Please Help Us Keep These Thousands of Blog Posts Growing and Free for All

$5.00

The Divine Mandate for Evangelism

From the very beginning, God has commanded His people to spread His word. In Genesis 12:3, Jehovah promises Abraham, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” This covenant promise lays the foundation for evangelism, indicating that the blessings of knowing Jehovah should extend to all nations. This mandate is further emphasized in Matthew 28:19-20 where Jesus instructs His disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” Here, the task is clear: to teach and baptize, thereby spreading the Gospel.

The Necessity of Scripture in Evangelism

The Bible itself is the primary tool for evangelism. As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” This text underscores that Scripture is not merely beneficial but essential for teaching, correcting, and guiding new believers into a life aligned with God’s will.

The Role of Preaching in Salvation

Preaching is not just a method but a divine mechanism for salvation. Romans 10:14-15 rhetorically asks, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” This scripture chain illustrates the logical progression from preaching to faith, and from faith to salvation. Preaching the Word of God is thus crucial for individuals to come to faith in Jesus Christ.

The Continuity of Biblical Preaching from Old to New Testament

The practice of preaching is not new to the Christian era; it is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. For instance, in Nehemiah 8:8, it is recorded that Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and helped the people to understand the reading. This act of reading and explaining the Scriptures mirrors the New Testament command to teach and preach. The continuity from Ezra to the apostles shows God’s consistent plan for His Word to be proclaimed.

The Method of Preaching

The method of preaching should be direct, clear, and rooted in the text of Scripture. Paul advises in 1 Corinthians 1:23, “but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.” The message should not be altered or watered down to suit human preferences but should be presented as the unadulterated truth. Furthermore, the act of preaching should be done with conviction, as indicated by Paul in Colossians 4:3-4, where he asks for prayers that he might speak the mystery of Christ clearly.

The Power of the Word in Evangelism

The effectiveness of evangelism does not rely on human eloquence or persuasive methods but on the power of God’s Word. Hebrews 4:12 describes Scripture as “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” This vivid imagery highlights that the Word itself has the power to convict, convert, and change lives.

The Urgency of Preaching Today

In a world filled with distractions and false teachings, the urgency to preach the Word of God has never been greater. Paul’s warning in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 about people turning from sound doctrine to myths is as relevant today as it was in his time. The truth must be preached with urgency, not just for the salvation of souls but also to combat the spread of erroneous doctrines.

Conclusion

The mandate to preach the Word of God is clear, urgent, and unchanging from the Old Testament through to the New Testament. It is not just a suggestion but a command from Jehovah, integral to the mission of the Church and the salvation of mankind. By adhering to the Scriptures, employing the historical-grammatical method of interpretation, and relying on the power of the Word itself, evangelists today can fulfill their God-given duty to proclaim the Gospel in a world desperate for truth.

You May Also Enjoy

What Does It Mean to “Always Be Ready to Give a Defense”?

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).