The Preacher’s Notebook

The Paper and Electronic Pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Mineral Springs, NC
(Delivered by E-mail and Us Postage Through Subscription as an Extension of the Pulpit Ministry of this Church)
Dr. Terry W . Preslar – PO Box 388 – M ineral Springs, NC 28108
(704)843-3858 – E-Mail: preslar12@windstream.net
Copyright (C) 2009. Terry W. Preslar All rights reserved.

Vol. III January, 2009 – The First Essay in a Series Issue 1

New Testament Evangelism

An Introduction
As it is in many things, there is a true and false evangelism. It is unfortunate that
a matter of so much importance is used by some for false purposes. Sadly, it has
always been this way. There is no way to have any “Spiritual” experience with
“Natural” means. (“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor. 2:14). The results of modern evangelism has left a lot
to be desired. The situation did not get this way overnight. It came to exist through
a sad misunderstanding about what the Bible says concerning the “Spiritual”approach
to evangelism. The biggest scandal of religious history is the abandonment of “true
evangelism” by the bulk of preachers in this generation.
For the sake of this essay we will invent two terms. The first term would be to
"For the preaching of
define biblical evangelism as “true evangelism” and then we will use the term
the cross is to them
that perish foolishness; “natural evangelism” to refer to the natural means most often employed today. This
but unto us which are situation is not being discussed simply to charge some with the entire crime of
saved it is the power of violating biblical principles of evangelism. The state of affairs only needs to be set
God." (1 Cor.1:18) straight and honest readers will be turned to the truth. The roots of this decay started
long ago with the fall of mankind. See the examples of the “natural man”:
I- Not beginning with but clearly noticed from the time of Balam the false prophet (“But I have a few
things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to
cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit
fornication.” Rev. 2:14; See also Num. 25:1-9; 31:16; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11) the mistake of doing
Spiritual activity with natural means; this was the work of Balam – the result was that it ended in the
corruption of the people of Israel and a Divine rebuke from his ass.
II- Then there is the story of the old (false) prophet that misguided the younger (faithful) prophet (1
Kings 13:1-22). Who this young prophet was cannot be ascertained, some say it might have been Iddo,
but, the most important thing is that the young prophet came by divine authority. It could not be either
Iddo or Ahijah, for both were alive after the events here related. The lesson is the dangerous position
held by the “True Evangelist” in any time period. The young prophet had spoken so clearly that the King
(Jeroboam) was turned to repent and the Word of the Lord was heard – the result was the revival of the
tribes of the North, the renovation of the defiled altar and then ended with the death of the misguided
“young prophet.”
II- Others could be noted: The 450 prophets of Baal “...and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which
eat at Jezebel’s table.” (1 Kings 18:19). These 850 paid chaplains of the King (Ahab) and Queen
(Jezebel) were notable examples of the falseness that can come into a society.
IV- The New Testament even relates the story of one who saw a real profit in being a false prophet (“But

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 there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery...” Acts 8:9).
Simon the Sorcerer was typical of many today who would pay a high price for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he
offered them money,” Acts 8:18-25). – the end result is as yet unseen, for the relatives of this “false
prophet” are still at work in our day!
V- In every day when false prophets ply their “trade” God raises up the “true evangelist” to be a banner
of truth in days of declension. There is still a faithful witness no matter how dark the clouds of deceit
may get.
Thus, God reenforces the principle that says: “the way you know the false is by observing the true”!
He will raise up the “true” to allow the “false” to be seen clearly. A “Banner” or a “Standard” are the
markers of the battlefield. The War is entered, the Battle is joined and many have no clear Ensample
to go before (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thes. 3:9; 2 Peter 2:6) and no Example to follow (Disregarding the example
of Christ – 1 Peter 2:21; John 13:15; dismissing the example of pastors to their flocks – Phil. 3:17; 2
Thes. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3; discounting the example of the Jews as a warning – Heb. 4:11;
brushing off the example of the prophets as suffering affliction – James 5:10). There is a “Banner.”

The Banner of Evangelism – The “True” and the “False”

There are many matters to consider in the Christian life. The Christian has concerns in the social area.
Family and friends are a pleasant prospect of the Christian life. The believer has concerns in personal
matters. Internal thoughts are very real and we live with both good and bad consciences. The Christian has
concerns with the material life. This is of interest to every human being. All these matters are connected
in some ways. The need in all these cases can be satisfied with “True Evangelism.” (“But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33). There
could be no better “Banner” for our modern times that “True Evangelism.”
I- True evangelism expresses the sincere desire of God for sinners to turn to Him for salvation. God
declares in Ezek. 18:23-32: “Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD:
and not that he should return from his ways, and live?...For I have no pleasure in the death of him that
dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” The incarnate Son of God expresses
the same desire in Matt. 23:37, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and
stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as
a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”
II- True evangelists express the same desire. They are not hesitant to say regarding our countrymen as Paul
the apostle said of his own in Romans 10:1: “...my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they
might be saved.” And they are not hesitant to share the profound sentiment he expressed in Romans 9:2-
3, “That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were
accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:” And with him they share the
same desire for all humanity, saying with him in 1 Corinthians 9:22: “To the weak became I as weak,
that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
III- True evangelists have a message that is directed to every one. They stress this fact because the false
evangelist often misrepresents the “True Evangelist” as being concerned for preaching to only God’s
elect. They are accused of only going about looking for the elect in order that they may preach the gospel
to them, thereby ignoring the non-elect (...whatever that is...?). This accusation is ludicrous!
IV- The True Evangelists have no means of knowing who the unregenerated elect are. God did not put
some special physical identifying mark on the elect, such as a tulip tattooed on their foreheads, so that
Evangelists could preach only to them and thereby not waste their time on the rest.
Rather, they are diligent to obey the command of Jesus Christ in Mark 16:15 to: “...Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” And they are diligent to obey the Great Commission

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 of Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19 to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations...” And they are diligent to
fulfill the promise of Jesus Christ in Acts 1:8 and acknowledge His power to “...be witnesses unto
me...unto the uttermost part of the earth.” And they are diligent to overlook no man in their evangelism,
declaring to all men everywhere the command of God in Isaiah 45:22: “Look unto me, and be ye saved,
all the ends of the earth...”
V- True evangelism fulfills accountability to God. (“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great
salvation...” Heb. 2:3). Applying to themselves the admonition expressed by God in Ezekiel 3:17-19,
they consider themselves as watchmen on the walls of humanity to warn of the wrath to come. If they
faithfully perform their duty, they are absolved of all guilt of having disregarded the warning. But if they
do not, the blood of those who perish because of their silence is on their own hands. They therefore
desire to be able to declare with Paul the apostle in Acts 20:26: “Wherefore I take you to record this day,
that I am pure from the blood of all men.”
VI- True evangelism views God’s calls to salvation not as an invitation only, but also as His command.
Scriptures throughout contain many invitations from God to sinners for them to come to Jesus Christ
for salvation (e.g. Isa. 45:22; Matt. 11:28; Rev. 22:17). But these are not mere invitations only. Rather,
“God...now commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30) and to come to Christ. They
therefore emphasize the command expressed in Psalm 2:12: “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye
perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in
him.”
VII- True evangelism emphasizes the ministry of preaching the word of God for the salvation of sinners.
They do not hesitate to declare the truth expressed by Paul the apostle in 2 Thessalonians 2:13: that God
sovereignly and graciously chose a people to salvation in Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world,
and that the Holy Spirit will apply that salvation through the preaching of the gospel.
This is in sharp contrast to the evangelistic appeal of natural style evangelists. To them, preaching
the gospel is not enough! Rather, preaching is but a prelude to a ceremony of human invention never
found in Holy Scriptures: an “invitation” or “altar call.” These natural evangelism preachers here invite
sinners to be saved by “coming to the altar” and saying “yes” to certain questions, and/or repeating after
the preacher the so-called “sinners’ prayer.”
No preacher in Scriptures ever employed such a measure. True evangelists therefore repudiate such
ungodly devices, and esteem in their place the preaching of the gospel. They realize that those who
disagree with them consider it foolish to rely only upon the preaching of the gospel to the neglect of an
extended and prolonged “altar call.” But they also confess with Paul the apostle in 1 Corinthians 1:18-
21: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is
the power of God... it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
VIII- True evangelism does not deny the sovereignty of God in salvation. This is in sharp contrast to
natural style evangelists. They plead with their hearers, “God wants so very much to save you, but He
is incapable of doing so unless you let Him. God the Father has chosen you to salvation, but the devil
has chosen you for damnation, and you must cast the deciding vote. Jesus Christ died for your sins, but
His atoning work is worthless and all in vain unless you believe in Him. The Holy Spirit pleads with you
to let Him cause you to be born again, but He cannot do so unless you first believe in Christ. Please let
God save you!”
IX- True Evangelists do not commit this grievous error because they acknowledge the sovereignty and
omnipotence of God. They declare in the words of Psalm 115:3, “But our God is in the heavens: he hath
done whatsoever he hath pleased.” And they acknowledge what is taught in verses 4-8 of the same
chapter of Psalms: that helpless gods are “idols” and “the work of men’s hands”; and that “They that
make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.”
X- True evangelism requires both repentance and faith from sinners. Our example par excellence in this
regard is Jesus Christ. According to Mark 1:14-15. He began His ministry by “...preaching the gospel

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 of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent
ye, and believe the gospel.” They therefore follow also the example of Paul the apostle, who declared
in Acts 20:20, “...preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and
the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” So important are these two elements
that we read in Heb. 6:1 that “...the principles of the doctrine of Christ...” are established upon “...the
foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.”

Conclusion
This emphasis by true evangelists upon the necessity of both repentance and faith is in sharp contrast
to the natural style evangelists. 1) natural evangelist misrepresent the Biblical command to “Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ and be saved” (Acts 16:31). They equate with it an expression of human invention no
Biblical preacher ever uttered: “Accept Jesus as your personal Savior.” 2) Natural evangelists are woefully
lacking in requiring repentance in their hearers, even though “God...now commandeth all men every where
to repent:” (Acts 17:30).
The preaching of Biblical preachers resulted in their hearers experiencing “godly sorrow” as apposed
to the emotional confusion of a natural evangelism meeting. ( “...godly sorrow worketh repentance to
salvation...” 2 Cor. 7:9-10), and thus causing them to cry out: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts
16:30). The preaching of natural evangelism results in their hearers often responding to “altar calls”
nonchalantly, and in making a “decision for Christ” (another human invention never found in Scriptures)
which leads to profession without possession and, in most cases, never living as a disciple of Christ. Natural
evangelists tend to call such persons “carnal Christians.” God declares otherwise, saying expressly that
“...to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace...Because the carnal mind
is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Rom. 8:6-7).
True evangelism is in sharp contrast to the natural evangelism style proselytism. These false evangelists
are rebuked by the Lord Himself as he describes the situation: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold
more the child of hell than yourselves.” (Matt. 23:15). The evangelism described above is based upon sound
footings. This true evangelism is Scriptural evangelism. They exhort all mankind everywhere to “Repent
and believe in the gospel.” In a simpler world, evangelism would be effective, effectual if yo will allow.
The true evangelist knows the vital truth that God is not a God that might save or that could save or that
should save – the God of the Bible is a God that does save and his servants do not serve in vain.
(“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58). The fact is that true
evangelism’s message of the Gospel works every time it is tried.
NOTE: This Essay is the first in a series which will address this age old concept of theology. I know that
many might reply that “Theology” is dry and dull and dead but if you are not excited by this time, please
follow this serial at least one more level. Take the prophet’s advice: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye
in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths...” (Jer. 6:16) and the reasons are clear: “Because my
people hath forgotten me...” (Jer. 18:15).
This essay is offered in the hope that we will soon find the “Old Path...” and return to an old
message. There is no new path and modern church orders are hopelessly mired in the fog of this lack
of doctrinal foundation. The “quicksand” of the “way of man” has lead to a state that we must now
extricate ourselves from or we will soon be gone. (“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but
the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 14:12; 16:25).

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PO Box 388
Mineral Springs, NC 28108