Evangelism

   Evangelism is a big word that simply means "telling the good news". A preacher of the Gospel is an evangelist. The role of an evangelist is to preach the good news of Christ's saving work on the cross to those who haven't heard or understood it. This ministry is different from that of a pastor, or a teacher, etc., but duties may overlap, and many are called to more than one ministry.

• 2 Timothy 1:11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
  

• Ephesians 4:11It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

   Most of the times the Bible tells of evangelistic work being done, the evangelist was "sent" or assigned their task, not just given the gift and no guidance from God. Here are some examples:

• John the Baptist - Matthew 11:10This is the one about whom it is written: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you."
  

• Jesus - Luke 4:43But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."
  

• Some of Jesus' disciples - Luke 10:1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[some manuscripts seventy] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.
  

• Barnabas and Saul - Acts 13:4The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
  

• Philip the Evangelist - Acts 8:26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopianeunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." 29The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."
  

• Paul - Galatians 1:1Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead--
  

   Paul implies in a rhetorical question that God's calling is needed for preaching:

• Romans 10:  14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
  

   Are you called to evangelism? How do you find out? I think the answer to that question is right here:

• Romans 12:  1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[or reasonable] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[or in agreement with the] faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
  
  
• See also all of 1st Corinthians 12
  

   What if you aren't called to be an evangelist? Does that mean you shouldn't share your faith? I believe that depends on the situation. Even if preaching isn't your gift, God may use you at an opportune time. In general, those of us with other callings are to be examples, rather than speakers. ALL of us are to show God's love by our daily lives.

• 1 Peter 3:15Butin your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
  

• 1Thessalonians 4:11Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
  

• Matthew 5: 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
  

• (NAS) Colossians 4:2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
  

• Matthew 28: 16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
  

   Tradition of many denominations says that the "Great Commission" was directed at each individual believer, and it is everyone's responsibility to individually spread the Gospel to others. I've often wondered why they thought that because of this passage I was supposed to tell everyone I meet about Jesus, but they never stress that I am supposed to be the one that baptizes them or teaches them afterward. I was told once Jesus meant this for the whole church because at this time, the eleven apostles WERE the whole church, but in the first chapter of Acts I read that the believers numbered about 120. Even the apostle Paul didn’t see baptism as a commission from the Lord to him:

• 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
  

   I think there is good reason that God gives special talent to those who He intends to spread His Word. To accept or reject the Gospel is the single most important decision anyone will ever make. It is a huge responsibility to be able to CLEARLY give all the facts to the unbeliever, so that he/she fully understands. I think too many people who don't understand the Gospel themselves are out trying to evangelize what they don't fully understand because someone told them God expects them to.