Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8400 The tasks of the believer  »  8424 evangelism  »  8426 evangelism, motivation for

Evangelism arises from a natural response to the grace of God, a concern for those who have yet to hear the good news and a desire to be faithful to the great commission to bring the good news to the ends of the earth. Evangelism is guided and directed by the Holy Spirit.

Motives for evangelism

Recognising God's call

2 Timothy 1:11 See also Isaiah 6:8-9; Jonah 1:1-2; Acts 22:14-15; 2 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Timothy 2:7

A divine compulsion

1 Corinthians 9:16-17 See also Jeremiah 20:9; Amos 3:8; Acts 4:20

A God-given responsibility

Ezekiel 3:17-20 See also Ezekiel 33:7-9; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

A desire to win the lost

Romans 10:1; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 See also Acts 20:19-20; Romans 1:14-15; Romans 9:1-3; Romans 11:14; Romans 15:17-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20

A recognition of coming judgment

Jude 23 See also James 5:20; 2 Peter 3:9

Responding to God's grace

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 See also 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 3:7; 1 Timothy 1:12-16

Confidence in the gospel

Romans 1:16-17 See also Isaiah 55:10-11; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; 2 Timothy 1:8-9

God directs and guides evangelism

Divine guidance in evangelism

Acts 8:26-29; Acts 16:6-10 See also Acts 5:19-20; Acts 9:10-11; Acts 10:19-20; Acts 11:12; Acts 13:2; Acts 18:9-11

God opens the door for evangelism

2 Corinthians 2:12 See also Acts 14:27; 1 Corinthians 16:9; Colossians 4:3; Revelation 3:8

Areas of ministry assigned by God

Galatians 2:7-9 See also Acts 9:15

The Holy Spirit empowers evangelism

Acts 1:8 See also Matthew 10:19-20 pp Mark 13:11 pp Luke 12:11-12; John 15:26-27; 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Evangelism as a result of persecution

Acts 8:4-5 See also Acts 11:19-21; Acts 13:50-51; Acts 14:6-7; Acts 18:2

See also

3030  Holy Spirit, power
3212  Holy Spirit & mission
5046  opportunities
5806  compassion
6620  calling
7724  evangelists
8124  guidance
8239  earnestness
8370  zeal
8489  urgency
8495  witnessing
8794  persecution