What is Evangelism?
There is much apprehension about trying to share our faith in Jesus.
“I do not like to thrust my beliefs down peoples throats. I wait for them to see my life. I think of evangelism as living the Christian life, not speaking about it.”
This approach is certainly non-confrontational and in this country it is widely held - but is it Biblical? Is this what the apostles taught the early church to do?
When Paul wrote to the young Christians at Colossae, he reminded them that the Christian life is primarily a relationship with Jesus who is “the image of the invisible God”. Once we have entered into this relationship, once “we have been raised with Christ”, our whole life must centre on him. We are to set our hearts and minds on the goal of being with him in heaven. This will have two effects. The first is that our lifestyle will change to one that pleases him. “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Col 3 v. 12) “It is the Lord you are serving.” (Col 3 v. 24)
Developing this Christ-like character is essential, but it is not the same as evangelism. That is another essential element of being a Christian. The word ‘evangelise’ comes from the Greek ‘eu-angelion’, which means literally ‘to good news’. Evangelism is telling others the message about Jesus, who he is, what he has done for us, what response he expects from each of us and what the consequences will be if we reject his message.
Paul makes this very clear in the next chapter of Colossians. He asks the Colossians to pray for himself and Timothy “that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ”. (Col 4 v. 3) He then asks for further prayer that he “may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” There is no doubt that Paul had this passion to share the message with anyone he could but the next passage shows that this should also be the role of all Christians. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Col 4 v.6) The Greek word ‘answer’ is ‘apokrinomai’. It is related to our word ‘crisis’, and implies a confrontation of ideas. Certainly to repent and serve Christ is the opposite of living for ourselves. No wonder therefore that this demand is proceeded with the injunction “always full of grace, yet seasoned with salt”. What a beautiful combination, gracious speech yet having a bit of a tang!
This concept that it is the responsibility of ordinary Christians to be telling others the gospel about Jesus is central to the teaching of the New Testament. After Stephen had been martyred, a great persecution broke out against the Christians in Jerusalem. “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” Yet these people were just the ordinary Christians as we are told that their leaders, the apostles, stayed on in Jerusalem. (Acts 8 v. 1-3) The Greek word translated ‘preached’ is literally our word ‘evangelised’!
So central was this necessity to speak out to others about Jesus that it was seen as a vital feature of every Christians life. In his letter to the Romans Paul says,
“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10 v. 9)
If we really believe, we will tell others that Jesus is our Lord. This is the same as the teaching of Jesus himself,
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven, But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10 v. 32)
Paul again makes it abundantly clear that evangelism is the passing on of the message about Jesus, in his first letter to the Thessalonians. He reminds them that they became Christians because he explained the gospel to them, with words. These words had power because they were backed by the work of God’s Spirit who brought conviction. (1 Thes 1 v. 5) It was this message that brought life, when it was received with joy. (1 v. 6) Paul was thrilled that their response was to pass this message on so that the whole of that part of the world knew about it.(1 v. 8) It is significant that part of the message was that “Jesus, . . rescues us from the coming wrath.”
To tell other people this message is not easy, it can be seen as confrontational and not as a life-line, and it can often bring opposition. It is however vital that we all do this -for Christ’s sake. After all, others have done it in the past for our sakes.
“We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.” (1 Thes 2v. 2)
They refused to use psychological tricks or deceitful techniques to make sure that this message got passed on, but because of the opposition the message engenders he emphasises that they were gentle in presenting it, “like a mother caring for her little children”.(1 Thes 2 v. 7) Paul and his two colleagues shared their very lives with the Thessalonians, with whom they toiled, endured hardships, working all hours so that they would be more receptive to the gospel they ‘preached’ or literally ‘proclaimed as a herald’. The gospel is a message about Jesus which must result in a changed lifestyle. Verse 13 makes this abundantly clear,
“We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” (1 Thes 2 v. 13)
Other apostles, such as Peter, also stress this need for all Christians to be involved in evangelism.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2 v. 9)
Why then are we so reluctant to pass on this wonderful good news? Jesus did give us a clear command in ‘the great commission’ at the end of his life on earth,
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt 28 v, 19)
Some have tried to explain these verses away by claiming that they were addressed specifically to the apostles. The following verse however clearly teaches that He also Jesus intends us all to continue practising what he taught them and that as we do so we will know his special presence with us.
“. . . teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28 v. 20)
Will you join us and pray earnestly for opportunities to please the Lord in passing on His message to others?
BVP
