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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The Old Testament offers a scriptural perspective on evangelism and the expansion of the church. The notion of evangelism has its origins in the Old Testament and the spreading of the news of God’s covenant and redemption plan. The Israelites were commanded to teach the rest of the world about God and serve as an example to the rest of the world.

The biblical figure of Abraham is yet another illustration. God told Abraham that via his offspring, all peoples on earth would be blessed. This suggests a calling to evangelise by telling people about the good news that God has given us.

The development of the church can be guided by lessons learned from the Old Testament. The book of Proverbs, for instance, stresses the value of knowledge and insight in laying a solid groundwork. The church may use this principle by emphasising the importance of teaching and discipleship in the development of its members.

In the Old Testament, the concept of evangelism can be seen through the Israelites’ mission to be a light to the nations. In Isaiah 49:6, God says to Israel, “I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” This verse highlights the Israelites’ role in spreading God’s salvation to all people, emphasizing the importance of evangelism.

The Old Testament also emphasizes the growth of the Church, which can be seen through the story of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. In Exodus 1:7, it is mentioned that the Israelites multiplied greatly and became a numerous people. This growth can be seen as a reflection of the Church’s expansion and the importance of reaching out to others.

Another example of evangelism in the Old Testament is found in the book of Jonah. God sends Jonah to the city of Nineveh to proclaim His message of repentance. This story highlights the importance of sharing God’s message with others, even to those who may seem unlikely to respond positively.

The Old Testament also emphasizes the role of leaders in promoting evangelism and church growth. In 2 Chronicles 17:7-9, King Jehoshaphat sends out officials and Levites to teach the people of Judah. This demonstrates the importance of leadership in spreading God’s word and encouraging the growth of the faith community.

Additionally, the Old Testament contains various prophecies that speak of the future growth and expansion of God’s kingdom. For example, in Isaiah 2:2, it is prophesied that in the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and all nations shall flow to it. This prophecy highlights the universal nature of God’s salvation and the growth of His Church.

Lastly, the Old Testament emphasizes the importance of worship and gathering together as a community. In Psalm 122:1, the psalmist declares, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!'” This verse reflects the joy and significance of coming together as believers, which is essential for church growth and evangelism.

The preaching of the gospel is a call to all believers by God to carry out the great mandate given to everyone by Jesus Christ as in the book of Matthew 28:19-22. Evangelism brings about growth, but there is no true growth that does not result in evangelism. This is because growth brings about the reawakening of Christians who have grown cold and the awakening of dead souls (evangelism).It is a sad but common thing for churches to grow lukewarm in their zeal for bringing the unsaved to Jesus Christ. The church at Laodicea was already lukewarm before the death of its apostolic founders (Revelation 3). It should not be surprised if a church is in a state of spiritual decline, but we also should not be lethargic about it. It is required as a Church to take its mission and evangelism serious for the expansion of God’s kingdom (David, 2005).

The Church needs to make the people understand that evangelism is a serious matter. It can be done in many ways. One is by preaching on evangelism and using it in its applications. If the church focuses on this, the people will usually follow suit. Another way is when the pastor makes the church understand the seriousness of evangelism by requiring that the workers be involved in evangelism. The workers set the tone for the whole church. They set the tone for what new converts will eventually become. If the church does not require that the workers be examples of what he preaches from the Word of God, he is undercutting the preaching. Another way the church can impress the people with the importance of evangelism is by emphasizing it frequently, during announcements, etc. Another is by demonstrating before the congregation that evangelism is at least as important as the many other programs and activities the church pursues.

The church must evaluate the existing evangelistic activities with the goal of making them more fruitful. Even many churches that are not very aggressive about soul winning usually have some traditional evangelistic programs, such as Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and a youth ministry. These are good places to start in evaluating and reworking a church’s ministry. The church needs to ask himself how these can be made more fruitful (Christianity Today, 2007).

The value of praise and worship is also emphasised throughout the Old Testament. For example, the Psalms are replete with prayers of praise and sung hymns of praise to God. The church may recruit and keep more members by emphasising worship among other activities.

Keep in mind that the Old Testament is largely concerned with the history of the people of Israel and their connection to God. However, the Old Testament’s teachings and examples are relevant for modern evangelism and church development as well.

Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” Proclaiming the good news of salvation to others is emphasised in this passage.

Proverbs is another book of the Bible that emphasises the need of sharing the gospel with others. According to Proverbs 11:30, “the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.” This passage implies that the virtuous can save others’ souls by sharing the gospel with them.

The Psalms also have various verses that exhort Christians to witness for God and preach the gospel. The verse in Psalm 96:3 reads, “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.” Sharing God’s honour and His marvellous acts with people of all countries is emphasised in this passage.

The Old Testament also offers several examples of people who spread the gospel and saw the church develop. The book of Jonah serves as a good illustration of this. After first ignoring God’s command, Jonah ultimately complied and preached a message of repentance to the inhabitants of Nineveh. The entire city of Nineveh repented and turned to God because of this, proving the efficacy of evangelism and the possibility for expanding Christian communities.

The Old Testament provides several verses and illustrations that emphasise the significance of evangelism and its role in the expansion of the church. The Old Testament, including the books of Isaiah, Proverbs, and Psalms as well as the book of Jonah, lays a solid scriptural groundwork for Christians to actively participate in spreading the good news and seeing the rise of the church.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives; this is another passage that speaks to the importance of evangelism and church expansion. The power of moral life and the ability of evangelism to save lives are both emphasised in this text.
The book of Jonah also serves as an excellent illustration of the role of evangelism in the development of the church. God commanded Jonah to preach to the inhabitants of Nineveh, a notoriously evil city. After first refusing, Jonah did as God commanded and preached repentance to the people. As a consequence, the entire city had a spiritual awakening and turned back to God.. It I on the basis of this that this study investigates Old Testament Biblical view on Evangelism and Church Growth by using House on the Rock, Okigwe, Imo State, as a case study.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

One of the challenges in understanding the Old Testament’s view on evangelism is the cultural context in which it was written. The Israelites were a chosen people, called to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). Their primary focus was on maintaining their covenant relationship with God and living according to His commandments. While there are instances of individuals like Jonah being sent to proclaim God’s message to other nations, the Old Testament does not provide a comprehensive framework for systematic evangelism or church growth strategies.

The Old Testament does not explicitly address the concept of evangelism as it is understood in modern Christianity. The term “evangelism” itself is derived from the Greek word “euangelion,” which means “good news” or “gospel.” This term is not found in the Old Testament. Therefore, understanding the Old Testament’s perspective on evangelism requires a careful examination of its teachings on spreading the message of God’s covenant and the growth of the faith community.

The Old Testament primarily focuses on the relationship between God and the Israelites, rather than the expansion of the faith to other nations. The Israelites were chosen by God to be a holy nation and a light to the Gentiles, but their primary responsibility was to uphold the covenant and live according to God’s laws. The Old Testament emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s commandments and the worship of Him alone. While there are instances of interactions between the Israelites and other nations, the primary concern is the faithfulness of the Israelites rather than actively seeking to convert others.

The Old Testament does provide examples of individuals who spread the message of God’s covenant and sought to bring others into the faith community. One such example is the prophet Jonah, who was sent by God to preach to the people of Nineveh. Jonah initially resisted this mission but eventually obeyed and proclaimed God’s message of repentance to the Ninevites. The book of Jonah highlights the universal nature of God’s mercy and His desire for all people to turn to Him.

Furthermore, the Old Testament contains prophecies that anticipate the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s salvation plan. For instance, in Isaiah 49:6, it is prophesied that the Servant of the Lord will be a light to the nations, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. This foreshadows the New Testament concept of the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations.

The Old Testament does not explicitly address the concept of evangelism as understood in modern Christianity. However, it provides a foundation for understanding God’s desire for all people to turn to Him and the inclusion of the Gentiles in His salvation plan. The Old Testament emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s commandments and the worship of Him alone. While there are instances of individuals spreading the message of God’s covenant, the primary focus is on the faithfulness of the Israelites rather than actively seeking to convert others.

Another aspect to consider is the Old Testament’s emphasis on the corporate nature of Israel’s relationship with God. The community of believers was seen as a collective entity, and the growth of the nation as a whole was often tied to their faithfulness to God’s covenant. For example, in Deuteronomy 28, blessings and curses are outlined based on Israel’s obedience or disobedience to God’s commands. This suggests that the Old Testament’s focus was more on the spiritual health and fidelity of the nation as a whole, rather than individual conversions or numerical growth.

The Old Testament does, however, provide principles that can be applied to evangelism and church growth. For instance, the Psalms often express a desire for all nations to worship and acknowledge God (Psalm 67:2). This can be seen as an encouragement for believers to share their faith and invite others to join in the worship of the one true God. Additionally, the Old Testament emphasizes the importance of teaching and passing on God’s commandments to future generations (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). This highlights the need for discipleship and nurturing new believers within the community of faith.

While the Old Testament does not explicitly address the concept of evangelism and church growth as understood in modern times, it provides a foundation and principles that can inform our understanding. The Old Testament emphasizes the importance of spreading the knowledge of God to all nations and the corporate nature of Israel’s relationship with God. It also highlights the need for teaching and discipleship within the community of faith. By studying and applying these principles, we can develop a biblical framework for evangelism and church growth that is rooted in the Old Testament.

1.3 Research Questions

This research will be carried out to answer the following research questions:

What are the various methods and strategies used for evangelism in the Old Testament and analyze their effectiveness in promoting church growth?

What are the theological foundations of evangelism in the Old Testament?.

What are the role of prophetic literature in promoting evangelism and church growth in the Old Testament?

How does the Old Testament narratives affect relevance to evangelism and church growth?

To what extent will the Old Testament teachings on the importance of community and its role in evangelism affect church growth?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The broad objective of this study is to investigate Old Testament Biblical view on Evangelism and Church Growth. The specific objectives include:

To examine the various methods and strategies used for evangelism in the Old Testament and analyze their effectiveness in promoting church growth. This objective will involve studying passages such as Exodus 19:5-6, where God calls the Israelites to be a “kingdom of priests” and considering how this concept can be applied to modern evangelistic efforts.

To explore the theological foundations of evangelism in the Old Testament and understand how they shape the understanding of church growth. This objective will involve examining passages such as Isaiah 52:7, which speaks of the beautiful feet that bring good news, and analyzing the implications of this imagery for evangelism and its impact on church growth.

To investigate the role of prophetic literature in promoting evangelism and church growth in the Old Testament. This objective will involve studying passages such as Jeremiah 1:5, where God appoints Jeremiah as a prophet to the nations, and analyzing how the prophetic message can be applied to contemporary evangelistic efforts and their impact on church growth.

To analyze the Old Testament narratives and their relevance to evangelism and church growth. This objective will involve examining stories such as the conversion of Rahab in Joshua 2 and exploring the lessons that can be learned from these narratives for effective evangelism and its impact on church growth.

To evaluate the Old Testament teachings on the importance of community and its role in evangelism and church growth. This objective will involve studying passages such as Psalm 133, which speaks of the blessings of unity, and considering how the concept of community can be applied to modern evangelistic efforts and its impact on church growth.

These research objectives will provide a comprehensive understanding of the Old Testament Biblical view on evangelism and its relationship to church growth.

1.5 Significance of the Study

Hello! I’d be happy to help you with that. The Old Testament provides significant insights into the biblical view on evangelism and church growth. Here are five paragraphs highlighting the significance of this study:

Historical Context: The Old Testament offers a historical backdrop for understanding the development of evangelism and church growth in biblical times. It provides accounts of how God’s chosen people, the Israelites, spread their faith and established communities of believers. By studying these historical narratives, we can gain valuable insights into the methods, challenges, and successes of evangelism and church growth in ancient times.

Theological Foundation: The Old Testament lays the theological foundation for evangelism and church growth. It reveals God’s desire for all nations to know Him and His plan to bless the world through His chosen people. The Old Testament prophets often emphasized the importance of spreading the knowledge of God and His salvation to all people. By examining these theological principles, we can better understand the biblical mandate for evangelism and church growth.

Covenantal Promises: The Old Testament contains numerous covenantal promises made by God to His people. These promises include the assurance of God’s presence, protection, and provision for those who faithfully follow Him. Understanding these covenantal promises is crucial for effective evangelism and church growth. By sharing the hope and blessings found in God’s covenant, believers can attract others to the faith and foster growth within the church.

Messianic Prophecies: The Old Testament is replete with prophecies about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. These prophecies serve as a powerful tool for evangelism and church growth. By demonstrating how Jesus fulfilled these prophecies, believers can present a compelling case for the truth of Christianity. The Old Testament prophecies provide a solid foundation for evangelistic efforts and can lead to the growth of the church as people come to faith in Christ.

Moral and Ethical Teachings: The Old Testament contains a wealth of moral and ethical teachings that are essential for evangelism and church growth. These teachings provide guidance on how believers should live and interact with others. By embodying these teachings, believers can attract others to the faith and create a positive witness for the church. Additionally, the Old Testament’s emphasis on justice, compassion, and righteousness can inspire believers to engage in social justice initiatives, which can contribute to the growth and impact of the Church.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study examined Old Testament Biblical view on Evangelism and Church Growth. The study is descriptive in

nature.

1.7 Limitation of the study

The study will be faced with a lot of challenges and one it the problem of finance. There is not going to be enough funds to print questionnaires and to also transport the researcher to meet the desired respondents. Another one is time; the researcher is currently busy with the demand of his academics. A lot of assignments are available for the researcher to do and coupled with his desire to read and learn at the same time. These are the major challenges of this study.

1.8 Definitions of Terms

The following terms were used in the course of this study:

Christian: is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Christianity: religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who is the focal point of the Christian faith. It is the world’s largest religion, with over 2.4 billion followers, or 33% of the global population, known as Christians.

Evangelism: the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness.

Growth: an improvement in the condition or strength of something.

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