The Misunderstanding of Proclamation
The importance of understanding the Gospel and what it means to speak the truth of Jesus to one another cannot be understated. Unfortunately, when it comes to this we have more of a misunderstanding then an understanding. This misunderstanding of the gospel can best be seen by looking at what we believe about evangelism and
discipleship which should flow from the gospel.
In the picture below we see two categories of Christianity, evangelism and discipleship. The picture shows what most of us have been taught in our churches and therefore, what most of us believe. That is to say that most of us believe evangelism is something that is pre-conversion or something you do before coming to the cross, and that discipleship is something that happens post conversion or something you do after coming to the cross.
discipleship which should flow from the gospel.
In the picture below we see two categories of Christianity, evangelism and discipleship. The picture shows what most of us have been taught in our churches and therefore, what most of us believe. That is to say that most of us believe evangelism is something that is pre-conversion or something you do before coming to the cross, and that discipleship is something that happens post conversion or something you do after coming to the cross.
This misunderstanding is something that has wreaked havoc on church growth and the mission of God and his intention in people. This is simply because this kind of understanding is simply unbiblical. In other words, there was no separation or categorization of evangelism and discipleship in the bible or in the ministry of Jesus and the Apostles. This understanding comes from an institutional understanding of evangelism and discipleship which has a tendency to categorize topics in order to address them, but not from a proper understanding of the gospel, a gospel centered culture, a mature body of Christ, and a people that are gospel fluent who are ambassadors of
good news.
When we have not been brought up not to have a common language in Christ it is not that hard to see why we might not know exactly what we are speaking to one another, in order build up each other up, and that might not understand exactly what we are proclaiming as ambassadors of the good news to this world. Jesus, on the other hand, disciples as he herald’s the good news (Matthew 4:19). There was no categorical thinking in Jesus. He did not say I have good news so now I will go “do” evangelism. Evangelism and discipleship was the natural outflow of who he was. As Gospel centered people who are fluent in the gospel we are always speaking the truth of Jesus to each other and to the world because of how good that news is and how it matures us into his likeness. Being a harold is not something we do it is who are in Jesus. It comes from our very core as new creations in Christ. Therefore, the gospel is something we herald because it is who we are and not something we do. Phillip, in the book of Acts, is described not by the work he did, but by the gift God gave him as a result of the gospel. He was a herald based on his identity in Christ.
good news.
When we have not been brought up not to have a common language in Christ it is not that hard to see why we might not know exactly what we are speaking to one another, in order build up each other up, and that might not understand exactly what we are proclaiming as ambassadors of the good news to this world. Jesus, on the other hand, disciples as he herald’s the good news (Matthew 4:19). There was no categorical thinking in Jesus. He did not say I have good news so now I will go “do” evangelism. Evangelism and discipleship was the natural outflow of who he was. As Gospel centered people who are fluent in the gospel we are always speaking the truth of Jesus to each other and to the world because of how good that news is and how it matures us into his likeness. Being a harold is not something we do it is who are in Jesus. It comes from our very core as new creations in Christ. Therefore, the gospel is something we herald because it is who we are and not something we do. Phillip, in the book of Acts, is described not by the work he did, but by the gift God gave him as a result of the gospel. He was a herald based on his identity in Christ.
We know that even after Jesus rose from the dead, many people still struggled with who he truly was. They believed in Jesus but their faith was shaken to the core, they also needed the heralding of the good news. Thus, Jesus presented himself as the good news to them. To herald is to speak the truth of Jesus over and over to believers and unbelievers alike. Thus, an evangel is to proclaim good news and evangelism is to do the work of proclaiming the good news. They are not separate from one another but the nature overflow of who we are in our new identity in Christ. To grow up in Christ we have to keep proclaiming Christ to all of life; to everybody. This is telling because it shows us that discipleship is accomplished as each one of us speaks the truth in love, which is doing evangelism. This also holds to true when we flip it around. As we speak the truth we are being used in the process of making disciples.
Consider Paul’s exhortation to Timothy.
“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5, ESV)
Paul in his writings uses the word “preach” over and over when referring the gospel. It is important to understand that preaching is not about concepts, propositions, theories, or doctrines. The word “preach” means the one who proclaims the good news of Jesus or the gospel. Here Paul is telling Timothy to continue to speak Jesus in the lives of those he is ministering to. Just like in Paul and Timothy’s day we all need the good news of Jesus spoken into our lives over and over even as believers. If we give them Jesus “AND” something else we give them something their itching ears want to hear and run the risk of fashioning something in our own image. Thus, Paul tells us that we need to keep giving them Jesus and allowing them to know the person of Jesus by doing the work of the evangelist in the church.
Speaking Jesus to one another is the only way we grow up in Jesus. If we preach Jesus we will grow up into him who is the head. Jesus is our common language. By understanding the transforming power of Jesus and speaking that truth, we see there is no itemization or categorization of evangelism from discipleship, but just the truth of Jesus. We need to be resolved to only give them Jesus. Therefore, we need to take any concern we may have and proclaim Jesus.
1. What is the question? Jesus is the answer.
2. What is the problem? Jesus is the solution.
3. What is the depression? Jesus is the hope.
The gospel is the truth from which we live, speak and act. it isn’t just something we proclaim it is who we are.
Consider Paul’s exhortation to Timothy.
“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5, ESV)
Paul in his writings uses the word “preach” over and over when referring the gospel. It is important to understand that preaching is not about concepts, propositions, theories, or doctrines. The word “preach” means the one who proclaims the good news of Jesus or the gospel. Here Paul is telling Timothy to continue to speak Jesus in the lives of those he is ministering to. Just like in Paul and Timothy’s day we all need the good news of Jesus spoken into our lives over and over even as believers. If we give them Jesus “AND” something else we give them something their itching ears want to hear and run the risk of fashioning something in our own image. Thus, Paul tells us that we need to keep giving them Jesus and allowing them to know the person of Jesus by doing the work of the evangelist in the church.
Speaking Jesus to one another is the only way we grow up in Jesus. If we preach Jesus we will grow up into him who is the head. Jesus is our common language. By understanding the transforming power of Jesus and speaking that truth, we see there is no itemization or categorization of evangelism from discipleship, but just the truth of Jesus. We need to be resolved to only give them Jesus. Therefore, we need to take any concern we may have and proclaim Jesus.
1. What is the question? Jesus is the answer.
2. What is the problem? Jesus is the solution.
3. What is the depression? Jesus is the hope.
The gospel is the truth from which we live, speak and act. it isn’t just something we proclaim it is who we are.