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Theology of Evangelism Paper
CHPL655: Chaplain Evangelism and Discipleship (B01)
January 28th 2024
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Contents
Why Christians Should Evangelize 1
Evangelism in the Old Testament…...............................................................................................3
Evangelism in the New Testament…...........................................................................................3-4
Evangelism Today….......................................................................................................................5
Evangelism Tools….........................................................................................................................6
Conclusion…...................................................................................................................................7
Bibliography…................................................................................................................................8
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he significance of evangelism resonates throughout the Bible. While some Christians
may perceive evangelism as a concept exclusive to the New Testament, this paper delves into the
reasons behind the importance of evangelism. It explores the methods of evangelization
employed by Israel in the Old Testament, delving into how Christians continued this practice in
the New Testament. Additionally, the paper addresses the contemporary landscape of evangelism
and introduces tools aimed at assisting Christians in their evangelistic endeavors.
Why Christians Should Evangelize
It is imperative for every Christian to engage in evangelism, as Jesus explicitly
commanded his disciples to "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."1This directive underscores the universal call for believers to actively
share the teachings of Jesus, leading others to discipleship and a deeper understanding of the
Christian faith.2 The eleven disciples that Jesus was talking to were told to make disciples. In his
book Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples, Francis Chan describes a disciple like this: “the
word disciple refers to a student or apprentice. Disciples in Jesus’s day would follow their rabbi
(which means teacher) wherever he went, learning from the rabbi’s teaching and being trained to
do as the rabbi did. Indeed, a disciple, in its essence, is a follower, but the true depth of this
concept emerges when the term "follower" is taken literally. Being a disciple of Jesus is
fundamentally about obeying His call to follow.3 Consequently, if Jesus instructed his disciples
1 Steve Keith, Watch: Theology of Evangelism (Video),
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/597855/pages/watch-theology-of-evangelism?module_item_id=61102800
2 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced employ the English Standard Version (Wheaton,
IL: Crossway, 2008).
3 Francis Chan and Mark Beuving. Multiply Disciples Making Disciples. (First edition. Colorado Springs,
Colorado: David C Cook, 2012), 16.
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to go and make disciples, it logically follows that Christians today, as disciples of Jesus, should
actively engage in the mission of making disciples as well.
Diverse approaches exist for identifying individuals to disciple, and this paper will
specifically focus on evangelism as the chosen method. Evangelism, at its core, is the act of
sharing the gospel with those who have yet to embrace Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Among
the various methods, evangelism stands out as one of the most impactful and fulfilling ways to
cultivate discipleship. Engaging in evangelistic efforts becomes not only a means of spreading
the transformative message of Jesus but also a powerful avenue for nurturing discipleship with
others. The Gospel encapsulates the profound narrative of Jesus, who willingly departed from
heaven to dwell on earth. He led a flawless life but ultimately faced the agonizing death of a
sinner on the cross, driven by his unwavering obedience to God. Miraculously, through the
power of God, Jesus triumphantly rose from the dead after three days, decisively defeating sin
and conquering death. The pivotal purpose behind Jesus's sacrificial death on the cross was to
bear the wrath of God on behalf of all who call upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13).
This, in essence, constitutes the uplifting and transformative news of Jesus Christ—the Gospel
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Evangelism in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, the Israelites faced constraints in evangelizing to the nations as
Jesus had not yet come. Nevertheless, God utilized them as witnesses among their own people
and even extended their influence to other nations. The Israelites, chosen by God, played a
crucial role in bringing glory to Him and laying the groundwork for the fulfillment of His plan
through Jesus. A notable method of their witness to the nations was the construction of altars
dedicated to the Lord. Men like Abraham (Genesis 12:7), Isaac (Genesis 26:25), and Jacob
(Genesis 35:7) were instrumental in building these altars, not only as places of worship but also
as powerful tools for proclaiming and witnessing to God's presence. These altars served as
platforms for preaching and proclaiming the divine message to all who encountered them.
Certainly, another impactful method of witnessing in the Old Testament was through the
recounting of God's actions on behalf of His chosen people. One notable instance is the Israelite
Exodus from Egypt, a monumental event in their history. The manner in which God delivered
the Israelites created a ripple effect, resonating far beyond their borders. The narrative of the
events leading to their liberation from captivity, chronicled in Exodus 7-14, became a powerful
testimony that reached the ears of all nations. The reverberations of these events were akin to a
stone cast into a pond, with the overarching outcome being the exaltation of God's name among
all the nations.
Evangelism in the New Testament
The modern form of evangelism finds its roots in the New Testament, particularly with
the disciples' response to Jesus's command. In Acts 1:8, Jesus instructed his disciples, saying,
"but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." The disciples
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embraced this mandate earnestly, and the pivotal moment marking the fulfillment of Jesus's
promise was the "Day of Pentecost."
On this significant day, as documented in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descended upon the
disciples, taking residence in the hearts of those who believed in Jesus. This divine indwelling
empowered the gathered believers to proclaim the gospel in various languages, ensuring that all
who heard them could comprehend the transformative message of what Jesus had accomplished.
The Day of Pentecost thus marked a crucial turning point in the emergence of evangelism as a
dynamic force in sharing the gospel with people from diverse backgrounds and languages.
Throughout the Book of Acts, the apostles embarked on a collective mission, traveling to
various corners of the known world to disseminate the good news of Jesus Christ. In Acts 3,
Peter and John, inspired by the healing of a lame man, seized the opportunity to share the gospel
with the astonished crowd. The pattern continued with the Apostle Paul, who traversed cities,
proclaiming the gospel even in synagogues, albeit facing resistance from some Jewish leaders.
Despite the challenges, God orchestrated a remarkable journey for Paul, leveraging his Roman
citizenship to bring the gospel to the leaders of Rome (Acts 28).
Paul's story, however, reflects a broader truth that proclaiming the gospel may not always
lead to favorable outcomes in the eyes of the world. A poignant example is found in Acts 7,
where Stephen boldly evangelized to the Sanhedrin. The response was so vehement that the
Sanhedrin, perceiving blasphemy, dragged Stephen out and stoned him. This illustrates the
sacrifice and challenges that early Christians faced when sharing the gospel, often enduring
persecution and rejection for the sake of their faith.
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Evangelism Today
In the United States, Christians typically do not face severe persecution for sharing the
Gospel, with the most common challenge being potential mockery of their beliefs. However, a
considerable number of Christians, including the author of this paper, may feel intimidated when
it comes to evangelism. This apprehension could stem from a fear of rejection or a lack of
training on effectively communicating their faith.
It's crucial to recognize that when someone rejects the message of the Gospel, they are
not necessarily rejecting the individual sharing it but rather the content of the message itself.
Presently, there is a noticeable reliance among Christians on pastors, missionaries, and
evangelists to take up the mantle of spreading the Gospel. However, as previously highlighted,
this may not align with God's intended design for evangelism.
This imbalance is reflected in contemporary churches, where there's a discernible
emphasis on introducing new programs for church growth, often overlooking the foundational
aspect of training members in essential practices such as evangelism. The need for ongoing
classes on presenting the gospel in many churches is indicative of this oversight. Reorienting
focus towards equipping members with the basics of evangelism is essential for fostering a more
comprehensive and effective approach to sharing the Gospel within the Christian community.
Indeed, Jesus's directive to the disciples extended beyond their immediate towns and
cities to encompass the ends of the earth. The imperative for the gospel to reach every corner of
the world is paramount and cannot be understated. While the comprehensive discussion of global
missions is beyond the scope of this paper, it is essential to recognize the ongoing need for
Christians to take the gospel to every nation.
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Evangelism Tools
For many, the most challenging aspect of evangelism is establishing a bridge to introduce
the gospel in a non-offensive manner. One of the most effective and accessible ways to achieve
this is by sharing one's personal testimony. Testimonies have been a longstanding tradition,
dating back to the transformative impact Jesus had on people's lives. Sharing a personal
testimony offers a relatable and authentic entry point for discussing the gospel, allowing
individuals to connect with the transformative power of Jesus through the experiences of others.4
Sharing your personal story holds a unique advantage as it tends to captivate the listener's
interest for a more extended period compared to quoting the words of renowned theologians.
People are more likely to lend their ears when you speak as a satisfied customer rather than
adopting the role of a professional salesperson. Your personal experience adds authenticity and
relatability, making it a powerful tool to engage and connect with others on a deeper level.
Once a bridge has been established with the individual, you can smoothly transition into
the gospel conversation by asking a series of introductory questions: 1. Do you have any kind of
spiritual beliefs? 2. To you, who is Jesus Christ? 3. Do you think there’s a heaven or a hell?
4. If you died, where would you go? If heaven, why? 5. If what you believe is not true, would
you want to know? After completing these questions, you now have the opportunity to open your
Bible and share Scripture. 5These are just a couple of ideas for those who feel like they need help
presenting the gospel.
4 Dave Earley, and Rod. Dempsey., Disciple Making Is ...: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence, (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group 2013), 246
5 Ibid., 254
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Conclusion
As demonstrated in this paper, evangelism is a recurring theme throughout the Old and
New Testament, emphasizing its enduring significance in the life of the Church today. Rooted in
Jesus's command to his disciples to go and make disciples in his name, evangelism stands as a
pivotal component of the disciple-making process. Ones’s task is to faithfully present the gospel
message by our lives and our lips. 6Despite the challenges that Christians may face in
contemporary times, they are equipped with a variety of tools to effectively share the good news
with those who are yet to discover it. This enduring mission remains central to the Christian
identity and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
6 Will Metzger, Tell the Truth:The Whole Gospel Wholly by Grace Communicated Truthfully and
Lovingly : An Evangelism Training Manual for Group and Individual Use, (Fourth edition. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP
Books, 2012), 56
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Bibliography
Dave Earley, and Rod. Dempsey, Disciple Making Is ... : How to Live the Great
Commission with Passion and Confidence, (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group 2013), 236
Francis Chan and Mark Beuving, Multiply Disciples Making Disciples, (First edition.
Colorado Springs, Colorado: David C Cook, 2012), 16.
Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International
Version.
Steve Keith, Watch: Theology of Evangelism (Video),
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/597855/pages/watch-theology-of-
evangelism?module_item_id=61102800
Will Metzger, Tell the Truth : The Whole Gospel Wholly by Grace Communicated
Truthfully and Lovingly: An Evangelism Training Manual for Group and Individual Use, (Fourth
edition. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Books, 2012), 56
