Bible Study About Evangelism: Sharing the Good News

Evangelism – it’s a word that might bring to mind images of street preachers or traveling missionaries. Many of us feel a mix of excitement and nervousness when we hear it.

I’ll be honest: I used to think evangelism was something only super-spiritual people or church leaders did. But as I dug into the Bible, I discovered that evangelism is woven throughout Scripture from Genesis all the way to Revelation.

It’s not a new idea or just a task for a few – it’s part of God’s big story, and it involves all of us who believe.

In this Bible study, we’ll explore what evangelism really means in a biblical context. We’ll look at how both the Old and New Testaments present and model evangelism, examine the key words the KJV Bible uses (like “preach,” “witness,” “gospel,” etc.), and highlight examples, metaphors, and themes that show God’s heart for sharing the “good news.”

My hope is that this journey through Scripture will inspire and encourage you – as a fellow believer – to see evangelism not as a daunting duty, but as a natural and joyful part of our walk with God.

What Is Evangelism? (Meaning and Purpose)

In simple terms, evangelism means sharing the “gospel,” which literally means good news. The word evangelism itself comes from a Greek word in the Bible that means “to announce good news.”

In fact, when you see phrases like “preach the gospel” in the Bible, the original language is essentially saying “evangelize” – to proclaim the good news. And what is that good news? It’s the message about Jesus Christ – who He is and what He’s done to save us.

At its core, evangelism is telling others what God has done for us through Jesus. It’s like being so excited about a cure you found that you can’t help but share it with other sick people.

The “cure” we’ve found is that God loves us, Jesus died for our sins and rose again, and there is forgiveness and new life available to anyone who believes.

• That is incredibly good news! No wonder the Bible calls it “good tidings of great joy” (as the angels did in Luke 2:10 when announcing Jesus’ birth).

Importantly, evangelism is not about forcing beliefs on others or winning arguments – it’s about bearing witness to the hope we have. Think of a witness in court: they simply tell what they know and have seen.

• In the same way, we as Christians are called to be witnesses of Jesus (Acts 1:8, KJV).

We share with our words (and show by our lives) who Jesus is and how He has changed us. The results of evangelism – whether people accept the message or not – are ultimately in God’s hands. Our part is to lovingly and truthfully share the news and invite others to know the Lord.

Evangelism in the Old Testament – God’s Good News Promised

When we think “evangelism,” we might jump straight to the New Testament – Jesus sending out disciples, Paul traveling to preach, etc. But one thing that amazed me is that the Old Testament also has evangelism, just in a different form.

The word “evangelism” itself doesn’t appear in the Old Testament, and you won’t see the word “gospel” there (since “gospel” is an English word from New Testament Greek). However, the idea of spreading God’s good news and invitation is absolutely present from the earliest chapters of the Bible.

God’s promise to Abraham.

In Genesis 12:3, God told Abram (Abraham) that “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” This was more than just a personal promise – it was God revealing that through Abraham’s lineage (ultimately through Jesus, a descendant of Abraham) good news would come to all nations.

• The Apostle Paul actually says this was like the gospel announced ahead of time: “the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, ‘In thee shall all nations be blessed’” (Galatians 3:8, KJV).

So from the start, God had a global vision: He chose Israel not to keep salvation to themselves, but to be a channel of blessing to everyone else.

“Come and see” – Israel as a light.

In the Old Testament, evangelism often looked like inviting the world to “come” and see the one true God at work among His people. God set apart Israel and gave them His Law so that other nations would notice the difference.

• For example, Moses told Israel that by living out God’s commands, “all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 28:10).

The idea was that other nations would see Israel’s wisdom, justice, and blessing and be drawn to inquire about Israel’s God (see Deut. 4:6-8). We see hints of this happening:

Foreigners drawn to God’s people:

• Think of Rahab in Jericho, who heard of God’s miracles and chose to believe (Joshua 2:10-11).
• Or Ruth, a Moabite, who was drawn to the God of Israel through her mother-in-law Naomi’s witness (Ruth 1:16).

These women essentially “came” and joined God’s people because they were attracted by what they heard about God.

• The Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10) traveled a long way to witness King Solomon’s wisdom and wealth, which God had bestowed. After seeing it, she praised the God of Israel. Solomon didn’t go out advertising, but God’s blessings on Israel caused news to spread, and seekers came.

In these cases, the evangelism wasn’t a person going out to preach, but rather God’s people being a witness by living differently and welcoming those who showed up. It’s as if Israel’s mission was to be a lighthouse: shining in the darkness so that ships (nations) could see the light and navigate toward it.

Prophets and “good tidings.”

The Old Testament also contains more direct forms of proclaiming God’s message. The prophets were essentially preachers to God’s people, calling them to repent and return to the Lord.

• Once in a while, a prophet was even sent to a foreign nation – the clearest example is Jonah. God told Jonah to “go to Nineveh” (a Gentile city) and cry against it (Jonah 1:2).
• Jonah notoriously ran the other way at first (perhaps showing how Israel struggled with evangelism to outsiders), but eventually he went and preached, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4).

To Jonah’s surprise, the entire city of Nineveh repented and turned to God. It might be one of the greatest evangelistic revivals in history – and it came through an reluctant prophet and a very simple message.

This story shows God’s heart: He cared about a pagan city enough to send a messenger. It’s a beautiful Old Testament example of evangelism in action (even if Jonah himself wasn’t too happy about sharing the good news of God’s mercy!).

The message in the psalms and prophets:

Throughout Israel’s songbook and prophetic writings, we see that God’s intention was always for His salvation to reach all peoples.

• Psalm 96:2-3, for instance, urges God’s people: “shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.”

• In other words, “Tell the nations what God has done!” Isaiah 12:4 has a similar tone: “Declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.”

These aren’t just poetic lines – they’re calls for evangelism! The faithful in Israel were to speak out and share about God so that even the “heathen” (the nations) would hear of His greatness.

• One especially vivid example is Isaiah 52:7, which exclaims: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (KJV).

Here Isaiah envisions a messenger running on the hills, announcing victory and peace – essentially sharing the gospel in an Old Testament way.

That phrase “bringeth good tidings” is the same concept as “bringing good news.” The New Testament later quotes this verse in reference to preaching the gospel (Romans 10:15).

It shows that even in the Old Testament, God was already talking about the “good news” – at that time, the good news of His saving His people from exile, which ultimately points to the greater good news of Christ.

The Coming King and Suffering Servant:

The prophets not only modeled evangelism; they also prophesied the content of the coming gospel.

• Isaiah, again, speaks of a future figure anointed to preach good news: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek…” (Isaiah 61:1, KJV).
• This was fulfilled by Jesus – He read this very passage in the synagogue and said it was about Him (Luke 4:18-21).
• Isaiah also foretold a suffering servant who would bear the sins of many (Isaiah 53).

In a way, the Old Testament contains the promise of the gospel, and prophets like Isaiah were evangelists ahead of their time, announcing that God would send a Savior and that this salvation would be proclaimed to all the world.

To sum up, evangelism in the Old Testament was often “Come and see” rather than “Go and tell.” Gentiles were usually reached as they came into contact with Israel and its God.

Yet, we clearly see God’s desire to reach all peoples. The stage was being set for the day when the message would explicitly go out to the ends of the earth.

Evangelism in the New Testament – The Great Commission and Beyond

With the coming of Jesus in the New Testament, evangelism burst into full bloom.

What was foreshadowed and hinted at in the Old Testament became explicit and urgent in the New. Jesus brought the good news in person, and then He sent out His followers to spread that good news everywhere.

If Old Testament evangelism was mostly “come to the light,” New Testament evangelism is “go out into the darkness with the light.”

Jesus: the master evangelist.

First, consider Jesus Himself. During His earthly ministry, Jesus modeled evangelism.

• He preached to crowds about the Kingdom of God (e.g. “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” – Matthew 4:17).

He also had one-on-one conversations where He revealed the truth to individuals – think of His chat with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, where He gently led her to recognize Him as the Messiah.

Jesus met people where they were: in synagogues, on hillsides, in boats, at dinner tables, by the roadside.

• He shared the good news of God’s love and called people to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:14-15).

In a sense, Jesus was doing evangelism throughout His ministry – He was announcing and embodying the good news that God’s Savior had come.

Not only did Jesus evangelize directly, He also trained disciples to do the same.

• He sent out the twelve apostles to preach during His ministry (Luke 9:1-6) and later sent out seventy others in pairs to go into towns ahead of Him, healing and proclaiming God’s kingdom (Luke 10:1-9).

This was like a short-term mission trip, preparing them for the bigger mission to come.

The Great Commission.

After Jesus’s death and resurrection – which are the very heart of the gospel message – He gave His followers a clear mandate. We know this as the Great Commission.

• In Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV), Jesus instructed them (and us by extension): “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”

The word “teach all nations” can be understood as “make disciples of all nations.”

• Mark’s Gospel states it this way: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15, KJV).

There’s no ambiguity there – go everywhere and tell everyone the good news.

This is a massive shift from the earlier era where Gentiles mostly came to Israel. Now, Jesus sends His people outward to the nations. The message isn’t only “come and see,” but also “we’ll come to you!”

Every corner of the earth needs to hear about Christ.

• And Jesus didn’t leave us to do this alone – He promised, “lo, I am with you alway” (Matt. 28:20) and told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit’s power to help them (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5).

Empowered witnesses.

• In Acts 1:8, right before His ascension, Jesus said to the disciples, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Notice how that lays out the scope of evangelism: start right where you are (Jerusalem), then spread out regionally (Judea, Samaria), then go global (uttermost part of the earth).

Also, Jesus uses the word “witnesses.” A witness is someone who tells what they have seen or experienced.

The apostles had literally witnessed Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection – and soon they would witness the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Their job was simply to tell the world what they saw and what it means.

The Book of Acts is essentially the story of those Spirit-empowered believers taking the gospel and running with it – from Jerusalem to Rome, and planting seeds that would eventually reach the whole world.

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the believers and the Apostle Peter preached boldly to a huge crowd (Acts 2).

This resulted in about 3,000 people believing in Jesus that day. Talk about a powerful evangelistic meeting!

Interestingly, people from many different nations were present (Acts 2:9-11 lists Parthians, Medes, Egyptians, Romans, etc.), and they each heard the message in their own languages. It’s as if God was signaling: this gospel is for everyone, no matter your language or background.

From there, the early Christians kept on preaching and witnessing. Everywhere they went, they shared about Jesus – sometimes through formal sermons, other times through informal conversations.

When persecution later struck Jerusalem, many believers were scattered to other regions.

• But instead of hiding in fear, “they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4, KJV).

Note that these weren’t the original apostles (those had mostly stayed in Jerusalem); these were ordinary believers who fled persecution. Yet they became accidental missionaries!

This tells me that in the New Testament church, evangelism wasn’t just for the apostles or “professional” preachers – everyone took part. Every Christian was a carrier of the good news.

Reaching the Gentiles.

A significant moment in New Testament evangelism was when the message formally jumped the cultural barrier from Jews to Gentiles.

• In Acts 10, God sent Peter to share the gospel with Cornelius, a Roman centurion.

Peter was hesitant at first (he needed a special vision from God to convince him not to call Gentiles “unclean”), but he went. As Peter told Cornelius’s household about Jesus, the Holy Spirit fell on those Gentile listeners just as He had on Jewish believers.

This confirmed that the gospel was truly for all peoples, and the church began welcoming non-Jews without requiring them to become Jewish proselytes first. From then on, we see an explosion of evangelistic activity to the Gentile world, especially through Paul the Apostle.

Paul’s missionary journeys dominate the latter half of Acts. Paul (formerly Saul, the persecutor turned believer) had a burning passion to spread the gospel.

He traveled throughout Asia Minor and into Europe, preaching in synagogues and in marketplaces, to philosophers on Mars Hill in Athens and to rulers like King Agrippa.

Paul adapted his approach depending on the audience – quoting Hebrew scriptures to Jews, and referencing cultural touchpoints when speaking to Greeks – but his message was always centered on Jesus Christ crucified and risen.

• Paul also trained others (like Timothy, Titus, and many more) to continue the work. He told Timothy, “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5).

By the end of Acts, the good news had reached Rome, the heart of the empire. And Paul’s letters show the gospel continuing to spread through the witness of many Christians in various cities.

• The New Testament has numerous references to believers sharing their faith: the Thessalonians, for instance, were commended because “from you sounded out the word of the Lord… in every place” (1 Thessalonians 1:8).

The early church understood that to be a follower of Christ is to be a sharer of Christ.

To put it simply, the New Testament presents evangelism as the mission of the church. Jesus gave us a clear commission to go and make disciples, to preach the gospel to all creation. The first Christians embraced that mission wholeheartedly.

They weren’t superhuman – they had fears and faced lots of opposition – but they relied on the Holy Spirit and the truth of the message.

They prayed for boldness (see Acts 4:29-31) and kept preaching Jesus despite threats. Through their faithful witness, the gospel spread from a small group in Jerusalem to millions across the world, and eventually to us today.

Words the Bible Uses for Evangelism (KJV Terms Explained)

The King James Version uses several different words to talk about evangelism. Understanding these terms can enrich our Bible study because we see the different facets of what it means to share the faith.

Here are some key words related to evangelism in Scripture, with their meanings:

Gospel:

This is the big one – “gospel” literally means “good news”. In the KJV New Testament, gospel usually refers to the message about Jesus and salvation (for example, “the gospel of Christ”).

• When Jesus preached, it says He brought “the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 4:23).
• Paul defines the gospel concisely in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for our sins, all according to the Scriptures.

Whenever you see gospel in the Bible, think “good news” – the best news ever, really!

Preach / Preaching:

To preach in the Bible means to proclaim or herald a message publicly. It’s not necessarily a sermon behind a pulpit (though it includes that) – it’s any announcement of God’s truth.

The KJV uses “preach” often in the New Testament. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness, Jesus preached in cities and villages, the apostles preached everywhere.

The Greek term behind this often is kerysso, meaning to herald (like a town-crier shouting a king’s decree). So, when we read “preach the word” or “preach the gospel,” it’s telling us to announce openly the message of Christ.

Interestingly, preaching in the Bible isn’t always formal – the man in Mark 5:20 who had been delivered from demons “published” (proclaimed) what Jesus did for him around Decapolis.

That was preaching too! Anytime we’re verbally sharing the truth of Jesus, we are in a sense preaching (proclaiming) the gospel.

Evangelize / Evangelist:

The KJV doesn’t use the verb “evangelize,” but it does use the noun Evangelist a few times. Evangelist literally means “one who brings good news.”

• In the New Testament, Philip is called “Philip the evangelist” (Acts 21:8) and Paul tells Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim 4:5).
• Ephesians 4:11 says Christ gave some to be “evangelists” as part of building up the church (alongside pastors, teachers, etc.).

It seems an evangelist in the early church was someone especially gifted and dedicated to preaching the gospel in new places – like a missionary or traveling preacher.

Philip, for example, took the gospel to Samaria and led the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ in the desert road (Acts 8), acting as an evangelist.

All believers are called to evangelize in a general sense (to share the good news), even if not everyone has the specific office or role of an “evangelist.” The whole church works together in evangelism, but some are particularly driven to pioneer and spread the message far and wide.

Witness / Witnessing:

Witness is a crucial word in evangelism. As we discussed earlier, a witness is someone who testifies to what they know. In the KJV, witness is used both as a noun and verb.

• Jesus said, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8) – meaning we are His representatives, telling the world about Him.

In a court, a witness shares facts; in our Christian life, witnessing means sharing the truth of the gospel and how we’ve experienced it.

It’s interesting that the Greek word for witness is martus, from which we get “martyr.” Many early witnesses to Christ became martyrs – they were so faithful in telling about Jesus that they died for it.

While not every witness will face death, all of us are called to be ready to speak up about Jesus.

“Witnessing” can be as simple as telling someone, “I believe in Jesus and this is what He’s done in my life,” or explaining to a friend what the Bible says about salvation. It’s often personal and relational.

Testify / Testimony:

These words are related to witness. To testify is to bear witness, and a testimony is essentially your witness statement.

• In church lingo, we often talk about “sharing your testimony,” meaning telling the story of how you came to faith or how God has worked in your life. In the Bible, the apostles “testified” to the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 4:33).

They were giving firsthand accounts. For us, sharing our testimony can be a powerful form of evangelism because it’s hard to argue with someone’s personal experience.

It’s like saying, “This is what I’ve seen and heard in my life with Jesus – maybe it can encourage you to know Him too.” While our personal story isn’t the gospel itself, it often opens a door to explain the gospel.

“Good tidings” / “Glad tidings”:

These are phrasing you’ll see in the KJV, especially in Luke and Isaiah. “Good tidings” is basically old-fashioned English for “good news.”

• For example, the angel told the shepherds, “I bring you good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10) announcing Jesus’ birth.

That’s the angel evangelizing! In Isaiah, as we saw, phrases like “bring good tidings” pop up, which the New Testament would render as “preach the gospel.”

So when you see tidings, think news. If it’s glad tidings, it’s good news. In modern language, we could translate those instances as “preach the good news.”

“Publish” (the word of God):

Sometimes the KJV uses publish where we might say “proclaim.”

• Psalm 68:11 (KJV) says, “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.”

This doesn’t mean printing a book; it means spreading the message around.

Those who “publish” God’s word are basically evangelists, making sure God’s proclamation is heard widely.

• Mark 5:20, mentioned above, said the delivered man “published” what Jesus did. It’s another way to say he spread the news.

All these terms – preach, witness, testify, gospel, evangelist, etc. – give us a multifaceted picture.

Evangelism can involve proclaiming like a herald, conversing like a witness, sharing like a friend, and even writing or singing about God’s salvation. But every word circles back to the same core idea: making the good news of Jesus known.

Biblical Metaphors and Themes of Evangelism

One thing I love about the Bible is that it uses everyday images and metaphors to help us grasp spiritual truths. Evangelism is no exception – there are several rich word-pictures in Scripture that illustrate what it’s like to share the gospel.

Let’s look at a few of these symbolic or metaphorical references to evangelism, and then identify some overarching themes that run through the Bible on this topic.

Metaphors for Evangelism:

“Fishers of Men”:

• When Jesus called His first disciples (who were fishermen by trade), He told them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17, KJV).

This clever metaphor took something they knew well – catching fish – and applied it to evangelism. Instead of gathering fish into nets, they would gather people into God’s kingdom.

The image suggests intentionality (you have to go where the fish are) and patience (fishing can require waiting and persistence!).

It also implies a skill that can be learned – Jesus would make them fishers of men, teaching them how to “catch” people through the gospel. We can take heart that Jesus will also teach us how to reach others, if we follow Him.

Sowing and Harvesting (The Farmer Metaphor):

Jesus often used farming imagery for spreading the Word.

• In the famous Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9,18-23), a man sows seed on different types of soil.

The seed represents the Word of God.

Some falls on hard ground (hearts that don’t receive it), some on shallow or thorny ground (initial responses that fade or get choked), and some on good soil (hearts that accept the word and bear fruit).

This parable shows that an evangelist (the sower) will see different responses – and that’s normal. Our job is to sow the seed generously; God is responsible for the growth in good soil. Relatedly, Jesus also spoke of a harvest of souls.

• He said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). And, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers” (Matthew 9:37-38).

In this metaphor, people’s hearts are like a field ready to be reaped – many are ready to believe if someone would just share with them.

We, the evangelists, are the farmworkers sent into the fields. It’s a team effort too: one sows, another reaps, but God is the Lord of the harvest.

Light of the World:

• Jesus told His followers, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14).

He explained that nobody lights a candle and puts it under a basket, but on a stand to give light to all.

• “Let your light so shine before men,” Jesus said, “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt 5:16).

This metaphor highlights the visible witness of our lives. Evangelism isn’t only what we say; it’s also what we do. When we live out Christ’s love and holiness, it’s like light shining in a dark world.

People can see something different and are drawn to God. Of course, we still need to speak the gospel (light shines primarily by proclamation of truth), but our actions either amplify or contradict our message.

• In Philippians 2:15, believers are told to be “blameless and harmless… in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

So, living a godly life is itself a form of witness that complements evangelistic words.

Salt of the Earth:

• Right alongside being light, Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13).

Salt in the ancient world was valuable for preserving food and enhancing flavor. How does this relate to evangelism? As “salt,” Christians are meant to have a preserving influence in a decaying world and to make people thirsty for God.

Our presence and testimony can prevent moral decay in society to some extent, and our joyful, hopeful demeanor (seasoned with the “flavor” of Christ) can make others desire what we have.

If salt loses its saltiness, Jesus said it’s useless – similarly, if we lose our distinctiveness as followers of Christ, our witness is weakened.

This metaphor encourages us to maintain our Christlike “flavor” and use it to bless others and point them to the source of our hope.

Herald/Messenger:

We touched on this under “preach,” but it’s worth picturing: an ancient herald running from the battlefield back to the city with good news of victory.

• Isaiah’s “beautiful feet” (Isa 52:7) imagery is exactly that – in those days, messengers ran on foot to deliver news.
• In the New Testament, Paul in Ephesians 6:15 talks about having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, likely alluding to the same idea.

As evangelists, we are like those heralds, our feet carrying us to others with the announcement that Christ has won the victory over sin and death. It’s a beautiful job to bring that joyful news to people who haven’t heard.

Ambassadors for Christ:

• The Apostle Paul uses a political metaphor in 2 Corinthians 5:20: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

An ambassador is an official representative who speaks on behalf of a king or country in a foreign land. Think about that – we are in a foreign territory (the world, which is not our ultimate home, since our citizenship is in heaven).

But we represent King Jesus here, and God is making His appeal to people through us. When we share the gospel, it’s “as though God were pleading through us.” That’s a powerful picture!

It means our words carry weight not because of who we are, but because of who sent us. We carry the authority and message of our King. This metaphor also reminds us to behave in a manner worthy of our King, since we represent Him.

These metaphors

• fishing
• farming
• shining
• seasoning
• heralding
• and ambassadoring

– each highlight different aspects of evangelism: intentional effort, patience, visibility, living as an example, urgency of message, and representational authority.

They encourage us that evangelism can happen in various ways and contexts, but always with the goal of connecting people with God’s truth.

Themes and Patterns Across Scripture:

Beyond specific word-pictures, the Bible reveals some consistent themes about evangelism from the Old Testament through the New. Recognizing these patterns helps us see the big picture of God’s redemptive plan and our role in it:

God’s Heart for All Nations:

A major theme of Scripture is that God is not just the God of one group, but the God who desires people from every nation to know Him.

• He told Abraham all nations would be blessed through him.
• The Psalms repeatedly invite “all the earth” to sing to the Lord.
• The prophets spoke of Gentiles coming to worship God (e.g. Isaiah 2:2-3 describes all nations streaming to the house of God).
• In the New Testament, Jesus commands making disciples of all nations, and we see the gospel crossing cultural divides.
• Finally, the book of Revelation gives a beautiful climax: a great multitude “of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues” worshiping God together (Revelation 7:9).

Evangelism is the means by which God’s heart for the nations is realized.

From start to finish, the Bible’s story is about God gathering a global family. What was promised in the Old is fulfilled in the New and will be celebrated in eternity.

Knowing this, when we share the gospel with someone, we are participating in something huge and eternal – the ingathering of God’s diverse people.

God Sends and We Go:

Another pattern is the idea of being sent. God is a sending...

• He sent prophets in the Old Testament
• He sent His Son into the world (John 3:17)
• and the Son sends us (John 20:21 “as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you”).

• In Isaiah 6:8, the prophet hears God ask, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah responds, “Here am I; send me.” That willing response is a model for us.
• In the New Testament, “send” becomes a key word: Jesus sent the apostles, the church in Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2-3), and so on.

Evangelism always involves a “going” – whether it’s going across the street or across the ocean. It might simply mean stepping out of our comfort zone to initiate a spiritual conversation.

But there is a movement from the comfort of staying silent into the obedience of speaking up or reaching out. God’s pattern is to send His people as messengers, and our job is to go when sent.

• As Romans 10:15 puts it, “How shall they preach, except they be sent?” – and indeed we have been sent by the Lord.

Human Weakness, God’s Power:

If you ever feel inadequate to evangelize, you’re in good company. Throughout Scripture, God’s messengers often felt unworthy or weak.

• Moses tried to excuse himself at the burning bush, saying he wasn’t eloquent enough to confront Pharaoh.
• Jeremiah thought he was too young to speak (Jer. 1:6-7).
• Jonah literally ran in the opposite direction!
• Even Paul came to the Corinthians “in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling” (1 Cor. 2:3).

The pattern is that God uses imperfect, ordinary people to deliver His extraordinary message.

Why? So that it’s clear the power is from Him, not us.

• 2 Corinthians 4:7 says we carry this treasure in “earthen vessels” (clay jars) to show that the power is God’s.
• In Acts, when the apostles preached, people marveled that these were uneducated fishermen, yet they spoke with boldness and wisdom – then they “took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

The secret was not their skill; it was their connection to Jesus and the filling of the Holy Spirit. So one theme is God’s strength in our weakness. We rely on the Holy Spirit when we evangelize.

• Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Spirit before launching out to witness (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8) – that still applies.

We should pray for God’s help, trusting Him to give us words, courage, and love for people beyond what we have naturally.

Repentance and Faith – a Consistent Message:

Another theme: the content of evangelism consistently involves a call to repentance (turning away from sin/rebellion) and faith (trusting God).

• Noah, often called a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), warned people of judgment and offered a way of escape in the ark – an implicit call to repent and trust God’s provision.
• The Old Testament prophets called Israel to repent and return to the covenant.
• John the Baptist came “preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4).
• Jesus’ own message was “repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
• The apostles in Acts similarly urged people to “repent… and be converted” (Acts 3:19) and to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31).
• While the specific details fleshed out (for example, Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 focuses on Jesus’ death and resurrection and calls listeners to repent and be baptized), the core response sought is always that people turn from sin to God and trust in Christ.

As we share the gospel today, that remains the goal – not just informing minds, but inviting a change of heart and allegiance.

Cost and Reward:

The Bible doesn’t hide that evangelism can be costly. Many prophets were rejected or mistreated (poor Jeremiah was thrown in a pit and constantly opposed for speaking God’s word).

In the New Testament, nearly every apostle faced persecution; several were martyred for preaching about Jesus. Sharing our faith might cost us social comfort, reputation, or worse.

• Jesus warned the disciples of coming persecution but also encouraged them that “he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39).

A theme in Acts is that despite persecution, the word of God increased and multiplied. There’s a saying based on early church history: “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church” – meaning, persecution often led to even more growth of the gospel.

Why? Because people saw believers willing to suffer for their message and concluded it must truly be worth believing. And of course, those who suffered kept their eyes on the reward: Jesus Himself, and the promise of eternal life.

• Paul, who endured beatings and imprisonment, called these troubles “light affliction” compared to the eternal glory to come (2 Cor. 4:17).

The theme here is that evangelism involves sacrifice, but it’s worth it.

• There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10).

We experience joy, too, when someone comes to Christ – it’s all worth it. And ultimately, God rewards the faithful servant. In the big picture, any temporary cost now can’t compare to the eternal reward of souls saved and God’s “well done.”

One Message, Different Methods:

Throughout the Bible, the message remains essentially the same – God’s saving love reaching out to bring people into relationship with Him – but the methods and contexts vary.

• Sometimes it’s one-on-one (Philip with the Ethiopian, Jesus with Nicodemus)
• sometimes it’s to a crowd (Peter at Pentecost, Paul in Athens)
• Sometimes the approach is through logic and reasoning (Paul explaining and proving Jesus is Christ from the scriptures in Acts 17:2-3)
• other times through storytelling or parables (Jesus often used stories to convey truth)
• or through acts of compassion and miracles that open a door for the word (like Dorcas’s charity in Acts 9 leading many to believe
• or Jesus feeding crowds and then teaching).

This shows a pattern of creative, Spirit-led methods to reach people where they are.

We see biblical characters meeting people in synagogues

• by riversides (Acts 16:13)
• in chariots
• in prisons (Paul shared with his jailer)
• and in homes.

The early church evangelized through public preaching and also through hospitality and conversations in homes (Acts 5:42).

The takeaway for us is: be flexible and sensitive to God’s leading in how we share. The message doesn’t change, but we might share it differently with a child at a park versus a coworker at lunch or a family member at a holiday gathering.

All methods – friendship, acts of service, literature, preaching, social media, etc. – can be valid tools for evangelism as long as the gospel message comes through.

Continuity of God’s Plan:

Finally, a big theme is that evangelism ties the whole Bible together in terms of God’s plan.

The Old Testament was the promise, and the New Testament is the fulfillment, and evangelism is the link that carries the fulfillment to every corner of the world.

• The message spoken by prophets in part (Hebrews 1:1) was completed in Jesus, and now we carry that complete message.

Jesus Christ is the central figure – the Old Testament pointed to Him (through prophecies and “types” – like the sacrificial lamb foreshadowing Jesus’ sacrifice, the bronze serpent lifted up foreshadowing the cross, Jonah’s three days in the fish foreshadowing the resurrection, etc.), and the New Testament declares Him.

Thus, when we evangelize, we are actually participating in the grand narrative of Scripture – proclaiming the Christ that Moses, David, and Isaiah longed to see.

It’s all one continuous story: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. The theme of redemption (God saving a people for Himself) is thread through Genesis to Revelation, and evangelism is simply telling that redemption story and inviting others into it.

Connecting the Old and New – One Mission, One Message

Let’s underscore the unity between the Old and New Testaments regarding evangelism.

Sometimes people think the Old Testament was all about law and Israel alone, and the New Testament is all about grace and missions. But in reality, the Bible presents one coherent mission of God.

In theology, there’s the concept of “Missio Dei” – the mission of God. It means from the very beginning, God has been a missionary God. He is on a mission to reconcile lost humanity to Himself.

We see the first “evangelistic” act even in the Garden of Eden after the fall: God seeks out Adam and Eve, who are hiding, and promises a future Savior (the “seed of the woman” in Genesis 3:15 who would crush the serpent).

That’s God taking the initiative to restore us – the starting point of the gospel. Then God calls Abraham, forms Israel, and so on, all as part of this unfolding rescue plan.

Foreshadowings and “types”:

The Old Testament is full of symbols that foreshadow Christ and the gospel, and the New Testament often makes the connection for us. For example:

The Passover lamb

The Passover lamb in Exodus (whose blood saved Israel’s firstborn from death) is a picture of Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose blood saves us from eternal death.

• When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he announced, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

The message that we share in evangelism – forgiveness through the blood of Jesus – was foreshadowed in that Passover event.

Early Christians evangelizing Jews would point to that and say, “See how God delivered us from Egypt with a lamb? Now the true Lamb has come.”

The Prophet Jonah

The prophet Jonah we discussed – he is a “type” of Christ in a couple ways. Jesus Himself said that Jonah’s three days in the belly of the fish were a sign predicting His own three days in the tomb (Matthew 12:40).

Jonah also was sent to Gentiles, and his story shows God’s mercy to repentant sinners. In a way, Jonah’s reluctant mission hints at the greater missionary work of Christ (who came willingly to seek and save the lost, including us Gentiles).

Where Jonah failed to love, Jesus wept over the lost and gave Himself. When we evangelize, we can actually use Jonah’s story as a starting point to talk about death/resurrection (the sign of Jonah) and God’s love for all people.

The Suffering Servant

The suffering servant in Isaiah 53 is a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Philip the evangelist famously used this Scripture when witnessing to the Ethiopian eunuch.

• Starting from Isaiah 53’s description of one who was wounded for our transgressions, Philip “preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35).

This shows a direct connection: the Old Testament provided the content (prophecy) and the New Testament evangelist provided the explanation (fulfillment in Christ).

The Promise of Abraham

In our own sharing, we too can draw from the rich well of the Old Testament to explain why Jesus had to die (for instance, referencing the sacrificial system, or Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac – which God stopped and provided a ram, pointing to God providing His own Son as the sacrifice).

The promise to Abraham as mentioned is explicitly connected: Paul says the gospel was preached to Abraham (Galatians 3:8).

Now in the New Testament era, we see that promise coming true as the gospel goes out to the Gentiles. We actually live in the days of fulfillment of that ancient promise.

Every time someone from a “family of the earth” (basically any people group) is blessed through Christ, the Abrahamic covenant is being fulfilled. That’s a really cool continuity to point out – our evangelistic efforts today are part of the outworking of God’s promise made ~4,000 years ago!

Israel as a kingdom of priests:

• In Exodus 19:5-6 God told Israel that if they kept the covenant, they’d be “a peculiar treasure” and “a kingdom of priests and an holy nation.”

A priest is someone who mediates between God and others – Israel was meant to model God’s truth and bring others to Him. They only partially fulfilled that.

• But then 1 Peter 2:9 applies similar words to the church: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…” Why? “…that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

That’s evangelism! We, as the church, have taken up that mantle of being God’s royal priests in the world, declaring His praises and bringing people to God through Jesus, the great High Priest.

The mission is consistent: God’s people represent Him to the world. What Israel was intended to do (and did at times, albeit imperfectly), the church now continues – but with greater power and clarity because we know Christ fully.

In essence, the Old Testament laid the groundwork, and the New Testament builds on it.

The message we share – that God loves the world, that humans are sinful and in need of redemption, that God has provided a way through the Messiah, and that we must respond with faith – is rooted in the entire Bible. There’s harmony between the testaments.

It’s also worth noting that in the New Testament, the apostles frequently used the Old Testament when evangelizing, especially to Jewish audiences.

• They would quote prophecies and show how Jesus fulfilled them (as Peter did in Acts 2 with Joel and the Psalms, or Paul did throughout Acts).

This tells us that knowing the whole counsel of Scripture is valuable in evangelism. For some people, hearing how the Bible’s 66 books tell one unified story can be very compelling. It shows the divine authorship behind it all.

Prophetic fulfillments were a big deal

The Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 -> Matthew 2:5-6), His suffering (Isaiah 53 -> the Gospels), His resurrection (Psalm 16:10 -> Acts 2:31), the pouring out of the Spirit (Joel 2 -> Acts 2:16-21), the inclusion of Gentiles (Hosea 2:23 -> Romans 9:25-26).

Early Christian preaching often highlighted these. While today our listeners might not always be familiar with these prophecies, sharing a few can spark interest that this gospel wasn’t invented by the apostles – it was God’s plan all along, verified by prophecies centuries before Christ.

Finally, let’s mention the end goal as a connection:

• In the Old Testament, there are glimpses of a future where the whole world acknowledges God (like the vision in Isaiah 11:9 – “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea”).

The New Testament, especially in Revelation, shows that coming to pass – every nation represented in worship, the gospel having done its work.

• Jesus in Matthew 24:14 said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

God’s plan is that the gospel will reach every people group before the final consummation of history.

• In Revelation 14:6, John even sees an angel “having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”

That “everlasting gospel” is the same good news from ages past, to the very end. We’re part of this grand story – bridging the old and the new – carrying forward the everlasting gospel until the day our King returns. How awesome is that?

Living Out the Call to Evangelize Today

By now, we’ve seen that evangelism is biblically grounded, richly illustrated, and central to God’s purpose. But maybe you’re thinking, “Okay, I see that believers are supposed to evangelize… but how do I actually do that in my life? It still feels scary!” I hear you.

It’s one thing to know the theology, and another to step out and talk to someone about Jesus. Here are a few final thoughts to encourage you (and me!) in practically applying this call:

Start with your own awe of the gospel.

Evangelism is essentially overflow. The more we personally cherish what God has done for us, the more natural it becomes to mention it to others.

• Think of the shepherds in Luke 2 – they heard the good tidings, saw baby Jesus, and then “made known abroad” what was told them. They couldn’t keep it in!
• Or the Apostle John, who said, “we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

Ask God to renew your joy in the gospel each day. When we’re amazed by grace, evangelism becomes less of a chore and more of an excited testimony.

It can be as honest and simple as, “I’ve been learning something really cool from the Bible – can I share it with you?”

Remember you’re not alone – God goes with you.

• Jesus promised to be with us always (Matt. 28:20).

The Holy Spirit lives in every believer to guide and empower us. We don’t have to rely on our own eloquence or knowledge. In fact, prayer is our best tool in evangelism.

• Pray for open doors (Colossians 4:3), for the right words, and for God to prepare hearts.
• Even the Apostle Paul asked for prayer that he would speak boldly as he should (Eph. 6:18-20), which is comforting – it means even Paul felt the need for extra courage!

God can also arrange “divine appointments” – those seemingly casual encounters that turn into deep conversations.

I’ve found that when I pray for opportunities to witness, God is faithful to provide them (sometimes unexpectedly!).

And as you step out, you may tangibly feel the Spirit helping you – bringing Scriptures to mind, or giving you love for the person in front of you.

Use the Bible – there’s power in the Word.

This is a Bible study blog, so of course I’ll say: let Scripture speak. You don’t have to have every answer, but if you can share a verse or a story from the Bible, that can be incredibly powerful.

• The Bible says God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Even a simple verse like John 3:16 carries life-changing truth.

Many evangelists through history, like Billy Graham, made a habit of frequently saying, “The Bible says…” because they trusted the authority of Scripture over any clever argument.

In personal conversations, opening a Bible (or Bible app) and reading a short passage together can cut through a lot of fog.

• The gospel is “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16), so the more we stick to the gospel message (straight from the Bible), the more we’re tapping into that power.

Lead with love and listening.

• The Bible says to share the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

People are not projects; they are individuals loved by God. Evangelism is an act of love – wanting someone else to know the greatest hope we’ve known. That means our tone and approach should be gentle and respectful.

• 1 Peter 3:15 famously tells us to be ready to give an answer about our hope “with meekness and fear” (reverence).

Listening to people’s questions or struggles is important. Jesus often asked questions and listened before He spoke into someone’s life.

By caring about a person’s life and story, we reflect Christ’s compassion, and we might learn how best to connect the gospel to their situation.

Remember, our goal is not to win a debate but to win a person’s heart to Christ. That usually happens through genuine friendship and concern.

Take initiative – even small steps count.

In the end, someone has to speak for someone else to hear.

• “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14).

Sometimes we wait and wait for the “perfect” moment or for people to come ask us, and those opportunities can pass by.

Pray for boldness and take initiative. It can be as simple as inviting someone to church or a Bible study, offering to pray for a coworker who’s struggling, or mentioning something you learned in Scripture over the weekend.

You might be surprised – people today are often open to spiritual conversations, even if they don’t show it on the surface. And even if your invitation or message is declined, it’s not a failure. You planted a seed.

The person now knows a Christian who cares, and that might come back around later.

Many of us can recall an instance where someone planted a seed in us that didn’t sprout until years later. No effort in evangelism is wasted. God can use even our stumbling words.

Trust God with the results.

One of the most freeing truths is that we don’t convert anyone – God does.

• Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44).

Our role is like a mail carrier delivering the mail; God’s role is to actually change the heart of the recipient.

• Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

When you realize it’s not on you to argue someone into the kingdom (you can’t anyway), you can relax and just share faithfully. Some will reject the message – they rejected Jesus Himself, so that’s expected. Others might respond later.

And some, praise God, will believe when they hear. When someone does respond positively – hallelujah! We rejoice and continue to walk with them.

When they don’t – we still continue to love them, pray, and wait. Sometimes it’s years before a seed bears fruit. That’s okay. Evangelism is often more of a marathon than a sprint.

Learn and improve, but don’t wait to be “perfect.”

It’s good to prepare and get better at sharing (for instance, learning a simple gospel outline like Romans 6:23 or John 3:16 can help you explain the basics).

Studying Scripture, maybe memorizing a few key verses, and even reading books on evangelism can equip you. However, don’t fall into the trap of “I’ll start sharing once I feel ready.” Honestly, we become “ready” by doing it!

The first time you talk to someone about Jesus, you might feel you messed it up or forgot to say half of what you wanted – that’s okay. God can still use it, and you will grow through the experience. Each time gets a bit easier.

The disciples learned by being sent out; they likely made mistakes and learned from them. So, step out in faith even if you feel only 60% ready.

God can work through a willing heart more than through a perfectly polished presentation. Over time, you’ll find your voice and style in evangelism.

Embrace both words and deeds.

We’ve talked a lot about speaking the gospel, which is vital. But let’s remember that our deeds also play a role.

• Titus 2:10 talks about “adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.”

That means our lives should make the gospel attractive. Practical application: if we talk about God’s love but are harsh or selfish, people will tune us out.

Conversely, when we consistently show kindness, integrity, patience, and genuine care, people are more inclined to listen when we talk about our faith.

Sometimes evangelism starts with an act of service – bringing a meal to a neighbor, helping a colleague in need – which opens a door to share why we have hope and love to give. It’s not either/or; it’s both working together.

St. Francis of Assisi is often attributed with saying, “Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” I’d tweak that: “Preach the gospel at all times, and use words – but make sure your life matches those words.” Our lifestyle can lend credibility to our message.

Keep the connection between Old and New alive.

When you study your Bible, keep noticing how the whole Bible supports our mission. It can really fuel your passion.

For example, reading how God spoke to Israel about being a light can remind you that “hey, this calling to be a light isn’t new – I’m part of a long line of God’s people shining in the world!”

Seeing how Jesus fulfilled prophecy can boost your confidence that our message is true. Understanding the types and shadows can give you creative ways to explain the gospel (like, “You know how in Narnia Aslan dies in place of Edmund?

That’s actually what Jesus did for us – did you know that story parallels an old, old story in the Bible?”). The more we ourselves are immersed in the whole counsel of God, the more depth and richness we’ll have in our evangelistic conversations.

Celebrate the small wins and the big ones.

Evangelism can sometimes feel discouraging if we only measure success by visible conversions. But there are many “wins” along the way: when you finally muster courage to mention Jesus to that friend – that’s a win.

When someone moves from misunderstanding to understanding (even if they haven’t yet believed) – that’s a win. When a seeker agrees to read the Bible with you, or comes to church, or even just continues the conversation – all wins. Celebrate and thank God for each step.

And of course, when someone does put their faith in Christ, rejoice like heaven rejoices! Throw a little party, share the testimony, shout hallelujah! It encourages others to hear stories of salvation.

In the early church, they constantly reported back what God was doing (see Acts 14:27). We can do the same in our communities – it creates a culture of evangelism where everyone is excited to play a part.

Finally, I want to encourage you that evangelism is a journey of faith for us as much as it is for those we reach.

Every time I’ve taken a step to share the gospel, I find my own faith grows. I’m reminded in those moments that the Word of God is living and powerful, because I see it touching someone.

I’m reminded of the Holy Spirit’s reality when He helps me speak or gives me peace.

And yes, sometimes I’m reminded of my dependence on God when I get tongue-tied or when someone asks a question I can’t answer (which sends me back to prayer and Scripture for answers). It keeps me humble and reliant on God – which is exactly where He wants us.

Evangelism is not just a task, it’s an adventure with God.

It’s stepping into the river of what He’s doing throughout history and flowing with it. It can be scary at times, but also incredibly rewarding.

Remember, the same God who walked with Abraham, who put words in Moses’ mouth, who strengthened Isaiah, who emboldened Peter, and who guided Paul, is with you.

The same message of hope that transformed lives in Bible times still transforms lives today. We have the privilege of carrying that torch now.

So, let’s encourage each other in this. Let’s pray for one another and maybe even go out two by two like Jesus sent His disciples, supporting each other in the work.

Let’s keep studying the Bible to keep our hearts aflame. And let’s fully trust the Word of God and the God of the Word as we answer His call.

In a nutshell:

Evangelism in the Bible is all about God reaching out to a lost world through faithful witnesses – from the prophets of old to believers like us today.

It’s God’s story, God’s power, God’s message; we’re just the messengers. What an honor that is!

My prayer for you and me is that we delight in this calling, learn from the Scriptures, lean on the Spirit, and step out in faith. The good news is too good to keep to ourselves. Amen? Amen!

Now, let’s go shine our light and share our Savior with the world, as God gives us opportunity – joyfully confident that His Word will accomplish what He sends it to do.

God bless you as you live out the gospel and lovingly invite others to join the family of God.

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Citations

• Richard Coekin, “Biblical Evangelism.” The Gospel Coalition (explores the gospel message in Old and New Testaments and the Christian’s call to evangelize)​thegospelcoalition.org​thegospelcoalition.org
• Derek W.H. Thomas, “What Is Evangelism?” Ligonier Ministries (defines evangelism as spreading the gospel, from the Greek euangelion, and discusses the role of witnessing)​learn.ligonier.org​learn.ligonier.org
• Bible (KJV) References: Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Acts 8:4; etc. (All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible)
• Bob Deffinbaugh, “Israel’s Relationship to the World.” Bible.org (contrasts Old Testament “come and see” evangelism with New Testament “go and tell,” using examples like Jonah and the Great Commission)​bible.org​bible.org
• Blue Letter Bible, Lexicon entry for “Euangelizo” (Strong’s G2097) – shows that in the KJV this Greek word is translated as “preach,” “preach the gospel,” “bring good tidings,” etc., total 55 times​