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I grew up in the Pentecostal church, and virtually all Pentecostal denominations are Evangelical denominations. So what does evangelical mean?

Well it means different things to be honest. On wikipedia it is tied to Christianity, but this isn't always the case. There are Linux evangelists, organic food evangelists, apple iPhone evangelists, etc...

All an evangelist is... is someone "who spreads the word" about something.

So yes there are Christian evangelists. Virtually all Christian missionaries would be evangelists.
People who rent large auditoriums and speak about the gospel to crowds of people would also be considered evangelists. Billy Graham would be a good example.

There are some denominations that call themselves evangelical, but really have no outreach ministry to the community at all. In a way, you could say all pastors are evangelicals; but what separates them from true evangelicals is that evangelicals, "go" (unto all the world) to preach the gospel. This is the great commission at the end of Mark 16. Pastors generally only speak to the congregation in their own churches.

Much of the core of evangelism comes from Ezek 3:

Ezek 3:17; “Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.

The thought here being, if we don't warn people of the judgment, they have no need for salvation.
"be saved? Saved from what?" If there is no hell to be saved from... there is no need to be saved.
If we don't warn them, we will be held responsible.

Some Christians take the attitude, "I'm not going to tell anyone that their going to hell". God decides that.
God has already decided that anyone who's name is not written in the book of Life, is going into the Lake of Fire. To burn for eternity. Eternity is a long time.

This is in conflict with some Calvinist predestination teachings. They believe God has already decided who is going to heaven, and who is going to hell and there's nothing anything can do about it. This inevitably leads to freewill discussions.

It may be be that the fire and brimstone message doesn't lead everyone to Jesus. Some pastors focus on love and grace. I'm not saying there is a right or wrong way, but I personally believe both ways are equally valid. Fire and brimstone misses the "love of Christ". Love and grace only misses the "judgment of God".

I've known literally dozens of people who have gotten saved for both reasons.
Some people say... shouldn't we just love them, and not judge them.

If an infant say.. two years old was running out into a busy street... and the parent ran after them and pulled
them back to safety, and then told them (scolded them) to never do that again, would the parent be judging the child? Or would they be loving the child?

Sometimes... love is judgment.

If your spouse had an affair on you, would you just love them like nothing ever happened?
What if they had a dozen affairs?

Sometimes love is judgment.

If we let people burn for eternity without warning them... are we really loving them?

Mark 16:15; And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Mark 16:16; He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Good post.

I adhere to the law to the proud, grace to the humble idea based on Jas 4. Grace makes no sense if they don't believe they are sinners first. Don't give the cure before you tell them about the disease.
God is indeed turning His church; the Truth is being told and some are waking up. Amen

The day of the Lord is at hand.
All praise glory and honor be unto God Amen
Staff Member
As a believer in Christ Jesus one is commanded to spread the Gospel and make Disciples. Evangelical is really a person who imparts the meaning that we find with the Gospel which equals "Good Message", "Good News", or "Good Tidings".

So, what is this Gospel or Good Message, Good News, Good Tidings that we are to spread?

I ask this because so many believers I have asked don't really come up with a coherent answer. I've even had one brother in Christ Jesus tell me "The Good News is the Gospel" and when I asked what was the Gospel....yep...he said "The Gospel is the Good News" :) I love him dearly, but for some reason he wasn't really understanding what I was asking. Sometimes the obvious and the simplicity of it escapes us! Especially for those who are scholars!!! We seek the deepest truths/meanings when the simplest one is normally the one that is understood by all and the one we should use. Maybe, it won't be believed, but not due to lack of understanding what is being said.

When an Angel spoke to the Shepards who were in a field guarding their flocks at night.....starting to ring a bell yet?? :)


ALLELUIA!!!! As a child in a manger, with a simple message, to all people. This is what we are to proclaim! Now of cause some will say that Peter when 3000 were saved was an example of putting it strongly and not necessarily meekly or what some would portray as not necessarily the Love Gospel :glasses: (Isn't it really that? God's Love for us through Christ Jesus that we're communicating?).

Anyway, back to Peter. Who was he speaking to? Yep, fellow Jews from all around the world, but still Jews. He convicted them after laying the ground work from the OT that is was prophesied that they would hear what they heard (tongues). Wouldn't you say that this was a special audience, a uniquely Jewish one? He was dealing with a people that already knew what sin was. Are we dealing with such people of understanding?

Regardless when you interject "sin" and its consequences. One must not forget the "Good News"!!! Because without it. You'll only anger, confuse, a people who have no background or preparation to understand that which lays before them is due to something that is actively always been a part of their lives.

Remember that you will be given what words are needed to be spoken to them.

For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. Luke 12:12

The resistance one meets with when communicating the Gospel can be varied. So, too are the responses that we give in turn. Yet, the Love that we communicate must never be compromised by the actions of another. All you will do is give them the excuse (justification in self) they wanted/expected and probably affect negatively the ones who were really the intended recipients of the message that you were communicating who were listening quietly, but taking in every word! Happens more times then you realize.

Also, remember that "Love" is powerful! If you wonder how can love effectively address the "sins of these people who were us" and break down spiritual barriers. Just take another look at the Cross.

Keep in mind that you also have your own testimony!!! It makes for one of the most powerful words you can share with another.


That is why our own testimony on how we were drawn to the Lord that first time is so important for us to able to communicate to others. There are many things we might not know in scripture, but one thing we do know and that is the one special moment in time when we felt the presence of the Holy Spirit upon us for the first time. That drove us to the foot of the Cross and finally to joy we rejoice in! For He is ALIVE & WE ARE FORGIVEN!

Just felt moved to share my thoughts on this. The opportunities are out there for every believer to share the Gospel. Listening for the prompting of the Holy Spirit....and leap!!!!!! or at least take a small step out in faith. He will take care of the rest. :thumbsup: Like our Dear Sister Fragrant Grace likes to say. "His word will not return void"!

With the Love of Christ Jesus.

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