CHAPTER 7 Defining Evangelizing - Evangelism Unlimited

456 Evangelizology
J. Toward a Working Definition:
Introduction: Two portions explain the essence of the proclamation in the book of Acts:
Acts 17:2-3:
According to Paul’s custom (kata. de. to. eivwqo.j tw/| Pau,lw|)
He went to the synagogue
Paul reasoned (diele,xato, aorist, 3 rd person sg of diale,gomai)
This reasoning included opening (dianoi,gwn, participle)
And setting forth (paratiqe,menoj, participle)
Paul’s proclamation was summarized as [bold] proclamation (katagge,llw, imp, mid, ind 1 st p sg)
Length: three Sabbaths
Message: suffering, resurrection of the Christ
Acts 19:8:
Going to the synagogue
Paul spake boldly (evparrhsia,zeto, indicative imperfect 3 rd sg of parrhsia,zomai)
This bold speech included reasoning (dialego,menoj, participle)
And persuading (pei,qwn, participle)
Length: three months
Message: kingdom of God
For methodology in Luke, note both the itinerant ministry (cf. 1 Cor 4:11) and the stationary ministry:
Traveling itinerant ministry of Jesus, Luke 4:42-43 (I must evangelize other cities also)
Traveling itinerant ministry of Jesus, Luke 8:1 (preaching and evangelizing)
Traveling itinerant ministry of His twelve disciples, Luke 9:6 (evangelizing and healing)
Traveling itinerant ministry of the seventy others, Luke 10:1, 3, 5
(appointed and sent; go and say)
Stationary ministry of Jesus in Temple, Luke 20:1 (teaching and evangelizing)
Signs and Wonders in Paul’s First Missionary Journey
As a brief investigation into the necessity for the miraculous for effective evangelism 529
City Ministry term Response Miraculous Response Church founded?
Salamis
Proclaimed
(katagge,llw) the
word of God
Paphos None listed
Pisidian Antioch
Iconium
Sermon of Paul, titled
a “word of
exhortation”
Speaking in such a
manner that many
believed … bold
speech
Lystra Evangelizing
None listed None listed None listed
Sought to hear the
word of God
“Many of the Jews
and of the Godfearing
proselytes
followed Paul and
Barnabas”
Elymas blinded for a
time
Proconsul believes,
“being amazed at the
teaching (didache) of
the Lord”
Likely
(cf. Acts 15:34)
Likely
(cf. Acts 15:34)
None listed None listed Yes
Many believed None listed None listed Yes
Lame man was
listening
Heals lame man
Offer sacrifices to
Paul and Barnabas;
end up stoning Paul
Derbe Evangelized Won many disciples None listed None listed
Perga Spoke the word None listed None listed None listed
Yes
Yes (cf. Acts 14:20-
21; 16:1; 20:4)
Likely
(cf. Acts 14:25)
529See John Wimber, Power Evangelism (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1986; North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar
Square, 2000).