Evangelism the Reformed Way

What is evangelism? To many Christians evangelism is what they support through missions. Others feel it is more tangible and must be themselves preaching on a street corner. Still others believe that their lives as lived is another form of evangelism.

Which one is right? Are any right or wrong? Paul says in 2Ti 4:5, "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." and Peter says in 1Pe 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

So we are all required to do the work of evangelist because that is what the Bible says, right? Lifting one verse out of the Bible and using it in such a manner is called proof-texting (I think). And in this case we would be wrong to proof-text in this way. What is the context in which this verse is given?

2 Timothy 4

1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4And they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Paul is giving direction to Pastors not laymen, we should take note of this and then draw out the principle that we are to follow. What is the context that Peter speaks in?

1 Peter 3

8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as
brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9Not rendering evil for evil, or
railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto
called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10For he that will love
life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that
they speak no guile:
11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek
peace, and ensue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are over the
righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is
against them that do evil.
13And who is he that will harm you, if ye
be followers of that which is good?
14But and if ye suffer for
righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be
troubled;
15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready
always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that
is in you with meekness and fear:
16Having a good conscience; that,
whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that
falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

This is addressed to all Christians. It appears to me that a cursory view here of these two passages show slight differences in the roles of differing parts of the body. Pastors are called directly, in the tradition of the Apostles, to do the work of an Evangelist and that laymen not neglect this when the opportunity arises. If that is what is being taught in Scripture, then it is wrong for the radical proponents of personal evangelism to condemn those who are not as vocal about their faith.

Here is a good analysis of the modern trend in evangelism: Highly Questionable Methods by Robert Reymond

For more information on Dr. Robert Reymond, see his wiki-bio. He currently shares a Pastoral Ministry at the OPC mission Church plant of Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church.