Page 21 - May 2025 - Truth & Tidings

The Gauge of Evangelism Thus, after spending time in Corinth,
Take the 31-word challenge! Get your Paul reminded the believers of “the gos-
pel which I preached unto you” (15:1).
phone or a piece of paper and write a He then summed up a year-and-a-half’s
summary of the gospel that you have worth of his gospel messages in 31 words:
heard preached in your assembly over the “Christ died for our sins according to the
last year. Or write an honest summary of scriptures; and that he was buried, and
the message you personally have shared that he rose again the third day accord-
with others in private conversations or in ing to the scriptures: and that he was
public preaching. Remember, you only seen” (vv3-5). The repeated focus in Paul’s
have 31 words. mission, motives, methods and manner
Many in the “evangelical world” would was “the cross of Christ.” Therefore,
say, “I tell people to give their hearts to evangelism, both personal and private,
Jesus.” Or, “I lead people to repeat the that does not direct people to the Savior
‘Sinner’s prayer.’” Or, “I give an altar call and His work on the cross is not biblical
for people to come to the front and accept evangelism.
Jesus into their hearts.” Or, “I challenge
people to make a commitment to Christ.” The Goal of Evangelism
And you, brother? Would a truthful One dangerous error in the above
summary of your gospel sermons be, “I examples is that they place the focus on
warn people they are headed for hell”? something people do to bring about their
Or, “I explain why people must be saved”? salvation. Often you can hear it in expres-
Or, “I tell people they simply need to sions such as “I gave my heart,” “I made
believe”? a commitment,” “I prayed the prayer,” or
When the apostle Paul wrote to the Cor- “I went to the front.” Sadly, way too often
inthians, he laid out his modus operandi a person’s testimony is “I believed” or “I
for sharing the gospel. As for his mission, accepted,” when they are just believing
he said, “Christ sent me … to preach the in their own believing. Perhaps uninten-
gospel” (1Co 1:17). As for his manner, he tionally, an overemphasis on believing in
1
would speak “not with wisdom of words, preaching has led to the turning of faith
lest the cross of Christ should be made of into a work.
none effect” (v17). As for the content of No one would dispute that Paul loved
his preaching, it was “the message of the lost souls. He even said, “My heart’s desire
cross” (v18 NKJV). As for his method, he and prayer to God for Israel is that they
said, “We preach [publicly herald and might be saved” (Rom 10:1). Yes, at times
proclaim] Christ crucified” (v23). Notice Paul “reasoned … out of the scriptures”
that in every aspect he directed people to (Act 17:2). He also presented sin, lostness,
Christ and the value of His sacrifice. eternal consequences and faith. When
speaking to Felix, Paul spoke about “righ-
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV teousness, self-control, and the judgment
unless otherwise noted. to come” (Act 24:25 NKJV). To the Ephe-
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