The biblical pattern of evangelism

Here are twenty Scriptural reasons why the starting point in evangelism is sin, judgment, repentance, and faith—not the unqualified “God loves you.”

1. This Was Jesus’ Own Preaching – Christ began His ministry with repentance, not unconditional love.

   • “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
      

2. This Was John the Baptist’s Message – His cry was urgent repentance.

   • “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2).
      

3. This Was the Apostolic Pattern – The apostles preached sin, judgment, repentance, and faith.

   • “Therefore, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, but kept declaring… that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance” (Acts 26:19–20).
      

4. This Confronts Man’s True Condition – Man is dead in sin and under God's wrath.

   • “You were dead in your trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

   • “He who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).
      

5. This Honors God’s Holiness – God’s holy character demands justice against sin.

   • “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:3).

   • “Your eyes are too pure to approve evil” (Habakkuk 1:13).
      

6. This Preserves the Offense of the Cross – The cross makes no sense unless we understand our sinfulness and God's holiness.

   • “We preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23).
      

7. This Exposes False Assurance – Calling lost sinners to repent prevents them from resting in empty religion.

   • “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
      

8. This Reveals the Urgency of Salvation – The sinner is perishing now, not merely lacking God’s favor.

   • “Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation’” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
      

9. This Follows the Great Commission – Evangelism includes teaching all Christ commanded, beginning with repentance and faith.

   • “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).
      

10.  This Explains Why Christ Died – Christ came to bear wrath for sinners, not merely to affirm them.

• “Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28).
   

11.  This Proclaims the True Gospel – The gospel centers on Christ crucified and risen.

• “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
   

12.  This Calls Sinners to Urgent Action – Repentance is commanded, not optional.

• “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).
   

13.  This Magnifies Grace – Only when man sees his guilt, does God’s grace shine.

• “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us… made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4–5).
   

14.  This Brings Godly Sorrow – True evangelism pierces the heart, producing repentance.

• “They were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37).

• “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
   

15.  This Protects Against False Conversions – Empty professions come when sin and repentance are ignored.

• “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places… has no firm root… and immediately he falls away” (Matthew 13:20–21).
   

16.  This Reflects God’s Own Message Through Prophets – Old Testament prophets always called Israel to repent.

• “Return to Me, declares the Lord Almighty, that I may return to you” (Zechariah 1:3).
   

17.  This Makes Evangelism God-Centered, Not Man-Centered – The issue is God’s glory, not man’s feelings.

• “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
   

18.  This Distinguishes True and False Churches – A church that preaches sin, repentance, and faith is faithful; one that does not is false.

• “If even we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:8).
   

19.  This Upholds the Scriptural Teaching on Salvation – In Scripture, salvation is always presented as deliverance from deserved wrath, through repentance and faith in Christ.

• “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38).
   

20.  This Follows the Apostolic Example of Boldness – The Apostles did not soften the truth to avoid offense.

• “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:27).

• “We have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2).

✅ Summary

The biblical pattern of evangelism always begins with:

• Man’s sin and guilt (Romans 3:23).

• God’s holiness and wrath (Romans 1:18).

• The urgent call to repent and believe in Christ (Acts 16:31).

• The promise of forgiveness and reconciliation in Him (Romans 5:8–10).

Anything less is not Biblical evangelism, but human distortion.
(The above article was AI generated.)