Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

NEW TESTAMENT EVANGELISM

A. THE GREAT COMMISSION

At the Beginning of His Earthly Ministry:

Jesus said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17; Luke 5:10,27).

At the End of His Earthly Ministry:

The risen Christ said, - "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth..."(Matthew 28:18).

Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observed all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Mark 16:15 - "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

Luke 24:46-48 - "And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things."

John 20:21 - "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you."

Acts 1:8 - "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

BIBLICAL TRUTH: The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded every believer to share the good news (gospel) with every man, woman, boy, and girl on planet Earth.

The Command From Heaven

We build big beautiful churches with cushioned pews, air-conditioned auditoriums, robed choirs, and well-trained preachers and then advertise, 'Come and hear," when all the time God says "Go and tell." There is nothing wrong with all of these, if we are obeying the command, "Go". The Christian does not need to pray about whether to witness or not; the command has been given, it needs to be heard and heeded, "To refuse to witness of a saving gospel to a lost world day by day is nothing short of high treason, spiritual rebellion and inexcusable disobedience to God's holy command" (Scarborough). God's commands are not a smorgasbord to choose what one wants and leave the rest.

     Who is to go? Who is to witness? "Ye!" Don't throw this verse to the missionaries like a a bone to a dog and say go to it. This means "You" as much as "My God shall supply all your need." (Phil. 4:19) means you. If every believer would claim this verse as much as he does Rom. 8:28, the world would be evangelized in a few short years. Every baseball team could use the superb player who plays every position, never makes an error, nor strikes out. The only trouble is you cannot get him to come out of the grandstand and get in the game. Many want church growth without personal involvement.
     Notice the command is to go to "all nations." Of course, this means every individual, for "the Lord...is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). He wants His Gospel to reach "to the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Every believer should be concerned about getting the gospel to his neighbor, the service station attendant, the one next to him on the bus or train, the clerk in the store, the mailman.
     Look what we are to teach new converts: "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (v. 20). The first thing commanded is "Go ye." Too often it is made last! Teach doctrine but this as well. "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me" (Jn. 14:21), "And his commandments are not grievous" (1 Jn. 5:3).

(Dr. C. Sumner Wemp - Fishing For Men - New Life Tract Society -page 6).

B. EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL EVANGELISM

1. Practiced by Jesus Christ.

The greatest example of witnessing is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 4:18,19 - "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

BIBLICAL TRUTH: If you are not fishing for men, you are not following Jesus Christ.

a. Zacchaeus - Chief Tax Collector - Luke 19:1-10

b. Nicodemus - Religious Leader - John 3:1-21

c. A Samaritan Woman - Social Outcast - John 4:1-30

The story of Zacchaeus, Nicodemus, and the women at the well illustrates that God seeks all people regardless of gender, race, physical appearance, education, occupation, social status, or financial worth.

2. Practiced by Other Christians.

2 Timothy 2:2 - "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."

a. Andrew Led His Brother (Peter) to the Lord - John 1:40-42

b. Philip Led the Ethiopian Man to the Lord - Acts 8:26-39

c. Paul Led the Prison Jailor to the Lord - Acts 16:25-32

C. SHARE IN THE MINISTRY AND PASSION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Personal Evangelism is sharing in the ministry and passion of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

John 17:18 - "As thou hast sent Me into the world (the mission of Christ), even so have I also sent them (the mission of every believers) into the world."

John 20:21 - "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you."

The primary purpose for Jesus coming to planet Earth was to seek and to save the lost. As believers we can share in this mission. We are His ambassadors. He has given us a mission to fulfill.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 - "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ stead, be ye reconciled to God."

Acts 20:24 - "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry (ministry), which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the (free) grace of God."

Every believer is in full-time Christian service, regardless of our vocation or profesession. You are a royal ambassador. You were appointed by the King of Kings, Lord of Lords to represent Him on earth. Personal evangelism is sharing in the ministry of reconciliation. It is being obedient to the Lord's command to share the gospel with every living human being.

THERE IS NO REASON FOR ANY BELIEVER TO FAIL IN THIS MISSION:

The Lord Jesus promise before He ascended to heaven (to reassumed His glory and enthronement) that He would not leave His people comfortless (John 14:17-26). The word comforter (parakletos) literally means "one called alongside to help." Just as Christ was the comforter to the twelve, the Holy Spirit is to all believers in this age.

The Work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Believer

Notice what happens at the moment you trust in Christ to save you:

1. The Lord gave the Holy Spirit to seal every believer at the moment of salvation.

A seal indicates possession and security. The Holy Spirit is your guarantee that you are saved and that your salvation is not dependent of you in any way. It is all about who and what Jesus is, and what He has done for you on the cross.

The seal is:

(1). A sign of a finished transaction - (Jer. 32:9-10; John 17:4, 19:30).

(2). A sign of ownership - (1 Cor. 16:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:19).

(3). A sign of security - (Dan. 6:17; Eph. 4:30).

Ephesians 1:13-14 - "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory."

2. The Lord gave the Holy Spirit to indwell every believer at the moment of salvation.

1 Corinthians 3:16 - "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

3. The Lord gave the Holy Spirit to baptized every believer at the moment of salvation.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit places you into the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - "For by one Spirit we (believers) were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slave or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Notice what happens during your spiritual journey as you live for Christ:

4. The Lord gave the Holy Spirit to teach every believer to live for Christ.

John 14:26 - "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you."

5. The Lord gave the Holy Spirit so every believer could be Spirit-filled.

Ephesians 5:15-21 - "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine wherin is excess; but be filled (control) with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear (out of reverence) of God."

Every believer is sealed, indwelt, and baptized, but not all are filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word (pleroo) translated "be filled" is full of meaning:

(1). Always the term is used in connection with a member of the Trinity in the Book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:19 - "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

Paul's prayer for the believer is that the life, character, and virtues of God Himself would be fully developed in your life.

Ephesians 4:7-10 - "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, pastor and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ..."

Christ is the agent of filling and the one who gives at least one spiritual gift to every believer and gives gifted ministers to the church to teach, train and build up all in the body to be effective ministers demonstrating the fulness of Christ by our lives.

Ephesians 5:18 - "And be not drunk with wine wherin is excess; but be filled (control) with the Spirit."

Believers are to be filled by means of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit working from the inside, out!

All Believers are commanded to be filled by Christ by means of the Holy Spirit with the content of the fullness of God.

(2). It is in the imperative mood, which means it is a positive command for all believers.

Every believer without exception is given the distinct duty to be control by means of the Holy Spirit.

(3). This verb is in the Greek present tense and it is a repeatable action that means keep on being filled moment-by-moment by means of the Holy Spirit.

God's word speaks of an abiding reality. Yesterday's filling will not do for today. The apostles and some Christians were repeatedly "filled" according to the New Testament.

Acts 4:31-32 - "And when they (believers) had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart..."

(4). This verb is in the passive voice, the voice that presents the subject as receiving the actions, rather than doing the action.

The filling is what God does. When we are willing to let the Holy Spirit saturate us He will pervade our entire being with the presence and power of Christ.

Philippians 2:13 - "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."

1 John 4:4 - "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He (The Holy Spirit) that is in you, than he (Satan) that is in the world."

(5). The filling is about the Holy Spirit having all of you.

The filling is not a question of having more of the Holy Spirit, but a question of the Holy Spirit having all of us. When we are disobedient we "quench" (Eph. 4:30) and/or "grieve" (1 Thess. 5:19) the Holy Spirit, but that does not mean that we have less of HIm. We were given all of Him at the moment of salvation.

We give more of ourselves when we as believers obey and yield to the Lordship of Christ.

Romans 6:12-14 - "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lust thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

Romans 12:1-2 - "I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

6. The Lord gave the Holy Spirit to empower every believer so we could accomplish the mission of being His witnesses on the earth.

We Will Be Witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ:

(1). In Jerusalem - The people closest to me.

(2). In all Judea - The people near, but different from me.

(3). Unto the uttermost part of the earth - All people in the world.

D. WHAT IS PERSONAL EVANGELISM?

Personal Evangelism is communicating the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead with the intent of leading the unbeliever to faith in Christ, and with the ultimate intent of instructing the convert in the Word of God so that he can become a mature believer.

Evangelism in the New Testament did not just present the facts of the gospel. The first century Christians presented the facts of the gospel in order to secure a decision for Christ.

We must inform and invite. Personal Evangelism is communicating the gospel (good news) and inviting the hearer to trust in Christ alone for eternal life.

The most effective method of evangelism is "one - on - one." Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with one person at a time. This is personal evangelism.

Eighty-five to ninety percent of the people being saved are the result of a friend or acquaintance sharing the gospel "one on one." Only fifteen percent of new conversions are the direct results of attending a church or revival service and then responding to the invitation to trust in Christ for eternal life. The majority of these were invited by a relative or friend to attend a church-type service. This is why it is so important for every believer to do his part in evangelism.

1. Everyone Evangelizing.

a. Acts 8:1 - "And Saul (who later became known as the Apostle Paul) was consenting unto (Stephen's) death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad through out the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles."

The word translated "preaching" is the Greek word, euaggelizo which means evangelizing. They were proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ with anyone, anywhere, at anytime!

b. Acts 8:4 - "And they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word."

Notice who is spreading the gospel to all the world: The church leaders did their share of evangelism, but verse 1, says the Apostles remain in Jerusalem. The point here is that it was the fleeing Christians that were spreading the gospel to the people of these other cities!

2. Everyone Evangelizing and Working Together.

Ephesians 4:11,12 - "And He (Christ) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, (pastor-teachers); For the perfecting (equipping) of the saints; for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

Christ's gift to the church is gifted leaders who's purpose is to train, develop and equip believers to be mature minister/servants in the body of Christ. Every member is to do the work of the ministry. All parts of the body of Christ functions together to evangelize the world. Not everyone is called to be an evangelist or a pastor of a local church, but we are all called to be a minister/servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Everyone Evangelizing and Developing Disciples.

Matthew 28:19,20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach (MAKE DISCIPLES of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age."

The main command is to make disciples of all the nations.

The main verb, "to make disciples" tells what is to be done, and the three participles, "going, baptizing, and teaching tells how it is to be done.

a. The word "teach" (make disciples) is the main verb in the text. It comes from the Greek word, Matheteuo, which means "to instruct with the purpose on making disciples". The basic meaning of "disciple" is a pupil who learns and follows a teacher. A disciple of Jesus Christ is a believer who does that and more. He not only learns and is teachable, but his attachment and love for the Lord should motivate him to follow the Lord in doctrine and conduct of life.

b. The word "go" in the passage is a participle and means more than just a command to "go." It assumes that you are going. The followers of Christ will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ with anyone, anywhere, at anytime. It could be translated, "As you are going, make disciples..."

c. The word "baptize" is the Greek word, Baptizo. This means "to immerse, submerge for a religious purpose, to saturate." In the New Testament the believing sinner was baptized as a testimony of his new identification with Christ and the church.

When a person hears the message about Jesus and trusts Him as Savior, he has eternal life.

John 3:36 - "He that believeth on the Son (Jesus Christ) hath everlasting life..."

Then he is to follow the Lord in believer's baptism and church membership.

Acts 2:41-42 - "Then they that gladly received His word were baptized: and added unto them about three thousand souls. (Notice what else they did so they would grow in Christ) And they continue steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

d. The word "teaching" is the Greek word, Didasko. This means to instruct by word of mouth. Personal instruction is given to the new believer so he can be obedient to Christ as he grows in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice what we are to teach a new Christian: "To observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (v.20). The first thing the Lord Jesus Christ commanded was to share the gospel with all the world, to often it is made last. We are to teach Bible doctrine - yes! But don't forget to teach the new believer to witness.

E. The Great Commission Strategy:

1. Evangelism - We must inform and invite others to trust in Christ alone for eternal life. We believe every Christian should know how to win the lost. Surveys have shown that 80% of all evangelical Christians do not know fully how to lead someone to the saving knowledge of Christ.

2. Nurture the new believer in a good Bible teaching Church - Following the Lord in Believer's baptism and belonging to a good church is vital in the nurturing of a new Christian.

3. Discipleship - Instruct the new believer in the commands of Christ. To be a follower of Jesus Christ. The ultimate goal is spiritual maturity. Sharing the gospel takes only a few minutes to a couple of hours. Discipleship takes hours on hours - a lifetime.

4. Ministry - The church must be able to Nurture and Disciple those won to Christ, and then through the equipping process, release them to effective ministry involvement. Maturity in Himself was what Jesus had in mind when He said, "Go make disciples."

The results are everlasting. Acts 2:47 - "...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

F. A WORD OF CAUTION ABOUT MIXING SALVATION AND DISCIPLESHIP

Eternal Life is free. Discipleship is taking our new life to the next level of spiritual growth and maturity.

There is a vast difference between coming to Jesus for salvation and coming after Jesus for service. Coming to Christ makes one a believer, while coming after Christ makes one a disciple. All believers are not disciples. To become a believer one accepts the invitation of the Gospel. To be a disciple one obeys the challenge of a life of dedicated service and separation.

Salvation comes through the sacrifice of Christ, but discipleship comes only by sacrifice of self and surrender to His call for devoted service. Salvation is free, but discipleship involves paying the price of a separated walk. Salvation cannot be lost, because it depends upon God's faithfulness, but discipleship can be lost, because it depends upon our faithfulness -

(M.R. Dehann - Hebrews - Zondervan Publishing House, 1959 - page 117).

There is no more piously subtle abrogation of the Gospel than to tell a sinner that he must not only believe in the Savior, but dedicate himself to do God's will, crown the Savior Lord of his life, etc., etc. Obviously, dedication and service are highly desirable, but they are the privilege and the duty of the saved, never a condition of salvation for the unsaved (cf. Romans 12:1, 2).

(Merrill F. Unger - God is Waiting to Meet You - Moody Press, 1975 - pages 117, 118).

G. THE BENEFITS OF PERSONAL EVANGELISM

Personal witnessing is necessary for your spiritual health. This is the key to a healthy Christian life.

Witnessing Will Cause You To:

1. To love the Lord with all that is in you.

Your relationship with the Lord will be the most important aspect of your life. Your love for the Lord is the real motivation for serving Christ. The only way to really develop into a healthy, growing, mature Christian is to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment (Mat. 22:37-38).

2. Pray to God.

You will be seeking the Lord for guidance, power, opportunity, boldness, and for the right words to share as you witness to a unbeliever. The only way to really develop into a healthy, growing, mature Christian is to have an active prayer life.

3. Read, Mediate, and Study God's Word.

You will become a Bible student. You will move from being a baby Christian who is spoon fed and only able to take bottled milk to a mature growing disciple feasting on a seven course meal. The only way to really develop into a healthy, growing, mature Christian is to know God's word and applied it in your life.

4. Be involved in a Bible believing church.

In Matthew 16:17-18 Jesus said, "I will build My Church..."

The church was very important to Christ, and it will be to those who commit themselves to sharing the gospel. The word church means, "called out ones." It refer to all believers who make up the body of Christ, but the word is used more often to denote a local group of believers. A local church is a group of baptized believers who voluntarily join together for Biblical instructions, fellowship, worship, evangelism, and service (Acts 2:42-47). The only way to really develop into a healthy, growing, mature Christian is to join and be active in a good local church.

5. Be a committed disciple who's goal and purpose is to be more like Christ.

1 Peter 3:18 - "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen"

Personal witnessing is the trigger that releases God's power in your life. Share the gospel and He will give you the power to conquer any fear that is hindering you from being an effective witness. The only way to really develop into a healthy, growing, mature Christian is to be a committed disciple of Jesus Christ.

RELATED STUDIES FROM THE INTERNET

FREE AND CLEAR

FREE AND CLEAR - Dr. R. Larry Moyer

Kregel Publications

www.evantell.org/books/freeclear.pdf

Chapter 11 - What Is New Testament Evangelism - pages 161-168

Chapter 12 - What Is The Best Way To Evangelize - pages 169 -174

PERSONAL EVANGELISM

PERSONAL EVANGELISM - Dr. Larry Moyer

Kregel Publications

www.evantell.org/books/howto.pdf

Chapter 1 - How To Develop An Evangelistic Lifestyle - pages 13 -18