Two Men Talking About Jesus Christ
Sharing the Gospel With Bible Verses
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20a (NASB)
God Wants Us to “Go”
A Christian once asked, “Why does God leave believers here on earth after they are saved?” That was a great and important question! The first part of the answer is that if God took every person who believes in Christ immediately to heaven, then who would be left on planet earth to tell others that Jesus died and was resurrected so that a person’s sins could be forgiven? Just imagine what would have happened if the apostles had died and gone to heaven immediately on the Sunday Christ was resurrected. The apostles would not have been able to share the good great news about Christ on the day of Pentecost, the book of Acts would not have been written, and they would not have written the New Testament. The second part of the answer is that no one today would know about Christ or the gospel. So, God has left believers on the earth to share the great news about Christ. Evangelism is God’s method for telling others about Jesus Christ, and we have the wonderful privilege of doing that. God wants every believer to share the great news about Jesus Christ to everyone they can.
This explains why Jesus told the apostles to do four things.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)
What are the four things Jesus wants us to do. First, Jesus wanted the disciples to go. The Greek word for to go is poreuomai, and it means “to go, to travel, and to journey.” Jesus wanted them to go and He wants us to go and share the gospel about what He has done. That is one aspect of the will of our God. We are to leave home. We are to leave our comfort, and do what? The following questions will help answer the question.
1. Luke 24.45-49 records a message that Jesus gave to His disciples before He gave the message that is recorded in Matthew 28:19-20. What did He want the disciples to do?
2. Then what four things did Jesus tell the disciples to do in Matthew 28:19-20?
3. Then Jesus told the disciples where they were to go in Acts 1:8? Write them the places they were to go.
4. So, where did the apostles go and share the great news about Jesus Christ after His Ascension (Acts 2:1-6, 14)?
5. Acts 8:4-14 reveals that the deacon Philip proclaimed the good news about Jesus Christ and many people believed in Christ. Then the apostles came. Where did the apostles go after Jerusalem and Judea?
6. Acts 9:31-43 and Acts 10:23-24 teaches us that the apostle Peter did go and preach the gospel next.
7. In the rest of the book of Acts we are told that Paul took three missionary journeys throughout the Mediterranean Sea. It appears that Paul did not go to all of the remote parts of the world as Jesus had commanded, So, what must we do?
8. How does Matthew 28:19-20 reveal that believers today are also commanded to share the gospel throughout the world?
God Wants Us to “Make Disciples”
The second action that Jesus wanted the disciples to perform was to make disciples. That is, the disciples were to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone. They were to travel from their city to the remote parts of the world sharing gospel, that is, the good news about Jesus. This section contains three parts that explain how you can make disciples, just as the disciples did. First, you will discover the content of the gospel. Second, you will learn how the apostles share the gospel with others. Last you will be given principles to follow in presenting the gospel to unbelievers.
Content of the Gospel
1. A summary of the gospel is given in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. What are the three parts of the gospel?
2. Another important part of the gospel is found in 1 John 4:15. When you read the verse remember that the term Son of God was a term that meant “God.” So, what must a person believe about Jesus to become a Christian (a believer)?
3. A second important point about Jesus Christ is given in Luke 4:33-34. What did the demons believe about Him?
4. A third important point is found in Acts 4:12. It reveals that only one person can save or forgive our sins. Who is that person? A second part of this question is can a god from another religion save you?
5. Now describe the gospel in your own words in the space below.
How the Apostles Shared the Gospel
1. Read Acts 2:22-36. Then, as you answer the following questions think about your answers in the last section “Content of the Gospel.”
• What part of the gospel did Peter mention in verse 23, 36?
• What part of the gospel did Peter mention in verse 24, 31-32?
• What part of the gospel did Peter mention in verse 27?
• What did Peter report about Jesus in verse 34?
2. Please explain how Peter shared the gospel in his second sermon (Acts 3:11-26)? Notice verses 14-16, 18, 19, and 26.
3. Explain in your own words the gospel message as given by the apostle Paul in Acts 26:19-29.
4. Now consider the gospel of Luke as you answer these questions.
• Why was the gospel of Luke written (Luke 1:1-14)?
• The gospel of Luke was written by a medical doctor named Luke. What method did he use to share the gospel?
5. The gospel of John was written by the apostle John. What method did he use to share the gospel? (John 20:30-31; 24:24-25)?
How You Can Share the Gospel
1. Explaining the Gospel —When we present the gospel to someone we should try to include the same points that Peter, Paul, Luke, and John did. Since Peter presented the gospel in Acts 2:22-24, 32 and Acts 3:14-15, compare them to the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:2-4. Then explain what points of the gospel did Peter include in his presentations.
2. Share Prophecies About Christ — In both Acts 2:25-34 and Acts 3:18, Peter included prophecies also about Jesus when he presented the gospel. That helps us understand that we could include prophecies also. Describe one prophecy that Peter gave.
3. Everyone Has Sinned — Romans 3:23 is a very important verse that we must share with others. What does the verse reveal? Why is this verse important in light of the gospel?
4. Wages of Sin Is Hell— Romans 6:23 is another very important to share. What is the consequence of committing sin? What is God offering to sinners?
5. Good Works Cannot Save —For those who think that God will let them into heaven because of their good works, we could share Luke 18:18-19 and Romans 3:12? Why are those two verses important for these individuals?
6. Need For Forgiveness — In Acts 2:23, 36, 38 and Acts 3:19, Peter told the crowds that they had sinned and needed to repent. So, we must urge others to repent also of their sins. How did Peter do that?
7. Saved From Our Sins — How can someone be saved from their sins (John 3:36; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23)?
8. Only Faith In Jesus Saves — You can also quote or read one or more of the following verses when you share the gospel. So, summarize each verse in a just a few words.
John 3:16 —
John 3:36 —
John 8:24 —
Acts 10:43 —
9. Two Promises —When someone truly believes in Christ, how can a person know they are saved from hell (John 3:16)?
10. A Warning —For those who hesitate to seek God’s forgiveness we should include Acts 4:12 when we share the gospel. What is the warning?
11. Assurance of Salvation —For those who believe that Jesus is God, died on the cross, was buried, three days later was resurrected, and wants God to forgive their sins, we should share Romans 10:8-13. Why are these verses important?
If someone has prayed and told God that they believe in Christ, has repented of their sins, and asked Him to forgive their sins, we should pray with them. Then encourage them to attend your church. If they cannot attend your church, help them find a church that teaches the Bible verse-by-verse and believes the truth.
God Wants Us to “Baptize”
Then Jesus told the disciples to baptize those who become true believers. Baptism cannot and does not save anyone. Baptism plus faith does not save. Only faith in Christ saves. We discovered in the last study that baptism is an act of obedience, and it shows others that a person believes in Christ. So, we should encourage new Christians to get baptized. Acts 2:41 and Acts 8:37-40 help new believers in Christ understand . What do these verses teach? Matthew 28:19 tells us that when a new believer is baptize they are to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
God Wants Us to “Teach”
The last instruction in Matthew 28:19-20 is that new believers are to be taught what Jesus had commanded the disciples. The verse says, “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” John 14:26 tells us that Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would remind them of all that He had taught. In addition, John 16:13 says the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth. That is what the apostles did. When they wrote the four gospels, the book of Acts, and the rest of the New Testament they wrote what Christ wanted them to teach. So, Paul warned believers in 1 Timothy 6:3-5 about anyone who did not agree with what Christ had taught. In Jude 3 and 17 we are warned to remember the words of the apostles and those of Christ and not depart from them. 1 Timothy, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John also warns us to avoid false teachers. The book of Revelation warns men to not change the words in the book (Revelation 22:19). Why are the instructions so strong? Because the Word of God is how believers grow spiritually (1 Peter 2:2). The are the key to becoming like Christ (Ephesians 4:11-14). They help us grow into spiritual maturity (Hebrews 4:11-14). The passage also warns that if we fail to continually read and study the Bible we will slip backward spiritually. 1 John 2:12-14 reveals that the Word helps us become spiritual fathers in the faith. So, regular reading and study of the Bible is essential tp be spiritual fathers in the faith. We are instructed to teach new believers. We and they must routinely study the Bible themselves just as the Bereans (Acts 17:11).
Conclusion
The most effective way to share the gospel about Jesus Christ is by praying and using Bible verses. For Hebrews 4:12 says,
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)
In addition, tell others how you became a believer in jesus Christ. For Bible verses are the words that the Holy Spirit has used to teach the gospel. So, we should use His words. We should avoid discussing issues like evolution, marriage, various doctrines. The goal must not be to change their moral behavior. Let the Holy Spirit do that. Our focus must be to share the gospel about Jesus Christ so that they have new life. Then the Holy Spirit help them with their questions. Pray for them and love them.
Things To Ponder
1. Please explain the gospel and include Bible verses for each point.
2. What is the most effective approach to sharing the gospel?
3. If you asked someone where they would go if they died today, and they said they were a good person. How would you reply?
4. If someone said that they had heard baptism was essential to be saved, how would you reply?
5. Name a verse that would help an unbeliever understand God sees them as a sinner?
6. What verse would you have an unbeliever read so they can know they are not going to heaven? Would John 3:18 help?
7. Write our a prayer that an unbeliever could pray that believes the gospel and wants to ask God the Father to save, forgive, and take them to heaven when they die?
8. What prayer would you offer to God on their behalf the new believer in question 7 after he or she finished praying?
9. What guidance or instruction would you give this new believer after you finished praying for him or her?