What is a biblical approach for evangelism?

from the old testament

• In evangelism, it is important to reflect who God is. The God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New. There is no doubt that God is a loving God (Exodus 34:6–7). But He is also a holy and righteous God who hates sin (Leviticus 19:2; Psalm 5:4–5). Therefore, our sin separates us from Him. Because He is holy, God is "a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day" (Psalm 7:11). A crucial element of true biblical evangelism is the understanding of the holiness of God. Isaiah caught a glimpse of God's holiness in his vision of angelic beings around God's throne praising God's holiness (Isaiah 6:3). When we understand just how holy God is, we can begin to understand His hatred of sin.
• We must understand that no amount of good works or good deeds can bridge the gap that separates a holy God from a sinner. Every good work that man thinks he can do is as "a polluted garment" in God's sight (Isaiah 64:6). Only faith in who God is and what He has done to save us can bring forgiveness.

from the new testament

• Jesus commanded us to share the gospel with the lost: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20).
• Salvation requires the work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8–11; cf. John 6:44). Thus it is essential that we pray for those who are lost and that we seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to know how to best share the truth of Christ with them.
• We must share the gospel message accurately and completely (Acts 20:27). It might go something like this: God created the world and created humanity in His image. Humans distrusted God and rebelled against Him, thereby breaking their relationship with God and introducing death and brokenness into the world (Genesis 3). God promised a Savior (Genesis 3:15; 12:1–3; Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 52—53), and that Savior is Jesus (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5). Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and resurrected three days later, proving His identity, the sufficiency of His sacrifice, and the reality of His victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15). All who put their hope in Jesus receive forgiveness from God and new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:3–14; 2:1–10). They receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, who helps them know, love, and obey God (Philippians 2:12–13). They will be partakers in the promise of future resurrection and have eternal life with God (Revelation 21—22). Many speak of this as the progression of creation, fall, promise, redemption, and restoration.
• Our specific approach to evangelism depends on the other person, the current circumstances, and God's design of us. Paul wrote, "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings" (1 Corinthians 9:19–23).
• When speaking to a Jewish audience, Peter, Stephen, and Paul began with the history of the Jewish people, telling them their Messiah had come (Acts 3; 7; 13). When Philip met an Ethiopian eunuch, he began with the passage the eunuch was reading (Acts 8:26–40). In Athens, Paul began with the religious sensibilities of the people and their altar "to the unknown god" (Acts 17:22–34).
• When Jesus evangelized the lost, He began with the statement "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). The message of God's love is lost on unbelievers unless they first come to grips with sin, judgment, and punishment.
• No amount of good living will make us acceptable in God's eyes because the standard is holiness, which no one can achieve through their own efforts and without which no one will see God (Hebrews 12:14).
• Once the unbeliever accepts the realities of his sin and the holiness of God, he is ready for the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What no one can do to save himself, Christ accomplished on the cross because He loved us (John 3:16–18). By His death, Jesus exchanged His righteous, holy nature for our sinful one, making us completely new creations with a new nature that replaces the old sin nature (2 Corinthians 5:17–21). Here is where God's love comes into play. Because of His great love and mercy—not because we deserve or earn it—God provided the only acceptable sacrifice for our sin (Ephesians 2:1–10). Only those whose natures have been changed can escape the wrath of God and experience His love and grace (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10; 1 Peter 1). If we put our trust in God, we will live eternally with Him in the joy of heaven. If we do not, our eternal destiny is hell (John 3:36).

implications for today

A biblical approach to evangelism requires a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit, prayer, and a commitment to sharing the full truth of the gospel, even if it challenges or offends. Effective evangelism is not about following a one-size-fits-all method but about being adaptable, understanding the unique circumstances and needs of each person we encounter. Our role is simply to sow seeds; it is God who works in the hearts and lives of others (Matthew 13:1–23; 1 Corinthians 3:6–9). We cannot evangelize without considering the other person, and the first step of doing that is having the right heart toward them. Second Peter 3:9 tells us that God is patient toward us, not willing that any of us should perish but that all should reach repentance. We should have the same heart toward those who are not saved. As for the method, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to present the truth of the gospel in a way that will resonate with the person we are evangelizing. Just as Paul tailored his message to his audience, we must also engage people where they are, asking thoughtful questions to understand their beliefs and needs. Ultimately, evangelism is about faithfully communicating the reality of sin, the holiness of God, and the good news of Jesus Christ, trusting the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those we reach.