Why evangelizing?

[evviva]

I know that Reformed Christian do evangelize. But my question is: what's the point about it?
Do you preach the Gospel to try reach out on the chosen who were not yet called? Do you just fullfill the Lord's commandment to do so?
Thank you.

 

[GrinningDwarf]

Well....obeying the commands of the God who made us is a pretty big reason to do something, wouldn't you think? There really isn't any 'just' fulfilling about it.

God knows who the elect are...we do not. God has chosen, in His infinite wisdom and soverignty, to use believers as the tool to bring the elect together.

 

[hooverbranch]

Its not our Job to question our purpose. We are to fulfill the Great Comission (Mathew 28: 18-20) and thats that. If we were to know everything then we would be God. And we are NOT God.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Calvinism believe in the Great Commission. We don't know who are elected to be saved. We just preach the Gospel to ALL and allow God handle the election part. Even though God is in control and He KNOWS who will accept and reject before the earth was even created. Jesus did die for ALL but the atonement is only for the elected (in other words, those who are convicted by the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, repented and etc).

 

[hooverbranch]

I think that one thing that must be made clear is the purpose of Evangelizing. We are not to go out and Save people. That is NOT our job. We do not have the power to save a single soul. That power is in the Hands of God alone. By His Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, for his Glory Alone.

When you are out evangelizing the focus needs to be planting the seed. We are just the messengers of the Good News. We can get our message across through the power of the Word of God and the power of God living within us through our Lives.

When you are focusing on God being in Control it opens the view of Evangelism up. I dont try and Sell God like he was a Used Car because what does that accomplish? I live my life for my Lord and Savior and Find Open Doors to share the good news and Plant a seed so that one day God may see it fit in his will to grow that seed.

 

[JimfromOhio]

I think that one thing that must be made clear is the purpose of Evangelizing. We are not to go out and Save people. That is NOT our job. We do not have the power to save a single soul. That power is in the Hands of God alone. By His Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, for his Glory Alone.

When you are out evangelizing the focus needs to be planting the seed. We are just the messengers of the Good News. We can get our message across through the power of the Word of God and the power of God living within us through our Lives.

When you are focusing on God being in Control it opens the view of Evangelism up. I dont try and Sell God like he was a Used Car because what does that accomplish? I live my life for my Lord and Savior and Find Open Doors to share the good news and Plant a seed so that one day God may see it fit in his will to grow that seed.

I agree... and I would like to add...The Best Evangelist is the Holy Spirit. We are to have creditibility in our lives by planting the seed and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. A Christian should live their lives as they practice what they believe so others can see. Christians are to have a good reputation, especially to the outsiders who are watching. 1 Timothy 3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. Evangelism requires courtesy from a believer and be Christ-like. Many have accepted Christ by watching Christians more than talking.

 

[Paleoconservatarian]

I would like to add that Calvinists do not view election and calling simply as abstract, spiritual things. God uses means, and this means the preaching of the Word, evangelism, and so on. The elect do not simply become Christians out of the blue. We believe that the Holy Spirit creates faith in us by the ministry of the Word.

 

[evviva]

Thank you for so many clear and prompt answers.
In fact I still don't have a clear stance on predestination. In Italy Reformed and Methodist Church are federated. That brought lots of Calvinism into our Methodism - much more than the other way around.

 

[mlqurgw]

All of the answers given are very good and correct. We do not know who the elect are and we are commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature. Still that isn't the prominent reason I preach the Gospel. Having known by experience the mercy and goodness of God in Christ I want others to know Him too. I preach the Gospel because I love people and desire that they come to know Christ and salvation in Him. My heart is in it not just my head. God calls His elect out of darkness into His marvelous light by the preaching of the Gospel and I do want folks to come out of darkness by faith.

 

[heymikey80]

I know that Reformed Christian do evangelize. But my question is: what's the point about it?
Do you preach the Gospel to try reach out on the chosen who were not yet called? Do you just fullfill the Lord's commandment to do so?
Thank you.

It's not quite as paradoxical as you might think. We go, we bring the Gospel by following the Spirit. (Jn 3:3-8) We're born of the Spirit, so we're borne by the Spirit to where He wants us. And that is where the Spirit is working, moving among others and regenerating others, who hear and embrace the Gospel that we speak in the Spirit.

Picture the Spirit of God running after wayward sons. We're the Spirit's true sons, running along beside Him. Because we're born to be like Him.

 

[Rescued One]

I would like to add that Calvinists do not view election and calling simply as abstract, spiritual things. God uses means, and this means the preaching of the Word, evangelism, and so on. The elect do not simply become Christians out of the blue. We believe that the Holy Spirit creates faith in us by the ministry of the Word.

Yes, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

 

[Ps28:7]

it's very interesting, because i was just talking to my mom and she asked the same question..."so why do they evangelize?" and it was quite neat to come across some of these posts and see what others said...and we talked about it and you know it's the same reason all Christians evangelize...because God wants us to and because we don't know who God has called...we plant, others water, but only God brings the increase

 

[edie19]

I know that Reformed Christian do evangelize. But my question is: what's the point about it?
Do you preach the Gospel to try reach out on the chosen who were not yet called? Do you just fullfill the Lord's commandment to do so?
Thank you.

We don't know who the elect are - we don't know the means God will use to call the elect. Therefore it is our responsibility to share the Gospel.

edie