Biblical Evangelism - The Gospel Coalition

Evangelism is proclaiming the Gospel – the good news about Jesus Christ which is God's power to save all who believe it and turn from sin to follow him. | × Browse Articles FeaturedEssay TheLoveofGod Anessayby SamStorms ReadNow Trending Prayer FaithfulnessofGod SavingGrace AdoptionbyGod MostPopular Repentance GenderIdentity TrustingGod TheHolinessofGod SeeAllEssays Blogs KevinDeYoung DeYoung,Restless,andReformed KiddandTaylor EvangelicalHistory MelissaKruger Wit’sEnd RayOrtlund ChristisDeeperStill ErikRaymond OrdinaryPastor ScottySmith Heavenward JustinTaylor BetweenTwoWorlds TrevinWax KingdomPeople ConferenceMedia Courses Essays FeaturedEssay ResurrectionofJesus Anessayby BenjaminShaw ReadNow Trending DeathofChrist Prayer ResurrectionofJesus ChurchandState MostPopular SovereigntyofGod Repentance FaithandWorks TheHolinessofGod SeeAllEssays NewCityCatechism Podcasts ReadtheBible Store Videos FilterBy Scripture Topics Sections Authors Series Advancingthegospelacrosstheworld.Helpstrengthentheglobalchurchwithgospel-centeredresources.Ourcampaignendsin... × Makeagifttoday: $25 $50 $100 $500 Other BiblicalEvangelism AnEssayBy RichardCoekin MoreResources Share Share Tweet Tweet Email Download OtherEssays Salvation:AnOverview TheResurrectionofChristandSalvation SavingGrace TheDoctrineofSavingFaith Definition EvangelismisproclaimingtheGospel–thegoodnewsaboutJesusChristwhichisGod’spowertosaveallwhobelieveitandturnfromsintofollowhim. Summary Thisarticleexplainswhat‘Evangelism’isandexplorestheenduringBiblicalmessage,motivesandmethodsforitspracticeineveryageandculture.Jesushimselfwasan‘Evangelist’whocalledhisfollowerstolearnhowto‘evangelize’.HisApostlesprovideuswithclearinstructionsaboutthemessage,motivesandmethodsofevangelismineveryageandculture.Withintheseenduringguidelines,ChristiansandChurcheswillexploreawidevarietyof‘evangelistic’initiativesthatproveeffectiveindifferentcontexts.‘Evangelism’isbothathrillingprivilegeandtheurgentpriorityofGod’speople.BecauseitisGod’smissionforwhichhehasdelayedtheendoftheworld,itobeysthe‘greatcommission’ofJesustomakedisciplesofallnations,anditisthemeansbywhichtheHolySpiritdrawsallwhoarechosenforsalvationfromthehorrorsofhellintothehappinessofheaven,tothegloryofGodforever. LetusconsiderwhattheBiblesaysaboutthemessage,motivation,andmethodologyofevangelism. OneMessageinEvangelism “Evangelism”isproclaimingGod’s“evangel”or“gospel.”Thismessageor“Word”isempoweredbyGodtocreatesavingfaithinpeopletobelievehisgospel,turnfromsinandfollowJesus.Theword“gospel”means“goodnews.”ItwasusedintheRomanEmpireofNewtestamenttimesformomentouspublicannouncementslikethebirthofanEmperor.The“GospelofGod”isGod’ssensationalannouncementtohisworld,progressivelyrevealedthroughouttheBible(Rom.1:1-17).TheGospelisnoteverythinggoodannouncedintheBiblebuthasspecificcontent. IntheOldTestamentGod’sgospelpromisedakingdomandaking ThegospelwasfirstannouncedinGod’spromisetoAbrahamofakingdombringingblessingtoallnations(Gen.12:1-3–called“theGospel”inGal.3:8).ThehistoryofIsraelprovidesanearthlypictureofthisfutureKingdomthroughwhichwonderfulheavenlyblessingswillcome. Godagainannouncedhis“Gospel”inIsaiah’srepeatedpromisesofaKingforhisKingdom(Isa.40:9-11;52:7-10;61:1-2). TheyannouncethattheLordhimselfwillcomelikeashepherdgatheringhislambs.Hewillrevealhissalvationtoallnations.AndhewillliberatehispeoplefromtheircaptivityinexilefromGodandgatherthemintohisKingdom.Astonishingly,thismightydelivererwillbetheLORD’ssufferingservant,punishedintheplaceofsinnersindeathandrisingtolifeto“justify”(qualify)themforheaven(Isa.53:4-12). Butthentherewassilenceforcenturies.UntiltheexplosivemomentwhenJesusemergedinGalilee,“proclaimingthegospelofGod,“Thetimehascome”hesaid.“ThekingdomofGodisnear.Repentandbelievethegospel”(Mark1) IntheNewTestamentGod’sgospelannouncesJesusasLordandSavior ThemysteryoftheGospelbecomescrystalclearwhenJesusisunveiledasthepromisedKingsavingsinnersintohisKingdom.TherearemanyversionsofGod’sGospelbecauseitconcernsapersonandnotaformula.Buttwogloriousthemesemergeinthemall:JesusisourLord(hisidentity)andJesusisourSaviour(hisactivity).Botharestunninglygoodnewsfortheworld. JesusisourLord InRomans1:1-4,PaulexplainstheGospelofGodforallnationsis“regardinghisSon.”Ifwe’renottalkingaboutJesus,we’renottalkingaboutthegospel.Paulrepeatedlysummarisesitwiththephrase,“JesusChristourLord”(Rom.1:4;Acts;Col.2:6;2Cor.4:5): “Jesus”meansthecrucifiedGalileanofhistory; “Christ”meansthepromisedMessiah-saviouroftheOldTestament; “Lord”meansthedivineandrisenkingoverall. God’sGospelcelebrateshowamazingJesusis:JesusisChristourLord.Itthentellsuswhathe’sdone: JesusisourSavior God’sGospelcelebratesChrist’sfourgreatestachievements: ChristcameasourKing(Mark1:14-15)–Mark’sgospelisentitled,“thegoodnews[gospel]aboutJesustheMessiah”andannounces,“JesuswentintoGalilee,proclaimingthegoodnews[gospel]ofGod…ThekingdomofGodhascomenear!”Jesusisthelong-awaitedKingrescuingpeopleintohisheavenlyKingdom.Hedemonstratedthebenefitsoflifeunderhisrulewithmercifulforgiveness,wiseteachingandcompassionatemiracles.ThisgospelishowGod’skingdomgrowsintheworldtoday,aspeoplesurrendertotheruleofJesusandbecomecitizensofhisheavenlykingdom. Christdiedforoursins(1Cor.15:1-4)–PaulremindstheCorinthiansofGod’ssavingGospel,“Christdiedforoursinsaccordingtothescriptures.”Christdied(voluntarilyandnotasavictim)foroursins(asourlovingandself-sacrificialsubstitute).Hedied“accordingtothescriptures”–tosatisfythejusticeofGod.Hisdeathisundeniablebecausehewasburiedbyhisdisciples. Christrosetorule(1Cor.15:4-7)–Paulcontinues,“…hewasraisedonthethirddayaccordingtothescriptures.”TheNewTestamenttriumphantlyproclaimsthataspromisedintheOldTestamentandbyJesus,hewasraisedtolifeandenthronedinheaven.Paulremindsushisresurrectionisalsoundeniablebecause“heappeared”tomanypeopleonmanyoccasions. ChristwillreturntoJudge(Rom.2:16)–ManyChristiansareunawarethatScriptureexplicitlysaysjudgmentispartofthegospele.g.“thedaywhenGodwilljudgemen’ssecretsthroughJesusChristasmygospeldeclares”(Rom.2:16).Jesusconsistentlyexplainedhisjudgementwillbeginaneternityofextravagantblessinginhisrenewedcreationforhisrepentantfollowersbutaneternityoftormentinhellforhisunrepentantenemies. ThespectacularbenefitsofGod’sgospelarelifeinhisheavenlyKingdom God’sGospelisdescribedasthegospelofpeace,hope,life,righteousnessandgrace.Thisisnottosaythatifwetalkaboutpeaceorhopeweareproclaimingthegospel.Ratherthesewordsdescribethewonderfulbenefitsofthegospelforbelievers.WebegintoexperiencethereassuringcomfortofpeacewithGodevenintragedyandpain,theupliftingencouragementofourhopeofheaven,thedeepsatisfactionofabundantlifeinknowinghim,thejoyofChrist’srighteousnesscountedasoursandgrowingwithinus,andthesweetgenerosityofGod’sgrace.Oneday,whenChristreturns,we’llknowthesejoysperfectlyinhisrenewedcreation.ThesebenefitsofthegospelarelifeintheKingdomofGod:theblessingoriginallypromisedtoAbraham. Thisonemessagecanbehelpfullysummarizedinonesimpleword:SWAP.GodbecameanordinarymaninJesustoswapplaceswithhispeopleonthecross:therehewastreatedasifhewasusandpunishedforoursin;sowecanbetreatedasifwewereJesusandacceptedasGod’schildrenintoheaven.Becausedespiteeverything…helovesuspassionately.Thisgospelisnotagoodideaorgoodadvicebutverygoodnews! FiveMotivesforEvangelism In2Corinthians5wherePaulisdefendinghisunimpressiveandunpopularevangelismfromthescornoffalseteachers,herevealsfiveofhismotivesforevangelism.TheyallrelatetoChrist: First,obediencetoChrist:“wemakeitouraimtopleasehim”(5:9)–forwhenJesuscalledhisdiscipleshesaid“followmeandIwillmakeyoufishersofmen”(allbelieversareevangelists),andwhenherosefromthedeadhecommandedthem,“allauthorityinheavenandonearthhasbeengiventome.Gothereforeandmakedisciplesofallnations…”(Matt.28:18-20). Second,thefearofChrist:“forwemustallappearbeforethejudgementseatofChrist…therefore,knowingthefearoftheLordwepersuadeothers”(5:10-11).Christwillrewardourevangelismbecauseamongthemanywaystoloveourcommunitiesandrelievesuffering,evangelismisourhighestprioritybecauseitrescuespeoplefrometernalsufferinginhell. Third,gratitudetoChrist:“theloveofChristcontrolsusbecausewehaveconcludedthis:thatonehasdiedforall,thereforeallhavedied…thatthosewholivemightnolongerliveforthemselvesbutforhimwhodiedandwasraised”(5:14).TheloveofChristexpressedinsufferingtheshame,painandhellwedeserveforoursinsonthecrossdrivesbelieverstotellothersabouthim. Fourth,themessageofChrist:“AllthisisfromGodwho,whothroughChristreconciledustohimselfandgaveustheministryofreconciliation…entrustingtousthemessageofreconciliation.ThereforeweareambassadorsforChrist,Godmakinghisappealthroughus…”(5:18-20).ThroughtheApostlesthenandthroughallwhofaithfullyproclaimGod’sgospelnow,Godcallspeopletobereconciledtohim. Fifth,thedayofChrist,“Behold,nowisthefavorabletime;nowisthedayofsalvation”(6:1-2).Thisageinwhichwelive,the“lastdays”beforeChristreturns,isthewonderfulageofevangelism–whenGodisconstantlycallingpeoplefromallnationstosalvationthroughhisgospel. SoourevangelismshouldbemotivatedbyobediencetoChrist’scommand,fearofChrist’sjudgment,gratitudeforChrist’slove,responsibilityforChrist’smessage,andexcitementattheopportunitiesgrantedbyChristinthesedaysinwhichwelive. FourMethodsofEvangelism TherearemanywonderfulBiblepassagesprescribinggodlyevangelisticmethods: First,alovingchurch: “theydevotedthemselvestotheApostles’teachingandthefellowship,tothebreakingofbreadandtheprayers…AndtheLordaddedtotheirnumberdaybydaythosewhowerebeingsaved’(Acts2:42-47).IntheJerusalemchurch,recentlyfilledwiththeHolySpiritforprophesyingthewondersofJesusfromthescriptures,itwasn’tjustthroughafewgiftedindividualsbutthewholechurchcommunitydevotedtolearning,loving,sharingandpraying,thatpeopleweredailybeingsaved. Second,arespectfulmanner. TheApostlePeterinstructsChristiansscatteredacrosstheRomanEmpireandexperiencingpersecutiontospeakwithgentlehonesty,“Donotfearwhattheyfear,donotbefrightened;butinyourheartssetapartChristasLord.Alwaysbepreparedtogiveananswertoeveryonewhoasksyouforthereasonforthehopethatyouhave,butdothiswithgentlenessandrespect,keepingaclearconscience,sothatthosewhospeakmaliciouslyagainstyourgoodbehaviorinChristmaybeashamedoftheirslander.” FearisdissolvedawaybybelievingourowngospelthatJesusisLord,authorizingourevangelismandsovereignoverourconversations.Butwemustbeequippedtoanswerpeople’squeries,readytotestifytoourhopeintherisenJesus.Butwemustspeakgentlyandrespectfully,rememberingwewerealloncelostandignorantofGod,andkeepingaclearconsciencebeforeGod–rejectingallexaggerationandexploitation.Promisinghealthandwealthortakingadvantageofpeopleinneedisevil. Third,aculturalflexibility.Paulexplainsthatwhilehewillnottwistthegospelmessageinordertomakeitmorepalatable,heisalwayswillingtobeculturallyflexibleandradicallycontextualizehisministry:“IhavebecomeallthingstoallpeoplethatbyallmeansImightsavesome”(1Cor.9:22). Fourth,anhonestsincerity.Paulhasexplainedthatunlikesomanyfalseteachers,wearenot“peddlersofGod’sWord”forprofitbutpeople“ofsincerity”(2Cor.2:17).Inchapter4,havingexplainedthatevangelismistheministrythroughwhichGod’sHolySpiritgivesnewlife,heelaboratesfourprinciples: Tellthetruth:“wehaverenounceddisgraceful,underhandedways.WerefusetopracticecunningortotamperwithGod’sWord,butbytheopenstatementofthetruthwewouldcommendourselvestoeveryone’sconscienceinthesightofGod”(4:1-2).Wemustnotmanipulatepeopleortwistthegospeltomakeitmorepopularbutspeaktruthfully. Expectblindness:“andevenifourgospelisveiled…thegodofthisworldhasblindedthemindsoftheunbelievers,tokeepthemfromseeingthelightofthegospelofthegloryofChrist”(4:4).Whenunbelieverscan’tunderstandthegospel,itisn’tbecausethereisanythingwrongwiththegospel,butsadlysomethingwrongwithouraudience:theyareblinded,aswealloncewere,bySatan,andsowemustprayforthem. ProclaimChrist:“wedonotpreachourselvesbutJesusChristasLord.”WeproclaimthegospelofChristforinhischaracterandhiscrosswebeholdthegloryofGod. Honestsincerity:“wehavethistreasureinjarsofclaytoshowthatthisall-surpassingpowerusfromGodandnotforus.”Weareasweakandfragileascheapclaypots,butourgospelispricelesstreasure.Godwantsitthiswaysopeoplewillrealizethatwearenotevangelizingforpersonalbenefitbutbecausethegospelistrue.AndmanypassagesencourageustobewillingtosufferforthegospelasJesusdide.g.“whoeverloseshislifeformysakeandthegospel’swillsaveit”(Mark8:35)andPaulwrites,“shareinsufferingforthegospelbythepowerofGod”(2Tim.1:8). ItisnosurprisetodiscoverthatourLordJesus’prioritywasevangelism “Jesuswentthroughallthetownsandvillages,teachingintheirsynagogues,preachingthegoodnewsoftheKingdom…whenhesawthecrowds,hehadcompassiononthem,becausetheywereharassedandhelpless,likesheepwithoutashepherd…”(Matt.9:35-38) Hisprioritywasevangelism(Matt.9:35) Jesuscamenotonlytobethegospelbuttoproclaimthegospelandtrainotherstodothesame.ForasGodinhisTrinitarianholinessisself-givinglove,soinhisrelationshiptosinnersheisrighteousingraceinevangelismbeforehereturnsonedaytoberighteousinhiswrath.SowhenGodtookflesh,hecameasanevangelist!Noticethescaleofhismission:hewentthrough“all”thetownsandvillages:therewereover200ofthem.Thiswasn’tacasualstrollbutadeterminedanddemandingeffort.TobeholylikeChristrequiresustobebothseparatedfromsinandcommittedtoevangelism.Indeed,Jesus’preaching,smallgroupdiscussionsandconversationalcounselingwerenotprimarilyaboutparentingormarriagebutsalvation.Indeed,heavoidedbeingdistractedbyhishealingministryinordertopreachthegospel(Mark1:38).Clearly,godlinessisevangelistic.Sowhilethedefiningactivityofachurchisbible-teachingthepurposeofBible-teachingisequippingbelieverstofollowJesusinlivesofholyevangelism.Congregationsarenottobelikepassengersonacruiseshipdedicatedtotheirowncomfortbutlikecrewonalifeboatdedicatedtosavingpeoplewhoaredrowninginsin.BecauseJesus’prioritywasevangelism! Hismotivationwascompassion(Matt.9:36) Jesussawbeneathappearancestopeople’sspiritualneeds:hesawthecrowdslikeflocksofsheep,pronetowander,vulnerabletopredators,hungryforfoodbutprecioustothefarmeri.e.desperatelyinneedofthegoodshepherd(cf.Ezek.34:11ffwhereGodseesIsraeldesperatelyinneedofgoodpastoralministrybeginningwithevangelism:“Imyselfwillsearchformysheep……Iwillrescuethem…Iwillbringthemoutfromthenationsandgatherthem).Jesusseespeople,notprimarilyaswickedsinnersdeservingretribution,butas“harassed(lit.flayedi.e.stressed)andhelpless”(lit.flattenedi.e.burdened)!Theydon’tneedus–theyneedhim!Theparticularword“compassion”usedofJesushereisonlyeverusedofJesusinthegospels,andalwaysofhowJesusseespeople:itmeans“entrails”anddescribesgut-wrenchingtenderness.Theprimaryreasonwecommonlystruggletoevangelizeourcommunitiesisnotthattheyaremorehostilethananotherculturebutthatwedon’tseethemwithJesus’gut-wrenchingcompassion. Hisstrategywasprayingforworkers(Matt.9:37-38) Jesusidentifiedtwofeaturesoftheageinwhichwelive:theharvestisplentifulbuttheworkersarefew!Noticethatourchallengeisnotthehardnessofsocietybuttheshortageofworkers–notjustclergybutbelieverspreparedforthelaborofevangelism.There’snoshortageofevangelisticopportunityforwearesurroundedbyunbelievers.Jesusdescribeshimselfasthe“Lordoftheharvest”willingtosendoutworkers–ashethendemonstratesinsendingoutthetwelveinchapter10.Ifwearetoevangelizetheworldbymakingdisciplesinourcommunities,bycross-culturalevangelismandbychurch-plantingwemustbeginwithprayertoJesus,theLordoftheharvest! OurLordfinallyencourageshispeopleinthelife-consumingtaskofevangelismwithastunningvisioninRevelation7ofthemulti-culturalfeastofthelambinheaven.ThereweshallcelebrateourSaviorwithamultitudeno-onecancountfromeverynation,tribe,peopleandlanguage,allgathered…throughevangelism. FurtherReading TrevinWax,ThisIsOurTime:EverydayMythsinLightoftheGospel TimothyKeller,MakingSenseofGod JamesK.A.Smith,How(Not)ToBeSecular DavidRobertson,“FourWaystoWitnesstoAtheists” DavidRobertson,EngagingwithAtheists RicoTice,HonestEvangelism JohnChapman,KnowandTelltheGospel J.MackStiles,Evangelism J.I.Packer,EvangelismandtheSovereigntyofGod MarkDever,TheGospelandPersonalEvangelism TomHeasman,“WhyBenFogleNeedstoHearMatthew28:18” TomHeasman,“TheLongings,theLie,andtheLight” ThisessayispartoftheConciseTheologyseries.Allviewsexpressedinthisessayarethoseoftheauthor.ThisessayisfreelyavailableunderCreativeCommonsLicensewithAttribution-ShareAlike,allowinguserstoshareitinothermediums/formatsandadapt/translatethecontentaslongasanattributionlink,indicationofchanges,andthesameCreativeCommonsLicenseappliestothatmaterial.Ifyouareinterestedintranslatingourcontentorareinterestedinjoiningourcommunityoftranslators, pleasereachouttous. 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