What is Biblical evangelism? Is there a God-given evangelism tool that will enable you to confidently talk about the Savior? Does Biblical evangelism always proclaim the Law to the proud, and grace to the humble?
Let's first examine the
Who,
Why,
What,
When,
Where, and
How of the Biblical evangelism, and then we will come back and address these questions. Evangelism should be based on biblical principles as taught by the Bible.
Who: Every born-again believer of Jesus Christ is called to share the gospel and make disciples.
'And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"' Romans 10:15
"Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8
'So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."' John 20:21
"…Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33
Why: Because Jesus is your Lord and you want to obey him and you are concerned about the fate of those who don't know God and have not yet repented and placed their faith in Jesus Christ. The correct perspective is not that we have to share our faith but that we get to share our faith.
'"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; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.' Matthew 28:19-20
"Why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek". Romans 1:16
"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:38
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” Hebrews 9:27
What: The gospel is the good news about having your sins forgiven and having a relationship with God for all of eternity. First share the bad news of how our sin separates us from God then share the good news. It is a simple message.
"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15
“…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
When: As you go about in your daily life you are commanded to be a light and point people to Jesus all of the time. It's a lifestyle of inviting people to have a relationship with God with those you talk to each day.
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2
"For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel." 1 Corinthians 9:16-18
“Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.” Jeremiah 20:9
Where: Anywhere you can share the gospel without bringing shame or disgrace to Christ and His church. If you use ice breakers or gospel tracts remember that they are for people not places, so don't leave them around but hand them out to people.
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people." Matthew 4:23
"So they [the disciples] departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere." Luke 9:6
"Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." Matthew 9:35
How: Speaking the truth in love, and following the examples of Evangelism found in the Bible. We seek to build a bridge and can start talking about everyday things and then swing to talk about spiritual things (John 4, Acts 17). The only way to become better at sharing our faith is by practice, practice, practice. Pray before and after you share with others also.
"And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things." Mark 6:34
"Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel." 1 Corinthians 9:14
"But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--" Ephesians 4:15
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1
“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:6
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35
Alright so now that we have looked at the Why, Who, What, When, Where, and How of the Biblical evangelism, lets answers those opening questions.
Is there a God-given evangelism tool that will enable you to confidently talk about the Savior?
While there is no exact cookie-cut formula, no one-size fits all way in sharing the gospel there are plenty of examples of how Jesus and His disciples shared the gospel which is
"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (also check out the
Gospel According to Jesus document, which is about How To Share The Gospel The Way Jesus Did!).
Having a right relationship with God begins with acknowledging your sin. “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:10). This repentance must be accompanied by faith. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. Also appealing to the conscience is a powerful way to confirm the need for a Savior, however there is no one formula, program or method given by God. If you read you Bible you will find that Jesus never used the same method continually.
Should we use the Law or 10 Commandments?
While using the Law is a biblical approach and founded on scriptural principles if one uses it lawfully. But this tool is not required in every witnessing conversation. The Law is only needed when the unsaved don't think they have sinned against God or think they are good enough to get into Heaven based on their own standards. You will notice in the Bible that Jesus only goes through the commandments with the rich young ruler (who goes away very sorrowful), and doesn't do that with everyone (we too need to be like Jesus and not approach everyone using the same method). Yes the 10 commandments are very useful in witnessing but not required as the purpose of the law is to show us our sin, but not to lead us to righteousness.
When people deny they have sinned or that sin is not big deal that's when using the mirror of God’s law helps people see how much they need a Savor. If someone is ready to become a Christian they don' need the Law and all they need to do is place their faith or trust in Jesus that He died for their sins, was buried, and rose again. Once again, I'm not against using the 10 commandments when witnessing but suggest to only use this tool when it is needed in the conversation. And remember don't beat someone over the head with the law but use it as a mirror to show them their true state before God.
Does Biblical evangelism always proclaim the Law to the proud, and grace to the humble?
The basic concept that most people use for this is: Give the Law of the 10 Commandments to proud people, and Grace (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) to Humble people (Galatians 3:24). James 4:6 says "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Notice that it does not say "God gives the Law to the proud, But gives grace to the humble." No, it isn’t as if our humility earns the grace of God, but humility merely puts us in a position to receive the gift He freely gives. This is because only true repentance will lead to a person being humble and ready for grace (believe God, and it's accounted to you for righteousness, Galatians 3:6), but the Law (which was four hundred and thirty years later,
Galatians 3:17) is not required (although it can be helpful if used lawfully, 1 Timothy 1:8). Once a person no longer is resisting God and are humble they are ready for grace.
Ultimately, we must leave salvation up to God. We are already born in and in rebellion against God, we need His grace which He give if we trust in Him (Psalm 18:27, Proverbs 3:34). Changing people on the inside is God’s work through His Holy Spirit (Jonah 2:9, Lamentations 3:26). It is God's power and grace that saves people, not our efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 3:7). If you are following a program then you have been programmed to always share the Gospel using that method. I urge you to stop and follow Jesus, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and work through you (remember you will have to give an account to the Lord, Romans 14:10-12, Matthew 12:36-37). God has called us to proclaim the message of salvation—the redeeming power and life-transforming message of Jesus’ death on the cross (Romans 5:8).
Seek and save that which is lost and press on in Love,
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