| Welcome To Basic Christian BasicChristian.org - The-Jesus-Realm.com The Basics of Christianity ... and then some ... A Christian center with FREE Resources, Information and Links Testifying of God, Heaven and of Eternal Life through Jesus Christ the Savior both now and yet to come!

# Basic Christian: Evangelism - Witnessing

> #### Euaggelistes (2099) Eu - well, good, well done; Aggelos - Angel, messenger; preacher, proclaimer of the gospel, good and well done messenger

> ##### Verses - Galatians 1:8; Luke 3:18; Romans 15:9; Ephesians 4:11; Colossians 1:23; 2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 4:2; Revelation 5:2

> First Use: Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company {including Luke who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts} departed and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven {the First seven helpers chosen Acts 6:1-6}; and abode with him.

> Ephesians 4:11 And He (Jesus) gave some, apostles; evangelists; and some pastors and teachers;

> 2 Timmothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof (accomplish, fulfill) of thy ministry (service).

Evangelism is to preach or proclaim the good news. The good news that God has not abandoned us to our sin but God in Jesus has rescued us from death. This is good news, this is the best news, an everlasting relationship with the loving, providing God.

Evangelism is the message of salvation in Christ Jesus. To be saved it is necessary to know that you are in danger of death and separation from God for eternity. The evangelistic message is therefore a two-part message. The message of sin and death and the message of life and resurrection in Jesus. It is necessary to proclaim both parts of the message. A message that is all sin, death and despair is not the gospel (good news) and a message that is all good news does not adequately portray the predicament of mankind nor does it adequately portray the cross and the sacrifice of Jesus.

## Redemption see also Propitiation, Salvation

> #### Apolutrosis (629) Apo - from; Lutron - loosened, with ransom; recovered from lost

> ##### Verses - Deuteronomy 13:5; Ruth 4:7; Psalms 71:3 130:7; Romans 3:24 8:23; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:7,14 4:30; Hebrews 9:12

> First Use: Genesis 48:15,16 And he (Jacob) blesses Joseph and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, The Angel which redeemed me from all evil,

> Job 19:25 For I (Job) know that my redeemer liveth and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Whom I shall see for myself and my eyes shall behold and not another;

Redemption is to purchase back something that once belonged to you, but is not currently in your possession. When Adam and the Woman sinned, mankind was sold into sin. To be in sin is to be separated from the possession of God. On the cross, Jesus redeemed (purchased) back from sin, as His possession, all those that would choose to be reunited with God.

> Exodus 6: 5-8 And I (God) have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered My covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians and I will rid you out of their bondage and I will Redeem you with a stretched out arm and with great judgments: And I will take you to Me for a people and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob; and I will give it you for a heritage: I am the LORD.

Redemption is expressed in the Old Testament as the Passover feast that Israel celebrated in Egypt. The Passover in Egypt is an enactment of God redeeming (purchasing) His people back into his possession, from the possession of the world and slavery. Death has passed over, the redeemed have escaped death and passed over into life with God. The Jews through Abraham had heard the call of God and had obeyed the call of God to be His people and to live in His land, the promise land. The Jews betrayed their brother Joseph and sold him into slavery. With Joseph sold into slavery and no longer a known part of the family, it became necessary for God to reunite the family. To reunite the family, God brought the entire family from the promise land down into Egypt, where Joseph was. While the Jews were living in the slavery of Egypt they belonged to Egypt and not to God. The Jews did not have the relationship of freedom in the promise land that God wanted for them They were forbidden by the Egyptians to worship God. The night of the Passover by the death of the Firstborn of Egypt, God cleared the way to worldly Egyptian opposition and redeemed the Jews back into His possession. He then removed them from Egypt and God led them back into His promise land and back into a relationship with Him..

The New Testament redemption occurred on the night of the New Testament Passover (Last Supper) and on the cross of Jesus where Jesus, the Firstborn of God, gave His life and died, clearing the way for us to be freed from the sin and slavery of the world and to be redeemed to God as His possession. Matthew 27:50,51 Jesus when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the Ghost (Spirit). And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake and the rocks rent;. The veil in the temple was a partition of separation, separating Holy God from sinful man. With the death of Jesus on the cross, the veil was supernaturally torn from top to bottom signifying that redemption had occurred and that through Jesus the way was now open for man to once again enter into the presence of God.

Redemption is separate and unique from salvation. Redemption occurred at the cross of Jesus where we are redeemed (purchased back) into the presence and a relationship with God. Salvation is a continuing life long process where we are healed as we are in a Spiritual relationship with God. Salvation begins at the resurrection of Jesus, when the believer acknowledges the resurrection of Jesus and receives the Holy Spirit. Redemption is a work of God on the cross of Jesus, without the death of Jesus we wouldn't have redemption. Salvation is a work of God through the resurrection of Jesus. Without the resurrection of Jesus we wouldn't have salvation.

Salvation is associated with an event later than the Passover. Salvation is the event of God destroying the pursuing Egyptian army and saving (salvation) the Hebrews from their pursuing enemy. Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still and see the Salvation of the LORD which He will show you today: As God parted the Red sea and the Israelites passed through on dry ground to safety, yet the enemy was destroyed by the same waters the Jews walked past.

Redemption is only mentioned twice in the Gospels, both times in the Gospel of Luke. The First time concerning the First coming of Jesus and the second time concerning the second coming of Jesus. Redemption cannot be separated from the presence of Jesus.

> Hebrews 9:12 .. but by His own blood HE (Jesus) entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. We are redeemed and reunited with God for eternity, however our physical bodies have not yet been redeemed. Physically we are redeemed after our physical death and we receive a new spiritual sinless body from God. Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the Firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the Redemption of our body.

## Salvation see also Redemption

> #### Soteria (4991) Save, protect, heal, prevent harm, heal from past harms

> ##### Verses - Psalm 85:4,7,9; Romans 1:16 10:10 11:11 13:11; Hebrews 1:14; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude ver. 3

> First Use: Genesis 49:18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

> 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ..God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Salvation means to be taken out of harms way, "saved " from harm or danger, included in being saved is healing, emotional spiritual healing. Where there is danger there is suffering and injury; where there is salvation there is healing. Our salvation does not stop with us being saved from perishing in the fires of hell. We as Christians commonly ask others "are you saved?" as though salvation is a one time finished work in our lives. Often what we are really asking is if the person has a personal relationship with God. A relationship with God First involves redemption (renewed relationship) with God, then through our new Spiritual relationship (sanctification) with God we are continually being saved (healed).

Salvation is separate and unique from redemption. Redemption means to be returned back into the possession of a separated owner. We have been Redeemed on the cross of Jesus signified, at the crucifixion, when the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom revealing that the way into the presence of God was now open to mankind. Redemption is represented in the Bible by the Old Testament night of Passover in Egypt when Israel was redeemed back to God from the slavery of Egypt. Salvation means healing. We are healed from sin when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit from Jesus. The salvation process continues on in our lives as God continues to protect and heal us. Salvation is represented in the Old Testament as the event when God parted the Red Sea, saving the Hebrews and then destroying the pursuing enemy, the Egyptian army. Redemption is a work of God on the cross of Jesus. Without the death of Jesus we wouldn't have redemption. Salvation is a work of God in the resurrection of Jesus, without the resurrection of Jesus we wouldn't have salvation.

> Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show to you today (God's parting of the Red Sea): for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace.

The Egyptian army was not the only danger the Hebrews were saved from. During their time in the wilderness, the Hebrews were continually being saved. They were saved from hunger, saved from thirst, saved from being lost as God led them. They were saved from separation from God as God instructed them and revealed Himself to the Hebrews in a relationship with them. This salvation process is a healing process. God is continually saving us and healing us as we walk with Him.

Where redemption is a function of the cross of Jesus, salvation is a function of the resurrection of Jesus. We are redeemed when we acknowledge our sin and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for us. We are not saved (healed) until we acknowledge the resurrection life of Jesus and Jesus then baptizes us with the new life of the Holy Spirit.

> Titus 3:5,6 [salvation is obtained] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration(Spiritual, rebirth) and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. In fact the name of Jesus means salvation, Jesus; Je - Yahweh (God); Sus - Salvation; Jesus - God is Salvation. By acknowledging Jesus we are acknowledging being healed by God.

> 2 Thessalonians But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Salvation (healing) is a part of the continuing sanctification process. Sanctification is to be set apart for a relationship with God. Through a relationship with God we are being healed as we begin to know more about the love of God and the plan of God through Jesus to save the world from sin, death and despair. Yes there is healing in the living God of the Bible!

God Bless you,
David Anson Brown

## Articles

Revival in the Hebrides (1949) by Duncan Campbell - Note: The following is a transcript of a taped message on the Hebrides Revival - The report was given in 1968 by Duncan Campbell, a preacher in the Revival
Now I am sure that you will be interested to know how, in November 1949, this gracious movement began on the island of Lewis. Two old women, one of them 84 years of age and the other 82 - one of them stone blind, were greatly burdened because of the appalling state of their own parish. It was true that not a single young person attended public worship. Not a single young man or young woman went to the church. And those two women were greatly concerned and they made it a special matter of prayer. ... Well that continued for some weeks--indeed, I believe almost a month and a half. Until one night-- now this is what I am anxious for you to get ahold of - one night they were kneeling there in the barn, pleading this promise, "I will pour water on him that is thirsty, floods upon the dry ground" when one young man, a deacon in the church, got up and read Psalm 24. "Who shall ascend the hill of God? Who shall stand in His holy place? He that has clean hands and a pure heart who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity or sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing (not a blessing, but THE blessing) of the Lord." And then that young man closed his Bible. -- And looking down at the minister and the other office bearers, he said this - maybe crude words, but perhaps not so crude in our Gaelic language - he said, "It seems to me to be so much humbug to be praying as we are praying, to be waiting as we are waiting, if we ourselves are not rightly related to God." And then he lifted his two hands - and I'm telling you just as the minister told me it happened - he lifted his two hands and prayed, "God, are my hands clean? Is my heart pure?" But he got no further. That young man fell to his knees and then fell into a trance. -- Now don't ask me to explain this because I can't. He fell into a trance and is now lying on the floor of the barn. And in the words of the minister, at that moment, he and his other office bearers were gripped by the conviction that a God-sent revival must ever be related to holiness, must ever be related to Godliness. Are my hands clean? Is my heart pure? The man that God will trust with revival - that was the conviction. -- When that happened in the barn, the power of God swept into the parish. And an awareness of God gripped the community such as hadn't been known for over 100 years. An awareness of God - that's revival, that's revival. And on the following day, the looms were silent, little work was done on the farms as men and women gave themselves to thinking on eternal things, gripped by eternal realities. [article link]

**Revival Hymn a Call to Action (Video & Mp3 Downloads)
Have We No Tears for Revival? "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." (Ps. 126:5). This is the divine edict. This is more than preaching with zeal. This is more than scholarly exposition. This is more than delivering sermons of exegetical exactitude and homiletic perfection. Such a man, whether preacher or pew dweller, is appalled at the shrinking authority of the Church in the present drama of cruelty in the world. And he cringes with sorrow that men turn a deaf ear to the Gospel and willingly risk eternal hell in the process. Under this complex burden, his heart is crushed to tears. The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church, grieved at the blindness of the Church, grieved at the corruption in the Church, grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil. He is embarrassed that the Church folks no longer cry in their despair before a devil-ridden, sin-mad society, "Why could we not cast him out?" (Matt. 17:19). [article link]

'The Sweet Life' Former Avalon Singer Offers Her Testimony
"I had a 10-year relationship that had gone really sour," says Christian singer Cherie Adams, formerly of the group Avalon. "We were like high school sweethearts, and I went from seeing him every day to never seeing each other again." "I was physically sick. I thought about killing myself. Then one day my mother was bugging me to go to church and I said, 'I don't know why I'm going to bother because God doesn't love me anymore. He doesn't know me."

But Adams went and says her life was forever altered by this single service. Today, Adams travels the country, singing songs, talking about her experiences as a platinum-selling artist in the music business and her life as a Christian, and giving support to other women who have been through similar hardships.

Don't stifle Christianity by political correctness, says England's Carey
The public expression of the Christian faith and other religions is being undermined by political correctness, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey of Clifton, says. "I think there is a view around that practising Christianity and all the symbols that go with it embarrasses people of other faiths and of course that's nonsense," he told GMTV's Sunday Programme.

"There's certainly nothing wrong with wearing a cross or crucifix or having those symbols in our classrooms. It's proper that you should have a discussion of that nature."

Lord Carey, who retired as head of the Anglican Church in 2002, said that Christians should be more explicit about their faith and proud of the Cross. "We must avoid the kind of political correctness that is creeping in and undermining the public expression of the Christian faith. [article link]

Religious following for cyber sermons (Mp3s) - "Godcasting," "iGod," and "pod preachers"
SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- Even the faithful miss church occasionally, but these days they do not have to miss the sermon -- they can download it to their play lists. Cyber sermons are catching on with a religious audience who are on the run, torn between worship and work.

Religion appears to be the fastest growing segment of the podcast community, and Patchett believes this is based on word of mouth. "As Christians, we are called to take what we have -- the information we have about our religion -- and share it with others, so there's a call out there to spread that information. Podcasting is one of the easiest ways to do it," he said. ... Now, terms like "Godcasting," "iGod," and "pod preachers" are circulating on the Internet, in a case of religion embracing technology -- that fits in a pocket. [article link]

A Visit to the Muslim Country of Libya {Missionary Preparation}
When you visit another country, it's hard to get a feel for what it's actually like until you leave your hotel room, go for a walk, take a look around, and hang out while soaking it in. Not so in Libya. All you have to do there is show up. It will impose itself on you at once.

## Evangelism - Witnessing: Resources and Information

Basic Christian: Quick Start Guide to Christianity (PDF)
Individual Life stories: how and why people became Christians
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Campus Crusade for Christ International (Study Material)
Internet Evangelism - Resources
Promise Keepers Men of Integrity
Jews For Jesus
The Navigators (Bible helps)
Awana Clubs for kids
Child Evangelism Fellowship
Teen Mania (Extreme Excellence)
Rock For Life - ProLife (T-Shirts)
Youth with a Mission (YWAM) Missionary Service - Books & Info
New Tribes Mission (Excellent Videos - Catalog)
Bumper stickers & decals, Christian, Pro-Life, Support for Israel, Patriotic, Political
American Tract Society Since 1825
Focus on the Family - Dr. James Dobson
Vision Forum (Family Integrated Church)

Source: www.BasicChristian.info

Top of Page