Evangelism & The Great Commission

## Core Position

Every born-again believer is commissioned to preach the gospel. Evangelism is not the exclusive domain of evangelists or professional ministers — it is the responsibility of every disciple. The Great Commission is a standing command. The method is life, word, and demonstration — showing who Christ is through transformed living, proclaiming who he is through direct testimony, and confirming the Word through signs. We are in the last days and the harvest is ready. Urgency is required.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:19-20 — "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

The command is to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES — not to wait for people to come in.

Mark 16:15 — "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."
Mark 16:20 — "They went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs." Signs confirm the Word. God partners with the preacher.

Witness Is What You Are

Acts 1:8 — "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Witness is what you ARE — not just what you do. The Spirit-filled life is a walking testimony. Every believer is a witness by virtue of who they are in Christ. Your life preaches before your mouth opens.

The Harvest Is Ready

Matthew 9:37-38 — "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." The problem is not the harvest — it is the laborers.

Romans 10:14 — "How are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?"

2 Timothy 4:2 — "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

The Method — Three Modes

1. Life — Transformed Living. The born-again experience produces visible change. That change is itself a testimony. People who watched you before know something happened.

2. Word — Direct Proclamation. Romans 10:14 — they cannot hear without someone preaching. At some point words must be spoken. The gospel must be explained.

3. Demonstration — Signs Confirming the Word. Mark 16:20 — the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. Healing, deliverance, and signs are evangelistic tools — they confirm that the gospel is real and the God being proclaimed is alive and active.

The Evangelism of the Abrahamic Faiths

Muslims already believe Jesus was the Messiah and expect his return. Jews are waiting for the Messiah. All three Abrahamic faiths are waiting — some for the first time, some for the second time, some for the right time. These are not people who need to start from scratch. They already know the framework. All you have to do is introduce them to Christ.

Jonah preached eight words to Nineveh — a nation that nailed Jewish bodies to their walls — and the entire city repented. "How are they going to know unless we tell them the Lord Jesus Christ is the Messiah?" Urgency does not require fear. It requires obedience.

Boldness Is Required

Ephesians 6:19-20 — "That words may be given to me in opening of my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel." Paul prayed for boldness in proclamation. So should we.

What This Rejects

Evangelism is only for evangelists — Matthew 28:19 (Go therefore is addressed to all disciples); Acts 1:8.
Signs and wonders are separate from evangelism — Mark 16:20.
Wait for people to come to you — Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15 — GO into all the world.
Urgency is not needed — Matthew 9:37; the end times are underway.