Evangelism is the work of every Christian Lay Christians should therefore be thoroughly convinced of the gospel mandate (Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Luke 24:47-48) and seek to spread the news of salvation.
(A) EXAMPLES ABOUND IN THE BIBLE WHERE GOD USED ORDINARY BELIEVERS TO DO HIS WORK.
1. O.T. here we find the idea of spreading the good news as implied in the old testament. Gen 12:1-3; Gal 3:8. God came and preached the gospel to Abraham. We find the spreading of good news in these passages-Gen 19:14; 2 Kings 5:3; 2 Kings 7:9; Prov. 3:27
2. N.T. The disciples started out as laymen (Acts 4:13).
(a) Mark 5:19 – Jesus tells a man delivered from demon possession to go and tell him friends what God has done in his life.
(b) In Luke 10:1 we see 70 people being appointed to go out and share the gospel.
(c) In John 1:40-46 we see Andrew bringing Peter and Philip bringing Nathaniel to Christ.
(d) Acts 1:5; 2:47. We find laymen a long with the Apostles in the work of God. Acts 6:1-7
(e) Acts 8:1-4-persecution scattered the laymen to go out and share the gospel.
(f) James 5:19, 20; Jude 23. Here lay Christians are encouraged to win souls.
(B) IMPACT OF SOUL-WINNING
Biblical evangelism cannot be divorced from soul- winning. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation – Rom 1:16. Soul-winning is a serious business and should not be done in a take or leave it attitude. It’s impact can be felt by the messenger himself, the percipient and the social environment.
1. Influence workplace: A Christian should influence the people in his of fice or workplace for Christ by his exemplary life and witness.
2. Influence the family: Often a difficult member in the family is changed by the power of God and bring positive input in the family relationship
3. Positive social influence: The changed person blesses the society as he begins to love himself as well as his neighbour.
4. Lower crime rate: Often potential criminals and even hardcore criminals are changed by the power of the gospel.
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5. Generate peaceful environment: Of course, where Christians are majority, there is a marked peaceful environment which is difficult to find in other societies, peaceful environment which is difficult to find in other societies. 6. Deepen the life of the soul-winner He will be motivated to study God’s word more, pray more, devote more and live watchfully.
7. A sense of fulfillment and satisfaction: Soul-winning has a way of bringing fulfillment and satisfaction. There is great joy in heaven when someone decides to receive Christ (Luke 15:7), also there is the satisfied feeling that one is obeying God.
8. Change lives manifest the power of God.
9. The seed of the Gospel is sown in the heart of men and women who would not receive Christ at the spot: Later when facing a crises experience, they will remember the gospel and call upon Christ.
10. Evangelism passes the gospel to the next generation: God has no grandchildren, and it has been said that the extinction of Christianity is only one generation away. So, the work of evangelism passes the legacy of the Christian faith to subsequent generation (Matt 5:13-16; Phil 2:15, 16; 1 Cor. 15:58).