Kinds of evangelism

Public evangelism

Preaching in synagogues

Paul begins his evangelism in Gentile cities by building links within the Jewish community.

In Pisidian Antioch:

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in Thessalonica; in Berea; in Athens; in Corinth; in Ephesus

Preaching in recognised meeting-places

Acts 17:19–23 HCSB

They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you’re speaking of? For what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these ideas mean.” Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new. Then Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

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Making a public defence to accusers

Acts 21:37–22:1 HCSB

As he was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, “Am I allowed to say something to you?” He replied, “Do you know Greek? Aren’t you the Egyptian who raised a rebellion some time ago and led 4,000 Assassins into the wilderness?” Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of an important city. Now I ask you, let me speak to the people.” After he had given permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language: “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”

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Personal evangelism

Giving personal testimony

1 John 1:1–3 HCSB

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life— that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us — what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may have fellowship along with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

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Evangelism in homes

Peter visits Cornelius’ home to speak to those assembled.

Believers invite others into their homes:

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Believers visit the homes of others:

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Evangelism in strategic areas

Going to major centres

Philippi; Thessalonica; Athens; Corinth; Ephesus

Rome:

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Going into new territories

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Evangelism among strategic people

Speaking to prominent people

Though the gospel is for all people without distinction, evangelism among certain people and groups enabled the message to spead further.

See also Paul before Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus; Paul before Felix and his wife; Paul before Festus; Paul appeals to Caesar; Paul before King Agrippa; Paul in the home of the chief official on Malta

Evangelising households

The conversion of the head of the household was often accompanied by the conversion of the whole family group.

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Using literature in evangelism

John 20:30–31 HCSB

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.

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Appealing to Scripture in evangelism

Acts 26:22–23 HCSB

To this very day, I have obtained help that comes from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing else than what the prophets and Moses said would take place — that the Messiah must suffer, and that as the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”

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Signs and wonders in evangelism

Miracles confirm the message

Acts 8:6 HCSB

The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing.

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Miracles give opportunity for preaching

Acts 3:9–16 HCSB

All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple complex. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him. While he was holding on to Peter and John, all the people, greatly amazed, ran toward them in what is called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you. You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this. By faith in His name, His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Him has given him this perfect health in front of all of you.

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Miracles result in people believing

Acts 9:40–42 HCSB

Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

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The response to evangelism

Acceptance of the message

Acts 2:37–41 HCSB

When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?” “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.

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Rejection of the message

Hebrews 4:2 HCSB

For we also have received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith

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