Should All Evangelise? - Lessons from Philippi
At a Conference attended by Christian professionals one of the senior leaders stood up and declared,
“Of course, not everyone is called to evangelise!”
Is this right? Is this what the apostles taught the early church? This article will try and answer this question from the book of Philippians in the Bible.
Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians from prison, probably in Rome, around 61AD. It is a deeply passionate letter written to encourage them to keep pressing on by following the apostolic ways they had been taught.
It is abundantly clear that the apostle Paul saw that involvement in sharing the gospel openly was a major role of every Christian.
Partnership in the gospel
This is the first feature of the Philippian church that Paul focuses on.
“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:5
This partnership was not just similar beliefs but similar actions. Paul compares them with himself.
“I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.” Philippians 1:7
It is clear that the partnership he is referring to is a partnership in ‘defending and confirming the gospel’. The church was a team committed to promoting the Lord Jesus by passing on the good news about him. They clearly had this enthusiastic urgency but Paul’s next prayer is that they should also grow in maturity and in their understanding of God’s truth.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:9-11
So right at the beginning of this letter Paul appreciates the gospel urgency of these Christians but is reminding them that evangelism is not the only purpose of the church, it is to become righteous and wise as they live to represent the Lord Jesus.
Advancing the Gospel
Paul now returns to his great concern, the passing on of the gospel. Even being put in prison has not stopped that!
“Now, I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” Philippians 1:12-13
It is easy to imagine the scene of Paul, chained to a sequence of Roman soldiers who thought they were there to guard him but Paul saw as being given to him by God to share the gospel with!
The effect of Paul’s behavior was to encourage the local Christians to be active in advancing the gospel.
“And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to share the gospel without fear.” Philippians 1:14
It is striking that the majority of the Christians in Philippi were active in sharing the gospel. There is such a need for this to be seen in western churches again.
Motives for proclaiming Christ to others can vary but for the apostle, the important thing is that the message is preached widely.
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel . . . The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.” Philippians 1:15-18
Even for Paul, it was not easy to keep the proclamation of the gospel as his priority but he was clearly determined not to fail at this, even at his coming trial.
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20
His mind was set, his life had been given over to live for the reputation and glory of the Lord Jesus. The next verse is striking,
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
If Paul’s life is to be spared then he will continue to use it by working to promote the message about Jesus Christ.
“If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me.” Philippians 1:22
Paul did have a deep premonition that he would be freed but again he saw that this would be a means for encouraging the church to be outspoken about the Lord Jesus.
“. . . so that through my being with you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.” Philippians 1:26
Living in a way that promotes the Gospel
It is abundantly clear that for Paul, the promotion of the gospel was the priority. Godly behaviour supported this ambition, as did strong teamwork, because there will always be those who oppose this work.
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then when I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. Without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.” Philippians 1:27-28
Speaking about the Lord Jesus and his gospel is certainly not easy and can be frightening. Some will suffer simply because they speak out about Jesus being the God who will judge all people, but who is also the Saviour of everyone who becomes his follower.
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now here I still have.” Philippians 1:29-30
People rarely suffer for being kind and honest citizens. It is the proclamation that Jesus is the only way to God that results in opposition. The Philippian Christians had witnessed Paul’s illegal flogging and imprisonment for proclaiming Christ when he had first been in their city and clearly the opposition to the Christian gospel was still continuing.
Imitate the Lord Jesus
Chapter 2 begins with ‘Therefore’ and links chapter 1’s concern that all Christians should share the gospel, even if this is costly, with the example of the Lord Jesus. Jesus wasn’t selfish but was most concerned about the interests of others. The greatest issue that all people face is their eternal destiny – how can sinful people hope to be acceptable to God? Jesus gave up everything and ‘became obedient to death – even death on a cross.’ He was willing to do all this so that people could be put right with God. This is the superlative example that Jesus gave and that God wants all his people to follow.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12
God wants all his people to behave in such a selfless way that others can be impressed by the effect of the gospel. Note it is not just what we do but the manner in which we do them that concerns our Lord.
“Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure” Philippians 2:14-15
This has always been God’s intention for his people and Paul emphasises this by including a quote from the Old Testament.
“. . . children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Philippians 2:15 quoting Deuteronomy 32:5
God’s will for his people does not to stop with their exemplary attitudes and behaviour, God’s people are meant to influence others as they both live by and teach the word of God. A silent example will never save anybody, they need to learn about the one and only Saviour.
“Then you will shine among them, like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-15
The meaning of the Greek word translated ‘hold firmly’ can equally be translated as ‘holding forth’ and the latter was the chosen meaning in the 1984 NIV translation. Paul was clearly content to leave this ambiguity in the text as both meanings are true. God wants his people to both live by as well as share with others the Word of God. It is the Word of God that all people need to hear and understand. The whole letter to the Philippians stresses that both selfless obedience and sharing the gospel are what Christians are called for. These are what Paul longs to see in all Christians.
“And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour in vain.” Philippians 2:16.
Timothy is a good example
Paul now explains that he intends to send Timothy back to meet the Philippian church to obtain news about the church’s progress.
“I have no-one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 2:20-21
Again, Paul stresses that having a genuine concern for others is what pleases God. He is a worker for the gospel.
“But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” Philippians 2:22
Paul and Timothy were ‘co-slaves’ of the Lord Jesus. They were completely committed to showing and teaching the gospel to all who would listen – that is surely the meaning of ‘work of the gospel.’
Epaphroditus is a good example
Paul then thanks the Philippian church for sending Epaphroditus to help and encourage Paul. He had fallen ill and nearly died but had now recovered and Paul was intent on sending him back to Philippi.
“He almost died for the work of Christ.” Philippians 2:30
Paul describes him as,
“ . . . my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier.” Philippians 2:25
There can be no doubt from this short letter that Paul longs for all Christians to demonstrate such single minded devotion to the cause of Christ.
Paul is a good example
Paul wants all Christians to centre their lives on their relationship with Jesus and not on religion or their own actions however good these may be.
“Further my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.” Philippians 3:1
Paul now explains why he has taken up this stance of being devoted to Jesus and his service. To know God personally is worth everything.
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ . . .because of the surpassing worth of knowing christ Jesus my lord, for whose sake I have lost all things . . . I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him . . . I want to know Christ . . . I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:7-12
God has chosen Paul, so he sees it only wise to be sold out in the knowledge and service of his Saviour and Lord.
Some have argued that Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus are somehow different and are not examples the ordinary Christian should follow. Paul would not agree, he places himself as an example all should follow.
“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” Philippians 3:17
The most obvious feature about Paul and his co-workers was that they were passionate about sharing the gospel with others.
Euodia, Syntyche, Clement were workers for Christ
Paul is concerned about the discord there was between two prominent women in the church, Euodia and Syntyche. Yet their problems are mentioned in the same paragraph that begins,
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm in the Lord.” Philippians 3:17
Paul felt a special concern about this tension since,
“. . . they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers.” Philippians 4:3
The message is clear, Christians are co-workers with Christ and his apostles in advancing the gospel.
This theme is repeated elsewhere
It is impossible to read the New Testament without coming to the conclusion that all Christians should have the ambition of becoming like Jesus and his apostles in teaching others how they may be saved. He wrote to the troubled Corinthian church,
“. . . do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
This same theme comes in a letter to the nearby Thessalonian church.
“ . . . pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. . . . In the name of Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-7
Let us all beware of becoming worldly Christians who have lost our ambition to live for Christ. Paul makes this same contrast:
“Join with others in following my example, brothers and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their God is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on eathly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:17-20
There are so many directives in Scripture that to be active in sharing the gospel is God’s desire for all those who are truly his people. Few will be called to become full-time evangelists but all Christians are called to evangelise.
BVP
