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EVANGELISM
Introduction
==> A. Evangelism is a precious work of God ...
• The feet of the evangelist are beautiful (Romans 10:15).•• The evangelists should feel privileged because this important task was entrusted to them (1 Peter 1:12).
••• Christians were exalted to announce the gospel (1 Peter 2: 9)
.-> It is also a personal responsibility ...
• We must feel a need to announce the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16).•• We must teach the gospel first of all (Acts 4: 18-20).
••• We must never refuse to do this work (Acts 20:27).
-> It can also be a difficult task ...
• The evangelist is always in the cross hairs of criticism (1 Timothy 3: 7, 4:12).•• It requires a lot of training and study (1 Timothy 4: 6-8, 13, 16).
••• Many people will reject the gospel (Matthew 22:14, Romans 10:16).
Even if you do not see fruit, the gospel never returns empty (Isaiah 55:11).
-> In the congregations we talk a lot about evangelism, but ...
• Sometimes we make a very poor effort.•• Sometimes we are not clear about what evangelism is.
••• Sometimes we do not know how to evangelize. Although there is no formula, this lesson has the purpose of encouraging us to evangelize by providing us with tools and advice when it comes to preaching the word of God (2 Timothy 3: 16-17).
[Although the word evangelism does not appear (but "gospel") in the Bible, it refers to the activity of announcing the gospel. To have a more accurate idea of evangelism, let's analyze what the Bible teaches about this work. First we will begin by understanding what the gospel is ...]1. Gospel: the good news
-> The traditional definition of the term gospel is "good news" ...
• But it would be more accurate to say "good news".•• Maybe the new word instead of news has something to do with people who translate the word new for new instead of news.
-> In Greek ...
• The word gospel comes from the term εὐαγγέλιον [euangelion].•• Means "good message" (Strong), "good news" (Thayer)
.••• It is composed of the word eu (be good) and angelos (message or messenger).
-> Use of the word gospel in the New Testament ...
• Abraham received the good news (Galatians 3: 8).•• Noah received good news (Hebrews 11: 7).
••• The prophets received the promise of good news (Romans 1: 1-2).
•••• Jesus Christ preached the good news (Matthew 11: 2-5).••••• The disciples were sent to preach the good news (Mark 16:15).
•••••• The first Christians announced the good news throughout the world (Acts 8: 4, 1 Thessalonians 1: 8).
••••••• Paul preached the gospel in many places (1 Corinthians 4:17).
-> The good news is ...
• That Christ paid the price of sin (Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4).•• That we can now reach salvation (Colossians 2:13, Acts 2:39).
••• That God wants our salvation (1 Timothy 2: 4, 2 Peter 3: 9).
•••• That we do not have to go to hell (1 Thessalonians 1: 6-8).
How can we keep so much good news! We should be eager to go out and tell everyone this thing that is more than good.
[Now, to understand evangelism, let's see some words related to the activity of making the gospel known ...]
2. Evangelism: announce, teach, preach
-> Announce
.• The word...i. From the Greek εὐαγγελίζω [euangelidzo].
ii. It means "to announce good news (evangelize), especially the gospel: to declare, bring (declare, show) pleasant (good) news" (Strong).
•• Used in several passages ...
i. What John the Baptist did when he spoke of baptism (Luke 3:18).
ii. What Jesus did with his miracles (Luke 7:22).
iii. What the first Christians did when they were scattered (Acts 8: 4).
iv. What Philip the Evangelist was doing where he went (Acts 8:12, 40).
v. What Paul was always willing to do (Romans 1:15).
••• Announce the gospel ...
i. It includes talking about baptism (John the Baptist).
ii. It also includes talking about the work of Jesus (Jesus).
iii. It also includes talking about the church (Felipe).
iv. It consists of touring different places: streets, cities (the first Christians, Philip the Evangelist).
v. It requires disposition, encouragement, desire (Paul).
==> B. Teach ...
• The word...i. From the Greek διδάσκω [didasko].
ii. It means "keeping a discourse with others to instruct them" (Thayer).
•• Used in several passages ...
i. What Jesus did in the synagogues (Matthew 4:23).
ii. What is needed to make disciples (Matthew 28: 18-19).
iii. What the eunuch asked Philip (Acts 8:31).
iv. What Paul and Barnabas did in Antioch (Acts 11:26).
v. What Paul forbade women to do in congregations (1 Timothy 2:12, see 1 Corinthians 14:34).vi. What the elder should do (1 Timothy 3: 2).vii. What was asked of Timothy (1 Timothy 4:13).viii. What faithful men should do (2 Timothy 2: 2).ix. What must be done with the Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).••• Teach the gospel ...i. It consists of talking about the good news in public (Jesus).ii. It includes talking about the plan of salvation: the prophecies, the baptism, the church of Christ (the disciples, Philip, Paul and Barnabas).iii. (In the church) is limited to men (Paul to the Corinthians).iv. It requires dedication (Paul to Timothy).v. Requires fitness (Paul to the elders).vi. It requires fidelity (Paul to Timothy).vii. It requires using the Scripture (Paul).
This does not mean women can not teach, it means they can not teach men. Women have a place to assist men, and to teach other women and children. Women have other callings to the family and this prevents them being dedicated to the work. This is not to say, there have not been women who were not dedicated, or that served in many capacities in the early church.
==> C. Preach ...
• The word...i. From the Greek κηρύσσω [kerusso].ii. It means "to be a herald, to proclaim like a herald, always with a hint of formality, seriousness and authority that must be heard and obeyed" (Thayer).•• Used in several passages ...i. What Jesus did when speaking about the kingdom (Matthew 4:17).ii. What the apostles did everywhere (Acts 5:42).iii. What Philip did in Samaria (Acts 8: 5, 12).iv. What Paul did in the synagogues (Acts 9:20).••• Preach the gospel...i. It consists in speaking the good news in public places (Jesus, the apostles, Paul).ii. It requires talking about the church (Jesus, Philip).iii. It requires talking about baptism (Philip).iv. It requires talking about the divinity of Jesus (Paul).Announcing the gospel is an activity that consists of speaking, teaching, proclaiming in the church, in public places and in private. The message includes talking about the plan of salvation from the prophecies to the first Christians, the things they practiced and the church that Christ established.[The Bible has many examples of evangelism, but they can still emerge ...]3. Some questions
==> A. Is there a difference between gospel and doctrine?
• Some answers...i. The gospel consists in the sacrifice of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4). And the doctrine consists of the commandments for the church and the Christians.ii. Doctrine is what is taught after obeying the gospel.•• The Bible teaches ...i. Which are two names of what the apostles taught (Romans 15: 9, Acts 5:28).ii. Which are two names of what to obey (2 Thessalonians 1: 8, Romans 6:17).iii. Which are two names of what he saves (Romans 1:16, 1 Timothy 4:16).Gospel and doctrine are other names of the word of God. It can not be added to or taken away from.==> B. Does the gospel include baptism?
• Some answers...i. Not because Paul preached the gospel, but did not talk about baptism (1 Corinthians 1:17).ii. Not because Paul defined the gospel as the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4).•• The Bible teaches ...i. That Paul did speak and practice baptism (1 Corinthians 1:14).ii. That Paul defined the gospel in many ways (1 Corinthians 15: 5-8, 12, Romans 1:16). But in Corinth he only spoke about Christ (1 Corinthians 2: 2).iii. That Philip preached the gospel and spoke of baptism (Acts 8:12).Therefore, you can not preach the gospel without talking about baptism.==> C. Does the gospel include the church?
• Some answers...i. One can only know the gospel without needing to know a specific church.ii. Anyone, without knowing the church of Christ, can understand the gospel by reading the Scripture (Ephesians 3: 4).•• The Bible teaches ...i. That Christ preached the gospel and spoke of the kingdom of heaven, which is the church (Matthew 9:35, Acts 2:32, Colossians 1:13).ii. That Philip preached the gospel and spoke of the kingdom, which is the church (Acts 8:12).Therefore, preaching the gospel includes talking about the church of Christ.==> D. So, what is inside the Gospel?
• In light of what we have studied ...i. It includes prophecies about Jesus Christ and the church.ii. It includes the life and work of Jesus.iii. It includes the death and resurrection of Jesus.iv. It includes the church of Christ: its origin, its characteristics, its form of worship.v. It includes the promise of eternal life and the warning of hell.•• We can summarize that the gospel comprises ...i. Truths (Ephesians 1:13). For example...1. The existence of God.2. The divinity of God.3. The existence of heaven and hell.ii. Promises (Acts 13:32). For example...1. Forgiveness of sins. (read the blog)2. Eternal life.3. Lodging in the mansion of the Father.iii. Commandments (2 Thessalonians 1: 8). For example...1. Be baptized.2. Persevere.3. Stay holy.The gospel has many themes, that is why there are many ways to evangelize.
4. Conclusion
A. In this lesson we learned ...• That the gospel is a lot of good news that we can not keep silent about.•• That evangelizing requires a lot of diligence to bring the good news to as many people as possible.••• That there is not a single theme to evangelize.B. Some recommendations we noticed ...• Evangelism requires you to be encouraged to preach.•• It also requires love for lost souls.••• It also requires a lot of dedication and effort.•••• You must be willing to travel many places to carry the gospel.••••• You must proclaim the gospel for the love of God, not personal glory.
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