The theme of soul-winning is predominate thoughout the history of the Church. It is the life-flow of the assembly. II Corinthians 5:18-20 expresses both our commission to evangelize and the importance of fulfilling this commission:

II Corinthians 5:18-20 "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."

1. What Does It Mean To Be An "Ambassador" For Christ?

        We are to be evangelists, or those who proclaim or announce the Gospel or "good news".

   1. Personal evangelism speaks of the Biblical responsibility of reproduction:

      1. God created all living things with the ability to reproduce - (Genesis 1:12,21,22,28)

      2. God intended that every living thing bring forth its own kind - (Genesis 1:11-12)

      3. This principle holds true in the Kingdom of God - (John 15:16, Romans 7:4)

   2. It is the purpose and will of God that we (the Church) proclaim the good news:

      1. Jesus called Peter to be a "fisher of men" - (Matthew 4:19)

      2. Jesus commissioned the disciples to teach all nations - (Matthew 28:18-20)

      3. Jesus desired the gospel to be preached to every creature - (Mark 16:15-16)

      4. Repentance and remission of sins should be preached to all nations - (Luke 24:47-48)

   
   

2. Is The "Good News" Imperative?

   Yes! Because:

   1. The first Adam, through rebellion, fell into sin and lost fellowship with God. We are born into the image of the first Adam and, therefore, every person born into the world is born in sin and knows rebellion towards God - (Psalm 51:1-19, Romans 3:9-12, 5:12-21)

   2. All are dead in trespasses and sin - (Ephesians 2:1)

   3. The unbeliever, by nature, is a child of wrath - (Ephesians 2:3)

   4. All are estranged from the Life of God - (Ephesians 4:18)

   5. All are under condemnation - (Romans 3:19)

   
   

3. What Is The "Good News"?

        The "Good News" is expressed in a number of different ways throughout the Bible. It begins with God as the initiator in restoring man to fellowship with Himself. Jesus in John 3:16 states: "For God so loved the world..."

   1. God became a man - (Philippians 2:5-8)

   2. Jesus was also the express image of God - (Hebrews 1:3, II Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:15)

   3. Jesus did not sin as Adam did - (Hebrews 4:15, II Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 7:26)

   4. The Lord Jesus Christ received and paid the penalty of sin - (Galatians 2:20, Romans 4:25, 5:6,8, 8:32, Ephesians 5:2)
      THEREFORE....

   5. Every person who receives, accepts, and acknowledges Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, accepts the finished work of Calvary as their only means of salvation, and repents of their sins, is born into Christ - (John 3:1-5, 14:6)

   6. In Jesus Christ:

      1. We are made righteous - (Romans 4:5, 22-25, II Corinthians 5:21)

      2. There is no condemnation - (Romans 8:1-2,34)

      3. We are conformed to the very image of God - (Romans 8:28-30, I Corinthians 15:49, Colossians 3:10)

      4. We are brought to peace with God - (Romans 5:1)

      5. We receive access to the Father - (Romans 5:2, Ephesians 2:18, 3:12)

      6. We are restored to full fellowship with God - (Ephesians 1:18, Colossians 1:27, Romans 9:23)

   
   

4. Who Has The Responsibility To Proclaim The "Good News"?

        Man cannot discover a means of salvation apart from a revelation of God, through the preaching of the Word of God - (Romans 10:17-18, Romans 16:25-26)

   1. The proclamation of the gospel has been given to the church as a whole - (Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 3:9-11)

   2. The message of the gospel is to be delivered by all believers as individuals - (Mark 16:15-20, Acts 1:8)

   3. The importance of this commission is supported throughout the Bible:

      1. Jesus' ministry was evangelistic - (Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:18,43, 8:1)

      2. Jesus sent out others on a evangelistic ministry - (Luke 9:6).

      3. Paul was prepared to teach the gospel everywhere - (Romans 1:5)

      4. The early church was involved in evangelism - (Acts 8:4,12,25,35,40, 13:1-5,32, 14:7,21)

      5. We are admonished to share the "good news" - (Romans 10:12-18, I Corinthians 9:16,18)

      6. He that wins souls is wise - (Proverbs 11:30)

     As we "let our light shine before men", we should be ready, at any given moment, to share the gospel with anyone who may ask us the reason for our hope. - (I Peter 3:15)

1. What is an "ambassador" for Christ?
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2. What is the "good news"?
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3. What does Proverbs 11:30 tell us?
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4. What importance does the Bible place on evangelism?
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     If you have not already done so, please consider trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. For more information on Salvation Click Here to view "How can I get to Heaven?"

     

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Last modified: 10/25/2002