Evangelism in the Early Church Early Evangelists

Evangelism in the Early Church

Early evangelists could not rely on the Internet, or even on books, to spread the word. They actually had to talk with people, to lead their souls to the grace of God. Jesus practiced evangelism in the early church differently than His disciples, who did not recognize the importance of evangelism until they beheld the Resurrection. Before the Resurrection, the disciples simply followed Jesus in a rather unthinking manner. They let Jesus do all the work; and He did. Evangelism in the early Church, prior to the Resurrection, involved various missions on the part of Jesus to spread the Word to all who would listen and all who needed to hear.

How did Jesus approach evangelism?

Jesus approached evangelism in a concerted, determined, inspired, and patient manner. There are several specific features of Jesus's approach to evangelism, which should ideally be modeled by modern evangelists. Those methods include stepping outside of one's comfort zone in order to provide information and inspiration. As Earley and Wheeler point out, Jesus went out of his way, and out of his comfort zone, to make conversation with others who could be saved. No gender, class, or ethnic barrier would come in the way of Jesus's evangelical missions. It is impossible to spread the Word without speaking it (Earley and Wheeler). Similarly, Jesus was willing to cross barriers of race, class, gender, and social status. There was nothing that would come in the way between Jesus and his desire to spread the Word of God.

Moreover, Jesus would turn conversations always towards matters of the spirit. Even when speaking about seemingly mundane things, Jesus could transform the conversation by steering it to God. Jesus was also able to listen closely to what the other person (or people) had to say, or what their fears and reservations were. Jesus did not allow himself or his audience to get sidetracked while they listened to Him. Jesus did not rush, and was patient in His approach.

Other ways Jesus approached evangelism include his being willing to point out sin when He saw it, and helped others to recognize the power that sin had over them. He would not allow his audience to ignore the fact of sin, and sought their full submission to the Word of God.

How did the disciples approach evangelism?

The way the disciples approached evangelism was much different from Jesus's approach. According to Earley and Wheeler, the disciples did not prioritize evangelism as Jesus did. They did not learn how to recognize the potential value in the souls of others, or the need to be saved. The disciples were focused on the mundane, more than the spiritual. They even rushed Jesus, as the parable of the journey to Galilee shows. The disciples remained ignorant about the wealth of opportunities to save souls, and about the special role they could play. After Jesus died and was Resurrected, though, the disciples finally understood.

What do you see in today's local church that is similar or different from the early church?