Modern Evangelism

by T. MCILREAVY | Category: General | Feb 1956

Modern evangelism must be seriously considered in the light of the mass efforts by many religious bodies today in seeking the salvation of men and women. We cannot but rejoice that Christ is preached; and we sincerely recognize the Lord's command, "Forbid him not." (Mark 9.39). But are we to be swept along in enthusiasm as so many believers are, and be found in their merging of all denominations to unite in mass evangelism?

The manner in which the apostles and their co-workers presented and preached the gospel is that which we should still follow. We cannot by any means deny emotion of soul, for surely this is an important feature of true repentance. Did not Israel receive the exhortation to "afflict their souls" (Leviticus 16. 29) on that memorable day of atonement? But the excessive emotion aroused in modern evangelism is something against which we should be on our guard, as this could be mistaken for the power of the Holy Spirit, whose prerogative it is to work repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. We should labour in the gospel, not to produce emotion only, but looking for the power which is of the Holy Spirit, that their faith "should not stand in the wisdom of men, but. in the power of God" (1 Corinthians 2.5).

This concentrated movement to evangelize in a spectacular way has produced a so-called "unity of testimony" of an insidious kind, to which' practically all denominations subscribe. In consequence many find themselves associated with those holding doctrines which they have formerly denied. Where then is the end, and what is the outcome of such association? Simply that they are in a confederation where divine principles must be submerged, and this in order to secure this evangelical end.

This state of things throws into relief those companies of believers who are divinely gathered, who feel sincerely that they can have no fellowship with such unscriptural federation, even though it may have a laudable objective in view.

The touch-stone of decision in such matters must surely be the word of God, where we find the principal features of evangelism to b~-" make disciples-baptizing them-teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded ... " (Matthew 28.19, 20). This is the original order of the Lord's charge to His disciples in connexion with evangelizing all nations. The outworking of this is clearly seen in the Acts of the Apostles, where those who preached had no mass emotional approach to the people, but prayerfully, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, announced the glad tidings, and taught baptism in the name of the Lord as being essential to true discipleship. Herein then is seen a principle which disappears in the confederation of men today as they subscribe to modern evangelism, because baptism is optional to the persons reached by them, according to the sect which receives the convert.

"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you." This teaching follows baptism, with a view to the fulfilment of the Lord's will concerning the disciples. Where then do we find this teaching? Surely in the New Testament where we have the commands of the Lord Jesus and His apostles. The record in Acts 2 shows how the commission was faithfully carried out, and how God granted His blessing, so that as verses 41 and 42 tell us:

"They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand sou15. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers."

This testimony permeated the regions round about, and resulted m groups of baptized believers being brought together, and planted as churches of God (1 Corinthians 3.6), in corporate testimony. Therefore a church of God is a company of baptized believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, who hold fast, in simplicity, the original tenets of the will of God expressed through the Lord and His apostles.

Is there such a divine, unique gathering of believers today? In the goodness of God and through His mercy we believe there is. There are those who seek to follow closely the apostles' teaching, being built upon their foundation (Ephesians 2.20), continuing as "the pillar and ground of the truth," the house of God (1 Timothy 3.15), adding nothing to the original precepts and statutes of the testimony, nor compromising any of the commands of the Lord in order to join in testimony with other believers in presenting the gospel.

Surely it is clear that there is a looseness of principle abounding today in ecclesiastical circles! Everything seems so solvent and insecure. There is a lack of stability and purpose of heart to follow in simplicity the commands of Christ, and an unwillingness to be found gathered together according to the manner set forth in the Holy Scriptures. We would urge readers who are not thus gathered, but have an exercise to please the Lord Jesus, to apply to the address given at the end of this magazine for helpful literature which will gladly be sent free of charge.

T. MCILREAVY | Feb 1956
General