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EVANGELISM

Some of the contemporary Pentecostal churches have abandoned the business of personal witnessing and soul winning only to settle down with church programs and other activities in the church. Instead of going out to meet sinners where they are, they are now waiting for sinners to come and sometimes invite them to attend church programs that have nothing to do with the salvation of their souls from sin and hell fire.

Most of the growing churches in this modern time especially here in Nigeria are only growing quantitatively due to the fact that majority came into the church through invitation with a promise to have break-through in business and other aspect of life and no one cares to take them through new converts classes as to know what salvation is all about.

On the other hand our lack of concerned attitude towards evangelism has helped to increase the rate of criminal activities in the society. According to Oswald J. Smith. “if God wills the evangelization of the world and you refuse to support it; then you are opposed to the will of God” Therefore, this material is prepared in order to help the student understand that Evangelism, which leads to soul wining, is the heartbeat of God and as servants of God we must share the same vision with Him.

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According to W.T. Purkiser, “Evangelism is simply telling all the people everywhere the good news of salvation through Christ in such a way as to lead as many people as possible to saving faith, sanctification and practical commitment to the work of the kingdom in the fellowship of the church”

There are four (4) components in Evangelism.

(a) Telling the good news about the love of God that led to his sending of Jesus Christ to come and the die on the cross for sinners. Jn. 3:16-17; Rom. 5.8 1 Cor. 15:1-4 I Tim. 1:15; Mk. 16:15-16

(b) Witnessing for Christ Act I ;8;

A witness is one who testifies what he sees, hears, knows, experience, etc. 1 John 1:1-3; this shows that before one will embark on evangelism he must experience salvation himself.

John Wesley the founder of Methodist church went to America to convert the Indians while he was not yet converted; reaching there he could not succeed in converting any. As he was returning with sadness and frustration he met a Christian missionary called Peter Buhler who laid him to Christ and helped him in no small way to become a Christian. And from then on wards he starts to witness success in his ministry.

This story will help you to know that before a person will think of becoming a successful Christian witness he must have experienced what he is going to tell others to do. He will draw experience from what happened to him.

For instance, telling people the good news of all that Jesus did; (that is, his coming here on earth to show us the way back to God, His suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection; all for our sins and justification. Rom.4:25).

This is followed by a personal testimony of how I heard this same good news through Scripture Union guest service in my area; where I gave my life to Jesus Christ. Since that day I can consciously say, "Things are different now, something happened to me, when I gave my life to Jesus Christ".

Any evangelism that lacked personal testimony of conversion may not be effective in converting a sinner. For you to be a true witness, even in a civil court, you must be an eye witness and tell exactly what you saw or experienced else, nobody will take you serious. Read the testimony of the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:21-36.

What can you learn from this?

© Evangelism is also wining the sinner to Christ. Until the soul-winner brings the person to the point of surrendering to Christ his work is not complete. Many Soul winners stop their work half way. In leading the Sinner to Christ some stopped at telling the good news; while others at witnessing.

Sinners must be persuaded to take action. In acts 2:40 we read “then peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all h is listeners to save themselves from this generation that has gone astray” We must politely choose words that will drive home all our efforts to win that person for Christ. It is at the point we either miss the person win him for Christ.

Let your invitation to receive Christ be short and plain. While compelling the person tell him the benefits of accepting the gospel and the danger of rejecting this good news. Passages like Rom. 6:23; Isaiah 55:6-7. 2 Cor. 6:2, 1 John.5:9-13. Can be used at this time. Lead him into prayers.

(d) Lastly, Evangelism involves making disciples. Math. 28:19. This means following up those who made decision to serve the Lord.

Here is Peter’s example in acts 2:14-48;

1 He started with good news. 14-21;

2 He told the people what he knew about Christ. (Witnessing)

3 He persuaded the people and won them for Christ. 36-41

4 He disciple them. 42-47.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

May the LORD bless us with fruits as we engage in the business of soul winning.

Amen.