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Should Every Christian Evangelize?

by | Nov 4, 2015 | Missions Articles

 

By: Raymond Billy

Evangelism, according to the Apostle Paul, is a spiritual gift.That raises an important question: Are only those with that supernatural capacity required to evangelize? It should come as no surprise to you that my answer to this question is ‘No.’ People who are gifted in particular areas are so endowed in order to bless people as a way of life. However, even if your life-time calling isn’t evangelism, it is still something you should do sometimes. By the logic of limiting evangelism only to a commissioned few, one could also say that only Christians who have the “gift of faith”are required to have faith. Obviously, no one is making that case.

We are required to evangelize because it is a fundamental part of our worship of Jesus. Christ said “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.”3 He also said “I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do.”One of the most consistent works that the Lord carried out was to reach out to non-believers. He spent most of his time “proclaiming the Gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.'”There is no way to be Christ-like without evangelizing.

This is not to say that the average person will evangelize to the same extent, or in the same manner, as those who are evangelists as a vocation. Such full-time ministers of the Gospel engage in such activities as studying different philosophical perspectives to be equipped for well-informed discussions with a wide variety of people about the nature of truth and reason for existence. They also, of course, will go in search of those willing to listen to a Gospel presentation. Most Christians who have careers and families cannot devote that kind of time and energy to evangelizing. I would suggest that their top priority is their family and even those without such obligations aren’t necessarily called to vocational evangelism. However, all Christians can and should seek opportunities to interact with non-believers at their jobs, schools or places of recreation. And, as mentioned in a previous blog post, friendship is a great platform for Gospel sharing  as long as the friendship is sincere.

Regardless of what form one’s evangelism takes, Jesus has called and anointed every Christian to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”5 Let us be alert to opportunities to make this proclamation.

PHOTO BY Jim Penuchi

1. Ephesians 4:7-11
2. 1 Cor. 12:4-9
3. Matthew 10:24-25
4. John 14:12
5. 1 Peter 2:9

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