Apologetics
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EVANGELISM 101
Acts 1:8 is probably the best definition of the word evangelism. This verse brings into account the growth of Christianity and the Church of Jesus Christ. The first thing noticed is that this was not a suggestion given to the Disciples of Christ it was a command.
Evangelism in its simplest form is spreading the Gospel or good news of Jesus Christ. Sharing our faith, as believers can be a frightening experience. Why is it so hard? The Church or Body of Christ can only grow by believers sharing their faith. So, evangelism may be one of the most important functions of the believer or disciple of Christ.
Being a pastor for more than twenty years I found trying to get people to share their faith was one of the hardest things to accomplish. Why is it such a hard thing to do? There are many obstacles in getting a believer to share the gift that God gave.
As humans one of the things we all fear is rejection. None of us like rejection. It is a humiliating experience. It makes us feel incompetent. It makes us look foolish and a few other emotional feelings.
Another thing noticed is many believers just don’t know how to share their faith. Knowledge of the way is only a small part of sharing Christ. So again, how do we share our faith in Jesus Christ?
One of the best ways of sharing is just being a believer and living the life of a believer. People recognize who you are. Your life tells others who you are. When they see your lifestyle they ask questions and this is the perfect opening for sharing your faith. This is one way of defining evangelism. Then it is true when questions are asked we need answers that are Biblically sound.
We are all not expected to be Missionaries or pastors or even teachers of the Word but we are all commanded to “GO.” Go to Judea (your normal surroundings). Go to Samaria (farther into your community). Some go to the uttermost parts and become Missionaries. We each have our own personal way of sharing our faith.
Rejection can be frustrating and lead us to never making another attempt to share. Jesus said to just wipe off the dust from your feet. Our job is not to “make” someone a believer it is just to share and allow the Holy Spirit to do the convicting.
When we realize what it meant to us when we received Christ as our savior, sharing becomes easy. Think of your own experience and you have the beginning of sharing your faith.
So now we have see two parts of evangelism. First living the life of a believer. Second remembering what Jesus did for you, this is your testimony. The third part of evangelism is the “technical” part. We must allow the person to understand what they are receiving and why they need salvation.
One of the Bibles best examples of salvation is found in the Gospel of John, chapter three, and the story of Nicodemus. One of the Bibles most popular verse is John 3:16. This verse alone can be shared. Look at the verse and break it down. This is a promise that God makes to all of humanity. God loves all of His created beings (another verse could be Romans 5:8) even those who don’t recognize Him as God. The second part of this verse is the promise. When we believe in His Son Jesus gain eternal life. These verses are just general statements, there is much more to gaining salvation than just knowing words.
The first thing a person needs to know is they are sinners (Romans 3:10, 3:23). Once a person realizes they are a sinner then they recognize the need of a savior. You could tell them what sin brings, Romans 6:23. Death comes to all humans both physical and spiritual but there is a “gift” that God shares with humanity. The gift is Jesus Christ and salvation. Sins wages are paid (Redemption) by the one act of crucifixion and the shedding of blood by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Ephesians 2:8 give the how of salvation. Again the gift comes from God’s grace but salvation comes from faith. How much faith does one need? Jesus said just a small amount as in a mustard seed. This small amount is expected to grow as the seed does. The last step that is necessary for salvation is found in Romans 10:9,10. We must believe in our hearts (this makes it personal) and we must confess with our mouths (this is the signing of the contract). One of my favorite verses of scripture that defines what is happening during a time of sharing our faith is Revelation 3:20. Jesus is standing at our hearts door knocking (the Holy Spirit is the one convicting) all we have to do is open that door and full fellowship with Jesus and God, the Father becomes ours. This is salvation and one of the easiest ways of sharing our faith. These actions fulfill our part of “going.”
Summarizing the process, first one must realize they are sinners and recognize there is a consequence. Second, by faith, they must confess their sin and accept the gift that God has for them. 1 John 1:9 is the explanation of the whole process. When we go to share our faith the most important element is to pray and rely upon the Holy Spirit to use you to complete to process of salvation. This then is evangelism.
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