PRINCIPLES OF EVANGELISM

By Rev. Omega Kipemba (ICC).
Leading Scriptures: Mark 6:7-13

Rev. Omega Kipemba (RHS) together with his Translator Mr. Edom Fungo (LHS)


INTRODUCTION.
1. In Mk 6:7-13, we have Mark’s account of “The Limited Commission”...
a)  A charge given to the apostles during the earthly ministry of Jesus  Mt 10:1-5;
b) So-called because He limited  their work to the house of Israel. Mt 10:5-6.


2. From the instructions of Jesus, we can glean some “Principles Of Evangelism”...
I. The principle of Synergy
II. The principle of Selection
III. The principle of Subject
IV. The principle of Support

I. THE PRINCIPLE OF SYNERGY
> THE APOSTLES WERE TO GO TWO-BY-TWO...
1. Mark’s account is the only one to mention this - Mk 6:7

2. A practice continued on other occasions...
a) When Jesus sent out the seventy. Lk10:1
b) When the Spirit sent out Paul and Barnabas. Acts 13:2
c) When Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways. Acts 15:36-40

3. This illustrates the principle of synergy
a) Synergy:
“The working together of two things (muscles or drugs for example) to
produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects”
 b)Two or more working together can do more than by working separately

• They encourage one another, and help each other. Eccl 4:9-10; Eccl 4:9-10. "9. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"
• A plurality of witnesses lend credibility to their story. Jn 8:17 … Indeed, two are better than one

 Whenever possible, find a co- worker!

II. THE PRINCIPLE OF SELECTION
> THE APOSTLES WERE TO BE SELECTIVE...
  1. Preaching to those willing to listen  Mk 6:10

  2. But they were to “shake off the dust under your feet” when leaving a city that would not receive them or hear their words  Mk 6:11

• Paul was willing to preach again if people were interested. Acts 13:42-44
•  But when people rejected the gospel, he turned elsewhere. Acts 13:45-46

III. THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBJECT
> THE APOSTLES WERE GIVEN A SUBJECT...
1. In “The Limited Commission”, the subject was “repent”.  Mk 6:12

2. It also included the kingdom of heaven

3. In “The Great Commission”, it was expanded to include the gospel of Christ.  Mk 16:15
a) So Philip the evangelist preached when he went to Samaria - Acts 8:12
b) So Paul preached in synagogues and from house to house. Acts 19:8; 20:18-21,25; 28:23,30-31

4. This illustrates what our subject should be
a) It should always be the Word of God, the Gospel - Rom 1:16
b) As Paul instructed Timothy: “Preach the word!” - 2Tim 4:1-5

…The apostles faithfully proclaimed their subject

IV. THE PRINCIPLE OF SUPPORT
> THE APOSTLES WERE ALLOWED SUPPORT...
1. They were to depend on others. Mk 6:8-10

2. Supported by those who willing to provide for them

3. This illustrates the principle of supporting workers
a) Defended by Paul in 1Cor 9:4-14
b) Applied to elders who rule well 1Tim 5:17-18
c)  Encouraged by John many years later 3Jn 5-8

…This is how the gospel spread throughout the first century world.