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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Sep 1211 min read

What Is Evangelism and How Should It Be Practiced According to Scripture?

How Does Evangelism Differ from Preevangelism?


Evangelism is the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, calling individuals to repentance and faith in Him as their Lord and Savior. It is distinct from preevangelism in that evangelism is the direct presentation of the Gospel message, whereas preevangelism prepares the ground by addressing intellectual, emotional, or cultural barriers. While preevangelism helps people see the reasonableness of the Christian worldview, evangelism goes beyond reasoning and introduces the central message of salvation. It declares the good news that "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, UASV).


The necessity of evangelism is clear from Jesus’ Great Commission. He charged His followers with the task of making disciples by sharing the message of salvation: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20, UASV). This command calls believers to actively share the Gospel, which brings the power of salvation to those who hear and believe (Romans 10:17).


Learn about preevangelism's role in preparing hearts for the gospel. Discover strategies for nurturing spiritual readiness. Read more.


While preevangelism is important for clearing the way for a person to consider the message of Christ, evangelism is the actual moment when the call to repentance and faith is delivered. It is an urgent task, as the Scriptures affirm that without hearing and believing the Gospel, a person remains in spiritual darkness and separated from God: "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" (Romans 10:14, UASV).



What Is the Biblical Foundation for Evangelism?


The practice of evangelism is deeply rooted in Scripture. The Greek word for evangelism, "euangelion," means "good news" or "gospel," and the act of evangelizing is to proclaim that good news. Throughout the Bible, evangelism is seen as the method through which God reveals His plan of salvation to humanity. From the Old Testament prophets to the apostles in the New Testament, God has consistently used His servants to proclaim the message of repentance and redemption.


Isaiah foretold the coming of the Messiah and the message of salvation that would spread through His followers: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation" (Isaiah 52:7, UASV). This passage prophetically points to the evangelistic mission of Jesus and His followers, who would bring the message of salvation to a lost and sinful world.


In the New Testament, Jesus Himself was the ultimate evangelist. He proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God, calling people to repent and believe in the Gospel (Mark 1:15). He then passed this responsibility on to His disciples, instructing them to continue His work by preaching the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Jesus modeled for us that evangelism is not merely an option for believers but a mandate.


The apostle Paul also emphasized the centrality of evangelism in the life of the church. He viewed evangelism as the primary method through which people come to know Christ. Paul wrote, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16, UASV). Evangelism is the means by which God's saving power is unleashed in the lives of individuals, and this is why the New Testament repeatedly commands believers to share the Gospel.


Paul’s own ministry is a powerful example of evangelism in action. Throughout his letters, Paul recounts his tireless efforts to preach the Gospel wherever he went, whether in synagogues, marketplaces, or private homes. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul stated his unwavering commitment to evangelism: "For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16, UASV). Evangelism was central to Paul’s life and mission, and it should be for every believer today.



What Is the Role of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism?


The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers through the inspired Word of God. As we pray and seek God's direction, it is essential to immerse ourselves in the Scriptures to understand His will. For example, in Psalm 119:105, we read, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." This verse emphasizes the importance of Scripture in providing guidance and clarity in our lives. Just as praying for a job requires taking action by filling out applications, seeking God's guidance through the Holy Spirit involves diligently studying His Word and applying its truths to our circumstances.


The Holy Spirit teaches and reminds us of God's commands, as illustrated in the Old Testament. Nehemiah 9:20 says, "You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst." This verse highlights the instructional role of the Holy Spirit in guiding God's people. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we allow the Holy Spirit to teach and remind us of God's truths, leading us to live in obedience.


Understanding how we receive illumination and guidance from God is rooted in the inspired, inerrant Word of God. According to 1 Corinthians 2:12-14, the process involves more than merely acquiring a mental grasp of biblical truths; it requires embracing these truths as divinely revealed. The expressions "does not accept," "folly," and "not able to understand" highlight how unbelievers critique and reject divine revelation. This passage does not imply that unbelievers are incapable of understanding the Bible's content; rather, they view it as foolishness. Christians, however, are guided by having the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), achieved through being biblically minded. This necessitates a careful analysis of the Bible's genres, historical context, and language, employing the conservative, objective historical-grammatical method of interpretation while avoiding the speculative fallacies of modern biblical criticism.



John 14:16-17; 16:13 Fallacy


John 14:16-17 and 16:13 are often misunderstood as promises that apply to all Christians, but a closer examination reveals that Jesus spoke these words specifically to His apostles. These verses do not indicate that the Holy Spirit would indwell all believers, but rather that the apostles would receive special guidance to remember and teach the truths that Jesus had shared with them. This was a unique promise to ensure the accurate transmission of Jesus' teachings. Today, Christians are guided by the Spirit through the inspired Word of God, but this guidance requires active participation. Just as praying for a job without taking the steps to apply would be fruitless, praying for understanding without diligent study of the Scriptures will not result in spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit works through our engagement with the Bible, illuminating its meaning as we earnestly seek to understand the authors' intended message through study and application.


I challenge the common notion that the Holy Spirit "illuminates the mind of the believer" in a way that directly imparts knowledge or understanding apart from diligent study. If the Holy Spirit provided direct, universal illumination, all Christians would indeed hold the same interpretations of Scripture. The fact that believers throughout history have arrived at different conclusions on various doctrinal points suggests that the Holy Spirit does not work in this way. Instead, the Holy Spirit has already given us the inspired, inerrant Word of God. Our understanding is deepened not through some mystical or magical enlightenment but through earnest study and careful application of the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit's role is not to bypass the intellect but to guide us as we engage with the text, leading us to truth through the words that have been preserved. This means that illumination comes as a result of our active involvement in understanding the Bible, not as an automatic or effortless impartation of knowledge. If we seek understanding, we must be willing to put in the work to dig into the Scriptures, where the truths we need have already been clearly communicated.



What Methods of Evangelism Are Effective in Today’s World?


While the message of the Gospel remains the same, the methods of evangelism may vary depending on the cultural context. Scripture provides examples of different approaches to evangelism, ranging from public preaching to personal conversations. In today’s world, believers should consider how they can best communicate the Gospel to those around them, whether through direct proclamation, personal testimony, or relational evangelism.


Public preaching, such as that modeled by the apostles in the book of Acts, is one method of evangelism that has been effective throughout history. In Acts 2, Peter preached to a crowd of thousands during Pentecost, and as a result, about 3,000 people came to faith in Christ: "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41, UASV). Public proclamation remains a powerful method of evangelism today, particularly in large gatherings, open-air events, or even through media platforms such as radio, television, and the internet.


Another effective method of evangelism is personal testimony. In John 9, we read the story of a man born blind whom Jesus healed. When the Pharisees questioned him about what had happened, the man simply shared his personal experience: "One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see" (John 9:25, UASV). Sharing personal testimony can be a powerful way to communicate the transformative power of the Gospel, as it provides a real-life example of how Jesus changes lives.


Relational evangelism is another method that can be particularly effective in today’s increasingly secular culture. This approach focuses on building genuine relationships with unbelievers and sharing the Gospel through conversations and acts of love over time. The apostle Paul demonstrated this approach in his ministry, as he often spent significant time with people, getting to know them and understanding their needs. In 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Paul wrote, "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us" (UASV). Relational evangelism reflects the heart of Christ, who spent time with sinners and built relationships with them.


While different methods of evangelism can be effective in different contexts, all evangelism must be grounded in the truth of the Gospel and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The goal is not to use human strategies to convince people but to faithfully present the message of salvation and trust that God will work through His Word to bring people to repentance and faith.



Why Is Evangelism a Responsibility for Every Christian?


Evangelism is not a task reserved for pastors, missionaries, or evangelists; it is the responsibility of every believer. Jesus’ command in the Great Commission was given to all His disciples, not just a select few. Every Christian is called to be a witness for Christ, sharing the good news of salvation with others. This responsibility is rooted in the reality that all people are sinners in need of salvation, and without Christ, they are destined for eternal separation from God (Romans 3:23, 6:23).


In Romans 10, Paul emphasizes the importance of believers sharing the Gospel so that others can hear and believe: "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" (Romans 10:14, UASV). The message of salvation must be proclaimed so that people can respond in faith. Evangelism is the means by which God brings people to Himself, and every Christian has a part to play in that mission.


Moreover, evangelism is not merely a duty; it is also a privilege. God has chosen to use His people as the means through which the message of salvation is spread. Believers are called to be "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20, UASV), representing Him to the world and pleading with others to be reconciled to God. This is a high calling and an honor, as it allows Christians to participate in the work of God’s Kingdom.


As ambassadors for Christ, believers must also be prepared to face opposition and rejection. Jesus warned His disciples that the world would hate them because of their message: "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you" (John 15:18, UASV). Evangelism is not always easy, and it often requires courage and perseverance. However, believers can take comfort in knowing that they are sharing in the sufferings of Christ and that their labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).



How Should Christians Respond to Rejection in Evangelism?


It is inevitable that some people will reject the Gospel message. Jesus Himself experienced rejection, and He warned His disciples that they too would face opposition. In Matthew 10:14, Jesus instructed His disciples to "shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town" if people did not receive their message. This act symbolized leaving behind the responsibility for those who rejected the truth.


However, rejection should not discourage believers from continuing to evangelize. While not everyone will respond positively to the Gospel, some will. Jesus’ parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23) teaches that while some seeds will fall on rocky or thorny soil, others will fall on good soil and bear fruit. The task of the evangelist is to faithfully scatter the seed, trusting that God will bring the increase.


Additionally, Christians should remember that the results of evangelism are not in their hands. It is God who brings people to faith, not human effort or persuasion. As Paul wrote, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:6, UASV). The role of the believer is to share the message of salvation; the work of conversion belongs to God.

In response to rejection, Christians must continue to show love and compassion. As Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, believers are to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44, UASV). Evangelism is not about winning arguments or forcing people to accept the Gospel; it is about presenting the truth in love and leaving the results to God.


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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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