The Priority Of Evangelism And Missions In The Book Of Acts!

1. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because Jesus’ Last Words To His Disciples Before He Ascended Into Heaven Were An Exhortation To Evangelism And Missions

Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

2. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because One Of The First Acts Of The Apostles Was To Appoint A New Apostle To Help Them Do Evangelism And Missions

Acts 1:21-22: So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us - one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.

3. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because The Holy Spirit Was Given To Empower Evangelism And Missions And The Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit Was Accompanied By Evangelism And Missions

Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 2:1-4, 14, 36-39: When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them & rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . . But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them . . . Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."

4. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because Sinners Being Converted Characterized The Early Church

Acts 2:42-47: And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 9:31: So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

5. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because It Was A Priority For The Apostles And Early Christians

Acts 3:12, 18-19: Peter . . . addressed the people . . . But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out

Acts 5:27-28: And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. & the high priest questioned them, saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching

Acts 5:41-42: Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 8:1, 4-5: And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles . . . Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.

Acts 8:40: But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Acts 9:20: And immediately he [Paul] proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."

Acts 14:6-7: they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.

Acts 14:21: they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples

Acts 28:30-31: He lived there two whole years at his own expense,1 and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

6. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because It And God Are Worth Going To Jail For

Acts 4:1-3: And as they [Peter and John] were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody

7. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because It’s Worth Disobeying Every Other Human Authority In Order To Accomplish It And Obey God

Acts 4:17-20: But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."

Acts 5:27-32: And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

8. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because It’s More Important Than Feeding The Hungry

Acts 6:1-4, 7: Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." . . . And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

9. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because It And God Are Worth Dying For

Acts 7:51-8:1: You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it." Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of his execution.

10. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because Even Our Enemies Need To Hear The Gospel

Acts 8:25: Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

Romans 5:8, 10: But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us . . . For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

11. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because Many People Don’t Understand The Gospel

Acts 8:30-31, 35: So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" . . . Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.

12. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because Through It God Makes Enemies Into Preachers

Acts 9:13-15: But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

13. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because All Nations Need To Hear The Gospel

Acts 10:34-35, 43-45: So Peter opened his mouth & said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him & does what is right is acceptable to him . . . To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

14. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because The Early Church Sent Out Missionaries

Acts 13:2-3: While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

15. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because Sound Doctrine Matters

Acts 15:1: But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."

Acts 16:4-5: As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

16. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because God Is At Work Opening People’s Hearts, Helping You, And Protecting You

Acts 16:14: The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

Acts 18:9-10: And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people."

17. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because Many Religious People Don’t Know God

Acts 17:22-23: So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you."

18. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because God Will Judge The World

Acts 17:30-31: The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

19. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because We Should Want All People To Be Saved

Acts 26:27-29: King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe." And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am - except for these chains."

20. Evangelism And Missions Should Be A Priority Because It’s The Only Way People Can Be Saved From Hell

Acts 2:41: So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Acts 4:4: many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Acts 4:11-12: Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved

Acts 16:31: And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Jesus And The Gospel Are God’s Power For Salvation
He Said You Take This Message To Every Tribe And Nation
The Holy Spirit Came Giving Power For Oration
Christ Has Died And Risen Bow To Him In Adoration
Now We Have Propitiation And Justification 

That Saves From Damnation
And Father, Son, And Spirit Are Our Joy And Fascination
So Go And Tell The World About Our Great Infatuation
He’s Worthy Of All Glory Throughout The Whole Of Creation!

That's my King! Do you know Him?!

To know how to make it to heaven to be with Jesus - which is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the Bible alone, all for the glory of God alone - please watch "American Gospel: Christ Alone."