Nothing is more prominent to the "one faith" (Ephesians 4:5) than its evangelistic nature. If you look carefully at the word evangelistic you will see the word "angel." The "ev" is a prefix meaning "good" or "blessing." Angels are God's messengers with a message of good news. Remember the shepherds at Jesus' birth? The angel told them "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people" (Luke 2:10). So, evangelism involves a messenger with a good news, joyous message.
In the Bible, the idea of evangelism is taught through the English words "preach" and "preach the gospel." Interestingly, these two English ideas are translated from the same New Testament Greek word: "euangelizo." (Note the spelling and you can see why evangelism is spelled as it is.) In Luke 4:43, Jesus says, "I must preach the kingdom of God..." Luke 9:6 records the apostles as going "through the towns, preaching the gospel..." After the church's establishment it is said, "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ" (Acts 5:42). Each of these verses describes evangelism.
We must not overlook the idea that the message of preaching is a "good" message - a message that benefits and blesses those who receive it. The English language uses the word "gospel" to describe this idea. In the New Testament Greek language there is not a separate word for "gospel." It is inherent in the word "preaching." This means that true preaching (the only kind that Jesus and the New Testament approves), requires the message of the gospel. Paul briefly summarizes that message in this way: "Moreover ...I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you...by which...you are saved... For I delivered to you...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ...and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:1-5).
Another Greek word, "kerusso," which is used often in the New Testament, means simply "to preach, herald, proclaim, publish." It usually appears by itself without the word gospel. When gospel does appear with it, the word previously discussed, "euangelion," is used. So, "kerusso" puts emphasis on what is being done rather than the content of the message.
It is in this context that we look at the word "teach." It too puts emphasis on what is being done, not the message. It means: "to instruct, train, inform." In Matthew 4:23 we see all these words used to describe Jesus' activity. "And Jesus went about... teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom..." The purpose of Luke's account of Jesus' life is "that you many know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed" (Luke 1:4). Acts 11:26 informs us, "...that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."
We do not become a disciple, a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ by any automatic process. It has nothing to do with the country or family in which we were born. The only way we can become a follower of Jesus is by being TAUGHT the GOSPEL of Jesus. The word disciple means "a learner." It is closely related to the word "discipline." Discipline involves training and training involves teaching. We can either teach ourselves or someone else can, but it still requires teaching.
The sobering truth is that none of us will go to heaven without learning and obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16; 1 Corinthians 15:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:8). That requires preaching and teaching. There is no exception. It is true for me, for you and everyone.
So, how receptive are we to being taught the gospel? What effort are we making to be taught the gospel? Are we sure it is the gospel that we are learning? Then, are we obeying what we are learning? AND, what about others? "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:19-20).
- Focusing On Truth, April, 2014