Evangelização: o que é e como praticar o testemunho cristão
Evangelizar significa anunciar boas notícias: no Novo Testamento, a mensagem de que Deus reconciliou a humanidade consigo por meio da vida, morte e ressurreição de Jesus Cristo. Não se trata de vencer debates nem de impor dogmas, mas de proclamar com clareza a salvação e demonstrar essa fé em atitudes práticas.
O mandamento de Jesus e a Grande Comissão
Antes de sua ascensão, Jesus confiou aos discípulos a responsabilidade de levar a mensagem do Reino a todas as pessoas. Esse envio não depende da força humana, mas da capacitação do Espírito Santo dada à comunidade de fé.
So go and make disciples of people of all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to follow all the commands I have given you. Remember, I am always with you, to the very end of the world."(Matthew 28:19,20)
Then he told them, "Go to the whole world, and announce the good news to everyone.(Mark 16:15)
"But you will be given power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest places on earth."(Acts 1:8)
From that time on Jesus began declaring his message, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has arrived!"(Matthew 4:17)
A proclamação verbal caminha junto com o testemunho diário. No Sermão do Monte, Jesus adverte que as boas obras visíveis confirmam a mensagem falada e glorificam a Deus diante do mundo.
You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt becomes tasteless, how can you make it salty again? It’s good for nothing, so it’s thrown out and trodden down.(Matthew 5:13)
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill can’t be hidden.(Matthew 5:14)
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a bucket. No, it’s placed on a lamp-stand and it provides light to everyone in the house. In the same way you should let your light shine before everyone so they can see the good things you do and praise your heavenly Father.(Matthew 5:15,16)
Por que a mensagem do evangelho tem poder
A eficácia da evangelização não está na retórica ou na habilidade de quem fala, mas no conteúdo da mensagem. O apóstolo Paulo afirma que a proclamação de Cristo crucificado carrega em si o poder transformador de Deus para gerar fé no coração do ouvinte.
I’m certainly not ashamed about the good news, for it’s God’s power to save everyone who trusts in him—to the Jewish people first, and then to everyone else as well.(Romans 1:16)
Trusting in God comes from hearing—hearing the message of Christ.(Romans 10:17)
I decided that while I was with you I didn’t want to concentrate on anything except Jesus Christ, and that he was crucified.(1 Corinthians 2:2)
Now I want to remind you about the good news I announced to you. You accepted it, and you have stood firm for it. It is through this good news that you are saved if you hold on to the message that I gave you. Otherwise you trusted for nothing!(1 Corinthians 15:1,2)
This is what he called you to through the good news we shared with you, so that you could participate in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.(2 Thessalonians 2:14)
A postura do cristão ao testemunhar
Falar da fé exige equilíbrio entre clareza bíblica e mansidão. O Novo Testamento orienta que a defesa da esperança cristã seja feita com respeito, respaldada pelo amor prático entre os irmãos e pela disposição de priorizar a missão acima de interesses pessoais.
just keep your mind focused on Christ as Lord. Always be ready to explain to anyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have. Do this in a gentle and respectful way.(1 Peter 3:15)
If you love one another you will prove to everyone that you are my disciples."(John 13:35)
My Father is glorified as you produce plenty of fruit, proving you are my disciples.(John 15:8)
That’s what the Lord has told us to do: ‘I’ve made you a light to the foreigners, and through you salvation will go to the ends of the earth.’"(Acts 13:47)
But I don’t consider my life as worth anything to me. I only want to finish my mission and the ministry that the Lord Jesus gave to me, to witness to the good news of the grace of God.(Acts 20:24)
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to announce good news to the destitute. He has sent me to proclaim that prisoners will be released, the blind will see, the oppressed will be freed,(Luke 4:18)
If you want to save your life you will lose it, but if you lose your life because of me and the good news you will save it.(Mark 8:35)
"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "anyone who has left behind their home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands because of me, and for the sake of the good news, will receive in return in due course a hundred times as many homes and brothers and sisters and children and lands—as well as persecution. In the world to come they will receive eternal life.(Mark 10:29,30)
A proclamação das obras de Deus entre os povos
Tornar o Senhor conhecido não é uma ideia exclusiva da Igreja primitiva. As Escrituras mostram, desde os profetas e salmistas, o propósito contínuo de Deus de manifestar sua fidelidade e santidade a todas as nações da terra.
Give the Lord thanks, worship his wonderful nature, let people know what he’s done!(Psalms 105:1)
At that time you will say: "Praise the Lord, shout out his name! Tell the nations what he has done—let them know of his wonderful character!(Isaiah 12:4)
God wanted to make known to them the glorious wealth of this mystery to the nations: Christ living in you is the glorious hope!(Colossians 1:27)
You, however, must teach what is consistent with healthy beliefs.(Titus 2:1)
I will demonstrate my true power and holiness, revealing myself to many nations. Then they will acknowledge that I am the Lord."(Ezekiel 38:23)
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