The Key to Effective Evangelism

There is no doubt the early church was effective both in personal and mass evangelism.  But, the question is why were they so effective?  They were not effective in their outreach just because it was a passion and they worked hard at it, but because they had such a positive witness as a body of believers in their community.

This witness is still important today.  When a church has a negative witness in their community, all ministry and evangelism ceases to be effective because that church has no credibility in their community.  This corporate witness may be defined as those evidences of faith which are seen by the watching world as a local church acts as a body (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).

There are six biblical characteristics which make up this witness.  The world should see…

  1. People Who Have a Sacrificial Love For One Another (John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  As Jesus was the embodiment of God’s love, so now every disciple and church should embody Christ’s love.  This is not a love of sentimental emotionalism, but it is a love expressed in one’s attitude and actions.  This love is a sign we belong to Christ.

The Contrast Today.  People see churches that are cold and indifferent to one another and unloving in their attitudes and actions.

  1. People Who Are United in Thought, Purpose, and Direction.  Christ prayed for unity among His disciples.  He knew that when unbelievers see the unity of believers around the person of Christ, they will be open to investigate His claims.

The Contrast Today.  People see churches constantly fighting one another, criticizing, and slandering one another.  People see leaders lording it over people to achieve their own personal agendas.

Loving one another and being united are foundational for a positive witness.  If Christians in a local church are treating one another in an ungodly manner, they can forget about genuine worship, effective ministry, and evangelism.  God is not going to bless any church that has this kind of negative witness.

Next time I will share with you four more characteristics that make up this witness.