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Why Every Christian Is Called to Evangelize

 

Evangelism is something we are always trying to grow in. Sometimes it is good to review the reality that God really does call each and every one of His children to verbally bring the gospel to spiritually dead people. Below are 8 key biblical reasons why you are called to evangelize.

The first and second great commandments are the main heartbeat for evangelism. A person’s love for God should want to see the worship of God come from every person and everything. Secondly, a person’s love for their neighbor will do whatever is in their power for the unbeliever so that they can know what life really is. Whatever a Christian has, from money to the ability to talk, is to be used in the service of love to God and to one’s neighbor. It is inconceivable that a Christian would have some resource, like the ability to talk, and not use it to for the salvation of an unbeliever. Love for one’s neighbor would never allow a person to walk into hell. A Christian will share the gospel, whether it is their gifting or not, because they love the unbeliever.

The Great commission is for all believers for two reasons. The first reason is biblical precedent, and the second reason is practicality. The biblical precedent is what we see happening in Acts. The Apostles have center stage up to chapter 6 of Acts, but afterwards more and more people join in on the disciples-making task. In Acts 6:5 Stephen comes onto the stage, preaching with great power. In 8:4 a wave of disciple-making breaks forth. In 8:5 we see Philip doing the same thing. The movement expands in 11:20 when unidentified “men from Cyprus and Cyrene” carried the message to the Greeks. In Acts 18:24 Apollos joins the disciple-making task and is encouraged by the brethren. While the word “preaching” is used in many of those verses, the Greek word communicates a proclamation of the gospel in whatever context you are in, whether public preaching or living room conversation. Additionally, in Paul’s letters he speaks of co-laborers who were working alongside him. This is disciple-making and disciple-teaching. The Apostles didn’t chide these other people for usurping their call. On the contrary, the Apostles confirmed their work. Therefore, the commission to make and teach disciples was passed along from the Apostles to all other believers. It is for us.

The second reason is simple practicality. If the commission was only given to the Apostles, it would have died with the Apostles and the church would have come to a screeching halt, waiting for God to give another command. None of this happened. Great commission discipleship is for all Christians.

Evangelism is not first a spiritual gift, but rather a responsibility for all, that some will be gifted at. Just because some are gifted in evangelism does not mean that the others who are not gifted do not have to evangelize. To say that would mean you would have to carry that idea into the other gifts. Since I don’t have the gift of mercy, then I don’t have to show mercy. Since I don’t have the gift of generosity means I don’t have to give money. Since I don’t have the gift of service means I don’t have to serve. This is not what the Bible says. The Bible simply shows us that some will be more fruitful in those areas than others will be.

Paul said numerous times, “imitate me.” It is impossible for a Christian to read this and not pick up the gospel-proclaiming drive within Paul. This is not something directed to an organization, but to individuals who are to conform to a mindset and lifestyle manifested in another individual, namely Paul.

1 Peter 3:5. While this passage is normally thought of in terms of apologetics, it should be understood that this call is actually a call for evangelism in a specialized situation. The situation in this context is suffering. The Christian has suffered but instead of responding with fear or intimidation or a dozen other sinful responses, they have sanctified Christ as Lord and entrusted their souls to the care of an all-wise God who will sustain them and make all things right one day. Unbelievers will want to know the reasons for this hope. This is evangelism of the best kind, that which happens because of a compelling life. But it is evangelism through and through and every believer is to be ready for it and to speak when the moment comes.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 is a huge statement that Paul made about his wholehearted commitment to do everything possible to win souls. Earlier in this letter, Paul calls all believers to imitate him and without doubt this would be at the forefront of that imitation. From the context it can be seen that this same practice is for all believers. The passage doesn’t end in verse 23. Verse 24 continues the context, but begins using a word picture to illustrate what he is talking about. When Paul calls each individual believer to “run in such a way that you may win” he is talking about applying verses 19-23. Each individual is to run with the self-discipline required to win the prize. What is the self-discipline he is talking about? It is becoming all things to all people to win some. This requires saying no to things you would like to do, so that you do the things you need to do to see souls saved.

2 Corinthians 5 is another key chapter about Christian living. What is a bit difficult in this passage is Paul’s use of the word “we”. It seems to me that sometimes this word is used for all believers of which Paul was a part, and sometime it is used for the apostles of which Paul was a part. Context will have to determine how Paul is using “we.” As I see it, in verses 1-11a, Paul uses “we” for all Christians of which he is a part. I think that because the things he says are such essential Christian realities it is hard to imagine otherwise. Verse 10 seems definitely to be the case because Paul says “for we all must appear before the judgment seat.” Paul uses the word “we” and applies it to every Christian (all). Verse 11 is where he then turns it to evangelism. Paul says, “We persuade men,” and I take that “we” to mean all Christians. The second part of verse 11 seems to be where the context changes and “we” become the apostles.

Statements that claim individuals do not have to evangelize, because evangelism is a mandate for the church and not individuals, are on a precarious interpretive cliff. All of the NT letters were written to bodies of believers, with the exception of 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. If instructions addressed to churches have no obligation upon individuals, then an immense number of commands found within those letters do not have to be obeyed by individuals because they are for churches to carry out.

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