Missiology (Theology of Mission and Evangelism): Theology of Evangelism
Evangelism is at the heart of Christian mission, flowing directly from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A theology of evangelism grounds this mission not in human creativity or cultural strategy but in the revealed Word of God and the saving work of Christ. The message is not simply that Christ died for sins and rose again, but that he reigns as King, calling all people everywhere to repent, believe, and live under his rule.
Evangelism, therefore, is not optional for the church but integral to its identity. It connects to every aspect of theology, from Christology to ecclesiology, and serves as the means by which God gathers his people from every nation. Understanding the theology of evangelism ensures that the church’s mission remains faithful to the full scope of the Gospel while adapting wisely to cultural contexts without compromise.
1. Biblical Foundations of Evangelism
The theology of evangelism is firmly rooted in Scripture. The Great Commission, given by Jesus after his resurrection, defines the church’s task: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). This is not only a call to transmit information but to invite people into obedient allegiance to the King.
Other passages emphasize evangelism as God’s plan for gathering the nations:
Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses.”
Romans 10:14 – “How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?”
Revelation 7:9 – The vision of every tribe and tongue gathered before the Lamb shows the end goal of mission.
These texts reveal that evangelism is both Spirit-empowered and eschatologically oriented. It is God’s ordained means for gathering his elect and bringing the good news of the kingdom to the ends of the earth.
2. Message of the Gospel
The message of the Gospel is far larger than a personal transaction for forgiveness; it is the announcement of Christ’s kingship and the inbreaking of God’s kingdom. The good news is that Jesus, crucified and risen, is Lord over all creation (Acts 2:36). His death secures the forgiveness of sins, his resurrection brings victory over death, and his exaltation establishes him as the reigning King who calls the nations to allegiance.
Proclaiming this kingdom-centered Gospel includes several dimensions:
Forgiveness of sins – Through Christ’s atoning death, rebels are reconciled to God (Colossians 1:13–14).
New creation life – His resurrection begins the renewal of all things, making believers participants in new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Allegiance to the King – Evangelism calls people not merely to “believe” but to submit to Jesus as Lord, living under his reign (Romans 10:9).
Kingdom witness – The Gospel announces the arrival of God’s kingdom, which will be consummated when Christ returns (Revelation 11:15).
This fuller vision of the Gospel guards against reductionism. Evangelism is not just about individual salvation but about inviting people into the reign of Christ, shaping their lives, communities, and hopes according to his kingship.
3. Mission of the Church
The mission of the church flows out of this kingdom-centered Gospel. Evangelism is not only about rescuing individuals but about proclaiming the reign of Christ to all nations and embodying that reign in community.
Three key aspects of mission stand out:
Proclamation – Evangelism involves heralding the good news of the kingdom. Faith comes by hearing the announcement of Christ’s kingship (Romans 10:17).
Discipleship – Evangelism leads to teaching people to obey all that the King has commanded (Matthew 28:20). Allegiance is expressed in obedience.
Witness – The church embodies the kingdom through holiness, justice, and love, becoming a sign of God’s reign breaking into the world (Philippians 2:15).
The church’s mission, then, is not merely pragmatic or cultural but deeply theological. It reveals God’s purpose to reconcile all things in Christ and to manifest his kingdom until its final consummation.
4. Power and Authority for Evangelism
The theology of evangelism recognizes that the task cannot be accomplished by human power. Evangelism rests on two inseparable foundations:
The authority of God’s Word – Scripture proclaims the kingdom and summons allegiance to Christ. It carries divine power to convict and transform (Hebrews 4:12).
The empowerment of the Spirit – Evangelism is Spirit-driven, as seen at Pentecost when the Spirit’s outpouring marked the public beginning of the kingdom’s advance (Acts 2:17–21).
This dependence guards against both legalism and cultural accommodation. Methods may adapt to different contexts, but the content of the kingdom Gospel must never be compromised. It is the Spirit who makes hearts bow to the King and brings about repentance and faith.
5. Gospel and Last Days Perspective
Evangelism has an eschatological horizon. The announcement of Christ’s reign is not only about present allegiance but also about the final day when his kingdom is revealed in fullness. Jesus taught that “this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
This connection gives urgency to evangelism. Each proclamation is a foretaste of the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11). Evangelism is therefore not simply about personal decisions but about aligning all of life with the kingdom that is already here and yet to come.
Conclusion
A theology of evangelism affirms that mission is grounded in the Gospel of the kingdom. Evangelism is the proclamation that Jesus Christ is Lord, crucified and risen, offering forgiveness and new life to all who submit to his reign. It is commanded by Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and oriented toward the consummation of his kingdom.
By holding fast to the kingdom-centered Gospel, relying on the Spirit, and persevering in hope, the church fulfills its mission in the world. Evangelism is not about reducing the Gospel to individual salvation but about announcing the reign of Christ that transforms lives, renews creation, and points forward to the last days.
Bible Verses on Evangelism
Matthew 28:19–20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
Mark 16:15 – “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
Luke 24:47 – “Repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.”
John 20:21 – “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses.”
Romans 1:16 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation.”
Romans 10:9 – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 – “Christ died for our sins…he was raised on the third day.”
Philippians 2:10–11 – “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Revelation 11:15 – “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
