Evangelism

Evangelism is the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a central tenet of the Christian faith. It involves sharing the message of salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, serves as the foundational mandate for evangelism: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" .

The practice of evangelism is rooted in the example of Jesus and the early church. Jesus Himself began His ministry by proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15). The apostles continued this mission, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles, where they preached the Gospel with boldness and conviction, often in the face of persecution (Acts 4:29-31).

Evangelism is not merely a task but a lifestyle for believers, as they are called to be "the light of the world" and "the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13-16). The apostle Paul exemplified this commitment, expressing his dedication to spreading the Gospel in Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek" .

Urgency

The urgency of evangelism is underscored by the transient nature of life and the imminent return of Christ. Scripture emphasizes the brevity of human existence, as seen in James 4:14: "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" . This fleeting nature of life compels believers to seize every opportunity to share the Gospel.

The New Testament frequently highlights the imminent return of Christ as a motivator for urgent evangelism. Jesus Himself warned of the need to be prepared, as seen in Matthew 24:42: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come" . The apostle Paul echoed this sentiment in 2 Corinthians 6:2: "For He says: 'In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation" .

The urgency is further amplified by the reality of eternal consequences. The Bible teaches that those who do not accept the Gospel face eternal separation from God (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). This sobering truth drives the believer's passion for evangelism, as they are called to "snatch others from the fire and save them" (Jude 1:23).

In summary, evangelism is a divine mandate characterized by an urgency that stems from the brevity of life, the imminent return of Christ, and the eternal destiny of souls. Believers are called to faithfully and fervently proclaim the Gospel, trusting in the power of God to bring salvation to all who believe.