How is evangelism to take place in our day?

[Bruce_Leiter]

"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Matt 28:16-20 RSV)

When did the disciples, including the apostle Paul , complete making "disciples of all nations"? Scripture tells us -

It was to be accomplished prior to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD :

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come. (Matt 24:14 RSV)

It had happened when Paul wrote both Romans and Colossians:

"...provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister." (Col 1:23 RSV)

"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world." (Rom 1:8 RSV)

What about the work and office of "evangelist"? The word is found only 3 times in the NT -

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" (Eph 4:11 KJV)

?? Do the evangelists get grouped with the extra-ordinary offices like apostles and prophets which cease with the apostolic age, or do they continue in the church as pastors and teachers? I believe the office of evangelist was a temporary office, but the work was to be carried on as follows -

Paul writes to Timothy in one of the pastoral epistles -

"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." (2Tim 4:5 KJV)

What if the church stuck to observing what was commanded by Jesus, maybe things would be going better. Bringing the world into the Christian assembly pollutes and adulterates. Maybe we need to abide by a principle from the OT -

You must diligently observe everything that I command you; do not add to it or take anything from it. (Deut 12:32 NRSV)

 

[Bruce_Leiter]

My suggestion is that you ask one question with your biblical support at a time.

 

[The_Watchers_2017]

i bet, due to today's horrible moralistic lifestyle and Believers wanting to see a Movement by God. if you sat up a huge carnival tent that could seat 500 people and advertised for a few days, and come that day began preaching... you might connect with churches you could begin to physically evangelize from Church Building/Congregation to another.

...that is, as long as God is Calling you to do such a thing.

 

[mustaphadrink]

Yes the truth is boring if you are not interested in it.

Which a lot of people on this forum seem not to be judging by what they post.