True Bible Evangelism (Part 1)

Author : Tom Rainwater

Let’s start with the basics and ask the simple question, “What is evangelism according to the Bible?”

The Word “Evangelize” in the New TestamentThe word “evangelize” comes from the Greek noun, “euaggelion,” which means literally, “glad tidings,” or “good news.” It is the word “gospel” in the New Testament. The Greek verb “euaggelizo,” means“to announce good news,” or “to preach the gospel.” Notice how the Greek words are translated in these verses (in boldface) from the book of Luke:

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised..” Luke 4:18.

“And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.“ Luke 4:43.

“And it came to pass afterward, that He went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with Him..” Luke 8:1.

“And they departed, and went through the towns,preaching the gospel, and healing every where.” Luke 9:6.

Another Greek Word Describing the Same WorkThe word “preach” is sometimes translated from the Greek verb “kerusso,” which means “to be a herald, to proclaim.” When the proclamation is about Jesus Christ, the action is likewise that of evangelism. Note the translation of this Greek word (in boldface) in the following verses:

“And He ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach…” Mark 3:14.

“Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall bepreached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.“Mark 14:9.

“And He said unto them, ‘Go ye into all the world, andpreach the gospel to every creature.'” Mark 16:15.

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.“ 2 Timothy 4:2.

Evangelism Involves Preaching the Sonship of JesusFor three years, Jesus preached the glad tidings of His coming kingdom to the people in Palestine. Before He ascended into Heaven, Jesus commanded His Apostles to continue His work of evangelism beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-49; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8). The new message of salvation was that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had died for our sins and was raised from the dead to rule over his spiritual kingdom at the right hand of God’s throne (Acts 2:22-36; 3:13-26; 4:10-12; Colossians 1:13-14). This, indeed, was great news to those lost in sin. Jesus’ disciples were determined to share that message of hope with others:

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.“ Acts 5:42.

“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.“ Acts 8:4.

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.“ Acts 8:12.

“And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.” Acts 8:25.

“But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through hepreached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.“Acts 8:40.

“The word which God sent unto the children of Israel,preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)..“Acts 10:36.

“And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again..” Acts 13:32.

“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.“ 1 Corinthians 1:23,24.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospelwhich I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.“ Ephesians 3:8.

“…there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” Acts 28:23.

The good news about Jesus Christ must be a part of our preaching today. It was the very heart and core of what the disciples taught. The gospel message included evidence that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. But that was not all. In the second part of our article, we will see more of what must be included in gospel preaching for it to be considered true evangelism according to the Bible.