is all about presenting the truth and not feeding people what they want to hear. Evangelism is forged by the Word of God and is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword—cutting between soul and spirit; between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires (Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.). Our goal when doing evangelism is not to please everyone but to please God. Pleasing God means sharing the Gospel of Christ unadulterated. It is about telling people that they stand in mortal peril of the wrath of the Holy God if they do not believe in Jesus. And what a dreadful thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).
Salvation Through Christ Alone
Evangelism must contain salvation through Jesus Christ. It is by the obedience and righteousness of Christ that we are saved. The Almighty God provided us with the perfect sacrifice for our sin, and that is Jesus Christ. God gave us Jesus Christ; not because we deserve Him, but because of His mercy, grace, and love (Ephesians 2:8-9). By believing in the person and the works of Christ, instead of drinking the wrath of God we now have eternal life with Jesus Christ and will experience His bliss and glory in heaven forever and ever. What good news indeed!
Take note that our evangelist efforts are futile if we do not ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit. Whenever we are witnessing, it is essential that we pray to the Holy Spirit first. Jesus promised us that He will send us the Holy Spirit, Who is our teacher, guide, comforter, and the One who shall seal our salvation (John 14:16-18). In Acts 1:8 Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Without the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible for us to spread the Gospel of Christ. Our evangelical efforts become effective and influential only if we pray and ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Practicing Personal Evangelism
The Church of Christ must emphasize the importance of prayer when doing evangelism. Each member of the Church should be conformed to the biblical standard. Our zeal for evangelism must be lit by Him who gave us power, wisdom, and life. And apart from reaching out to other people, it is also vital that we Christians do personal evangelism. Connecting with other people becomes easier if we know how to connect ourselves to Jesus Christ. We become bolder and more courageous to relay the message of Christ if we preach the Gospel to ourselves every day. It is the calling of every Christian to do evangelism. Proclaiming, ministering, and living out the Gospel of Christ within ourselves is essential before we share Jesus Christ with the world. Remember that Jesus Christ is with you wherever you go. Be not ashamed to tell the world how Christ wiped away all your sins and gave you a new life. Tell the people about His goodness and the rewards He offers to those who believe in Him.
