Evangelism - Acts 8:5

Illustration#1:

Several years ago, I was on a plane to the Philippines. Seated next to me was a young man. I was looking for a way to communicate with him that I was a Christian. I pulled out my Bible and began reading.

Is this evangelism?

Illustration#2:

A few years ago, I met a waiter at O Charley’s. We will call his name Billy. We met several times to look at the claims about Jesus in the opening part of the gospel of John. In each of our conversations, he would tell me about his life, where he’d come from, and where he was. Billy was terribly distrot because he was going through a divorce from his husband. My goal each time was to listen, read the scripture together, and explain the claims about Jesus Christ - all with hopes that he’d be saved. Is this an example evangelism?

What is Evangelism?

What is Evangelism?

How wOULD we dEFiNE THE WORK?

WHEN YOU TAKE TH

Acts 8:35 KJV 1900

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

WHen you TAKE THE WORD FOR ?

The heralding of the gospel is the word for preaching here. The word “evangelion” is the word gospel. Here the verb form of “evangel” is translated into our word “preached”. The literal reading could be seen as

GOSPEL-IZED

to evangelize is to preach the good news of Jesus Christ with the aim to persuade - adapted from Stiles

Transition: In order to rightly understand our story here and how this relates to evangelism or Philip’s aim to persuade the Eunuch, we must know where this story falls in the grand scheme of things.

The book of Acts shows the progression of Christianity from Jerusalem to the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

is pivotal for the book of Acts because it is here that the gospel goes from Jerusalem, which is in Judea, to Samaria. .

Acts 8:1 KJV 1900

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 8:5 KJV 1900

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

So, we see that though the word evangelism is not utilized here in our English, the word “preached” is indeed the word “evangelized” or “gospel-ized”.

In addition, this is a very special time in the scriptures because the Spirit has been poured out - a pouring out that was promised in the Old Testament. This signifies that we are in between comings of Jehovah. This also signifies that Jesus Christ has been exalted. The first coming of Jehovah is Jesus Christ, and the kingdom of God has broken in on the kingdoms of this world. ,

Acts 8:6–8 KJV 1900

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

Acts 8:12 KJV 1900

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.

So, summarily spoken, you have the LORD advancing the gospel in Samaria by His Spirit through His people.

So, summarily spoken, you have the LORD advancing the gospel by His Spirit through His people. It is the work of God.

Gospel-ization (Evangelism) is the work of God by His Spirit through His people with the aim of persuading.

What event has made evangelism possible? It is the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ.

Point: Because Jesus Christ has been exalted, we must be submissive participants in God’s continuing work of evangelism.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations C. I. Scofield

C. I. Scofield

Many years ago in St. Louis, a lawyer visited a Christian to transact some business. Before the two parted, his client said to him, “I’ve often wanted to ask you a question, but I’ve been afraid to do so.”

“What do you want to know?” asked the lawyer.

The man replied, “I’ve wondered why you’re not a Christian.”

The man hung his head, “I know enough about the Bible to realize that it says no drunkard can enter the kingdom of God; and you know my weakness!”

“You’re avoiding my questions,” continued the believer.

“Well, truthfully, I can’t recall anyone ever explaining how to become a Christian.”

Picking up a Bible, the client read some passages showing that all are under condemnation, but that Christ came to save the lost by dying on the cross for their sins. “By receiving Him as your Substitute and Redeemer,” he said, “you can be forgiven. If you’re willing to receive Jesus, let’s pray together.”

The lawyer agreed, and when it was his turn he exclaimed, “O Jesus, I am a slave to drink. One of your servants has shown me how to be saved. O God, forgive my sins and help me overcome the power of this terrible habit in my life.” Right there he was converted.

That lawyer was C. I. Scofield, who later edited the reference Bible that bears his name.

Source unknown

The setting of evangelism -

Acts 8:26–28 KJV 1900

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

One of the things this tells us about the Lord is that he is committed to this matter of preaching the gospel to every creature. He is personally and intimately involved.

The Lord’s ongoing work continued beyond the scope of Jerusalem. Regardless of race or economic status, this man needed to be evangelized.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations C. I. Scofield

C. I. Scofield

Many years ago in St. Louis, a lawyer visited a Christian to transact some business. Before the two parted, his client said to him, “I’ve often wanted to ask you a question, but I’ve been afraid to do so.”

“What do you want to know?” asked the lawyer.

The man replied, “I’ve wondered why you’re not a Christian.”

The man hung his head, “I know enough about the Bible to realize that it says no drunkard can enter the kingdom of God; and you know my weakness!”

“You’re avoiding my questions,” continued the believer.

“Well, truthfully, I can’t recall anyone ever explaining how to become a Christian.”

Picking up a Bible, the client read some passages showing that all are under condemnation, but that Christ came to save the lost by dying on the cross for their sins. “By receiving Him as your Substitute and Redeemer,” he said, “you can be forgiven. If you’re willing to receive Jesus, let’s pray together.”

The lawyer agreed, and when it was his turn he exclaimed, “O Jesus, I am a slave to drink. One of your servants has shown me how to be saved. O God, forgive my sins and help me overcome the power of this terrible habit in my life.” Right there he was converted.

That lawyer was C. I. Scofield, who later edited the reference Bible that bears his name.

Source unknown

The conflict of evangelism -

Acts 8:29–34 KJV 1900

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

The context of this man was one of religion, but he had no understanding of what he was reading. The identity of the servant in Isaiah was hidden to this man. This is the conflict of the passage.

Of interest, the lack of connection between the Old Testament and Jesus Christ is not uncommon in religious circles today. Evangelism is not the preaching of moralism or ethics from the Old Testament, unless those ethics are used as a schoolmaster to bring someone to Christ.

The climax of evangelism -

Acts 8:35 KJV 1900

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Philip used the pattern he’d learned from Jesus after his Resurrection.

Notice this is not a “plan of salvation” on tract. Some of what Philip preached is evident by what the eunuch says;

When Philip preached Jesus, he preached being buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:3–4 KJV 1900

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

When Philip preached Jesus, he preached believing Jesus as the Son of God, which is a new covenant understanding of the 2nd Person of the Trinity.

While God is all-wise, He knows how to communicate to us. Sometimes we get the idea that we need to dumb down God’s plan. Come up with a more simple plan on a piece of paper. The plan is to show the fullness of the Old Testament give way to the New Testament in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ must be preached or it is not “evangelism”.

There is no indication here that this was hurried.

We must be careful that we do not make evangelism a call to have people place faith in their own prayer as opposed to faith in the Person of Jesus Christ.

The resolution through evangelism -

Acts 8:36–38 KJV 1900

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.

The man believes with all of his heart or to the exclusion of faith in anyone or anything else. The Eunuch shows a clear understanding of Jesus Christ.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Basis of Assurance

Basis of Assurance

The assurance of eternal salvation is based only on the promise God makes in His Word that everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ alone possesses eternal life (John 5:24; I John 5:9–13). Good works, which can and should follow regeneration, are not necessary to a firm assurance of eternal life even though they may have a secondary, confirmatory value (Eph. 2:10; Titus 3:8).

Grace Evangelical Society Affirmation of Belief (brochure), Grace Evangelical Society, Irving, TX.

KNOWLEDGE + MENTAL ASSENT + FAITH = Conversion

How can we really know if we are 100% believing or 75% believing?

We confess through baptism our whole-hearted (completely immersed) belief in Jesus Christ.

The new setting after evangelism -

Acts 8:39–40 KJV 1900

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

The eunuch’s rejoicing is not in Philip since Philip continues on by the Holy Spirit’s work; but the two settings are instructive.

Evangelism is for the purpose of persuading one to believe and confess Jesus Christ - a confession that leads to rejoicing in God alone.

Second setting is that Philip continues moving forward as if the work is not done.

What do we take away from this?

(1) Evangelism is the work of God. Trust Him!

(2) Evangelism is the work for which God has equipped his people. Obey!

(3) Evangelism is to clearly preach the life and finished work of Jesus Christ. Don’t rush the message!

(4) Evangelism aims to persuade to belief in the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. Preach faith in Christ alone!

Simply put, tell people that faith in Jesus’ life of righteousness, death for our sins, burial in a tomb, and resurrection from the dead — faith in Him ALONE can save anyone!

When you take the word for “gospel” and you turn it into a verb, the word is “preached” in . It is the idea of “gospel-izing”. The best definition that I have heard is “preaching the gospel with the aim to persuade”.