But the New Testament paints a picture in whichu00a0everyu00a0disciple of Christ is normally and naturally involved in evangelism as much as in Bible study, prayer, and corporate worship. From the brand new Christian to the wizened old saint, sharing the gospel is necessary and integral to a growing life in Christ.

Many of us have heard and even preached sermons that rightly focused on the Great Commissionu2019s theme of u201cmake disciplesu201d (Matt. 28:18-20). And weu2019ve taught those around us that they should be disciple-makers themselves. But we also need to be clear that u201cmaking disciplesu201d necessarily involves helping people who are not yet disciples to become disciplesu2014that is, evangelism. Jesus modeled it (Mk. 1:14, 15; Matt. 9:35) and trained his apostles to do the same (Mk. 6:7-13; Lk. 10:1-12). Only a few days later Jesus said that they would be his u201cwitnessesu2026to the ends of the earthu201d (Acts 1:8).

Part of the apostlesu2019 teaching that the newly Spirit-filled church devoted themselves to (Acts 2:42) must have been the normal and regular sharing of the gospel with family, friends, and strangers. From those very first weeks and months after the Pentecost, people were being saved every day (Acts 2:47). Evangelism was immediately a part of their new life of discipleship to the risen Lord Jesus.