February 1, 2002, Vol.2,
No.3.
Two new articles every two weeks.
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us.
THIS ISSUE: "True
Bible Evangelism - part 2" (see below)
and "True Bible Evangelism
- part 1"
True Bible Evangelism
(part 2)
by Tom Rainwater
 In
the first part of our article, we
studied how Jesus Christ must be at the heart of our teaching
for it to be true evangelism according to the Bible. In this
article we notice that Jesus and His disciples preached more
than just the evidence about who He was. They fervently taught
His conditions for salvation. Likewise, we must do the same today.
Evangelism Involves Preaching
Repentance
Salvation means we are saved from something. Through
Jesus we are forgiven, and thus saved from the eternal
consequences of sin (Matthew 1:20-21; John 5:24; Romans 5:8-10;
6:23; 1 Timothy 2:3-6). However, one of the things required for
forgiveness is repentance. Repentance from sin must be preached
as part of the Gospel message, as demonstrated by Jesus and his
disciples:
"And they went out, and preached that men should
repent." Mark 6:12.
"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you
will all likewise perish." Luke 13:3,5.
"But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem,
and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles,
that they should repent and turn to God, and do works
meet for repentance." Acts 26:20.
"Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of
like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should
turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven,
and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein..."
Acts 14:15.
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that
your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall
come from the presence of the Lord..." Acts 3:19.
"Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost.'" Acts 2:38.
Many so-called "religious" leaders today don't like
to preach against sin and won't tell people to repent. Three
possible reasons exist for this: (1) They're afraid of "offending"
people and cater their message to what their audience wants (2
Timothy 4:2-4; Isaiah 30:9-10; Jeremiah 5:30-31; Galatians 1:10);
(2) They don't believe most sins have serious consequences or
need repentance (cp. Deuteronomy 29:18-20; 1 Kings 16:30-31;
Jeremiah 18:11-12); or (3) They shamelessly embrace sin as normal,
acceptable, and even desirable (cp. Isaiah 5:20; Jeremiah 6:13-16;
Malachi 2:7,8,17; Romans 1:32).
If we fail to preach against sin, how will people know to
be saved from it? If we're going to evangelize with the same
message of Jesus and His Apostles, we must tell people
to repent of their sins. People must be taught that it
is impossible to have fellowship with God and, at the same time,
live in unrighteousness (Isaiah 59:2; 1 John 1:3-7; 3:7-8; 2
John 9).
Evangelism Involves Preaching
Bible Baptism
When John the Baptizer was preaching in the wilderness of
Judea, he preached baptism (immersion in water) for the remission
of sins:
"John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach
the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And
there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem,
and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing
their sins." Mark 1:4.
On the first Pentecost after Jesus' resurrection (Acts 2),
the Apostles and disciples began preaching baptism in the name
of Christ for the remission of sins. This was exactly what Jesus
had commanded them to preach. Notice the following verses:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.." Matthew 28:19.
"Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 2:38.
"But when they believed Philip preaching the
things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ,
they were baptized, both men and women." Acts
8:12.
"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same
scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went
on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch
said, 'See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?'
And Philip said, 'If thou believest with all thine heart, thou
mayest.' And he answered and said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ
is the Son of God.' And he commanded the chariot to stand still:
and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch;
and he baptized him." Acts 8:35-38.
"And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed
on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing
believed, and were baptized." Acts 18:8.
"And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized,
and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Acts 22:16.
Any preaching today is incomplete if it doesn't include baptism
as part of its message. If fact, if someone leaves out baptism
as a requirement for the forgiveness of sin, or if they teach
that baptism has some other purpose, then they are preaching
a totally different gospel than what is in the New Testament.
The Apostle Paul tells us that if we preach any other gospel
than the original one, it will bring condemnation upon us:
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach
any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached
unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say
I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you
than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
Galatians 1:8-9.
If Jesus commanded baptism, and His apostles continued commanding
it by His authority, then who are we to go against the will of
our Lord in Heaven?
True Personal Evangelism
If we are going to be true personal evangelists for the Lord,
we must speak only as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11), holding
fast to the pattern of sound words given to us in Scripture (2
Timothy 1:13).
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy
3:16.
We have neither the right nor authority to "pick and
choose" whatever we wish of Christ's commands and then ignore
the rest. Likewise, we do not have the Lord's approval to add
our own doctrines, practices, and traditions to His revealed
truth (Matthew 15:3-9,13). Many people have sought to change
and twist the Scriptures to their own liking, but in doing so,
have brought about their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16; Revelation
22:18-19).
All spiritual authority in heaven and on earth belongs to
Jesus Christ, and to Him only (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20-23).
In submitting to His authority, we must teach people to believe
and confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God. We must teach them
to repent, and be baptized for the remission of their sins. When
they obey the gospel, we must continue to teach them. They must
be taught to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ
(2 Peter 3:18; 1:5-11), and to endure as faithful disciples to
the end (Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 10:36-39; Revelation 12:11).
What a great duty and blessing it is to serve our Lord by
diligently announcing His good news of salvation to people lost
in sin!
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