Seeking the Lost
Seeking the Lost
It may surprise you, but the word evangelism isn't found in the Bible. The word evangelist is found only three times in the Bible and only once in the Book of Acts. Now you should know that my epistemology doesn't allow me to interpret items in the Bible important only through repetition. But wouldn't you think that the book of the Bible given solely to the record of church growth would mention this concept more? (Actually I don't think that way, I'm asking you if you do). But it is my belief that our idea of the "Great Commission" has definitely been shaped more by the revival movements of the 18th century than by the work of the disciples of the 1st century. I am also more confident of the results of that earlier group than I am of the recent past. Again, the reason for this is the way that most Christians view Matthew 28:18-20. This is one reason that the results of most evangelical effort are temporal and, well, shallow.
Let me explain: to most Evangelicals the importance of our commission lies in "getting the word out". They mean by this statement the telling of the gospel story. Their goal in this is to convert as many people as they can. And let me add, they are sincere brothers and sisters who love the Lord. There can be no doubt about that. But I think they are going to the front lines without the ammo with which God gave us to "win" the lost.
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus tells the disciples to go and make more disciples by, "teaching them". There is a distinct difference between teaching and just telling. As you read the book of Acts, you see the disciples engaging people more with "all things that I have commanded you…" than with the message that, oh say, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life."
No, in the book of Acts, we see believers who know their Bible meeting people where they are and declaring whatever part of the counsel of God is appropriate for the occasion. There was a reasoning, a battle of thought going on that brought results. The unbelievers either got mad or got converted. They didn't leave their encounter with a first century Christian thinking about how much Jesus loves them and one day they might give Him a break and "let Him into their heart".
To avoid the normal accepted way of evangelism and get back to the biblical idea of the commission Christ gave us I have some suggestions drawn from the Book of Acts.
1. Use Your Testimony -When encountering a pagan, tell them your life story. They will immediately know where you are coming from and will expect you to be different, as well they should. The apostle Paul did this repeatedly. We need to understand that our lives are living epistles read by men. They should be reading grace in our lives and damnation to their souls by our lifestyle.
2. Tell it like it is - We Christians are so timid in this age where we have to be nice while the godless can be as rude as they want. Not so in the age of Acts. These disciples prayed for "boldness that they might speak the word..." And speak they did! Not in the church-talk that we have developed so as not to offend but from the perspective of God's truth and the way things really are. Let me illustrate. Last week I was visiting a new family that just moved here to be involved in our church. The young mother of this family was outside talking to a real estate agent. While I was approaching, I heard her remark to the agent regarding a domestic situation, "Well, that isn't a relational problem, that is a sin problem." That is truth! And that is how we should talk...in the realm of reality. The world needs education in what the right vocabulary is...we are to go and teach.
3. Give them information- Luke's book is an entire education on what it means to be a Christian. Pass on to your pagan friends a copy of Mere Christianity, Almighty Over All, The Holiness of God, Bondage of the Will, ETC, um, I mean, etc. Provoke them with the concepts and ideas of Christianity. This will enliven conversation and definitely educate them on the size of the God that they presently think they don't have to obey.
4. Discuss particulars. Certain audiences in the Book of Acts were given more background than others about the message of Christ. This sometimes meant correcting wrong ideas, or giving an historic summary. This, by the way, always included the "bad news". That being, that unless you repent, you will perish. That is why the good news doesn't sound so good to our modern audiences. We don't tell them they are in big trouble.
5. Letter or essay- You might also consider putting together a well-written letter explaining your faith to your friends and/or relatives. Luke wrote his gospel and the book of Acts to one person. Take your time, use spell check, and compose a compassionate but straightforward epistle that shares the gospel. Include an invitation to the recipient(s) that you wish to talk further for the purpose of clarification and any response that they might have.
6. Be patient- The Book of Acts continually records that God adds to the church. When witnessing, be patient. Don't try to "close a sale". God is the one who opens the heart. In fact, that is a good thing to tell them. All their lives they probably have heard the Arminian idea of free will, "Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart, won't you let Him in?" Tell them that you are praying for them. But do as Spurgeon did, tell them they might not be one of the elect. That just might keep them up at night.