I recently participated in a discussion, with a bible study that I am a part of, about evangelism. The focus of the discussion was on reaching people that have never heard about Jesus. It prompted me to begin to think about what Jesus actually called us to do in reference to evangelism.
Matthew 28:19-20How would you define evangelism? Is it just reaching people who have never heard or does it also include reaching the “lukewarm” Christians who are all throughout the church?
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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Mark 16:15
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
In what ways do you reach out to those around you who need to hear the good news of Jesus?
Loading ...
April 21, 2007 at 08:39
Waking up lukewarm Christians is important, and it can be evangelism (which is simply a transliteration of the Greek – a basic translation might be “good newsing”). So bringing the Good News to a lukewarm Christian would indeed be evangelism.
However, just bringing the Good News doesn’t complete the Great Commission – that requires ongoing discipleship.
April 21, 2007 at 13:22
In a men’s group I attend, we discussed this topic just this morning. One thing from our discussion that stands out:
“Save yourself and thousands around you will be saved.” (St. Seraphim of Sarov) Sounds odd at first, but if you think in terms of real, humble, life changing salvation, then this makes sense. The sort of salvation that people notice without you “preaching”. This sort of evangelism can’t be made up or marketed- it comes from living a life that is humble, prayerful and genuinely loving your neighbor.
I think the Gospels clearly show evangelism like this, in addition to preaching, toward both “believers” (Jews) and “non-believers” (Gentiles). The Epistles themselves are examples of evangelism toward “lukewarm” Christians, or Christians who had fallen into other errors. So, the short answer to the first question: both =)
As far as personal evangelism, I try (miserably) to do both- just be a true Christian and show charity, love, etc., and be ready to “give a defense for the faith that is within me”. But also help support missions and evangelism financially and through prayer.
April 21, 2007 at 18:09
It’s intriguing to think about what preaching the good news to “all creation” might mean, since that would seem to extend beyond human beings.
April 21, 2007 at 22:03
Excellent question! I have thought about this quite a bit. From what I see in the verse you quoted we are to do something quite specific.
Go into all the world and make disciples. How? We are to baptize them in the name of the father son and Holy spirit. That means water baptism is a significant step in the eyes of Christ. Then we have to teach these new disciples to obey everything Jesus commanded. That requires a significant step for people as well. I believe this is why teachers are held to such a high standard. What they teach is so important. Hopefully we can follow through on this tremendous task Jesus has left for us!
April 21, 2007 at 22:50
I think evangelism has something to do with reaching out to those people who have absolutely no experience or oppurtunities of hearing the Gospel, or indeed, Christianity.
This includes people in other countries, and especially those beneath governments that forbade such teachings.
Would it not be viewed as a willing sacrifice to put your life on the line in another country, despite the laws there, and preach to those truly in need?
Such a sacrifice would definitely be worth it in converting many Non-Christians and would definitely be a wake up call to lukewarm, indifferent Christians
April 22, 2007 at 02:03
I think Jonathan has a good point. What does it mean to preach the good news to all creation? Most of what I experience from Christian preaching isn’t good news. Maybe becoming a transformed person, as Daniel suggested, would be preaching to all creation, because if we began to care for all creation maybe the whole world would be transformed.
I don’t buy the idea that simply knowing that Jesus died for my sins is all that good of news. To me it often appears that Christianity creates the very problem its trying to cure. If Jesus frees me from guilt and shame, why does Christian preaching seem to want to create it in the first place?
Maybe if we made sure what we had to share was good news, we might actually do some “good newsing.” From what I observe, most evangelism looks like someone selling Amway. Let me tell you why you need this….
April 22, 2007 at 04:28
I and friends have been experimenting with the connecting of orthopraxy with orthodoxy… that is, the doing of the gospel with the right belief in the gospel. Not-yet believers seem to have an inner compass that calls out, “This is the real thing” when they are served / shown love along with hearing the words of life.
April 22, 2007 at 19:11
I personally think that it all depends on the person. Just as God’s will for each of us is personalized, I’d like to think that He also guides us in just how and to whom we should evangelize. I also agree with what Daniel said about how we first have to live our faith before we can truly be effective. Our unspoken testimony should be so obvious and our light so bright that others can’t help but wonder what it is that we’ve got that makes us tackle life’s challenges with grace. I found your blog from the Blogger’s Choice Awards site. I’ll be coming back to visit you from time to time. Ta for now dahling!
April 22, 2007 at 19:16
It is important to preach the gospel, but we need to network and build relationships. Christ preached, teached, but overall he BUILT relationships, and I am confident that those who became his friends, were more likely than not recipients of salvation, because they saw that Christ was all that he claimed to be. Yes, I realize that we are not Christ and we make big mistakes. It is important to be transparent. That’s right, being what we really are. I know we all make mistakes, but getting back up and continuing to live a Christ-filled life is key. Our failures and weaknesses will be overshadowed by our commitment and perseverance of seeking his face daily. People will see that and they will take note. Preach and don’t live and people will see right through you and yell “hypocracy”.
April 23, 2007 at 16:47
Evangelism is both telling and showing. Telling people about I prefer in a conversational way vs. a confrontational way) and showing people (demonstrating tangibly) the love of Christ.
To just do good works makes us no different from the starbucks foundation, or ford’s sponsorship of public radio. We are just doing good works and hoping that people are attracted to Christ.
Personally, I prefer the conversational relationship vs confronting the stranger in the mall.
This is a great question that you ask and one that will spur on further discussion.
April 23, 2007 at 21:29
PinkJeweledCat, You got it! But their is nothing more offensive to the evangelical than the idea that God communicates His will to the individual believer and prompts and reveals to him/her what He would have them do. It is my firm belief that by commiting oneself to walk in holiness and to follow the way of Jesus Christ, that God will be the one working in us to say what ought to be said, when it ought to be said, and to whom we ought to say it. But this takes faith and one must put their trust in the Lord. But it is far easier to create a method to bring about an immediately recognizable effect. But those who follow the latter way will say that actualy the opposite is true. In other words it is the believer’s central duty to trust the Lord and seek holiness, and those who go out to the world and those who go into the church will be the ones whom God has set apart for that work, and His power is with those in whom it is Him working and not themselves.
April 23, 2007 at 22:10
I am a massive fan of “They will know that I am with you by the love you have for each other”. I believe that the greatest testimony of faith is love. Words can be nice, but I believe the real testimony of Christ is demonstrated by a loving community. This is almost irresistable.