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Evangelism And The Identity Of Jesus

by | Apr 5, 2017 | Missions Articles

Evangelism isn’t primarily about convincing people to embrace Christianity. It isn’t about inviting people to your church (although when I’m wrapping up a Gospel conversation I always invite people to attend church services with me). Evangelism also is not about trying to convince people that God exists. Evangelism boils down to this primary question: Who is Jesus? If people answer that question correctly, they will be easily guided to the proper conclusion about those other topics.

Three key episodes in Jesus’ life and ministry point to the truth regarding His identity. He demonstrated His mastery over nature by calming the raging sea that threatened to topple the boat in which He and His disciples sailed. This caused His followers to question, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” He exercised His moral authority by granting redemption to a woman well-known in her town for having lived a depraved lifestyle. His pardon caused those who heard it to question “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” When Jesus told His contemporaries that obedience to His commands led to eternal life, they scoffed, asking “Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” All of these questions point to one answer: Jesus is God.

Many people are intimidated by the idea of evangelism because they wonder, “What if someone asks me a question that I can’t answer?” I’d like to encourage you that no one will become unsaved if you can’t answer their questions. It’s still worth it to share the Gospel even if your depth of doctrinal or historical or scientific knowledge is below where it needs to be to answer common logical objections that people have about the faith. More importantly, however, you and your mastery of peripheral matters aren’t the issue. Jesus is the issue.

Christians are generally afraid of being placed on the defensive by non-believers, but I have found that it is non-believers who are cornered when I simply ask the question, “What do you think of Jesus?” It is never my goal to win debates with people (although it is sometimes necessary). My intention is this: When non-Christians answer my question by saying “I believe Jesus was a good and enlightened mortal,” I gently explain why He couldn’t have been a mere man. The primary source of information we have about Jesus’ historical existence is the Bible. Scripture gives us no room to regard Jesus as anyone other than the Creator and Lord of the universe.

1. Matthew 8:27
2. Luke 7:49
3. John 8:53

By: Raymond Billy

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