The Sufficiency of Scripture in Evangelism
In church-planting ministry, too often we are focused on finding people who are looking for a church when in reality we should be seeking those who will allow us to get them into a study of God’s Word. Remember our basic assignment is to “Make disciples.” When we introduce people to Christ and teach them to become followers of Him, local churches will naturally result.
Our first-century church planting mentor reminds us that “The Holy Scriptures … are able to make (men) wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). It was not the messenger’s persuasive preaching or innovative methods that brought Timothy to Christ; it was the Scripture. The Scripture is not just the TEXT of the gospel, it is our TOOL for evangelism. It is not just the MESSAGE of Christ which must be shared, the Word of God is itself the METHOD to be used in pointing men to Christ.
Many seem to believe that we must first convince people of the error of their religion and then persuade them of the truth. But why do need to talk about how sharp the Spirit’s sword really is—we just need to use it. Listen to the Apostle Paul’s testimony regarding the power of the message and the priority of biblical methods in the work of the gospel. “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:1-4).
Some like to study using the proposition and proof text method. But this is not the best way to help people arrive at a firm conviction regarding spiritual truth. Indeed many use the Bible in this way to teach false doctrine and a different gospel. There is great advantage when someone finds God’s truth for himself, instead of just hearing me tell him about it. His faith can then rest not “in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4). The unbeliever is most convicted and the doubter best convinced when we simply let the Word of God do it’s work.
The best way to evangelize is to get folks into the Word for themselves – it is “living and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12-13). It will work! Many who have ministered in difficult places where one religion dominates the religious and cultural landscape, give testimony to the fact that getting people into the Scripture is what really works.
Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). God’s Spirit brings forth new life “by the word of truth” (James 1:18) and people are “Born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:23)
If we would do effective evangelism that leads to churches being established, we must do it “By the Book!” We must use the Word of God. It is sufficient.