Evangelism, kinds of

Scripture recognises that evangelism takes place in a variety of contexts, and offers models for evangelism in today's church.

Public evangelism

Preaching in synagogues

Acts 14:1 Paul begins his evangelism in Gentile cities by building links within the Jewish community. Acts 13:14–16, Acts 13:42–44; Acts 17:2 in Thessalonica; Acts 17:10 in Berea; Acts 17:17 in Athens; Acts 18:4 in Corinth; Acts 19:8 in Ephesus

At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so well that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

Preaching in recognised meeting-places

Acts 17:19–23 See also Acts 5:25, Acts 10:27–28, Acts 16:13, Acts 19:9

So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas. Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.

Making a public defence to accusers

Acts 21:37–22:1 See also Acts 4:7–12, Acts 7:1–2, Acts 24:10, Acts 26:1

Personal evangelism

Giving personal testimony

1 John 1:1–3 See also Mark 5:19; John 4:39; Acts 26:9–18; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Peter 3:1–2

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands — this is the Word of life. And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

Evangelism in homes

Acts 10:24–25 Peter visits Cornelius' home to speak to those assembled. Luke 5:29; Acts 18:26, Acts 28:30–31; Acts 9:17 parallel Acts 22:12; Acts 16:32–34

The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him.

Evangelism in strategic areas

Going to major centres

Acts 16:12 Philippi; Acts 17:1 Thessalonica; Acts 17:15 Athens; Acts 18:1 Corinth; Acts 18:19 Ephesus; Acts 23:11, Acts 28:14

Going into new territories

Romans 15:20, Romans 15:23–24; 2 Corinthians 10:15–16

Evangelism among strategic people

Speaking to prominent people

Acts 18:8 Though the gospel is for all people without distinction, evangelism among certain people and groups enabled the message to spead further. See also Acts 13:7 Paul before Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus; Acts 24:24 Paul before Felix and his wife; Acts 25:8–9 Paul before Festus; Acts 25:11–12 Paul appeals to Caesar; Acts 26:2–3 Paul before King Agrippa; Acts 28:7–8 Paul in the home of the chief official on Malta

Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his whole household believed in the Lord. And many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized.

Evangelising households

Acts 16:34 The conversion of the head of the household was often accompanied by the conversion of the whole family group. See also John 4:53; Acts 11:14, Acts 18:8

Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them. So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God.

Using literature in evangelism

John 20:30–31 See also Luke 1:1–4; Acts 1:1–2

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

Appealing to Scripture in evangelism

Acts 26:22–23 See also Acts 8:35, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:22–23; Romans 1:2–3, Romans 16:25–26; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4

But I have had God’s help to this day, and I stand here to testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen: that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Signs and wonders in evangelism

Miracles confirm the message

The crowds all paid close attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform.

Miracles give opportunity for preaching

Acts 3:9–16 See also Acts 2:5–14, Acts 14:8–11, Acts 16:26–31

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and ran to them in the walkway called Solomon’s Colonnade. And when Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you surprised by this? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him. You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses of this fact. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence.

Miracles result in people believing

Acts 9:40–42 See also John 7:31, John 11:45; Acts 9:33–35, Acts 13:10–12

Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

The response to evangelism

Acceptance of the message

Acts 2:37–41 See also Acts 4:4, Acts 17:4, Acts 17:34, Acts 19:17–20; 1 Thessalonians 2:13

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off — to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.” Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.

Rejection of the message

Hebrews 4:2 See also Romans 10:16; Acts 13:50–51, Acts 17:32, Acts 18:6

For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.