Evangelism: A Study Guide: Discipleship, #4

By Riaan Engelbrecht

Evangelism has been discussed over and over, yet it still seems many Christians are not engaging in evangelism. It seems some think they are not called to evangelise, or not equipped or not trained.  The truth is, if we follow Jesus, then we are called to evangelise, which is nothing more than telling someone about Jesus. From the outset, evangelism is the work and duty of EVERY believer, thus any disciple of the Lord. It is the duty of any disciples to fulfil the Great Commission, which includes making disciples and sharing the Gospel. In Christianity, you can say evangelism is the commitment to or act of publicly preaching (ministry) of the Gospel with the intention of spreading the message and teachings of Jesus Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Riaan Engelbrecht
• Release date: Jan 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393787716

Riaan Engelbrecht

Ps Riaan Engelbrecht is the founder of Avishua Ministries, the vice-president of Lighthouse Ministries International and the station manager of Lighthouse Radio. His ministry deals primarily with the prophetic, but he also has a passion to teach the Truth of the Lord Jesus and His Kingdom for only the Truth of the Lord sets us free (John 8:32).  He is also a qualified and seasoned journalist.

Book preview

What is an evangelist?

THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS of books written on the subject. Evangelism has been discussed over and over, yet it still seems many Christians are not engaging in evangelising. It seems some think they are not called to evangelise, or not equipped or not trained.

The truth is, if we follow Jesus, then we are called to evangelise, which is nothing more than telling someone about Jesus.

In Matthew 28 of the Great Commission, we read: 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 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, 20 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.

From the outset, evangelism is the work and duty of EVERY believer, thus any disciple of the Lord. It is the duty of any disciples to fulfil the Great Commission, which includes making disciples and sharing the Gospel. In Christianity, you can say evangelism is the commitment to or act of publicly preaching (ministry) of the Gospel with the intention of spreading the message and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The English word evangelism comes from the Greek word euaggelion. Most literally translated in the noun form, euaggelion means: gospel or good news. In the verb form (euaggelizesthai), the meaning of the word changes slightly to announce or bring good news. In addition to the before-mentioned translations, the Greek word is also translated as preach. Thus to evangelise, you need to know what we are declaring, thus a disciple of God needs to know what the Gospel is that he is pronouncing.

Therefore, the phrase preach the gospel and bring glad tidings is the Greek word euaggelizo and means to evangelize. Success in evangelism is not to see how many people we can win but rather it is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and trusting God for the results. Jesus said, No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him... (John 6:44).

In a nutshell, evangelism is the announcement, proclamation, and/or preaching of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), thus the good news of and about Jesus Christ.  Therefore, the gospel is a communicated message—communicated in verbal (Luke 7:22; Romans 10:14-17) and/or written (Luke 1:1-4) form. "If you share the Good News with a family member, then you are evangelising. If you share with a colleague, you are evangelising. If you share with a tribal inhabitant in the Amazon, then you are evangelising. It is just about sharing the Gospel. 

It says in Isaiah 52:7 (NIV): How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!"

Indeed, there is a blessing when we proclaim the Good News of our Lord Jesus. It also says in Matthew 10:33 (KJV): But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. If we are true disciples, then we shall tell the world of Jesus, to friends and the stranger. A disciple can never be ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power to bring people into the glorious liberty of salvation offered by Jesus.

Therefore, there is absolutely no argument against believers not evangelising. After all, if we do not evangelise, we therefore deny the Lord! How else but not to declare the greatness and the beauty of God when we are disciples? How else but to not scream it from the rooftops and to declare the majesty and the glory of our God!

So again, to be it simply, to evangelise is to declare the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Is this some kind of specialist field of practise? Hardly. This is the call of any and all believer, declaring the Good News of our Lord. It is part and parcel of the Great Commission. Granted, some are called to do this on a more full-time basis, therefore mandated, but then they shall be empowered by the Spirit of the Lord in such a task. Yet for all believers, we are called to share the wonderful news of Jesus.

It says in Acts 1: 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. According to Acts 1, evangelism is when we proclaim the Good News as witnesses of His Glory and Salvation. We may not have walked with the Lord 2000 years ago, but through the Spirit, we abide in the Lord and the Lord abides in us (John 15). The Holy Spirit was poured out according to John 16 that we may know the reality of God daily, and thus the reality of His existence and His majesty. And based on that reality, by evangelising we act as witnesses of the Truth of His Lordship and Kingdom.

Acts 1 also speaks of Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Thus to evangelise, which is to declare the Good News of our God, begins right at home and in your home town (Jerusalem), and then it may spread to other areas, cities, nations or even continents (uttermost parts of the earth). This is the simplicity of evangelism. It is about declaring the Gospel of Jesus – be it to family, friends, colleagues or strangers.

Where did the believers evangelize? In the temple area, common to the Jews (Acts 2:1-46), in the synagogue (Acts 14:1), throughout entire cities (Acts 8:5), in the desert (Acts 8:26), on the bank of a riverside (Acts 16:13-15), in jail and prison (Acts 16:23), and according to Acts 20:21- 22, it was publicly and from house to house. A paraphrase of Acts 1:8 would state evangelism begins in your own home town, then surrounding cities, your state, country and then to the world.

Evangelism therefore begins where you live, anywhere there are people.

Evangelism, the communication of the gospel message, includes a warning, an explanation, and a call. Evangelism includes warning people about sin and the consequences of sin (John 16:8; Acts 24:25; Revelation 20:11-15). It includes an explanation of God’s remedy for sin—the gospel (Acts 8:29-35; Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21).  And it includes the clear call to repent (to turn from sin and to turn toward God) and believe the gospel, by faith (Mark 1:15; Luke 13:1-5; Acts 17:29-31; Romans 1:17; Romans 10:9-13).

We must also remember the following truths regarding evangelism:

a) We cannot save a single soul, only Jesus saves (John 14:6)

b) Our job is to get people in a position to receive the Word (Romans 10:17)

c) We are called to walk alongside them, in making disciples (Matthew 28:19)

Take note of the following two Scriptures:

Matthew 10: The Twelve Apostles: 10 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. 11 Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

Luke 10: The Seventy Sent Out: 10 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set