CHAPTER 7 Defining Evangelizing - Evangelism Unlimited

438 Evangelizology
8) This use of the Word of God as a supernatural active agent when proclaimed fits with other
verses also:
a. The kingdom of God “coming near” even to cities that reject the Gospel proclamation,
Luk 10:11
b. The wind blowing here or there being related to one being born again, John 3:8
c. Verses on the power and activity of the Word of God, e.g. Heb 4:12; 1 Thess 2:13
9) Likewise, note the superlative use of the word when Paul described the hyper-spreading of
the faith of the Thessalonians:
2 Thess 1:3, “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith
grows exceedingly [u`perauxa,nw], and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each
other”
In this case, the word u`perauxa,nw is used only once in the NT; its parallel use with growth in love for
the brethren gives the impression that it relates more to evangelizing the lost than it does to
spiritual growth, cf. 1 Thess 1:3, 8
b. Evangelism as the “THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD”:
1) “But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word,” Acts 6:4
2) The next time we find Peter and John ministering the word as follows:
a. Confirming the ministry of Philip, Acts 8:14-15
b. Ministering through edification in the word and traveling evangelism: “And so, when
they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to
Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to [evangelizing] many villages of the
Samaritans,” Acts 8:25
3) In fact, ministering the Word was a reality for all Christ’s followers:
a. “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness,” Acts
4:31
b. “Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word,” Acts 8:4
c. “So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose in connection with
Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one
except to Jews alone,” Acts 11:19
4) Ministering the Word was also Paul’s calling and practice:
a. “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my
course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel
of the grace of God,” Acts 20:24
b. “And when they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of
the Jews; and they also had John as their helper,” Acts 13:5
c. “And the next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of God. But when the
Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and began contradicting the things spoken
by Paul, and were blaspheming. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was
necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it, and judge
yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles,” Acts 13:44-46
d. Et cetera…
c. Evangelism as “THE WORK OF GOD”:
Introduction:
Moses asked God, “Let Your work appear to Your servants” (Psa 90:16). The NIV
translates it this way: “May your deeds be shown to your servants.” This request for God to
make His work evident was repeated in the New Testament.
Some followers asked Jesus, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of
God?” (John 6:28). Jesus answered with an invitation to believe: “Jesus answered and said to
them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent’” (John 6:29)