Do we really need to witness today?

I can't find anywhere in the New Testament where we're instructed to preach the gospel (witness/evangelise).

There are a couple of close occasions ie. 1 Peter 3:15 about always being prepared to answer everyone who asks you about the hope that you have; or Colossians 4:5 which encourages the church to make the most of every opportunity.
But neither of those verses actually use the Greek word 'evangelise' - usually translated as 'preach the good news'. Instead the 58 times where 'evangelise' is used, it is always in reference to either Jesus or the Apostles - but never to the ordinary Joe in the church.

When you read through the epistles, most of the instruction is about unity in the church, holy living, thankfulness and prayerfulness, caring for the vulnerable, holding fast to the Word, endurance & perseverance, submission, respect and self-control etc. I can't find anywhere where the church is told to evangelise.
Even Jesus' great commission was given to the 11 apostles and not to his larger following of disciples (as far as I can tell from Matthew 28).

Now after thinking about all this I must say I'm not convinced that we shouldn't evangelise. I am sure we must witness - my conscience and everything about me tells me I should continue evangelising and preaching the good news, but is that the Holy Spirit at work or is it the effect of a lifetime of hearing sermons with application about witnessing tacked onto the end?

Where is the scriptural exhortation for Joe Christian to evangelise?

You must not have read this part of the Bible:

(Matthew 28:18 TNIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
(Matthew 28:19 TNIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
(Matthew 28:20 TNIV) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Emphasis mine.

Of course it does, Acts 1:8 is one of the more well know verses: But you will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. This verse is called the Great Commision, not the Good Suggestion, for a reason. We are commanded by God to go out to the ends of the earth sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ. But let me ask you a question: How can you be a Christian and not want to share?

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What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Jesus Freak- One who is perceived to be overtly and excessively Christian; Someone who is an enthusiastic Christian. (This is definitely me!)

I don't know about anyone else, but I feel COMPELLED to witness. To not witness is like me standing by watching a child drown in a lake, when I could at least through out a float to that child, even if I was unable to swim and rescue the child myself.

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For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries. (Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers, W.W. Norton, New York, 1978, p. 116)

The Scripture commands Christians to evangelize the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Spirit calls to our hearts to do so, and He will empower us to succeed as He determines appropriate. I've been led by the Spirit to talk to specific people, but never to change careers and go into the Ministry. There are many ways to reach the lost, and the first and foremost is to set an example through following Christ's commands, primarily to Love God and other Christians (above ourselves).

Jeff

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For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries. (Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers, W.W. Norton, New York, 1978, p. 116)