Evangelism

Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends – Acts 10:24

In all our zeal to spread the gospel around the globe, we sometimes miss the most obvious and useful field of evangelism that is open to any of us — our own family and friends.

If we are to be a light in this dark world, who better to see that light shine than those who are closest to us? If we are to be salt to the earth, who better to taste the savor of the Savior in our lives than those with whom we interact on a daily basis? On the other hand, if we hide the open flame of our Christian witness under a basket when our dearest loved ones are with us, how can we ever hope to bring the good news to the heathen in another hemisphere?

Cornelius, a centurion of authority and influence, was also described as a man “of good report among all the nation of the Jews.” And yet when Peter came to preach the gospel, Cornelius did not call together the soldiers under him, nor did he reach out first to the many Jews who respected him in the community. He began with his own family and near friends.

It can sometimes be daunting to witness to loved ones with whom we interact on a regular basis. Sharing the gospel with them will necessarily mean having to live the gospel in front of them. Yet the clear emphasis of Scripture is that “going into all the world” and “preaching the gospel to the whole creation” begins by sharing the good news in our own living room, cul-de-sac, or cubicle.