"Evangelism" and "edification" overlap somewhat. In doing the "work of an evangelist", Timothy was to preach the word to edify the church (2 Tim.4:1-5). Evangelists were given to the church for edification (Eph.4:11-16). There is a universal need for salvation, because all are under sin. (Rom.3:9-10,23;Gal. :22; Eph.2:1-5,12). The gospel is the power to God to save sinners. (Rom.1:16-17;1 Cor.1:21;1 Cor.15:1-4;Mark 16:15,16)
The Responsibility For Evangelism. Both the collective local church and individuals have responsibilities in evangelism. Individuals should preach the Gospel to extent of their ability and opportunity (Acts 8:4). The Word should be preached whether or not it is supported by the church(l Cor.9:15-16). The local church's responsibility in evangelism should be fulfilled by:1) having assemblies in which the Word of God is preached (
Acts 20:7;1 Cor. 14),2) giving moral support to those who go out to preach (Acts 13:1-5),
3) giving financial support to gospel preachers. (2 Cor.11:8; Phil.4:15-16).
Local Churches and Evangelism In the New Testament, churches cooperated in evangelism concurrently. Several churches sent financial support to Paul (2 Cor.11:8). There is no evidence that they pooled their resources. The scripture is clear that they sent directly to the preacher. Nor is there evidence that they sent funds to a central church which in turn sent funds to Paul. There was no church that gathered funds from other churches to send out evangelists. Likewise we find no evidence of a society, institution or organization that was authorized to gather funds from the churches to send out evangelists.
Concurrent action is when each church acts independently, under separate control, yet working toward the common goal. For example, three farmers have a common project in supplying a store with produce. To act concurrently each maintains his own truck, sets his own schedule, buys his own fuel, sets his own prices, etc. yet still cooperating in seeing that the store does not run out of produces.
The Authority to Carry Gut the Work of Evangelism The authority to do a thing includes the means and methods of doing it. When Abraham was commanded to go offer his son on a mountain, the means of going to the mountain and the means to carry the things needed for such a sacrifice was included in the command, though not specifically mentioned in the command itself. Hence, Abraham used a donkey and two men to aid in carrying out the command (Gen.22:2-3). Verse 2 gives the command itself as stated by God. Verse 3 gives the record of the means Abraham used to carry out the command.
Meeting houses, baptisteries, chalk boards, newspapers articles, computers, copy machines, benches, etc. are some of the means and methods used to carry out evangelism. Some tell us that since none of these are specifically mentioned in the Scriptures there is no scriptural authority for them. They then conclude that since we have a chalk board without authority, we can do about anything we want without having authority. This misses the point. When the church uses them as tools in its work, it is still just doing its work and nothing more. We must remember however, that before such aids to the work are authorized the work must be authorized for the collective work of the church.
[ Introduction
- The Pattern Concept] [Lesson 1 - Defining The Church] [Lesson 2 - Authority Over The Church]
[Lesson
3 - How Scripture Authorizes (Pt. 1)] [Lesson 4 - How Scripture Authorizes (Pt. 2)] [Lesson 5 - The Universal - The Local Church]
[Lesson 6 - Church Not A Denomination]
[Lesson 7 - Timeline - Church's
Establishment] [Lesson
8 - Worship Christ Designed]
[Lesson 9 -Observing The Lord's Supper]
[Lesson 10 - Worship in Song] [Lesson 11 - Worship In Prayer]
[Lesson 12 - The All Sufficient Church]
[13 - Elders] [Lesson 14 - Deacons ] [Lesson 16 - The Social Gospel]
[Lesson 17
-Benevolence-According to the Pattern]
