Power Evangelism!

“I did not come to you with eloquence or human wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” 1 Cor 2:4

One of the defining signs of our time is the rapid spread of iniquity and the advancement of evil, which can leave many believers feeling discouraged. Jesus warns that as wickedness increases, many will stumble and their love will grow cold. Yet, we must remember that God is still in control, and His Kingdom is unshakable, secured by the victory of Christ. As Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matt 16:18). And as prophesiesd in Hab 2:14, “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

Genuine believers are rightly concerned by the growing influence of movements that oppose biblical values, the aggressive stance of Islam, the relentless push for euthanasia or abortion rights, and the political agendas of LGBTQ+ activists. But it’s important to remember that the rise of evil never diminishes God’s sovereignty. As believers, we must carefully consider how to respond to these developments, ensuring that our reactions align with Christ’s teachings and the advancement of His Kingdom, led by the Spirit.

The temptation to respond to evil with human strategies—force, coercion, or political power—can be strong. But these methods risk compromising the integrity of the Gospel and undermining the mission of the Church. Instead, we should look to the early Church, which embraced power evangelism: proclaiming the Gospel with the authority of the Holy Spirit, backed by signs and wonders.

The early Christians faced intense opposition from both political and religious authorities. Yet, they did not resort to violence or compromise their message. They boldly preached Christ (Acts 2:14–41), demonstrated God’s power through miracles (Acts 3:6–10), and lived out lives of radical love and unity (Acts 4:32–35). Their example reminds us that our true battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil. As Paul writes in Eph 6:12, _“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

One passage that has caused much debate is Matt 11:12, where Jesus says, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force” (KJV), or as the NIV puts it, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people lay hold of it.” Does this mean that the Kingdom is being violently opposed, or is Jesus commending forceful believers for advancing it with determination?

To understand this, we need to look at the context. The passage refers to John the Baptist’s imprisonment and rejection (Matt 11:2–6), as well as the mistreatment of God’s prophets and the suffering endured by those who proclaim the Kingdom. In Matt 11:16–19, Jesus highlights how people rejected both John’s austere ministry and His own more inclusive approach.

The key to understanding Matt 11:12 lies in two Greek words: biazomai and biastai. Biazomai (translated as “suffers violence” or “forcefully advancing”) generally carries a negative connotation of violent, aggressive actions. The term biastai, translated as “violent men,” refers to those who use force to oppose or suppress the Kingdom. It’s not a term that commends bold believers but rather describes those who violently oppose the message of God.

This helps clarify that Jesus is not endorsing violence or coercion by His followers. Instead, He is describing the violent resistance that the Kingdom of God faces in a fallen world. The Kingdom is resilient, and its advancement is unstoppable, even in the face of opposition.

Therefore, Matt 11:12 should not be interpreted as a call for believers to engage in violent actions. Instead, it describes the violent resistance that the Kingdom faces from those who seek to suppress it. Our mission, as followers of Christ, is to advance the Kingdom through love, truth, and the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit—not through force or manipulation.

To counter the spread of evil effectively, we must embrace the same model of power evangelism that the early Church demonstrated. This approach disrupts the enemy’s plans by revealing the truth of the Gospel through:

Healing: Meeting physical and emotional needs as a witness to God’s compassion.

Deliverance: Breaking the spiritual chains of false ideologies or demonic influence.

Prophetic Insight: Offering words of knowledge and wisdom that convict and bring hope.

As we boldly proclaim Christ and rely on the Holy Spirit’s power, we can advance the Kingdom of God in a world that is desperately in need of truth. Let us remain faithful to Christ’s mission, trusting in His ultimate victory, and demonstrating the transforming power of the Gospel.

Kay Alli