Author : Tom Rainwater
In the first part of our article, we studied how Jesus Christ must be at the heart of our teaching for it to be true evangelism according to the Bible. In this article we notice that Jesus and His disciples preached more than just the evidence about who He was. They fervently taught His conditions for salvation. Likewise, we must do the same today.
“And they went out, and preached that men shouldrepent.” Mark 6:12.
“I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3,5.
“But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” Acts 26:20.
“Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein…” Acts 14:15.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord…” Acts 3:19.
“Then Peter said unto them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.'” Acts 2:38.
Many so-called “religious” leaders today don’t like to preach against sin and won’t tell people to repent. Three possible reasons exist for this: (1) They’re afraid of “offending” people and cater their message to what their audience wants (2 Timothy 4:2-4; Isaiah 30:9-10; Jeremiah 5:30-31; Galatians 1:10); (2) They don’t believe most sins have serious consequences or need repentance (cp. Deuteronomy 29:18-20; 1 Kings 16:30-31; Jeremiah 18:11-12); or (3) They shamelessly embrace sin as normal, acceptable, and even desirable (cp. Isaiah 5:20; Jeremiah 6:13-16; Malachi 2:7,8,17; Romans 1:32).
If we fail to preach against sin, how will people know to be saved from it? If we’re going to evangelize with the same message of Jesus and His Apostles, we must tell people to repent of their sins. Peoplemust be taught that it is impossible to have fellowship with God and, at the same time, live in unrighteousness (Isaiah 59:2; 1 John 1:3-7; 3:7-8; 2 John 9).
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach thebaptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.” Mark 1:4.
On the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2), the Apostles and disciples began preaching baptism in the name of Christ for the remission of sins. This was exactly what Jesus had commanded them to preach. Notice the following verses:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost..” Matthew 28:19.
“Then Peter said unto them, ‘Repent, and be baptizedevery one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38.
“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.
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?’ And Philip said, ‘If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Acts 8:35-38.
“And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” Acts 18:8.
“And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”Acts 22:16.
Any preaching today is incomplete if it doesn’t include baptism as part of its message. If fact, if someone leaves out baptism as a requirement for the forgiveness of sin, or if they teach that baptism has some other purpose, then they are preaching a totally different gospel than what is in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul tells us that if we preach any other gospel than the original one, it will bring condemnation upon us:
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preachedunto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”Galatians 1:8-9.
If Jesus commanded baptism, and His apostles continued commanding it by His authority, then who are we to go against the will of our Lord in Heaven?
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16.
We have neither the right nor authority to “pick and choose” whatever we wish of Christ’s commands and then ignore the rest. Likewise, we do not have the Lord’s approval to add our own doctrines, practices, and traditions to His revealed truth (Matthew 15:3-9,13). Many people have sought to change and twist the Scriptures to their own liking, but in doing so, have brought about their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16; Revelation 22:18-19).
All spiritual authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus Christ, and to Him only (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20-23). In submitting to His authority, we must teach people to believe and confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God. We must teach them to repent, and be baptized for the remission of their sins. When they obey the gospel, we must continue to teach them. They must be taught to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18; 1:5-11), and to endure as faithful disciples to the end (Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 10:36-39; Revelation 12:11).
What a great duty and blessing it is to serve our Lord by diligently announcing His good news of salvation to people lost in sin!
