Preface to the Study
Those who hold to the doctrines of grace are often accused of not being evangelistic. We are told that the idea that God predestined some to be saved before the foundation of the world precludes any need for evangelism. But nothing could be farther from the truth. The apostle Paul provides a perfect example. In Romans 9, he advances the strongest explanation of election found in the scriptures. There can be no doubt that Paul believed in God’s sovereign choice in election! But he follows this explanation with a reminder of the reality of human responsibility in Romans 10, culminating with “How shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?”
God’s election does not remove our responsibility; it assures our success when we share. It does not promise that all will respond to the gospel and come to faith, but it does promise that some will. And that God uses our sharing the gospel as a means for bringing them to faith.
In this issue, we have attempted to provide some of the best reformed thinking on the issue of evangelism. The articles by Pink and Spurgeon remind us of our responsibility in sharing the gospel. Both men stood against the twin foes of Arminianism and Hyper-Calvinism in their day to preach the gospel to all who would hear. They believed that their responsibility was to be obedient to the one who had saved them. They believed that the results were in the hands of a sovereign, merciful God.
The articles by Watson, Bridge, and Brooks are intended to stir those who have received God’s grace to become instruments of His grace in bringing others to Christ. We have also include a list of books that might be helpful for you, both in coming to a more biblical approach to evangelism, and in providing booklets to give to those who are interested. Finally, we have included on article by Thomas Boston, “Ye Must Be Born Again,” for those who are seeking to come to the knowledge of Christ. May God use these resources in all our lives to bring many others into His glorious kingdom!
