Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 87:345 (Jan 1930)
Article: Evangelism: A Word To Preachers
Author: William Crowe

BSac 87:345 (Jan 1930) p. 14

Evangelism: A Word To Preachers

William Crowe

I AM undertaking to write upon a subject of ranking importance. It might be well for us at the outset to agree upon a definition of the word which it is our purpose to consider. Webster says, “Evangelism is the preaching or promulgation of the Gospel.” That defines the term in a broad sense, but is not sufficiently descriptive for this consideration. If we should ask any minister of the Gospel for a definition of the word, he would probably say, “Evangelism is the Church in action.” Enlarging upon that thought, let us agree that Evangelism is the human side of the conquest of the world for a King-elect, who is to be crowned with many crowns. Evangelism, therefore, calls for an organization that may commandeer all the resources of the Church; it calls for the personal application of the consecrated life of every believing man; it calls for unceasing prayer for the hastening of the day when Jesus shall reign where’er the sun does his successive journeys run.

Evangelism is personal work, as we generally use the term, and more; it is the holding of special meetings in the local church, and more; it is maintaining a congregational mission, and more; it is organizing city-wide campaigns in Gospel endeavor, and more; it is preaching the Gospel in destitute places, and more. Evangelism is the Church using every worthy method, in city and country, at home and abroad, for making the Christ party dominant in the world. There is no theme in all the thinking that relates to Christian activity so big and broad, and all-inclusive as this.

Evangelism was embodied in the preaching of John the Baptist when he shouted to the multitudes: “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” It was embodied in the commission of our Lord to the converted Saul,

BSac 87:345 (Jan 1930) p. 15

which commission we find in these words: “Stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will apear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” It was embodied in the reaction of this new-born apostle when he said: “Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel.”

In the discussion of this subject permit me to declare: first, Evangelism proves, and must prove, the efficacy of the Gospel of Atonement. Christian faith is discredited; that is, the faith that operated yesterday to the pul...