Why Evangelise?
The following passages demonstrate how sharing the gospel with others is a priority for Christians.
Old Testament Teaching
1 Kings 8:43 . . . so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel.Solomon’s prayer
1 Kings 8 :58,60 May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers . . . so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. Solomon’s blessing
Psalm 32:2-3 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit there is no deceit.When I kept silent my bones wasted away . . . then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” - and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found. - The Gospel in the Old Testament!
Psalm 39:1-2 I said . . . “I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.” But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased. My heart grew hot within me, as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue.
Psalm 51:12-13 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
Psalm 67:1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among the nations. – God’s Grace is given for the Gospel to get out
Psalm 71:8,15,18,24 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendour all day long. . . My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation. . . Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. . . My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long.
Psalm 73:27-28 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Again faith and proclamation are twinned together
Psalm 89:1-2,15 I will sing of the Lord’s great love for ever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known throughout all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm for ever . . . Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.
Psalm 96:3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all people.
Psalm 105:1 Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known among the nations what he has done. This has never changed
Psalm 118:17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. How can people not share the great news of God’s salvation?
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Helping others find salvation is a very sensible activity
Isaiah 2:2-3 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established . . . and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord . . . He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. The gospel is for all people
Isaiah 29:13 These people honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules of men. Lip service not enough, Jesus quotes in Matt 15:8
Isaiah 49:5-6 And now the Lord says – he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honoured in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength – he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and to bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. Isaiah is honoured to be an evangelist
Isaiah 55:3-5 Give ear and come to me; hear me that you soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendour. Isaiah foresees that God’s chosen king, His Messiah, would call all people to himself
Isaiah 56:7-8 . . . for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. The Sovereign Lord declares – he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered. The Lord’s will is to gather widely into his kingdom
Isaiah 63:7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us.
Isaiah 66:19 I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations . . . that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. The remnant is to share the gospel
Jeremiah 2:2 The word of the Lord came to me: “Go and proclaim . . .
Jeremiah 20:8-9 So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name”, his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones . I am weary of holding it in; indeed I cannot.
Ezekiel 33:7-8 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word of the Lord I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die, and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die in his sin, but you will have saved yourself.”
New Testament Teaching
Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. This is why we have been selected
Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” They were the answer to their own prayers!
Matthew 10:22,24 A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10)
Matthew 10:32,38 Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge him before my father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. . . anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. So open profession of my commitment to Christ is vital
Matthew 16:24,27 If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. . . For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. There will be a price to pay now but a prize then.
Matthew 24:13 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.
Matthew 28:19 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. The Great Commission for all God’s people
Luke 1:76-77 And you, my child (Zechariah is speaking about his son, John the Baptist), will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation. John was to set the example
Luke 2:8 But the angel said to them (the shepherds), “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” This is the same message that the church has been told to proclaim
Luke 4:43 But he (Jesus) said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And we are to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1)
Luke 9:23-26 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it . . . If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” We show our confidence in Jesus and what he taught by sharing the news with others
Luke 11:23 He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. To be linked with Christ necessarily involves us in evangelism
Luke 16:16 The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. This is the vision Christ has for his church
Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Proclamation is the final will of Christ
John 1:6,9 . . .his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. . . The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John is the first of ‘the witnesses’ to God’s chosen king
John 1:22-23 Finally they said (to John), ‘Who are you?’ John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’
John 3:16,18,36 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. . . Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. . . Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life for God’s wrath remains on him. The stakes are very high, all must believe
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The Churches Commission is repeated
Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” . . . Then they called them (Peter and John) in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:29 Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. . . . All the believers were one in heart and mind . . . With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. What an example
Acts 5:42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ
Acts 18:9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.”
Acts 20:21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
Acts 23:11 The following night he Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.
Acts 26:16 I (Jesus) have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. . . What I am saying is true and reasonable . . . “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” This was part of Pauls vigorous defence before King Agrippa
Acts 28:31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. What an example and Paul wishes that we should all follow him just as he follows Christ (! Corinthians 11:1)
Romans 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” God does want this proclamation
Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heard 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. An open proclamation of my faith in Christ is essential
Romans 10:13-14 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? The very presence of the gospel necessitates there being sharers of it
Romans 10:16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Hearers need proclaimers of the message
1 Corinthians 9:16,19 . . . for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel. . . Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became . . . I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I might share its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
2 Corinthians 2:12,14 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ . . . But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and though us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. The church is commissioned to spread the knowledge of Jesus everywhere
2 Corinthians 3:10,12 . . . how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness. . . Therefore since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
2 Corinthians 4:1,5 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience . . For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. This is the prime ministry of the Church, to proclaim that Jesus is our Saviour and Lord
2 Corinthians 4:13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak. This link comes from the Holy Spirit of God
2 Corinthians 5:11 Since we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. . . For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all and therefore all died. And he died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. It is inevitable that those who are committed to the Lord will want to live for their Saviour
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 All this is from God, who reconciled the world to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Ephesians 3:10 His intent was that now through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. - Role of the Church
Ephesians 4:21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Christ Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self . . . - Salvation comes through being taught
Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I may fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.
Philippians 1:4,12,14 I always pray with joy because of you because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day. . . Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel . . . Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. Sharing the gospel is not just for a few, it is the ministry of the whole Church
Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm, in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved – and that by God. A united church that works to share the gospel is a delight to God. It is also evidence of salvation.
Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. A beautiful picture of innocent Christians twinkling in a dark world as they share the gospel with others
Colossians 1:25-28 I have become its (the church’s) servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness . . . We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Paul clearly felt passionately about the gospel and the importance of sharing it with others
Colossians 4:3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should. Be wise in the way that you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. This is very practical guidance on how to share the gospel with others
1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering . . . and so you became a model to all the believers . . .The Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia – your faith in God has become known everywhere.
1 Thessalonians 3:2 We sent Timothy our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no-one would be unsettled by these trials. . . we kept telling you that we would be persecuted.
1 Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. . . that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men. Part of godliness is to help others come to know Christ
2 Timothy 1:7-8 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. . . And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed . . . It is normal to have some fear of speaking up for Jesus but it is wrong to give in to this fear
2 Timothy 1:13 What you have heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. The Jesus that the apostles taught should be the focus of all Christian teaching
2 Timothy 2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Passing on the message of salvation though Jesus will be tough but is vital
2 Timothy 4:1-2 I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct; rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. Proclamation is essential
2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defence, no-one came to my support . . . But the Lord stood by my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles might hear it. Gospel proclamation is fundamental
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness – a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life . . . This letter centres on the need for appointing faithful teachers who will pass on carefully the word of God
Philemon 6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Those who are active in sharing the knowledge about Jesus are the ones who benefit most
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people . . . that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Jude 22-23 Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them;
Revelation 12:11 They overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony; they do not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Revelation 19:10 I (the angel) am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 20:4 And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God.
Revelation 21:7-8 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral . . .their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death. Why are cowards first on this list?
Revelation 21:17 The Spirit and the bride say “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. God’s message is the same as that of his Church, the bride of Christ. It is simply come back to God and his Christ.
