_|_ | C O P | N E T Our Evangelical Role in the Modern Society Being a church who struggled throughout its history for survival from persecution and for defending the true faith from heresies, we often forget the importance of Evangelism---especially during the last few centuries in Egypt, due to the enacted laws forbidding evangelism. What is Evangelism? ------------------ The Webster dictionary's definition of "Evangelize" is "to preach the gospel to" or "to convert to Christianity" or to The word "Evangelism" implies a strong "zeal" towards "the winning or revival of personal commitments to Christ". Thus to evangelize is to spread with zeal the "Good News" of Christ's salvation and to win people back to Christ. As Christians we have a responsibility to evangelize. In this discussion, we will establish that responsibility and talk about how we could fulfill such a responsibility in the "modern world" we live in. Evangelism in Coptic History ---------------------------- The Coptic Church's history is one of evangelizing the whole world. Examples are abound. Our saints spread the Gospel to Switzerland and Irland. Evangelism is a duty -------------------- There are several references in the Bible about the responsibility of each one of us with regard to evangelism. Here are some of these references. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: " 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, " Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." [Luke 19:37-40] God expects us to glorify Him "for all [His] mighty works". The above verses point to the importance of communicating what we know of Christ's work to others. Moreover, it answers the question of "why us?" The answer is because we have "seen His mighty works"---because we are witnesses. This is even clearer in the words of our Lord before His ascension. Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. [Luke 24:46-48] Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. [Mark 16:15] And also in the Sermon on the Mount, Christ emphasized the role of His followers towards the rest of the world and the importance of our mission as His representatives on earth. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. [Matthew 5:13-16] If the whole world is not glorifying the name of the Lord it is because of our hiding the light "under the basket". As responsible citizens we have a civil duty to attest any incident that we know is true. For example, if we witness a murder, we have a civil duty to report it. If we know that a fellow citizen is in eminent danger, and we can do something about it, then it is our duty to try to help that person. Our citizenship in the body Christ (the Church) is no different. "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" [Acts 4:20]. We owe it to the Church ----------------------- Our Christianity survived only because of the faith of the "cloud of witnesses", who preserved our true faith through persecutions and didn't spare even their blood. We owe it to the church! If we don't do it, this chain of witnesses will be weakened. Evangelism brings Joy --------------------- We notice that Paul was rejoiced in the souls he saved and brought to Christ. Evangelism is very much in need ------------------------------- The Lord Jesus Christ tells us that the work is plentiful but the laborers are few. Evangelism is the work of God through us ---------------------------------------- God equips us through His Holy Spirit with gifts that help us spread the Good News of salvation. These gifts may be very different from one person to the other, from one time to the other. During the time of the early church, we see gifts such as speaking in tongues, speaking with prophesies, and the capacity to perform miracles. Some of these gifts are clear through St. Paul's words to the Romans. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. [Romans 12:6-8] We should always use the gifts and talents entrusted to us, like the wise servant who received five talents and worked hard to deserve the Lord's praise "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord" [Matthew 25:21]. And we should never be afraid like the servant who "was afraid and went and hid [God's] talent" [Matthew 25:25]. If God chooses us to work for him, it is important that we do not turn away. We all know the story of Jonah when he tried to avoid the mission entrusted to him by God. Also, we all know the story of Paul and how he was selected to serve the Lord "for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel" [Acts 9:15]. Thus it is God who chooses His servants. Not only that, but also how they would serve Him. Another important issue is for us to realize that we have to obey God's plan for the structure of His ministry. He chose disciples and through them bishops, priests, deacons, servants, and all His congregation. Evangelism is the responsibility of all, but each has a role and we should respect and abide by other people's authority. For example, when we are asked questions that we are unable to answer, we should refer to other authorities in God's structure for His church. For He said: "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" [Matthew 16:19] Evangelism is not for one own's purposes ---------------------------------------- Many people may use evangelism to suit their purposes. We know of the first such story in Acts, when Ananias and Sapphira wanted to get the blessings of Peter and the gifts of the Holy Spirit without their hearts being completely tuned in to service God. This is also evident in Peter words to Simon who wanted to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit with his own money for his own purposes "You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God" [Acts 8:21]---for Jesus reminded His disciples to "Freely you have received, freely give" [Matthew 10:8]. When we spread the Gospel of Good News, we have to remember that in doing so we do not have any credit in the results of our evangelism. This is very clear in Paul's strong words to the Corinthians: "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase" [1 Corinthians 1:13,3:5-7]. Active Evangelism ----------------- Our church history is full of stories that attest to active evangelism, starting with Saint Mark, who couldn't stop the fire of the Holy Spirit inside him from introducing to Inianous the true "One God" that Inianous called upon when he injured himself while fixing St Mark's Sandals. Reactive Evangelism ------------------- We must use opportunities that present themselves. For example, if a friend of hours asks us about our beliefs, we should not shy away. If we are asked we should answer (react) and use the opportunity to be witnesses for Christ. Passive Evangelism ------------------ Our actions---the way we go about living our life---could be very useful to spread the Gospel. There are many examples of this "silent" evangelism. From the Old Testament, we know the story of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They obeyed all the orders of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, except when asked not to "petition any god or man except the king". Even then, they accepted the punishment of being thrown into "the den of lions?" [Daniel 6:12], only for God to be glorified through their passive evangelism. Evangelism today ---------------- 1. Is it acceptable? 2. How do we do it? (One-on-one; public service; etc.) 2. Where do we start? 3. What are our limits?