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Jesus modeled evangelism through personal training and bold proclamation. His call remains the same today—go two by two, proclaim the gospel fearlessly, and transform lives through His authority and power.
Jesus began selecting His prospective disciples at the beginning of His ministry
(Mattew. 4:18, 21; John. 1:40–49).
They had been observing all He had been doing. With the twelve selected, Jesus went through all the towns and villages, “teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness” (Matthew 9:35). Having no modern transportation available, all the proclamation, evangelizing, healing, and teaching happened while they were walking from place to place. Jesus saturated Israel with the gospel. It was all villages and towns—and proclamation was His method of broadcasting the gospel to the masses.
For Jesus, the spiritual harvest could best be addressed by training more proclamation evangelists and others for evangelism.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew. 9:36).
After assessing the situation, Jesus declared, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (v. 37). In any vocation, trade, or ministry, training is part of one’s progress and improvement. Our greatest motivation for training evangelists is our Lord Himself.
In Matthew 10, we see Him choosing twelve to train so He could multiply His efforts during His short three years and continue His work afterward. “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness” (Matthew. 10:1–2; see also Luke. 9:1; Mark. 6:6).
Why was it important to give authority before commissioning? Because knowing they were following the orders of the great “I AM,” the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16), provided them—and us—with the greatest encouragement needed to obey the Great Commission. With that authority, it is probable that the demons and powers of this world listened. In Acts 1:8, the apostles were to “receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In Matthew 28:19, we see that Jesus had “all authority in heaven and on earth.” It was this authority Jesus gave His disciples—and gives us today. This is a charge, command, and order to proclaim the gospel and to make disciples.
“These twelve Jesus sent out” (Matthew 10:5). Jesus wanted more than twelve to carry the gospel. Therefore, “the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go” (Luke 10:1; see also Mark 6:7).
Why should we go two by two? We can be an encouragement to one another (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10). We are not always excited about evangelism; we need prayer partners; there is accountability; we remind each other of our calling and help one another stay focused; we can respond to questions and situations together; we can provide another perspective; any credit is shared; it protects us from individualism and provides protection from harm. At least once in my life, my colleague protected me from being beaten up!
Jesus seldom trained anyone in evangelism in a classroom or seminar. It was learned through association and observation—by simply being with Him (Mark 3:14). Jesus commands His evangelists, “As you go, proclaim (kērussete) the gospel” (Matthew. 10:7; see also 9:35; 10:27; 11:1; Mark. 6:12). Matthew uses the Greek word kērusso four times in a span of forty-five verses. To proclaim, in the biblical context, is to declare, announce, propagate, or disseminate the gospel outside the walls of the church to the lost.
We derive our word evangelism from the Greek word euangelizō (or euangelizomai), which means “to bring good news.” “So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming (euangelizomenoi) the good news …” (Luke 9:6). All evangelism will lead to some coming to repentance and faith in Christ (Acts 17:32–34). The disciples were not responsible for the reception of the message or the conversion of those with whom they shared the gospel (Matthew 10:13–15; Luke 9:5); their responsibility was simply to proclaim. However, the new believers (Matthew 28:19–20) must be discipled into the local church.
Today is no different. Wherever we are, the herald-evangelist and God’s saints in the church are to saturate the villages, towns, cities, countries, and the world with the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings the lost sinner into relationship with God. It converts, transforms, makes new creations, and regenerates—impacting one’s values and worldview, bringing about the new birth! When we want to see individuals and society change, the gospel is the answer.
However, while it is good news for the recipient, Jesus sends us—the sheep—to the wolves! So, while we share the gospel, we are to be watchful: “Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew. 10:16). Some may fear persecution or even death, but Jesus fought fear with the greater fear of “the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew. 10:28). In some countries, it may be illegal to share the gospel; we may be hated or ridiculed for it (Acts 2:13; 17:18), but we shouldn’t be ashamed, for therein lies the power of the gospel to convert (Romans. 1:16). There will always be opposition to the messenger—Jesus our Master experienced it too (Matthew. 10:24–26).
