Understanding Evangelism lecture notes 1.pptx

Evangelism lecture notes

1. What is Evangelism? To come up with proper definition, let us first examine the origin of the word Evangelism.

2. Analyzing the origin Middle English is evangile Anglo-French is evangeile , Late Latin is evangelium . Greek is euangelion , which means good news or gospel . It is a noun. Euangelos gives strong suggestion of bringing good news. It is not dormant news, it is active. Eu + angelos - messenger

3. J.L. Shuler in his book “Public Evangelism” defines: Evangelism in its broadest meaning embraces every kind of soul-winning endeavor. It is soul-saving because it deals with the most essential consideration of life itself.

4. Russell Burrill in his book “Reaping the Harvest” Evangelism is a process, of which public evangelism is the reaping part. Much preparation is needed in order for public evangelism to be successful. The process of evangelism involves sowing, cultivating, and reaping.

5. Russell Burrill continues Evangelism is the process of winning people to Jesus Christ and enabling them to be transformed by God into responsible church members who are ready to meet Jesus when He comes. By this definition, evangelism is seen to be the whole process of winning people. It includes sowing, cultivating, and reaping.

6. Russell Burrill continues: The above definition goes further by expanding the process to include leading people into a transformation experience with God that prepares them to meet Jesus. He continues: The work of evangelism does not end with baptism, but it continues until people are discipled and ready for the coming of Jesus.

7. Ellen White in her book “Evangelism” defines: Evangelism, the very heart of Christianity, is the theme of primary importance to those called to herald God’s last warning to a doomed world. We are in time’s closing hours, and the advent message, proclaimed to make ready a people prepared for our Lord’s return, must swell to a loud cry reaching the uttermost parts of the earth.