What is the Message of Evangelism?

What exactly should we tell people when we evangelize?

Evangelism is one of the most important responsibilities of the Church, yet it is possible to be active in evangelistic work without clearly understanding the message God has entrusted to us.

In What Is the Message of Evangelism?, Sam Royalty takes readers back to the Scriptures to examine the message at the heart of biblical evangelism. Rather than reducing evangelism to inviting people to church, condemning sinful behavior, promoting a denomination, or communicating religious traditions, this book directs attention to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what God has accomplished through Him.

The book examines important questions such as: What is the Gospel? What should we preach to the unsaved? What is the purpose of the evangelistic message? Who is responsible for evangelism? Is evangelism primarily the responsibility of pastors and evangelists, or does the entire Church have a part to play?

Drawing from the example of the early Church, the book shows how believers who were scattered abroad “went every where preaching the word,” even while the apostles remained in Jerusalem. This provides an important foundation for understanding the responsibility of ordinary believers in spreading the Gospel.

The book also carefully distinguishes between doing the work of evangelism and occupying the ministry office of an evangelist. Through examples including Philip, Timothy, Saul, and the seventy elders, readers are shown why participating in a particular spiritual activity does not automatically mean occupying the corresponding ministry office.

The final portion examines the biblical function of the pastor as a shepherd—one who feeds, leads, protects, cares for, and equips the flock. Using John 10, Ephesians 4, and other passages, the book presents a practical picture of a healthy Church in which pastors equip believers for the work of the ministry rather than attempting to perform every ministry responsibility themselves.

What Is the Message of Evangelism? is a call for the Church to know the Gospel, understand the responsibility of every believer, recognize the proper function of ministry gifts, and faithfully take the good news of Jesus Christ beyond the walls of the church and into the world.

The message is Christ. The responsibility belongs to the Church. The ministers equip the saints. And the equipped saints participate in the work of the ministry.