Evangelism According to the Scriptures

In my many years attending church, I have come across many who view evangelism in an unbiblical format. They think living a moral life in front of people is equivalent to sharing their faith. They think they need to form a close bond to another person before they can talk about the things of God. They think that providing a service to someone else or praying with them is evangelizing to them. However, Scripture has a very different picture of evangelism/witnessing/sharing one’s faith. First let’s address what is wrong with these forms of “evangelism” and then discuss the biblical model of evangelism.

Lifestyle Evangelism – One might argue that they are drawing people to Jesus through their moral living. They will often use verses such as these

· “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

· You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

- Matthew 5:13-16

While living a life of holiness before the world IS important, it IS NOT proclaiming the gospel. Our Christian walk should add credibility to what we are saying when we evangelize but it is not a means of evangelizing itself. A Christian can live a moral life in front of all their unsaved loved ones their entire life, but if they never verbally tell someone about Jesus and his propitiation for sin, their loved ones are still going to hell when they die.

Merely behaving morally does not keep a person out of hell. Repentance and faith do. There are moral Muslims, Mormons, Atheists, etc. who are all nice people on their way to hell. It is ONLY by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as He is portrayed in the Scripture that saves a man.

· Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

· For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. –Ephesians 2:8-9

Friendship Evangelism – Friendship Evangelism is based on the premise that one must build into a relationship with another person before they can talk about spiritual things. There are several things wrong with this type of evangelism.

First, it is not seen in Scripture. Jesus did not invest months and years into a relationship with a person BEFORE talking about godly things. A perfect example is the Samaritan woman at the well. He did not stay with her for a long time BEFORE He addressed her sin and revealed Himself to her.

Another instance we see evidence of this was with the Pharisees. He did not befriend them before proclaiming truth to them. Nowhere do we see in Scripture someone investing long amounts of time BEFORE telling them to repent and turn to the Living God of the Bible.

Second, there are dangers to waiting to share the gospel with someone. Primarily the issue of not knowing how long that person is going to live or what tomorrow holds for them. We may not get another opportunity to talk to them about their eternity!

 Third, the Bible makes it clear that it can be dangerous for us to associate too closely with unbelievers. Please do not misunderstand. We CAN be friends with unbelievers but Scripture gives many cautions throughout its pages.

· “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

· Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14) While this verse refers to marriage, we can see that having a close relationship with an unbeliever is frowned upon.

Even in the Old Testament, God did not want the Israelites to intermarry with others for fear of them turning away from Him and towards idols instead.

Servant Evangelism – Servant Evangelism is a specific form of Lifestyle Evangelism as it is another type of “evangelism” focused on doing good in front of others in hopes that someone will be saved. This typically takes the form of some type of community service. Again, there is nothing wrong with helping others or filling needs, but it is NOT sharing the gospel. Filling someone’s stomach with food will not save them on the Day of Judgment.

Invitational Evangelism – Invitational Evangelism focuses on getting an unsaved person to church in the hopes that they will hear the gospel. There are several problems with this style of evangelism.

First, the church is and always has been the born-again believers of Jesus Christ. The church is for Christians, not the lost.

Secondly, there is no guarantee that the pastor of your church will preach the gospel. While it is important that the gospel be preached in the pulpits of our churches, it does not always happen. One such example can be on a missions week. In my experience, those Sundays are focused on what the missionary is accomplishing on the mission field and not a public proclamation of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Thirdly, and I may get some angry readers for this one, invitational evangelism is the epitome of laziness and selfishness. We want the easy way for a person to get saved and, let’s face it, we’d rather have our loved one angry at our pastor than at us for pointing out their sinful nature and need of a Savior.

Lastly, again we need to realize that life is not guaranteed for anybody. Our loved one could die on their way to hear the gospel that Sunday.

Biblical Evangelism – We’ve talked at length about what is not biblical evangelism and now it is finally time to talk about what IS biblical evangelism. Evangelism as it is portrayed in Scripture is the verbal proclamation of the gospel. It is telling someone about God, Sin, Judgment, and Jesus’ atonement. It is through showing or proclaiming the Word of God to the lost person. Scripture makes hearing the good news vital to one’s salvation…

 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord 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!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. –Romans 10:13-17, Emphasis Added

And what is the “good news”?

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures – 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Emphasis added

We see this example time after time in the Bible. Men of God preached on man’s sinful nature and the consequence of that sin and then talk of God sending His only Son to redeem mankind. It is this method that leads to genuine salvation. People will see their wickedness and need for a Savior leading to repentance and faith in Jesus. Why resolve to use other methods when Scripture reveals clearly what is effective in reaching the lost?

Christians need to stop using false methods of evangelism as an excuse not to partake in biblical evangelism. We need to be concerned more about the fate of a lost man, then our own reputation or popularity.

Are you guilty of partaking in unbiblical methods of evangelism? Repent today. Admit to God that you haven’t been sharing the gospel as His Word teaches and surrender your fears to Him. Trust that He has given you the strength to step out of your comfort zone and make known the truth of God’s Word to a lost and dying world.

*Unless otherwise stated, all of Scripture from this article will be taken from the English Standard Version.

Are you a "Doubting Thomas"?

We live in a society that is full of “trust issues”; in the work place, in our romantic relationships, and even among our closest relatives. We always seem to be questioning motives and relying on ourselves more than others. When others make plans with us or promise to do something, we can doubt if they will honor their word.  

Even in the church there is an abundance of doubt among those sitting in the pews. They doubt God and His Word. Is it okay to be self-reliant? Is doubt ever okay when it comes to God and His Word? Let’s examine the Scriptures looking to it as our sole authority on the matter.

When we look at the various accounts of Scripture, we can see many instances of doubt occurring. One of the most well-known accounts of unbelief is when Thomas doubted the resurrection of Jesus. Upon hearing the accounts of the other disciples’ encounter with the risen Christ, he showed an unbelief that was seemingly unwavering until Jesus appeared to him as well. His words specifically to Thomas were, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (John 20:27, Emphasis Mine) Jesus later goes on to say in verse twenty-nine, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

While this passage is a great example of God’s reaction to doubt, it is important to examine more than one Scripture before making a claim about God. We must look at Scripture as a whole to receive a clearer understanding. Let’s go to the beginning and examine the fall of man.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. – Genesis 3:1-7

While Scripture does not specifically say that Adam and Eve had doubts, we can see that the serpent planted seeds of doubt there by suggesting that they had misunderstood God’s command or that God was withholding something from them. We also see that they didn’t seek out God at all during and after their temptation for clarification. Rather than asking God about the claims of the serpent, they relied on the serpent’s words and their own wisdom and decided to eat the fruit. The result? They wounded their relationship with God and received consequences from God for their actions.

We see many examples in Scripture of doubt among man (Moses, two of Jesus’ followers on the road to Emmaus, the man with the demon possessed child, etc.). Nowhere do we see God commanding or commending unbelief. There are times where he has been merciful to those who have had doubts, but this is not Him tolerating unbelief and allowing it to continue.

Doubt has serious end results. Below is a list I have compiled of the detrimental effects of unbelief:

1.      It hinders our prayers to God

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – James 1:5-7

2.      It hinders our obedience to God and is, in fact, disobedience

When Scripture says not to doubt, that is a command. When we fail to do what God says, that is an act of disobedience. It also causes disobedience on other levels as well. When we fail to trust God, what will motivate us to step out of our comfort zone? Without faith, our fear will render us useless in carrying out our purpose (making disciples). Why should we share the gospel if we don’t believe that God will guide our tongues and give us strength and wisdom?

3.      It hurts our relationship with God

It can be extremely difficult to have an intimate relationship with someone you do not trust. A wife who doubts her husband’s honesty and fidelity will manifest itself in their relationship in some form (i.e. checking up on him, constantly accusing him, or even leaving him) Whatever the form mistrust usually takes, it is not for the better.

4.      It hurts our testimony

When we doubt God’s Word it affects our actions and affects how others view God’s Word. When we preach one thing and live out something different, it impacts those we are trying to reach for Jesus Christ. People can see hypocrisy and it gives them an excuse in their minds to reject the Savior. We need to strive at all times to live out a life in front of the world that does not lead to them justifying themselves but leads them to glorifying God and seeking to know Him more because of the impact they see on our lives.

On the other hand, the most commendable doubts in the Bible is not when we see men doubting God, but when we see men not trusting in their own abilities and relying on God. Abraham trusted God enough to take his son Isaac to sacrifice to the Lord. Noah trusted God enough to build a boat. Numerous people trusted in Jesus to heal them or their loved one. Peter trusted in Jesus one night when he was out at sea:

And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
                                                                          – Matthew 14:25-33

Men who rely fully on God can do great things because God is there with them and they trust Him enough to be obedient in the face of great challenges. We can trust God and we can trust His Word.

God’s Word is truth. It has proved itself time and time again despite numerous attempts to discredit it. We can trust in the words written inside of it as the inspired Word of God Himself, but that is a subject for another article. In it we can see God’s power and goodness. If God is powerful enough to create the universe,  heal the sick, raise the dead, sustain a man’s life while he is inside a fish for three days, what can’t He do?!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
                                                 - Ephesians 3:20, Emphasis added

Are you trusting in God completely or do you find yourself doubting His abilities? Are you perhaps even doubting in His ability to save you? Today is the day to surrender to Him. Surrender your doubts, surrender your fears, surrender yourself completely to the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He is mighty to save you if you will turn from your sin (whether it’s doubt or idolatry or pride) and place your trust in Him. If you are born again but are struggling with trusting God in a certain area, cry out to Him, asking for His forgiveness, and pray as the disciples did when they said, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5). Remember, “whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:22) 

*All Scripture was taken from the English Standard Version of the Holy Bible
**Remember context is vital. Please do not misinterpret the verses placed in the article as promises that God will always say yes to prayer if you believe you will get it. You must be born again for these promises to apply and God will not answer a prayer in a way that would contradict His will and His nature!