4 Principles of Personal Evangelism

Basic Rules of Engagement

Respect

Bible

Patience

There is no single verse telling us how to approach people of different religious

Book of Acts

The Apostles Spoke to:

Jews

Greeks

Romans

Pagans

Principle #1 - Prayer

Luke 6:12 ESV

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

Acts 1:14 ESV

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 13:2–3 ESV

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 16:25 ESV

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

This acknowledges God is in charge in all situations

Through Prayer: We remove ourselves as the force through which the conversion comes

Conversions is not going to come because we’re smarter than the other person, our arguments are greater, our approach is better

Prayer: God is the key element that brings about change

Romans 1:16 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Principle #2 - Proclamation

You will be faces with a host of belief systems

What did the Apostels do

They began with proclamation when the opportunity

There is a time and a place for other forms of engagement

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

A. Jesus the divine Son of God, died on the cross my sins and rose again by the power of God.

Romans 3:21–24 ESV

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 1:4 ESV

and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

B. Salvation is based on faith and expressed through repentance, baptism and faithfulness

Mark 16:16 ESV

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 10:22 ESV

and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

C. Only Jesus Saves

Acts 4:12 ESV

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

One of the things that destroys evangelism is when you include everybody into salvation.

Sounds merciful

You’re so legalistic, narrow-minded, bigoted

Let’s open the Bible

John 14:6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Proclaiming the Gospel allows you to set the standard by which other must compare

Principal Issues for everyone

Personal sin and failure

Desire to know God

Fear of death and the hereafter

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL NOT THE DECISION OR RESPONSE

Principle #3 - Perseverance

Jesus spent 3 years with is apostle repeating over and over again the same message

There’s no silver bullet

No magic verse to win over a Catholic, Mormon

Must keep dialog going if they want to continue

Person shot in a bar fight

Ignorance is not an excuse

Romans 1:18–19 ESV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

We need to proclaim and persevere

Not everyone wants to hear or respond

Principle #4 - Patience

Took Apostles 10 years that Gospel was for the Gentiles too

Took Jewish Christians 20 years except the Gentiles as equal partners in Christ

Early Church - NOT SAUL - Ananias

Paul and the other Apostles - they doubted God’s power

God has many ways of preparing a person’s heart to receive the “good news”