St. Paul's Department

Evangelism

Acts Chapter 1 – Chapter 28

John the Baptist began preaching the Word of God in Judean wilderness. John the Baptist preached that people should repent of their sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near. (Matthew 3:1-2).
People from Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John the Baptist preaching the Word of God. People confessed their sins and were baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. John the Baptist saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them - calling them brood of snakes; John the Baptist asked them about who warned them to flee the coming wrath of God. They should prove by the way they live that they have repented of their sins and turned to God. They should not just say to each other that they were safe because they are descendants of Abraham. Such claim means nothing because God can create children of Abraham from stones. According to John the Baptist, the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of trees, such that every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. John the Baptist informed that he baptizes with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. However, someone (Jesus) would be coming soon who is so much greater than him that he was not even worthy to be His slave and carry His sandals. He (Jesus) will baptize people with the Holy Spirit and with fire and He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with His winnowing fork. Jesus will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into His barn but burning the chaff with never-ending hell fire. (Matthew 3:5-12).
Jesus began to preach that people should repent of their sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. On a particular day when Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon Peter, and his brother Andrew as they were throwing a net into the water to catch some fish because they were fishermen. Jesus called out to them to come and follow Him so that He would show them how to fish for people. And they left their nets at once and followed Jesus. Jesus also saw two other brothers James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their fishing nets. Jesus called them to also come to Him. They responded immediately to the call of Jesus and followed Him, leaving their father and the boat. Jesus traveled throughout the province of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. Jesus healed every kind of disease and illness presented to Him. (Mathew 4:17-23).
One day Jesus saw the crowds gathering to experience Him. He went to a mountainside and sat down, and His disciples gathered around Him. Jesus began to teach the congregants the Word of God. This evangelism may be likened to the presentation of the commandments of God by Moses in Exodus 20/Deuteronomy 5. When Jesus had finished with the presentation of the Good News on the mount, the crowd was amazed because He taught with great authority. The sermon on the mountain by Jesus was very exceptional in content and in presentation. The sermon was insightful and comprehensive – illuminating responses and expectations in all relations and events of life. It is all about knowing the will of God and doing it. (Matthew 5, 6,7).
Two blind men were healed by Jesus. Their eyes were opened, and they could see. Jesus sternly warned them not to tell anyone about what He had done for them, but they instead, went out and spread His fame all over the region. (Matthew 9:27-31).

Jesus traveled through towns and villages teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the Good News about the Kingdom of God. During this outreach, Jesus healed every kind of disease and illness. When Jesus saw the crowd of people, He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus remarked that the harvest was great, but the workers were few. He advised His disciples to pray to the Lord who oversees the harvest and ask Him to send more workers into His field of evangelism. (Matthew 9:35-38).

Jesus sent out His twelve apostles with the instructions not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel - God’s lost sheep and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. During the outreach to the people of Israel, the twelve apostles were advised by Jesus to heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. The apostles were asked to give freely as they had received. (Matthew 10:5-8).

Jesus said that we should not be afraid of those who threaten us because the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all secret will be made known. Jesus said that the message He gives us now in darkness, we should shout loudly at daybreak; what He whispers in our ear, we should shout from the housetops for everyone to hear. According to Jesus, we must not be afraid of those who want to kill our body; they cannot touch our soul. We are advised to fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:26-28).

Jesus said that if you love your father or mother more than you love Him, you are not worthy of being His; or if you love your children more than Him, you are not worthy of being His. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Him, you are not worthy of being His. According to Jesus, if you cling to your life, you will lose it, but if you give up your life for Jesus, you will find it. Anyone who receives you receives Jesus, and anyone who receives Jesus receives God the Father who sent Him. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet; if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. If you give even a cup of water to one of the least of Jesus’ followers, you will be rewarded. (Matthew 10:37-42).

Jesus remarked that the Kingdom of Heaven can be likened to a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish different kinds of fish. When the net was full, it was dragged up to the shore by fishermen who sat down, and sorted the good fish into containers, but trashed the bad fish. This is like end time event when angels will come and separate wicked people from the righteous - throwing the wicked into hell fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:47-50).

Jesus said that if you want to be His follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Him. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it, but if you give up your life for His sake, you will save it. What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your own soul? Jesus will come with His angels and will judge all people according to their deeds. The truth is that some standing here right now will not die before they see Jesus Christ coming in His Kingdom. (Matthew 16:24-28).

The angel spoke to the women who came to the tomb, telling them not to be afraid. The women were looking for Jesus, who was crucified. But the angel told the women that Jesus was no longer in the tomb; He has risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. The angel invited the women to come and see where the body of Jesus was lying. The angel told the women to go quickly and tell the disciples of Jesus that He has risen from the dead, and He is going ahead of them to Galilee. The women were frightened and filled with joy; they quickly left the tomb and rushed to the disciples to give them the message that Jesus has risen from the dead. On their way to the disciples, Jesus met them and greeted them; the women ran to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. Jesus told them not to be afraid but should go and tell His brothers to leave for Galilee, and they would see Him there. (Matthew 28:5-10).

Jesus came and told His disciples that He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. They should therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. His disciples should tell the new disciples to obey all the commands He had given them. Jesus promised His disciples that He will always be with them to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20).

Review Questions

How did John the Baptist prepare the way for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ?
Discuss the responses of Andrew, Peter, James, and John to the call of Jesus. Illuminate the significance of their occupation in Evangelism.
Review some of the outreaches of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.
Explain your understanding of Matthew 11:12.
Explain your understanding of the statement of Jesus that if you want to be His follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Him.
Identify Evangelism in the interaction of the women and the angel around the empty tomb.
Discuss the Great Commission call of Jesus in Matthew 28.