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Evangelism, What's That?                                           Vicar Adam Filipek

Introduction

Some of you may be thinking, “What are you trying to do, Vicar, insult my intelligence? I know what Evangelism is.” Certainly not! It is not my intention to, nor do I wish to insult anyone. In fact, I know that you, the congregation of St. John Lutheran Church, are extremely intelligent. And I would not doubt it if most, if not all of you know the correct answer to this question. Irrespective, when it comes to answering this question, there exists within society a myriad of misconceptions. Consequently, in order for us to do evangelism, it is first necessary that we articulate the correct answer to the question posed, namely, “What is Evangelism?”

Evangelism, What is it?

In an attempt to correctly answer this question, it is plausible to go your bookshelves, grab a dictionary, and look up the word Evangelism, which by the way is defined as “the preaching of the gospel”. However, one has to inevitably wonder, “Is this the real meaning of the word Evangelism?” In order to answer that question, we must understand where the word evangelism comes from.

The word evangelism, as we know it, is taken from the Greek word εuαγγελίζω (oianggelizo) which means “to proclaim/preach the Gospel”. One of the clearest uses of this word in Holy Scripture is from Romans 1:15 which states, “So I am eager to preach the Gospel to you who are in Rome.” In the original language of the New Testament, the Greek word that is used for “to preach the gospel” is the word εuαγγελίζω, or the English Word “Evangelism/Evangelize”. Consequently, one could easily translate the verse as follows, “So I am eager to do evangelism (or evangelize) to you who are in Rome.” Therefore, as we can see, both Scriptural definition and the dictionary definition are synonymous. Thus, the definition of Evangelism is “to preach/proclaim the Gospel.” And what is the Gospel but Jesus Christ crucified and risen to forgive your sins? So evangelism is literally proclaiming Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins.

This however is only part of the answer. The remainder of the answer lies in familiar Scripture verses such as Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 24:46-48, and Mark 16:15-16, which speak of God, giving to us his people, a duty or responsibility or call to preach the Gospel to all people. Therefore, the clear articulated and Scriptural answer to the question, “What is Evangelism?” is as follows: Our duty/responsibility/call as Christians is to proclaim to the entire world Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. Now, I am aware that this answer is rather simplistic and one that you probably already know, but as I said earlier, “when it comes to answering this question, there exists within society a myriad of misconceptions.”

Misconceptions of What Evangelism is

Time and time again, I have heard people claim to be doing evangelism, when they invite unchurched people to come to church sponsored ice cream socials, carnivals, and mission festivals. But Is that actually evangelism? Or people claim to do evangelism because they now have better, more upbeat music selections, more attractive church signage, a new advertisement in the phone book, etc. that will help “draw more people into the Church”. Now, I have nothing against ice cream, carnivals, missions festivals, music, church signage, etc., but are these things in and of themselves evangelism? Only if Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of your sins is in some way proclaimed. Otherwise, they are just community events or a form of advertising. These things are sometimes called “pre-evangelism” or “building relationships”. Only when you proclaim Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of your sins can you truly call it evangelism.

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