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The Biblical Mandate for Evangelism

The foundation for Christian evangelism is deeply rooted in the Scriptures. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commanded His disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This Great Commission underscores the responsibility of every believer to spread the Gospel.

The Zeal of Early Christians

The early Christians set a powerful example of evangelism. Acts 8:4 states, “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” This passage indicates that evangelism was not confined to the apostles but was a task undertaken by all believers. The early Christians were driven by the zeal to share the message of salvation, understanding the urgency and importance of their mission.

The psalmist’s exhortation in Psalm 96:2-4 captures this zeal: “Sing to Jehovah, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.” The early Christians recognized the greatness of Jehovah and were compelled to declare His glory and salvation to all nations.

Proselytize or Evangelize?

The distinction between proselytism and evangelism is significant. The Greek word “proselytos” refers to a convert, and proselytism often carries the connotation of forced conversion. Jesus criticized the proselytism of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:15, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.”

Historical examples, such as the forced conversions by John Hyrcanus and Charlemagne, illustrate the harm of proselytism. True Christian evangelism, in contrast, respects individual choice and emphasizes voluntary acceptance of the Gospel. Romans 10:13-14 highlights the importance of genuine faith: “For everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

Evangelism in Modern Times

Today, the need for evangelism remains urgent. Many people worship material things, wealth, and national emblems, neglecting the worship of Jehovah. Matthew 6:24 warns, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” True Christians are called to turn people’s hearts towards Jehovah, the Creator of the heavens (Psalm 96:5).

The message of the psalmist in Psalm 96:7-8 resonates with this call: “Ascribe to Jehovah, O families of the peoples, ascribe to Jehovah glory and strength! Ascribe to Jehovah the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!” This call to worship Jehovah underscores the importance of evangelism in leading people to recognize and honor their Creator.

The Example of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of an evangelizer, devoted His life to preaching the good news of the Kingdom. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus declares, “The Spirit of Jehovah is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor.” Jesus’ ministry was characterized by compassion, teaching, and the proclamation of God’s Kingdom.

Following Jesus’ example, the apostle Paul emphasized the importance of preaching the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 9:16, Paul states, “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” Paul’s dedication to evangelism reflects the commitment expected of all believers.

Evangelism and Love for Neighbor

Evangelism is an expression of love for one’s neighbor. Jesus identified the greatest commandments as loving God and loving one’s neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). Sharing the Gospel is the highest form of love, as it offers others the opportunity for eternal life. In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Paul writes, “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering believers for evangelism. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The indwelling of the Holy Spirit equips Christians with the boldness and ability to share the Gospel effectively.

Overcoming Challenges in Evangelism

Evangelism is not without its challenges. Christians may face opposition, ridicule, and persecution. Jesus warned in John 15:18-20, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

Despite these challenges, believers are encouraged to persevere. 2 Timothy 4:2-5 exhorts, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

The Eternal Impact of Evangelism

The impact of evangelism extends beyond this life into eternity. Revelation 7:9-10 provides a glimpse of the outcome of faithful evangelism: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”

This vision of a diverse multitude worshiping Jehovah highlights the eternal significance of evangelism. Every effort to share the Gospel contributes to the gathering of this great multitude, ensuring that people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to know and worship God.

The Call to Evangelize

The call to evangelize is not limited to a select few but extends to all who follow Christ. In 1 Peter 2:9, believers are described as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Every Christian is called to proclaim the excellencies of Jehovah and to bear witness to His saving grace.

The urgency of this call is emphasized in Romans 10:13-15: “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” The necessity of preaching the Gospel is clear, and the responsibility lies with every believer.

Conclusion

The responsibility of evangelism is a privilege and a command given to all true Christians. Following the example of the early Christians and empowered by the Holy Spirit, believers are called to share the message of salvation with the world. This task, grounded in love for God and neighbor, is essential for the fulfillment of the Great Commission and the advancement of God’s Kingdom. As we engage in evangelism, we align ourselves with God’s eternal purpose and contribute to the gathering of a diverse multitude that will worship Jehovah forever.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).