What is the Evangelism Circle?
What is The Evangelism Circle? Pre-evangelism, evangelism and post-evangelism make up a cyclical lifestyle that should be common to all Christians but is not always practiced. For example, when one lets their light shine before others (Matt. 5:16), or when one helps the unsaved overcome objections or questions about God (Col. 4:2-6), they are practicing pre-evangelism. Evangelism is when we pronounce the gospel verbally to others (Rom. 10:14-17). Post-evangelism involves training ourselves for godliness (1 Tim. 4:7) so we can mature in our salvation (1 Pet. 2:2) and continue in the faith, not shifting from the hope of the gospel (Col. 1:23). This training will lead us to be more effective in our pre-evangelism and evangelism.
For some believers, evangelizing the lost may seem like a daunting task, but it need not be. We can be confident that the God who calls us is faithful and He will accomplish this work in you (1 Thess. 5:24). The God who justifies us (Rom. 8:33) is the same God who sanctifies us (2 Thess. 2:13). Therefore, you can trust that God will prepare you to be His light and empower you to be ready to answer the questions and doubts that unbelievers will certainly bring forth. He will give you the bold grace to deliver the gospel message as you do the work of an evangelist. Always remember that the God who placed you on The Evangelism Circle is the same “God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philip. 2:13).
Now, if one were to ask, “Where should I be on The Evangelism Circle?”, that’s the wrong question. Christians should be involved in all aspects of the circle during their daily walk with the Lord. In our pre-evangelism, our light should always be shining before others (1 Pet. 2:12). In evangelism, we should be prepared at any moment to share the gospel (2 Tim. 4:2), if necessary, “from morning till evening” (Acts 28:23). Finally, in our post-evangelism, we should always be growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). While pre-evangelism, evangelism and post-evangelism are all distinct in their own way, the three cannot be separated from each other.
Set Free by the Gospel
Frederick the Great, King of Prussia during the mid-1700s, once toured a Berlin prison. As he entered one large, lower dungeon of the prison, a group of prisoners fell on their knees before him. “Have mercy on us, your majesty!” they pleaded. “We are innocent! We have been falsely imprisoned!” “All of you are innocent?” asked the king, surprised. “Yes!” they insisted, every last man. Then King Frederick noticed a man who stood off by himself in a dark corner of the dungeon. “You there!” said the king. “Why are you in this prison?” “I was convicted of armed robbery, your majesty.” “Are you guilty?” The man hung his head. “Yes, your majesty. Guilty and ashamed. I deserve to be in this place.” “Guard!” King Frederick called. “Guard! See that man in the corner? Take him out of here and release him at once!” Then, pointing at the men who had claimed to be unjustly imprisoned, he said, “I will not have these fine, innocent men corrupted by one guilty wretch!”
Ray Stedman, who related the story above in his book Body Life, says, “You and I are like that guilty prisoner. It is not our facade of goodness, but the honest confession of our sin that sets us free!” In order to be set free by the gospel, one has to first understand the guilt all of us are under before a holy God (Psalm 16:2; Rom. 3:10). A confession of that guilt produces a repentance that leads to salvation (2 Cor. 7:10). Such a Spirit-led confession allows us to proclaim Jesus as Lord (1 Cor. 12:3), our King of kings (1 Tim. 6:15), a King who has come to release us from our captivity to sin and to set us free (Matt. 1:21; John 8:36). Conversely, any righteousness or merit one may proclaim for themselves will continue their separation from the truth of the gospel and keep them imprisoned in their own self-deception.
Pre-Evangelism Apologetics
Apologetics, a defense of the Christian faith, is a big part of our pre-evangelism. The apologist answers objections (1 Pet. 3:15), exposes error (Titus 1:9) and guards the truth of the gospel (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:14). In 1 Peter 3:15 we read that we should always be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” The phrase translated “to make a defense” comes from the Greek word apologia. Paul also uses apologia in his letter to the Philippians, “I am put here for the defense [apologia] of the gospel” (Philip. 1:16). There are three basic approaches for apologetics:
- Classical Apologetics. This approach stresses rational, logical arguments for the existence of God. For example, God’s existence is necessary for the foundation of reason, logic, morality, the universe’s design and first cause.
- Evidential Apologetics. This engagement focuses on factual evidence rather than rational, logical arguments for the Christian faith. For example, evidence can include archeology, miracles, biblical manuscripts, fulfilled prophecy and Christ’s resurrection.
- Presuppositional Apologetics. This method uses the Bible as the framework and the starting point through which all experience is interpreted and all truth is known. For example, the Bible itself begins with the presupposition of God’s existence, “In the beginning, God” (Gen. 1:1).
While I consider myself a presuppositionalist, that does not preclude me from using rational arguments for the existence of God or factual evidences for the Christian faith. However, as a presuppositionalist, my starting point is always to ask what God’s word has to say on the subject. Therefore, my apologetic always starts and ends with the Bible, because the God of scripture is my ultimate standard.
Evangelism
Evangelism is when we pronounce the gospel verbally to others. Paul clearly said, “How shall they hear without a preacher…Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:14-17, NKJV). Scripture is clear that salvation is always connected to the preaching of the word. James says of the Father, “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth” (James 1:18). Peter says we are, “born again…through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Pet. 1:23). In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus taught the impossibility of growth apart from sowing the imperishable seed of God’s word (Mark 4:1-20).
It is worth noting that there are several published books with titles like Evangelism Made Easy and Witnessing Made Easy. However, evangelism is not easy. It takes training, discipline, obedience, boldness, grace, truth and Christian maturity (Heb. 5:14; 1 Tim. 4:7-8; 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17; Acts 4:31; Eph. 4:15). It also takes much discernment, especially to learn how to proclaim the unchanging message in changing times and cultures.
Post-Evangelism
Post-evangelism involves teaching Christians how to live their lives with a clear understanding, experience and joy of living out the hope that the gospel brings, both now and in the future (1 Tim. 4:7-8). Paul, addressing “the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae” (Col 1:2), said we should “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard” (Col. 1:23). If we as Christians do not fully understand the hope of the gospel, we can be unstable in our faith and end up shifting from that hope to focusing on the things of the world. Paul also told the Colossians, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:1-5).
Post-evangelism is reserved for genuine Christians, who have been justified by the root of the gospel; it is only for those who have already entered into a saving relationship with Christ but need to have their faith reinforced, or to grow in their faith. Post-evangelism can also be a time where we prepare ourselves for the other two aspects of The Evangelism Circle. We can learn how live out our faith with the goal of getting a hearing for the gospel (Col. 4:3-6). We can study to show ourselves approved (2 Tim. 2:15) to be able to not only become more proficient at answering questions (1 Pet. 3:15), but to be ready to share the gospel at any moment (2 Tim. 4:2). Post-evangelism can be our classroom for pre-evangelism and evangelism.