The Goal of Evangelism: an Opportunity to Share the Gospel

Abstract

Evangelism has taken on many definitions throughout the ages, and much has been said about its origin in meaning. Proselytizing is not as well-known a term, but oddly enough, it has a plethora of definitions. Since the definitions and scope of the two are often ambiguous and seem to overlap one another, it is the intent of this paper to discuss how evangelism’s etymology within the New Testament tells us everything we need to know about evangelism, showing how Scripture has already dealt with the difference between evangelism and proselytizing. The goal of this paper is to help all people recognize the true goal of evangelism with the impact that postmodernism has had on evangelism and how that goal strengthens not just individual visible churches but also the one holy invisible church.