Initiative evangelism is clearly scriptural. Jesus didn’t sit in a room with a sign above
His door that said “Feel free to ask me questions about God.” He went TO the people, sometimes speaking in
a big group of people, and sometimes approaching people individually and boldly
speaking to them about salvation. Sure,
He did draw people to Himself in this way, but this only happened because He
took the initiative to speak to the people to begin with! Most importantly, this was Christ’s command
to us: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 18-20). He didn’t tell us to “wait,” He told us to “GO!”
Later in the New Testament, we see the disciples taking this
initiative themselves. Probably my
favorite example of this is in Acts 9, when God calls Ananias to go meet
Saul. I believe the number one reason
that people do not go out and meet people and share is because of fear! I can’t imagine a situation more terrifying
than to be called by God to boldly approach and identify myself as a Christian
to a man who was known for killing those who follow Christ. Even Ananias says, “I have heard many reports
about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints” (v. 13). But in the next verse, Jesus says, “Go!” and
Ananias obeys. And look how much God
blessed us through the obedience of Ananias!
The wisdom of Paul, inspired by the Spirit, is memorized and quoted
daily throughout the world. This is just
one of many examples, but is significant enough to prove that God blesses us
when we follow the prompting of the Spirit and take initiative!
