Evangelism – Introduction (Part 2)

Evangelism – Introduction (Part 2)

In light of what we looked at last week concerning election and calling we must conclude that there are elect people in every group under the sun that will definitely respond to salvation because the Holy Spirit will draw them to salvation.

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.Acts 1:4-5

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.Romans 10:8-17

Man must be drawn by the Holy Spirit to be saved. His salvation is seen in his faith in Jesus Christ and his outward confession of that faith. However, the Holy Spirit will only draw men to salvation through the preaching of the Gospel. It is hearing the Word of God that the Spirit uses to give faith to the elect.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.Romans 1:16-17

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.1 Corinthians 2:1-5

The Apostle Paul stands in stark contrast to the preaching of today. He is not seeking to entice or persuade men. He is seeking to be faithful to the Word of God so that the power of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit might save men. These men will show forth their salvation by open profession of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.Psalm 110:3

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.Philippians 2:13

We must understand that the power of God to save does not work contrary to the human will. Instead we must understand that it is the power of God that changes the human nature so that he will freely choose Christ. Do men choose Christ? Yes, because the power of God has changed their hearts and wills. “We love Him because He first loved us.”

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:1 Corinthians 15:1-4

In light of this we can conclude that we must seek to be filled with the Spirit and faithful to proclaim God’s Word if we want to see people come to faith in Jesus Christ and profess Him openly.

Conclusion

If we go in the power of the Holy Spirit to any group of people and faithfully proclaim God’s Word, people will believe in Jesus and profess Him openly.

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