The 5 Most Common Myths about Evangelism
Evangelism, simply stated, is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible is explicit about how we receive the gospel: “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ” (John 10:17).
Ligonier Ministries tells us the root of the word evangelism “comes from the same Greek word for gospel (euangelion) and means, literally, ‘gospeling.’ When we evangelize we are ‘gospeling’ — we are spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Before we dispel evangelism myths, we should revisit what the gospel is. The gospel is Jesus Christ, His Person and work, and it is the good news of Jesus Christ — who He is, what He has done, is doing, and will do. These first two sections are long because the information in them is paramount to our understanding of evangelism.
Jesus came down from heaven, put on flesh (John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16), was born to a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) and was named Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). He came to bear the consequences of Adam’s sin that fell on all humanity (Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22), and to atone for our sins on the cross. We need to know our sinful state and how hopeless we are without Jesus.
Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate and was crucified, died, and was buried (John 19:17-42). On the third day, Jesus resurrected from death, therefore defeating it. He imputed His righteousness to all who believe in Him (John 11:25; John 20:1-18; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus ascended to heaven and is building His church (we who have been called by God through the power of the Spirit to believe in Him are the church). He is also preparing a place for us and He will return for us (John 14:3).
When we read John 20:30-31, we see the reason for John’s Gospel, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” And that life is eternal life! It’s no wonder the Lord wants us to share the gospel.
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What Does the Bible Say about Evangelism?
Preaching the gospel corporately is evangelism.
Sharing the gospel individually is evangelism.
Romans 10:13-15 tells us, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” As we saw above, the good news is the gospel.
2 Corinthians 5:20 states we are “Christ’s ambassadors.” What does an ambassador do but represent the one who sent him? We, as Christ’s ambassadors, represent Him to a lost and dying world.
To that end, consider what we refer to as the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Evangelism is sharing and discipling as commanded by the Lord Jesus. We go (obey) because we love our Lord and are thankful for what He has done for us.
The “how” of belief is of course by the Holy Spirit, Who enables us to have faith. It’s all His work; we do nothing but receive His grace upon grace (Ephesians 2:8). Romans 10:17 affirms this, “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” You see, the natural man cannot understand the things of the Spirit, therefore the Spirit must enlighten a natural man to understand the gospel.
Five Myths about Evangelism
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1. Evangelism Is a “One and Done” Method to Save People
There are countless evangelism tools that advertise how they help people share the gospel, leading to the salvation of those with whom Christians share their faith. But are methods biblical? These methods all have the best intentions, and the Lord may use them to draw people to Himself. The key, however, is when we decide a particular technique will save people, we place the emphasis on what we do and not what the Holy Spirit does.
If the person we evangelize either says no or walks away with disinterest, we feel like a failure. If they say yes, we are tempted to take credit for their conversion, and that’s a dangerous spot. Any answer takes the focus away from the Holy Spirit and places it on the self.
The Holy Spirit is the One who gives unbelievers the understanding of the gospel, and He enables them to behold and believe in Christ for salvation. Westminster Theological Seminary Dean and Professor, David Garner tells us, “Salvation is purposed by the Father, accomplished by the Son, and applied by the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit’s agency in salvation, all that Christ has accomplished brings no value to us.”
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2. People Need to Repent Before They Can Be Saved
This is called preparationism, and it’s a very dangerous idea because the focus of salvation gets pointed inward instead of where it needs to be — on the Person and work of Jesus Christ. We don’t clean ourselves up and come to Jesus.
The Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary tells us, “God regenerates His people (Ezekiel 36:25-27). God does not just gather His people but also cleanses and changes them. He says, ‘I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean’ (v. 25). He is not washing away sickness they acquired while in the other nations but sins they carried there with them. He says, ‘I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.’ Please note: God does not say, ‘Clean yourself up and then come to Me.’ I’m afraid this is exactly what some believe they have to do to become a Christian. If that were the case, then no one would ever be clean or come to God. No, He says, ‘I will gather you in all of your wretchedness and I will wash you and make you new.’ He does the same for us (John 13:8; Ephesians 2:1-10).”
We have to be born again by the power of the Holy Spirit before we can believe. Regeneration precedes faith. Born again to believe, we don’t believe to be born again. Only then do we understand our sinful state, which then brings us to repentance.
Many people misread the Scripture’s admonition to “repent and believe” as meaning we have to repent before we can believe in Jesus for salvation. But repentance cannot precede faith. The end and the aim (repentance) is put first for emphasis. Author and biblical scholar, Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson writes, “Grammatically, the words repent and believe both function as a synecdoche (a figure of speech where a part is used for the whole.) Thus, repentance implies faith and faith implies repentance. One cannot exist without the other.” But faith must come first. Faith in Christ and then a repentant life as the Holy Spirit sanctifies Christians.
Pastor Jeffrey Scott Perry says, “While repentance certainly involves a rejection of sin, its true and primary focus is not what we leave behind but whom we are turning toward. At its core, repentance is a return to God. This is why Paul speaks of ‘repentance toward God’ in Acts 20:21. The call to repent is not a command to clean ourselves up but an invitation to come back to God.”
As led by the Holy Spirit, conversion happens in this order: Regeneration – faith – repentance. You can’t repent (turn from sin) if you haven’t been regenerated.
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3. Pastors Are the Only True Evangelists
While it is true pastors are those who have been gifted to preach and teach Scripture, they also have greater responsibility for what they preach. Every Lord’s Day, as the church gathers, the pastor and elders pour God’s Word into us as they proclaim the gospel.
Yet all Christians are called Christ’s “ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20). We all have a growing relationship with the Lord Jesus as we are being sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2). And God gives us everything we need as His representatives here on earth, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:13).
Everything and everyone in Christ works together for His glory and for the growth of the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).
4. People Must Follow the Law’s Commands to Be Saved
A huge issue in evangelism is blending the Law and the gospel. If we tell someone they have to obey the Ten Commandments to be saved, that admonition will either lead to despair or self-righteousness (Luke 18:18-23). Both are inward focused.
The law, though it is good and holy, by its very nature, condemns. For not one of us has ever loved the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength (Deuteronomy 4:29). None of us has met God’s perfect standards, therefore we all deserve God’s wrath. No one can do enough to secure their salvation.
Christ, however, did, and this is where the gospel comes in for salvation. Jesus lived the life we cannot live, and He died the death we deserve. It’s by His grace we are saved (Ephesians 2:8) and He is the One who saves and sanctifies. Looking back at the gospel description above will help keep Jesus at the fore when you share Him with others.
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5. The Church Doesn’t Need the Gospel
Pastor Jeremiah Hurt of Reforming Truth Church says, “We evangelize the evangelized.” What does he mean? What most of us have been taught is Law, not gospel, and a vast number of pastors conflate the two, which leads to constantly asking ourselves if we are truly saved — if we have done enough to merit salvation.
Good news! Christ has done everything necessary to secure the salvation of His people! Anything we do is as filthy rags before the Lord (Isaiah 64:6).
Evangelism defined as proclaiming the gospel should happen every Lord’s Day gathering of His church. Christians need the gospel, for from its proclamation we are fueled with Christ’s grace. Our outflow of love stems from His grace, from our love for Him, and our joyful, thankful hearts for what Christ has done.
Look at what Romans 1:16-17 says, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith” (Emphasis added). Did you notice the passage says the gospel is the power of God for salvation? And not only for salvation, but for sanctification as well. As we are regularly exposed to the gospel, we see our sinful state and our constant need for the gospel.
We praise God for salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone according to Scripture alone for God’s glory alone (The Five solas of the Reformation). As you consider your call as a Christian to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, I pray you rest in Christ, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). May He bless you with growth in His grace and knowledge.
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