Evangelism in the Early Church
By Michael Green
Eagle. 410 pages. £7.99
ISBN 0 86347 157 9
How can I lead a friend to Christ?
By Michael Green
Hodder and Stoughton
131 pages. £3.99
ISBN 0 340 64261 0
'Most evangelists are not very interested in theology: most theologians are not very interested in evangelism. I am deeply committed to both.' Evangelism in the Early Church clearly demonstrates that its author belongs to that happy minority.
First published in 1970, it is a joy to see this new edition. It is a treasure house of information (including 68 pages of supplementary notes) as to how the early church went about 'her primary task'. The introduction to the new edition is itself not to be hurried over, making us aware not only of the latest finds and developments in scholarship, but also providing strong hints as to where we can particularly learn from the early church.
After introducing us to the world of the New Testament (and how like our own world it is!), and showing us the obstacles those early Christians faced, we are confronted with the message which turned the world upside down. We are shown the different approaches made to Jews and Gentiles respectively. We are shown the unhesitating calls made for conversion - for we are called to 'mission' not 'dialogue'. And then we are introduced to the early evangelists themselves - their lives, and their evangelistic methods, motives and strategy.
Archbishop Temple's claim that the church is 'the only society in the world which exists for the benefit of those who are not its members', seems to be regularly overlooked by those steeped in traditional religiosity and by those whose quest is for some sensational spiritual experience. 'The apostolic church was quite clear that God's gift of his Spirit was not intended to make them comfortable but to make them witnesses' (p.85). 'The church received the Spirit not for its selfish secret enjoyment but to enable it to bear witness to Christ' (p.179).
It would kindle the evangelistic vision and fervour of any church leadership if they worked through this valuable resource book together. They, in turn, would be better equipped to enthuse others; for until evangelism is once more recognised as the high privilege and duty of every believer in the church family, 'men will continue to believe that the church is an introverted society composed of 'respectable' people and bent (only) on its own preservation' (p.333).
How can I lead a friend to Christ? is a practical guide to personal evangelism, written 'to help Christians approach and chat with their friends about the good news'. No theological knowledge is assumed, and no techniques are imposed on the reader. It is a practical and simple approach to sharing one's faith - free of technical jargon - from a man who has had wide experience in chatting about the gospel over many years.
Readers are assisted in getting motivated, building bridges, starting conversations, helping a person to cross over into a thoughtful commitment to Jesus Christ, handling responses and avoiding mistakes. A chapter is devoted to the crucial matter of 'Knowing the good news'.
The book is a great confidence-booster. It should prove of immense help to the new Christian bursting to explain their new faith to someone, and to the mature Christian who can no longer remember the last time they attempted such a challenge.
