What Does the Bible Say About Saving Souls? Behold, we have all been called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ to the four corners of the world. This has to do with witnessing the good news of Jesus Christ which is all about repenting and turning to God for Eternal Life. In as much as missionaries have a special calling to spread the gospel, so do regular Christians. In simple terms, we are all called to go and make disciples, thereby teaching them what Jesus Christ taught His immediate disciples and Apostles.
The English word “Evangelism” is transliterated from the Greek word, “Euangelio.” In the New Testament, this word appears many times. It is translated as “Good News” or “Gospel.” In simple terms, an Evangelist is a person who proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ. He/she is out to call on everyone to Sincerely Repent and start obeying the Key Teachings of Jesus Christ in order to obtain God’s Mercy and Favor. It is through repentance and faithfulness in Christ that we obtain God’s grace and are entitled to everlasting life in His presence. It is this message that Christ came to preach. And it is the very message that we’ve been called to preach these days.
What the Bible Says About Winning/Saving Souls
What the Scriptures say about Evangelism
- Jesus Announced the arrival of the Good News (Mark 1:14-15)
- The Gospel was promised in the Old Testament (Romans 1:1-4)
- We are not to be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:14-17)
- The Gospel is the only answer for Humanity (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
- We have all been called to be witnesses of the Good News which was brought by Christ (Acts 1:6-9)
- The Gospel brings Salvation and Life (Ephesians 2:4-10)
- The Gospel is about a new birth (John 3:3-8)
More on what the Bible says about Evangelism
1. Shining the Gospel – Matthew 5:14-16
Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” This is what Christ said during His famous Sermon on the Mount. As Christians, we are the light of the world. In simple terms, we are like light bulbs in an otherwise darkroom.
This light which we produce is the sum total of the good works we do. Some of these good works were mentioned by Christ in His sermon: loving God with all our heart, loving our neighbors as ourselves, rightly handling anger with love and compassion, radically fleeing lust, holding to our words, and remaining faithful in marriage. These are some of the things that make us stand out from the world. In addition, they make us reflect the nature of Christ and His mark of ownership in our lives. As followers of Christ, our lives should reveal His values and qualities. This is a more natural way of evangelism. If we are serious about evangelism, we must pay attention to our thoughts, words, and actions. It is our duty to strive that they align with the will of God.
2. Adorning the Gospel – Titus 2:9-10
Titus 2:9-10 – “Bond-servants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” This second point which has to do with adorning the Gospel is closely connected with shinning the gospel. It is our duty to make the Gospel attractive. This is a call for us to pass through our behavior as Christians to adorn the Holy Doctrine of God Almighty. A doctrine which was revealed by Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of God, Father of Creation.
Note that we adorn the truth by our thoughts, words, and actions. This is to say that our distinctive Christian lifestyle sets us apart and reveals the darkness that is in the world. On the other hand, when we live like the world, we obscure the Gospel and make it unattractive. We should strive hard not to repel all potential followers of Christ with Christian Hypocrisy.
3. Answering About the Gospel – Colossians 4:5-6
Colossians 4:5-6 – “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Evangelism is a great way of answering about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our Christian duty to clarify the teachings of Jesus Christ to those who are being saved. In addition, we’ve been called to edify, comfort, and encourage each other in the path of the truth.
4. Collaborating in the gospel – Ephesians 4:11-12
Ephesians 4:11-12 – “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ …” As followers of Christ, we’ve been called by our names to shine the gospel, adorn the gospel, answer about the gospel, and collaborate in the gospel. However, not everyone is called to be an Apostle. In the same light, not everyone’s chief function is to be an evangelist. Remember that Apostle Paul did not address the Christians saying “Why aren’t you doing what I’m doing? What are you still doing at home? Come on an board a ship, go to a foreign land and share the Gospel!”
Instead, Apostle Paul wrote in words like 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – “… aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” Although not everyone is called to operate in the Apostolic office, they can still participate in the Apostolic Ministry in various ways (e.g., the believers in Acts 4; the deacons in Acts 6). There are just many ways to contribute as a Christian to God’s work; it may be hospitality, logistical support, service, prayer, and administration. Everyone is equipped with a special gift to assist in God’s vineyard.
5. Proclaiming the Gospel – Luke 10:2
Luke 10:2 – He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Proclaiming the gospel is our Christian duty. Still on what the Bible says about evangelism, it is very natural for God’s people to talk about Him because He is awesome. In the New Testament we perceive even non-Apostles proclaiming the Gospel; Stephen (Acts 7), and Philip (Acts 8). As we grow in Christ, sharing our faith becomes more natural and enjoyable.
6. Imperative Command – Matthew 28:19-20
Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This scripture portrays Jesus Christ giving the church an imperative command to take the Good News through evangelism to all people.
7. God compelled – Jeremiah 1:5
Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” In this scripture, we perceive God sending Prophet Jeremiah to speak His message. It seems that Jeremiah was compelled from birth to proclaim God’s message. Let’s further support this by reading from Jeremiah 20:9 – “If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot” It is in this light that the Prophets and Apostles were compelled to preach the Good News of God to Men.
However, proclaiming God’s message is not limited to the pastors alone. We’ve all been called to talk about God to our children. friends, and neighbors. Let’s support this by reading from Romans 10:14 – “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Romans 10:15 – “And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news”
8. The Gospel as the power of God to save mankind – Romans 1:16
Romans 1:16 – “I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God’s power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles.” These are divinely inspired words spoken by Apostle Paul in his letter to the Christian Church. The Message of the Cross or the Holy Gospel of Christ is indeed God’s power to save all those who turn from their sins and embrace faithfulness. This is the very message of evangelism being preached these days. Such is that which is inline with what the Bible says about evangelism.
What Does the Bible Say About Saving Souls?
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Romans 10:9 – “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.“
Romans 1:1-4 – “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power- by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Mark 1:14-15 – “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!””
Acts 13:47 – For this is what the Lord has commanded us:“I have made you a light for the Gentiles,that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”
1 Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Romans 1:14-17 – “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.””