What is Evangelism?
The word "Gospel" comes from the Greek word Euangelion, which means "Good News." Thus, evangelism is the activity of sharing the good news of God's love through Jesus Christ with the world.
Primary Foundation: The Great Commission
Matthew 28:19-20 (NET) - “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
The verse above is the final message of Jesus before separating from His disciples and being taken up into Heaven. As a final message, it naturally signifies a highly crucial command that is mandatory for His disciples to carry out.
Evangelism is an obligation for anyone who calls themselves a Disciple of Jesus, because a disciple will follow the example of their Teacher, who during His time on earth also proclaimed the good news.
However, rather than being just a duty that must be executed, I will discuss the impact of evangelism for everyone, including this world, so that you will be more enthusiastic in doing it—not out of pressure from Church leaders, or the pressure of the threat of hell, but out of faith, hope, and love.
You will learn to see evangelism not merely as an "entrance ticket to heaven," but rather as a total restoration of the ruin caused by sin.
Let us dissect this material deeper to see how evangelism restores the world.
1. The Impact of Sin: Total Ruin
Sin is not merely a violation of rules, but rather a "disease" that corrupts four primary human relationships:
(a) Relationship with God: A broken connection (spiritual death). Humans lose their moral compass and purpose in life.
Isaiah 59:2 (NET) - “But your sinful deeds have built a barrier between you and your God...”
(b) Relationship with Oneself: The emergence of guilt, shame, anxiety, and the loss of true identity as the image of God.
(c) Relationship with Others: Egoism brings conflict, hatred, injustice, and war.
Moral & Social Ruin: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The list of the social impacts of sin (envy, strife, deceit) can be viewed in Romans 1:28-31.
(d) Relationship with Nature: Destructive exploitation and physical suffering (illness and environmental degradation).
Ruin of Nature: "For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now." (Romans 8:22).
2. Evangelism as a Holistic Solution
True evangelism—namely, making disciples—means bringing people back to God's original design. Its impact encompasses two time dimensions:
A. Salvation in the World (Current Impact)
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NET) - “So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!”
When someone is discipled to follow the way of Jesus, "the world's problems" begin to unravel from the inside out:
- Character Restoration: A person who was once corrupt becomes honest; a hot-tempered person becomes a peacemaker. This reduces social crime.
- Family Restoration: Christ restores the relationship between husband-wife and parent-child, which serves as the foundation of society.
- Social Justice: Disciples of Christ are called to be "salt and light," fighting for those who are oppressed and practicing tangible love.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NET) - “You are the light of the world... In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.”
B. Salvation in the Afterlife (Eternal Impact)
This is the solution to man's greatest problem: Death.
- Evangelism releases humans from the eternal punishment due to sin.
- It provides certainty that life does not end in the grave, but rather continues in glory with God.
Wages of Sin vs. Gift of God: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23).
The Promise of Resurrection: "For this is the will of my Father—for everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him to have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40).
3. Fulfilling the Lord's Prayer Through Evangelism
Evangelism is the primary instrument by which the prayer taught by Jesus becomes a reality on earth.
"Hallowed be Your Name"
The name of the Lord is hallowed when humans stop worshiping idols (money, power, self) and begin to acknowledge God's sovereignty. Through evangelism, more and more people live their lives glorifying God, so that His name is revered throughout the earth.
Verse: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Pet 2:9).
Through evangelism, the name of the Lord which was once insulted or ignored, begins to be respected and hallowed by those who repent.
"Your Kingdom Come"
The Kingdom of God is a situation where God reigns as King. Evangelism expands the territory of this "Kingdom" not with a sword, but with a repentant heart. Every time a soul receives the Gospel, the Kingdom of God expands on earth.
Verse: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14).
The Kingdom of God comes not with physical coercion, but through the preaching of the Gospel that changes human hearts.
"Your Will Be Done on Earth as It Is in Heaven"
In heaven, there are no tears, there is no sin, and all creatures obey God with joy.
Through evangelism and discipleship, we train humans to do the will of God here and now.
When disciples of Jesus live in love and truth, they bring a "piece of heaven" into this dark world.
Verse: "Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2).
Discipleship trains people to think and act according to God's will. If everyone does His will, then the condition of the earth will reflect the peace of heaven.
KINGDOM MISSION
Evangelism is a mission of world restoration. We do not just save souls to "go to heaven," but we bring heavenly influence to change the earth.
“...the gospel... is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)
Evangelism is our way of partnering with God to fix what is broken by sin. We tell the world that "the King has come to restore everything."
“How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.” (Romans 10:15)
Awan (Andreas Hermawan)