If you are not from Singapore, you might not have heard that during the Prime Minister’s annual National Day Rally, he spoke quite at length on racial and religious harmony in Singapore. For those unfamiliar with our society, we pride ourselves on our multi-cultural and multi-religious mix, and with a history of racial riots in the 1960s, the government and society at large is wary of any form of disturbance to the delicate balance here.
Of the few examples the Prime Minister gave on how said harmony could be overturned, he cited the examples of a Christian couple who were charged in court and jailed for distributing Chick tracts to two Muslims, and how some terminally ill patients dislike the ‘proselytization’ by doctors and nurses at hospitals. Whether the Prime Minister intended it or not, this invariably cast a spotlight on the issue of Christian evangelism. Over the past few days since the speech, much has been made about the issue of Christian evangelism and, though this is by no means the result of careful scientific analysis, I can say that most of what has been said has been negative.
It therefore weighs heavily on my heart to write this piece to set the record straight on Christian evangelism — essentially, why we Bible-believing Christians do it, because there are people out there who think that Christian evangelism is simply a result, and part, of an increase in religious zeal across all religions the world over.
Just to sidetrack a little on a related note, the media here has mostly preferred to use the word ‘proselytizing’ which carries a negative connotation, instead of ‘witnessing’ or ‘evangelism’. Therefore, for the purpose of this post, I’ll only be using ‘Christian evangelism’ (so that it is clear that I am only defending, and contending for, the freedom of Christians to spread the gospel).
Coming back to the main issue: Why do Christians evangelize?
First and foremost, it is a commandment for us to spread the gospel to all corners of the world and to baptize those who believe unto the Lord Jesus Christ in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ Himself gave this commandment after His resurrection, and before His ascension, and it is recorded in the Bible for us. It is by no means the result of an increase in religious zeal among Christians. In Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV), we read:
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. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
While Christians do not merit salvation by telling others about the Gospel (or Good News) of Jesus Christ, we do it because we, who have been given eternal life through grace by faith in Jesus Christ, love Him and seek to obey Him. Besides, it’s really good news!
Secondly, true Biblical evangelism arises out of a love for mankind in general (cf. 1 John 4:19) and not because we want to (1) take your money, or (2) increase the numbers at our church, or (3) for any other selfish reasons. Most Christians who evangelize have a sincere desire to see another person saved through grace by faith and experience God’s offer of mercy we ourselves, through no merit of our own, have received. It’s a beautiful thing to see the Holy Spirit working!
So, there, these are, succinctly, the two main reasons why we Christians evangelize, and I hope those who don’t have a good understanding of why Christians do so are now better informed.
With that done, I now wish to address my fellow Christians with regards to this issue. While I am no “expert” at evangelism, I have done quite a bit of it myself and learned much, so I hope we can all share, edify and encourage one another by what I’m going to write on the issue.
Just a little foreword: I was very active in my youth when it came to evangelism, and had used a couple of tracts which I now find lacking — The Four Spiritual Laws and Four (or was it Five) Steps to Peace with God. Perhaps, when I have time I shall address those tracts I mentioned, but for now I’d suggest that those who are still using these tracts to, for a start, listen to Wretched Radio on how (I think) true Biblical evangelism should be done.
Anyway, here are just a few points I thought needed to be made:
1. Do NOT pester, period.
If you prefer approaching people and talking to them one-on-one, courteously ask them if they would be interested to hear the Gospel. Be forthright about what you are going to talk to them about. If the person expresses little or no interest, do not press the issue and just thank them then walk away.
Many Christians, perhaps young, enthusiastic and/or full of zeal, tend to put people off by being too pushy. Remember: we are just messengers, and the power to turn someone to Christ Jesus in repentance and faith does not lie with us — it is the work of the Holy Spirit! Even if the person listens to you, but is not convinced, do not press the issue. Ask them some further questions or explain some issues a little clearer, but let them go their way after. Sometimes we sow so that someone might reap, and sometimes we reap what others have sown.
2. Do NOT ask people to visit your church.
Unless, of course, your pastor is specifically preaching the Gospel (presentation of the law, sin and grace) specifically on that Lord’s Day. Otherwise, church is basically for believers to gather together to worship God. In most cases, church services mean zilch, nada, nothing to non-believers.
Trust me, this is from first-hand feedback I received when I was a foolish advocate of the “come-to-my-church”, uh, doctrine(?).
3. Law and Grace! Law and Grace!
Biblical evangelism is not about “come to Jesus and all will be fine!” or “Steps to peace with God”. It is, I strongly believe, presenting the law to help the person realize how he has sinned against God, then telling him the Good News (Gospel) of our Lord Jesus Christ — that we are saved by grace through faith and not of our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). When I was on the streets evangelizing as a youth, I lost count of the number of people who either looked at me with a blank stare or were offended when I simply told them that they were sinners without showing them how they have broken God’s laws.
To paraphrase Pastor Alistair Begg loosely, let’s put it this way: without understanding God’s laws and His wrath towards those who break His laws, God’s grace and mercy makes no sense to the unbeliever.
If you are looking for good tracts, check out Living Waters Asia. They have some really great ones in their store.
Anyhow, I’ll perhaps address this in another post another time. In the meantime, I’ll encourage you to listen to Wretched Radio — I strongly believe that they teach Biblical evangelism. Oh, and I highly recommend that you read this blog on evangelism: The Lawman Chronicles.
Finally, to put this post to rest, I hope that I have clearly explained why Christians have a zeal for evangelism, and through sharing my experience, have edified and encouraged fellow Christians to continue telling others of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Photo Credit: The Evangelist by Sean Hickin.
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The whole world is slowly finding reasons and ways to silence evangelism from Christians. Even here in the US where we supposedly have freedom of speech, we can get in trouble (depending on the city and strictness of law enforcement) if we mention anything about homosexuality being a sin (hate crime). Oh well, if to jail or death we all go for proclaiming God’s message to the world then so be it. People should also check out http://www.wayofthemaster.com for the evangelism style that Wretched Radio uses.
It is so, bro, unfortunately. Though I didn’t mention it, but in some online discussions which I shall not link to here, some have actually called for a total ban on “proselytizing” by Christians. I pray we God gives us the fortitude to continue proclaiming His gospel though we face jail and even death. In all this, we remember the Apostles and the martyrs when they stood firm for our Lord’s gospel!
Good positive post!
“But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
(Act 4:17-20)
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
(Act 4:29-31)
The Gospel must be declared faithfully. I agree with the view that true Gospel evangelism must explain that all sinners are under the curse of God and condemned to an eternal hell by all men as the fallen seed of Adam, by our transgression of God’s laws, our sins and rebellion against God . In any presentation of the Gospel, the meaning of cross must be declared faithfully in relation to a Holy God sending His only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ in order to meet the demands of a Holy God, whose laws stand eternally and who is always righteous and just. Jesus Christ must be declared as God’s only Way and only Truth in order for God to justify sinners. Sinners can only know and come acceptably to God’s gift of eternal life through Christ alone, by faith alone and by grace alone.
I do not agree with ministers or “seeker friendly” churches who tone down their preaching in church and jazz up fleshly and worldly worship in order to market their ministries to non-believers. That is not biblical evangelism.
I agree with the mantra: believers gather in church to worship, believers scatter outside of the church to evangelize. As such, a faithful minister must feed the flock under his care with solid expository preaching and also direct the flock to worship God acceptably.
However, I do not agree with this view: “Do not ask people to visit your church. Unless, of course, your pastor is specifically preaching the Gospel (presentation of the law, sin and grace) specifically on that Lord’s Day. Otherwise, church is basically for believers to gather together to worship God. In most cases, church services mean zilch, nada, nothing to non-believers.”
For a faithful church with faithful ministers preaching faithfully from the Word of God in their pulpit as well as directing the worship of God reverently and with fear, can God through His Holy Spirit not work in the hearts of non-believers invited to such church service? We should be careful not to limit God’s power to convict non-believers when they attend church service and hear faithful preaching of the Truth from the pulpits giving honor and glory to God alone and people worship God with reverence and fear and awe.