There are three major issues to be addressed:
- The Meaning and Necessity of evangelism
- God’s sovereignty
- God’s sovereignty and human responsibility
1. The Meaning and Necessity of Evangelism
The Meaning of Evangelism
Evangelism is the declaration of a specific message about Jesus Christ’s work of salvation on behalf of sinners by dying on the cross (1 Peter 1:18; 2:24) and being raised from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25). He saves sinners from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, delivering us from God’s wrath (1 Timothy 1:15; Galatians 3:13;1 Thessalonians 1:10; Romans 5:9). It is a message that Jesus Christ is the only savior of sinners (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). It is a message of reconciliation of sinful humanity to a holy God because of Christ’s work on our behalf (Romans 5:8). It is a message urging men to repent of their sins and to believe in Jesus Christ as their only hope of salvation (Ezekiel 18:32; Mark 1:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
Evangelism is not whether conversions of sinners have resulted from the proclamation of the gospel but whether the gospel message has been faithfully proclaimed.
The Necessity of Evangelism
Sinful humanity is dead in its sins, totally unable to deliver itself from the wrath of God (Isaiah 64:6-7; Ephesians 2:1-2). The wages of sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). All mankind has sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Sinful men can do nothing in themselves to earn salvation because they are blinded to the truths of the gospel and enslaved to their sins and to the devil (2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:26; Acts 26:16-18). Man cannot earn his salvation through good works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:19-20;; Titus 3: 4-7).
The Necessity of Repentance and Faith.
Jesus came preaching the gospel of God saying that the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:14-15). Repentance involves a godly sorrow for one’s sins and a determination by God’s help to abandon a lifestyle of sin (Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 14:15 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Faith is a complete trust in Christ alone for His saving work on our behalf (Acts 16:31; John 10:9-10; Romans 9:30-31; Philippians 3:9).
2. God’s sovereignty
Proof that we know that God is sovereign in salvation
God’s sovereignty teaches us that God has the ultimate authority over all creation, and that nothing happens outside of His will and control, particularly in the salvation of men. The Christian, who is walking with the Lord, instinctively knows that all the glory for his/her salvation belongs to God.
First, the fact that we thank God for our conversion is definitive proof that we did not save ourselves. We would never “pat ourselves on the back” saying that we share at least half the credit. No, we know that God had mercy on our deadened soul, and we are eternally grateful for His undeserving grace and mercy. Many Christians, in their Christian testimony, often speak of how God orchestrated particular events leading them to the hearing of the gospel and responding in repentance and faith. My own Christian testimony of how God led me from agnosticism to faith in Jesus is replete with God orchestrating events.
Second, when we pray for the conversion of others, this is definitive proof that we know God is sovereign in salvation. We would never think of praying that God would bring them to a point where they could save themselves, independent of Him. How do we pray for lost loved ones and friends? We beg God to decisively save them out of their sins, that He will open their eyes of understanding, soften their hard hearts, regenerate their natures, and move their wills to receive Jesus as their Savior. I know of stories were a godly mother prayed for years for a lost son or daughter, and then at the appropriate time that would bring God the most glory, the lost soul sees the glory of Christ offered in the gospel and repents and believes. Hallelujah! When we pray for the unconverted, we are operating under the assumption that it’s God’s power to bring them to repentance and faith. We know that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romas 1:16).
Scripture texts proving that God is sovereign in salvation
Ezekiel 37:1-14: Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of the dry bones shows the sovereignty of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. God told Ezekiel to prophesy over the dead bones, saying, “Oh dry bones, hear the word of the Lord” (v.4). The result? All the bones came together and flesh grew on the bones. God then told Ezekiel, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, Son of Man, and say to the breath, thus says the Lord God, come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on the slain, that they come to life (v.9). God then explains to Ezekiel that the dry bones are the whole house of Israel whose hope has been completely cut off. God tells Ezekiel to prophesy again saying, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you to the land. Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it, declares the Lord” (Ezek. 37:12-14).
John 3:1-8: Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to see the kingdom got God one must be born again of the Holy Spirit. Jesus likened the Holy Spirit’s activity to the wind. One does not know where the wind comes from or where it is going, but we see the effect. The Holy Spirit regenerates the dead soul in a mysterious way.
John 1:12-13: When we believe in Jesus, we are given the right to become children of God, but verse 13 says that we were not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God. Being born of God is the work of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, but it precedes the act of receiving and believing in Jesus.
John 6:37, 44: Jesus said, “All that the Father gives me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to me I will certainly not cast out… No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” Sinners must be drawn to Jesus, but no one comes to Jesus unless the heavenly Father draws him.”
Acts 13:47-48: “Thus the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the end of the earth.’ And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life, believed” (emphasis is mine).
Acts 9: 1-19: Saul of Tarsus’ conversion on the road to Damascus illustrates God’s sovereignty because Saul was not looking for salvation in Jesus; in fact, he was on his way to Damascus to drag Christians back to Jerusalem, being the great persecutor the church.
Acts 16: 14: “And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul” (emphasis is mine). As Lydia was listening, God opened her heart to respond to the gospel. In theology, this is called divine enabling. We act when God first acts upon us! Lydia believes, but it was the Lord who opened her heart giving her the ability to believe. God’s sovereignty in salvation does not set aside man’s responsibility.
Romans 9:10-23: The sovereignty of God in salvation is seen in the birth of Jacob and Esau. God chose Jacob for salvation but not Esau. God says He has compassion on whom He has compassion and mercy upon him that He chooses. God emphasizes that there is no injustice in this sovereign act, and that we have no right to question God as the potter over the clay. Those whom God chooses are seen as vessels of mercy prepared beforehand for glory. God’s sovereign grace does not nullify the actions of men who are left in their sinful state. The reality is that God is under no obligation to save any sinner.
Ephesians 1:4-6: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him, in love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace which He freely bestowed on us in the beloved.”
Philippians 1:29: “For to you it is been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for His sake.” God grants the ability to believe in Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:24-26: “And the Lord’s bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” (emphasis mine).
Why do well-meaning Christians struggle with God being sovereign in the salvation of men? Probably, the foremost reason is that they think that this violates man’s responsibility or his free will. This brings us to the next section.
3. God’s sovereignty and human responsibility
Earlier, I mentioned that many well meaning Christians react very negatively to the idea that God is absolutely sovereign in dispensing His saving grace to sinners. The essence of the argument is: If God has elected and predestined people to salvation, then this violates man’s free will, making man some kind of robot without any responsibility for believing or rejecting the gospel. We have already seen that the Bible clearly teaches that God is sovereign in salvation, but equally taught in the Scripture is that man is totally responsible for believing or rejecting the gospel.
The apparent contradiction
One theologian, J.I. Packer, speaks of the relationship of God’s sovereignty to human responsibility as an “antinomy.” This is a fancy word describing what appears to be a contradiction between conclusions that seem equally logical, reasonable, or necessary. An antinomy in theology is that it is not a real contradiction, even though it looks like one. How can two truths stand side-by-side, seemingly irreconcilable, yet undeniable? It is a mystery in one sense how they can be squared with each other. They both must be true on their own account, but we cannot see how they can both be true together.
God’s sovereignty and man’s accountability are both equally taught in Scripture, but how can they both be simultaneously true? It is important that we acknowledge that we are but creatures and not the creator. We must be humble and admit that there are some things that we cannot fully understand. One of the most important Bible verses is Isaiah 55:8-9 which says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” There is no mystery with God, and these two biblical truths of God’s sovereignty and human accountability make complete sense to God. The temptation is to undermine one truth to the exclusion of the other. It is wrong to assert man’s responsibility in such a way that it excludes God’s sovereignty, but then it is equally wrong to assert God’s sovereignty in such a way that it denies man’s accountability to believe the gospel. The great English preacher of the 19th century, C.H. Spurgeon, once said when he was asked if he could reconcile these two truths, “I wouldn’t try; I never reconcile friends.”
Passages that emphasize man’s accountability
This particular antinomy is between what God does as king, and what He does as judge. As king, God orders and controls all things in accordance with His own eternal purpose. We live under God’s law and must answer to Him for breaking that law. 1 John 3:4 says, “Whoever practices sin practices lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness.” James 2:10 says, “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point is guilty of all.” We are cursed if we do not abide by all things written in the law to perform it (Galatians 3:10). The soul that sins must die (Ezekiel 18:20). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The consequence of sin extends to all humanity (Romans 3:23). This is why mankind needs the gospel. Whenever a person hears the gospel, he is responsible for the decision he makes. Jesus said, “Truly, truly I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life (John 5:24). Jesus said, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him (John 3:36). God says, “Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, declares the Lord God, therefore, repent and live (Ezekiel 18:31-32).
Passages that directly link God’s sovereignty with man’s accountability
Isaiah 10:1-19 – The context of this passage is God using the evil empire of the Assyrians as judgment against faithless Israel. “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger and the staff in whose hands is My indignation, I send it against a godless nation and commissioned it against the people of My fury to capture booty and to seize plunder, and to trample them down like mud in the streets (vs 5-6). This evil empire is the instrument in God’s hand for judgment. Since God is not the author of evil (1 John 1:5), He is not directly involved in the sin of Assyria; nonetheless, He still uses them. The Assyrians have no idea that God is behind their attack of Israel. Isaiah 10:7 says, “Yet it does not so intend nor does it plan so in its heart, but rather it is its purpose to destroy, and cut off many nations.” God uses this evil empire to accomplish His sovereign purpose of judgment, but then turns around and rebukes the Assyrians for their actions- “So it will be that when the Lord has completed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the King of Assyria and the pomp of his haughtiness, for he has said, “By the power of my hand and by my wisdom I did this, for I have understanding; and I removed the boundaries of the peoples and plundered their treasures, and like a mighty man I brought down their inhabitants” (vs 12-13). God responds to the Assyrians’ arrogance by saying, “Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it”(v. 15)? God is sovereign in using Assyria to judge His people, but Assyria is responsible for its evil actions against faithless Israel.
Acts 2: 22-23: “Men of Israel, listen to these words; Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know-this man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put him to death” (emphasis is mine). Jesus’ death is predetermined by a sovereign God, and yet sinful men are held responsible for nailing Him to a cross. God’s sovereignty and man’s accountability are working in perfect tandem to accomplish the salvation of sinners.
Acts 4:27-28: “For truly in this city there were gathered together against Thy holy servant Jesus, whom Thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Thy hand and Thy purpose predestined to occur” (emphasis is mine). God sovereignly planned for Jesus’ death, but condemned those who carried out the insidious act.
Mark 14:21: “For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” The death of Jesus was predestined according to prophecy, and yet at the same time Judas Iscariot is condemned for having been the betrayer, for it would have been better for Judas if he had never been born. Jesus’ betrayal was prophesied to be carried out by a friend – “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, lifted up his heel against Me” (Psalm 41:9). Jesus understood the prophecy, for he says at the Last Supper, “I do not speak of all of you, I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘he who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me” (John 13:18).
The necessity of preachers
How are unbelievers going to be saved? They must respond to the preached gospel, which means God raises up preachers to proclaim the words of everlasting life.
Romans 10:11-17: “For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; for whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher” (emphasis is mine)? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!’ However, they did not all heed the glad tidings; for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.’ Jesus preaches through His faithful preachers!
Acts 9:1-19. When Jesus saved Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, Jesus appointed him to be the apostle to the Gentile world. Jesus blinded him and told him to go into Damascus where he resided in a house for three days without sight, and without food and drink. Jesus then appeared in a vision to a certain disciple named Ananias. Jesus told Ananias to go to the house of Judas and inquire for a man named Saul, for behold, he is praying (v.11). Saul has seen in a vision a man named Ananias who would lay hands on him in order for sight to be restored. Ananias is initially hesitant because he knows that Saul is a great persecutor the church. But, Jesus assures Ananias with these words, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake” (v. 15). Ananias laid hands on Saul, and his sight was restored, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit and then baptized. (v.17). Saul of Tarsus was predestined to be saved and then to become the great apostle to the Gentile world! His name changed from Saul of Tarsus to Paul.
Acts 26:1-19: This section of Scripture records Paul’s defense before King Agrippa. In this recounting, Paul says Jesus spoke to him when he blinded him by saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Saul responded by asking, “Who art thou Lord? And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But arise, and stand on your feet for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things which I will appear to you; delivering you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.” Consequently, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision.
Galatians 1:15-16: Paul understands that he was predestined from the womb to become a Christian and to become the apostle to the Gentile world- “But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal his son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood” (emphasis is mine).
1 Corinthians 9:16-17: “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.”
Ephesians 6:19-20: “and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it, I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
While we must always remember that it is our responsibility to proclaim the gospel of salvation, we must remember that it is God who saves, not us. It is God who sovereignly brings people under the sound of the gospel, and it is God who brings them to faith in Christ. The evangelistic work of the preacher is simply God’s instrument that He uses, but the power that saves is not in the instrument; it is in the hand of Almighty God who uses the instrument. Jesus’ preacher can have great confidence when he goes out to preach to sinners, for he understands that the Holy Spirit goes before him to prepare the hearts of sinners to favorably respond to the demand of the gospel to repent and believe. Jesus’ preacher pleads with men to be reconciled to a holy God-“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Conclusion:
There are two great doctrines of Scripture that must be affirmed- God’s sovereignty in salvation and man’s accountability to the preached gospel. They may be difficult for us to understand how these two great doctrines relate to one another, but we must be humble, recognizing that God’s thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways. We bow before the majesty of our great God!
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