While the Bible provides the foundational truth about evangelism, Bible teachers can help us understand this biblical practice in a meaningful way. Well-known believers have used their words to help motivate others to carry out this important task of taking the gospel to the world. Here are just a few great quotes about evangelism.
The Motive for Evangelism
“What Is the Motive for Evangelizing? There are, in fact, two motives that should spur us constantly to evangelize. The first is love of God and concern for his glory; the second is love of man and concern for his welfare.” -J.I. Packer
First and foremost, believers should evangelize because they love God and want to glorify Him. Love for God makes evangelism sweeter and more fulfilling. Second, evangelism should be motivated by love for the other person. People have successfully evangelized without love for others; just read Job 3 and 4. But to share the gospel without love for another comes at the expense of the evangelist’s heart. Love those you evangelize. Weep when they reject the gospel, and praise God when they accept it.
The Gospel Requires Words
“There is no gospel without words. Nobody can be saved by watching deeds.” -John Piper
Some people say to preach the gospel and to use words when necessary, implying that you can evangelize by your actions alone. But that counters what Romans 10:13-14 says: “‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” People need to understand the gospel through words to be saved. Absolutely, display the gospel through your actions, but don’t forget to use your words to declare the truth to others.
Taking the Gospel Where It’s Unknown
“We do not truly understand the gospel if we spend all of our time preaching it to Christians. The gospel is a missionary gospel. It is a communication of Good News to people and in places where the name of Christ is unknown.” -David Sitton
Believers should be preaching the gospel to themselves regularly. But this news was not meant to be kept to ourselves. It was meant to be shared with the world, especially among those who have no access to it. The gospel is a missionary gospel, and it’s meant to be taken to the more than 3 billion people who are unreached today.
The Urgency of the Gospel
“The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.” -Carl F. H. Henry
This sober quote reminds us that we shouldn’t wait to share the gospel. Every day, multitudes of people die without knowing what Jesus did for them on the cross. Every second counts in the task of world evangelism. Allow this urgency to propel you to the ends of the Earth, reaching those who desperately need the good news.
The Believer’s Evangelistic Responsibility
“Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.” -David Platt
If you have been saved by grace through faith, you have been entrusted as an ambassador of Christ with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). You are His witness to the ends of the Earth (Acts 1:8). Therefore, take the gospel to the lost and the unreached. Share the good news with the world so that people from every nation will one day worship the Lord in Heaven (Revelation 7:9). Remember these words as you seek to share the greatest story ever told. Motivated by love for God and others, communicate the gospel where Christ is unknown. The world is waiting for people like you to tell them where they can find hope.
7 Key Bible Passages About Evangelism
The Bible says a lot about evangelism. Proclaiming God’s name displays faith in the Lord, introduces others to His love and grace, and glorifies the Savior among all people. Some of the most important passages on evangelism help to instruct, encourage, and guide believers in this important task.
