Evangelism is the act of sharing the gospel and good news of Jesus Christ with others. It is a key part of the Christian faith, as Jesus commanded his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Here are some key Bible verses about evangelism:
The Great Commission
As mentioned above, Matthew 28:19-20 contains Jesus’ commandment to his followers to spread the gospel worldwide. This passage is often referred to as the “Great Commission” and serves as a foundation for evangelism in Christianity.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Preaching the Gospel
Mark 16:15 – “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Acts 5:42 – “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”
Romans 10:14-15 – “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””
1 Corinthians 9:16 – “For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
Being witnesses for Christ
Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Colossians 1:28-29 – “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”
2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
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.”
Going out into the world
Matthew 9:37-38 – “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
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.”
John 20:21 – “Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Romans 10:14-15 – “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”” (quoted above)
Testifying about Jesus
John 1:7-8 – “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.”
John 15:26-27 – “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”
Acts 4:33 – “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.”
1 John 1:2 – “The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
Revelation 12:11 – “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
Calling people to repentance
Matthew 3:1-2 – “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”
Matthew 4:17 – “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'”
Mark 1:4 – “And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
Mark 6:12 – “They went out and preached that people should repent.”
Luke 13:3 – “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Proclaiming salvation in Christ
Acts 8:35 – “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”
Acts 13:38-39 – “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”
Romans 1:16 – “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.”
Romans 10:13-15 – “for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'”
1 Corinthians 1:21 – “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.”
Sharing the word
Matthew 13:18-23 – “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
2 Timothy 1:8 – “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”
2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
Praying for open doors
Colossians 4:2-4 – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”
2 Thessalonians 3:1 – “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.”
Speaking boldly and plainly
Acts 28:31 – “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”
Ephesians 6:19-20 – “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”
1 Thessalonians 2:2 – “We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.”
Results of evangelism
Acts 2:41 – “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Acts 4:4 – “But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.”
Acts 11:21 – “The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.”
Acts 13:48-49 – “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.”
1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 – “because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”
In summary, these verses reveal some key truths and themes about evangelism in the Bible:
- Jesus commands believers to spread the gospel worldwide.
- Evangelism involves preaching, witnessing, testifying about Christ.
- Christians are called to go out into the world to reach others.
- Evangelism includes calling people to repent and proclaiming salvation in Jesus.
- It requires sharing the word of God boldly and plainly.
- Prayer is needed for open doors and opportunities.
- Evangelism results in people believing in Jesus and being added to the Church.
The Bible makes it clear that evangelism is a vital part of following Jesus. These verses encourage Christians to faithfully share the gospel with others wherever they go, testifying to what Jesus has done and calling people to salvation through repentance and faith in Christ.