Mission
evangeliseTo preach in order to convince others to convert. for Christians means telling people about Jesus Christ, in the hope of converting non-Christians to Christianity. According to the gospelThe teachings of Jesus and the apostles. of Matthew and Mark, Jesus told his discipleA person who follows and learns from someone else. that they should spread his message throughout the world and should try to convertWhen someone changes their belief from one religion to another. people to Christianity:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus explained to his followers that the only way to achieve salvation was through belief in him: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). Therefore, many Christians strongly believe that Jesus has given Christians the responsibility to evangelise.
Many Christians also believe that they are empowered and inspired by the Holy SpiritThe third person of the Trinity. Active as God's presence and power in the world. to fulfil this mission and that they should not be fearful of doing so. The Bible says:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Divergent attitudes towards evangelism
Some Christians feel that they should evangelise through preachingTo share religious truths and teachings, usually through a sermon. to others. Christians may preach in the streets and even knock on doors to try to convert people. However, others believe this is an intoleranceUnwillingness to accept different beliefs. approach that is in opposition to Christianity’s key messages.
missionariesA person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country. spread the Christian message abroad. They do not necessarily preach – instead, they may spread the message through their actions, for example by helping with charity projects. This is how Christianity as it is known today has spread across the globe.
New forms of Church
Christianity has been the largest world faith in Europe for a long time, so today its spread in Europe is slow. However, there is rapid growth in South America and Africa, where missionariesA person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country. work on charity projects and set up new churches.
In the UK, Christians are finding increasing numbers of new ways to worship and be part of Church communities. Many PentecostalA Church that emphasises certain gifts, eg healing the sick, which were granted to the first believers on the Day of Pentecost. Christians worship in modern churches more like concert venues than traditional churches.
Christian Churches bring believers together in communities. Today this could mean getting together to share meals or to read the Bible, or even connecting with Christians around the world online. Some people consider themselves Christians without ever having been inside a church building. Leaders of new Churches are often not ordinationThe process by which a person becomes a minister of a church. clergy. Instead, they may just be devoted Christians who want to help and support others in their faith.
Question
What role does the Holy Spirit play in evangelism?
Christians believe that the Holy Spirit empowers and inspires people to spread the message of the gospel far and wide.
