Go and make disciples.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:18–20

Evangelism: The Beginning, Not the End

Evangelism is the act of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, calling people to repentance and faith in Him. However, it is only the starting point of the Great Commission. Jesus did not command His followers to make mere converts but to make disciples (Matthew 28:19). True biblical evangelism must lead to discipleship, ensuring that new believers grow in their faith and become active members of the Church.

Evangelism Must Lead to Discipleship

The early church understood that evangelism was not an isolated event but part of an ongoing process. New believers were not left to figure out their faith alone; they were nurtured, taught, and guided into a life of obedience. For example, Jesus healed the Gerasene demoniac and instructed him to return to his community and share his testimony (Mark 5:19–20). Similarly, Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, who immediately responded in obedient faith (Acts 8:36–39). These examples demonstrate that conversion was followed by intentional discipleship.

Church Planting: A Crucial Part of the Great Commission

Church planting plays a vital role in fulfilling the Great Commission. The book of Acts and the Epistles show that new believers were gathered into churches where they could grow in faith. Paul and the apostles did not merely preach and leave; they followed up with visits, letters, and messengers, ensuring that believers were established in sound doctrine. Without discipleship, new believers remain spiritually immature and vulnerable to false teachings. Churches must be intentional about teaching, mentoring, and equipping believers for spiritual growth.

Overcoming Misconceptions About Evangelism

Many church leaders and believers unknowingly embrace misconceptions that hinder the long-term success of evangelism. To truly fulfil the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20), these misunderstandings must be corrected.

1. The Mute Approach: “My Life is My Evangelism”

Some believe that simply living a moral life is enough, without verbally sharing the gospel. While Christians should reflect Christ in their actions (Matthew 5:16), the Bible clearly states that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:14). Even Jesus, who lived a perfect life, still verbally proclaimed the gospel (Mark 1:14–15). Evangelism requires active communication of the gospel message.

2. The Scalp-Hunting Approach: “Evangelism Ends at Conversion”

Some see evangelism as simply getting people to say the sinner’s prayer or make a decision for Christ. However, Jesus commanded His followers to teach new believers to obey all His commands (Matthew 28:20). The early church focused on discipleship, ensuring that converts became active members of the Church (Acts 2:42–47).

3. The Professional-Fisherman Approach: “Evangelism is Only for Church Leaders”

Many believe evangelism is the responsibility of pastors or missionaries. However, Scripture commands all believers to share the gospel (Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15). The early church grew because ordinary Christians, not just apostles, spread the gospel wherever they went (Acts 8:4).

4. The Cop-Out Approach: “Anything the Church Does is Evangelism”

Some assume that inviting someone to church, hosting an event, or doing good deeds is equivalent to evangelism. While these activities support evangelism, they are not substitutes for sharing the gospel. Evangelism specifically involves proclaiming Christ and calling people to repentance and faith (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19).

Biblical Principles for Effective Evangelism

To overcome these misconceptions, we must embrace the biblical model of evangelism. The early church followed key principles that ensured the success and continuity of their mission.

1. Proclaiming an Exclusive Gospel

The message of Jesus is not just one option among many—it is the only way to salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). The apostles boldly declared that faith in Christ was the sole path to reconciliation with God (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).

2. Intentional Gospel Sharing

Evangelism in the early church did not happen by accident. Jesus intentionally traveled through Samaria to reach the woman at the well (John 4:4–26). Paul strategically went to major cities to preach the gospel. Churches today must also be intentional in evangelistic efforts.

3. Being Led by the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit guided evangelistic efforts in the early Church (Acts 1:8). He gave the apostles boldness (Acts 4:31), directed Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:29), and sent Paul to specific places (Acts 16:9–10). Evangelism should not rely solely on human strategies but on the Spirit’s leading.

4. Understanding Cultural Context

Jesus and the apostles adapted their message to different audiences. Paul used Greek poetry to connect with the Athenians (Acts 17:22–34) and the Old Testament when speaking to Jews. Churches must understand their audience and communicate the gospel effectively.

5. Flexibility in Evangelistic Methods

While the gospel message never changes, the methods of delivering it should be adaptable. Jesus spoke differently to Nicodemus (John 3) than He did to the Samaritan woman (John 4). Churches should use different approaches based on the needs of their audience.

6. Addressing People’s Felt Needs

Jesus often addressed people’s immediate concerns before leading them to deeper spiritual truths. He spoke about “living water” to the Samaritan woman (John 4:10) and about being “born again” to Nicodemus (John 3:3). Effective evangelism meets people where they are and then points them to Christ.

7. Speaking the Truth in Love

Jesus never ignored sin, but He addressed people with love and compassion. He did not condemn the Samaritan woman but gently led her to the truth (John 4:17–18). He called Zacchaeus to repentance through kindness (Luke 19:5–9). Evangelism must be truthful yet loving.

8. Post-Conversion Discipleship

Evangelism does not end at conversion. The Great Commission commands us to teach new believers to obey Christ (Matthew 28:19–20). The apostles followed up with new converts, planting churches and ensuring they grew in faith (Acts 14:21–23). Discipleship is essential for lasting spiritual transformation.

Evangelism is Only the Beginning

To truly fulfil the Great Commission, evangelism must go beyond making converts. Churches must reject misconceptions that hinder evangelism and embrace a biblical model that leads to disciple-making and church growth.

Key Takeaways for Effective Evangelism:

✔ Evangelism requires clear communication of the gospel—not just good deeds.
✔ It is not just for pastors; every believer is called to share their faith.
✔ Evangelism should lead to discipleship, ensuring spiritual growth and maturity.
✔ It must be intentional, Spirit-led, and culturally aware.
✔ The gospel should be shared with truth and love, addressing people’s real needs.

By following these biblical principles, evangelism will not be a one-time event but a continuous, life-transforming movement that strengthens the Church and spreads the gospel to all nations.