Definition of Evangelism

[siliconwafer]

How is the word "evangelism" defined? Some people define it to mean "the official proclamation of the gospel." They would say that if you are telling someone about how Jesus saves sinners, but not making an official proclamation of the gospel, then you are not really doing evangelism. Is this definition of evangelism correct? I thought evangelism was the act of telling others about how Christ saves sinners no matter if it is an official proclamation.

I would like to add that the people who define evangelism in this way do not believe only ordained ministers should tell others about Christ. They believe that every Christian has the responsibility to tell others about Christ, but if you are telling others about Christ and it is not an official proclamation, then it is not evangelism.

[KingsGambit]

Is this the sort of distinction that Hyper-Calvinists make when they distinguish between proclaiming and offering the gospel, because they don't want to offer the gospel to people who aren't elect?

[siliconwafer]

Is this the sort of distinction that Hyper-Calvinists make when they distinguish between proclaiming and offering the gospel, because they don't want to offer the gospel to people who aren't elect?

The people who define evangelism as mentioned in the OP believe that we should offer the gospel to everyone including the non-elect. They would say that everyone should hear about Christ regardless if they are elect or not.

[Littlejoe]

St. Francis of Assisi had a famous quote:
"Preach the Gospel at all times....when necessary use words."

We are commanded to "go therefore and preach the Gospel" I have heard the literal translation of that verse can be " As you are going, preach the Gospel".

LJ

[Cow Poke]

I'm a pretty simple guy. I've heard that Evangelism is simply "one beggar telling another beggar where to find a piece of bread". I have modified that, somewhat, to say, "one beggar telling another beggar where to find the bread of life".

But I think it goes beyond that. I believe it is the responsibility of every Christian to "make disciples". We do this by BEING disciples (learning) then MAKING disciples (teaching and sharing).

[RBerman]

"Evangelize" is the verb form of "Evangel," the Greek word for "good news." In Jesus' public ministry, the good news was a somewhat veiled message about the arrival of the kingdom of God/heaven. After Jesus' death and resurrection, it became more obvious that the good news was the death and resurrection itself, as the means by which the kingdom was coming, bringing forgiveness of sin and lives dedicated to God. I conceive of the gospel narrowly defined as the explanation of what Jesus did and why it mattered, which leads into discussion of sin, justification, repentance, and new life in Christ. The gospel broadly defined includes all the things we do as a result of what Jesus did. Either sense is incomplete without the other. An easy-believist gospel of justification which doesn't act on the confession that "Jesus is Lord" (Romans 10:9) is vain (James 2). A gospel of humanitarian aid, not based on the finished work of Christ and the imputation of his alien righteousness, is simply legalism. The two wings of the airplane work together.

I see nothing in the Bible that limits evangelism to ordained clergy.

[Cow Poke]

"Evangelize" is the verb form of "Evangel," the Greek word for "good news." In Jesus' public ministry, the good news was a somewhat veiled message about the arrival of the kingdom of God/heaven. After Jesus' death and resurretion, it became more obvious that the good news was the death and resurrection itself, as the means by which the kingdom was coming, bringing forgiveness of sin and lives dedicated to God. I conceive of the gospel narrowly defined as the explanation of what Jesus did and why it mattered, which leads into discussion of sin, justification, repentance, and new life in Christ. The gospel broadly defined includes all the things we do as a result of what Jesus did. Either sense is incomplete without the other. An easy-believist gospel of justification which doesn't act on the confession that "Jesus is Lord" (Romans 10:9) is vain (James 2). A gospel of humanitarian aid, not based on the finished work of Christ and the imputation of his alien righteousness, is simply legalism. The two wings of the airplane work together.

I see nothing in the Bible that limits evangelism to ordained clergy.

Well said! In FACT, I think it is a much broader "go and tell" or "as you go, go telling" type of thing.

[Cow Poke]

TOTALLY anecdotal and somewhat an aside....

Glen Payne was one of the Cathedral Quartet members who used to come to my Church when I was a kid, and, for whatever reason, he took a liking to me. He was in the Gospel Music business for over 50 years, but I know personally he was a soul winner "off the stage". One of my favorite songs that he sang (old fashioned southern gospel)...

He was some mother's son, he was lost and undone
I could see the pain in his eyes
When we met on the street, I told the story sweet
Of a place we call paradise

Tears of joy fell down his face, as he felt God's saving grace
and he thanked me, and called me his friend
And as I turned to walk away, I heard that old man say
Won't you tell me that Story again

Tell me that Story again, Tell me that Story again
I find it hard to believe that Jesus really loved me
Oh, tell me that Story again.

The world had passed him by, caring not if he died
But God had love for this man
Just a lost helpless soul, all alone in the cold
Til he felt the touch of God's hand

Had I not stopped to share the Story with him there
He may never have been born again
Though it's been a long, long time, his words ring in my mind
Won't you tell me that Story again

Tell me that Story again, Tell me that Story again
I find it hard to believe that Jesus really loved me
Oh, tell me that Story again.

[siliconwafer]

"Evangelize" is the verb form of "Evangel," the Greek word for "good news." In Jesus' public ministry, the good news was a somewhat veiled message about the arrival of the kingdom of God/heaven. After Jesus' death and resurrection, it became more obvious that the good news was the death and resurrection itself, as the means by which the kingdom was coming, bringing forgiveness of sin and lives dedicated to God. I conceive of the gospel narrowly defined as the explanation of what Jesus did and why it mattered, which leads into discussion of sin, justification, repentance, and new life in Christ. The gospel broadly defined includes all the things we do as a result of what Jesus did. Either sense is incomplete without the other. An easy-believist gospel of justification which doesn't act on the confession that "Jesus is Lord" (Romans 10:9) is vain (James 2). A gospel of humanitarian aid, not based on the finished work of Christ and the imputation of his alien righteousness, is simply legalism. The two wings of the airplane work together.

I see nothing in the Bible that limits evangelism to ordained clergy.

I would like to add that evangelism is spreading the good news of Jesus Christ whether it is an official proclamation or not.

[Cow Poke]

I would like to add that evangelism is spreading the good news of Jesus Christ whether it is an official proclamation or not.

Yeah, I think it's as simple as "telling the good news*", either formally, casually, in conversation, in sermons, in industry, over a cup of coffee....


*that Jesus saves

[RBerman]

I would like to add that evangelism is spreading the good news of Jesus Christ whether it is an official proclamation or not.

I think I agree. I'm not even sure what an "official proclamation," as opposed to what.

[KingsGambit]

I think I agree. I'm not even sure what an "official proclamation," as opposed to what.

I think that once we're using such terms, we're making it far more complicated than Jesus intended.

[Cow Poke]

I think that once we're using such terms, we're making it far more complicated than Jesus intended.

I think, in some cases, this is because some Christians are simply not being obedient in sharing the Gospel. MUCH easier to analyze or talk about it than it is to evangelize.

[siliconwafer]

I think, in some cases, this is because some Christians are simply not being obedient in sharing the Gospel. MUCH easier to analyze or talk about it than it is to evangelize.

God wants us to spread the gospel of Jesus, not just talk about how to do evangelism.

[siliconwafer]

I think I agree. I'm not even sure what an "official proclamation," as opposed to what.

I'm not sure what an official proclamation is. I mentioned it in the OP because I've heard people talk about it.