By Catherine Ng
It is common for people to simplify evangelism as "just sharing the gospel and leaving the results to God." While this statement contains a kernel of truth — since conversion is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit — it overlooks the broader responsibilities and challenges involved in
evangelism.
Here are some key principles to help us better understand our responsibilities and avoid the dangers of ‘oversimplifying’ our role in evangelism:
1. Evangelism Requires Intentional Preparation
Biblical Support: The Apostle Peter instructs believers to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15 NIV). Preparation involves understanding Scripture, developing effective communication skills, and
being able to contextualize the message for different audiences.
Challenge to Oversimplification: Simply "sharing the gospel" without preparation can result in confusion or missed opportunities to truly engage with someone’s questions or struggles.
2. Evangelism Includes Building Relationships
Biblical Support: Jesus Himself invested time in relationships. He did not just preach and leave; He ate with sinners, spent time teaching His disciples, and engaged with individuals like the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4).
Challenge to Oversimplification: Sharing the gospel is more effective when it happens in the context of genuine relationships. People are more likely to listen when they feel valued and understood.
3. Follow-Up and Discipleship Are Vital
Biblical Support: The Great Commission does not stop at making converts. Jesus commands His followers to "make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV).
Challenge to Oversimplification: Evangelism is the first step, but the goal is to bring people into a deeper relationship with Christ. Without follow-up, new believers might struggle to grow or even fall away.
4. Evangelism Requires Church Support and Community Biblical Support:
In the early church, evangelism was not an individual effort but a communal one. Acts 2:42-47 shows how the church grew through fellowship, prayer, teaching, and mutual support.
Challenge to Oversimplification: For evangelism to be sustainable, churches need to provide resources, training, and opportunities. Implementing such support is complex and requires leadership, vision, and perseverance.
5. The Role of the Holy Spirit Doesn’t Negate Human Responsibility
Biblical Support: While the Holy Spirit convicts hearts, God often uses people to plant seeds
(1 Corinthians 3:6-9). Paul describes himself as a co-labourer with God, showing the balance between divine work and human effort.
Challenge to Oversimplification: Relying on the Holy Spirit does not mean neglecting our role. Evangelism involves both divine guidance and human obedience.
6. Practical Realities Highlight the Complexity
Many people are skeptical or indifferent to the gospel today, requiring thoughtful approaches.
Evangelists often face rejection, spiritual warfare, or cultural barriers, which make the work emotionally and spiritually taxing.
Effective evangelism demands time, energy, and resources to train and equip church members.
While evangelism relies on God's power, it also demands intentionality, effort, and perseverance. The following quote summarizes some of the theological and practical dimensions of sharing the gospel, and I pray that it will challenge us to consider anew our role in evangelism:
"While I agree that the Holy Spirit is ultimately responsible for changing hearts, evangelism involves much more than just sharing the message and walking away. Jesus didn’t just preach; He invested in people’s lives, discipled them, and taught them to do the same. Equipping others for evangelism, building relationships, and following up with new believers are critical parts of the process. These take time, effort, and dedication. Evangelism is a team effort between us and God—it’s simple in concept, but far from easy in practice."
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