Sharing the gospel is at the heart of Christian living. Jesus calls every believer to act as an ambassador and teach others about His love, not in our own strength, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. Evangelism isn’t reserved for a few gifted individuals either; we have all been commissioned to declare the good news of salvation in Christ.
Here are 25 Bible verses about evangelism to encourage, equip, and inspire you as you share the gospel with others. All Scripture quotations are from the ESV.
Bible Verses on the Call and Commission
Evangelism begins with God’s call. From the Great Commission to the Old Testament prophets, Scripture is filled with examples of God sending His people to proclaim the good news. These verses remind us that evangelism is not just a suggestion but a divine calling, a commission, and even a command to carry the good news of Jesus to every nation.
Matthew 28:18–20 – And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”
Mark 16:15 – And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
Acts 13:47 – For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Isaiah 6:8 – And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
God is seeking willing hearts who will share the gospel both with their neighbor and with the nations. The gospel is for everyone, and we are called to make disciples wherever we go.
Scriptures on Speaking the Gospel
There is a popular quote amongst Christians today: “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” The goal is to help people realize that they should practice what they preach, but some use it as an excuse to think they never have to actually use words to share the gospel.
These verses in the Bible about evangelism tell a different story, however. Preaching the gospel requires a clear proclamation of the good news, which may also require boldness, preparation, and a posture of love. These verses show us how God uses our words, conversations, and testimonies to open hearts to faith in Christ.
Romans 1:16-17 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 10:14–15, 17 – How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news” … So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
Want some help getting prepared to make a defense of the gospel? Check out our guide on How to Share the Gospel in 1 Minute to learn some tips and tricks for sharing your testimony and the good news.
Scriptures on the Character of an Evangelist
The good news of the gospel means that we are not merely saved by Christ, but also we are being transformed by Him as well. While the gospel must be spoken, it is also displayed through the way we live. Jesus calls us to be “salt” and “light,” to stand out so that others can clearly see the work of God in our lives.
Evangelism happens, and God is glorified through our good works, our love for one another, our perseverance through hard times, and our willingness to meet people where they are. These passages highlight the power of a consistent witness lived out day by day.
Matthew 5:14-16 – You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
John 13:34-35 – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
2 Timothy 4:5 – As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
1 Corinthians 9:19-22 – 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 have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
These verses remind us that the way we live matters. We are called to serve and love others, to represent Christ and point others to Him through our character. We need words to defend the hope we have in Jesus, but we also need to display that hope in a way that attracts others to the gospel.
Bible Verses about the Motivation behind Evangelism
We started this article by highlighting the calling and command we have been given to preach the good news. There are, however, many more reasons and motivations to share the gospel.
These next few verses show us that we should also evangelize because of the grace we have received, the example of Christ’s mission, the hope of eternal life, and to give God glory. The heart of evangelism should not be obligation, but rather gratitude and a desire for others to know the same freedom and joy we’ve found in Jesus.
Luke 4:18 – The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 – All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Acts 20:24 – But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Ezekiel 38:23 – So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
If the gospel is indeed “good news,” we should be excited to share it. We get to share about the grace of God, proclaiming liberty to captives and shining a light into dark places! God has made us ambassadors; we represent Him in everything we do. All of this is for God’s glory, and ultimately, we find our satisfaction in glorifying Him.
Evangelism is an Act of Worship
Knowing the gospel should fill us with gratitude and a desire to worship. When we give thanks and declare God’s greatness, making His deeds known to others is a natural result. These Scriptures remind us that praise and proclamation go hand in hand, and can help inspire us to share the gospel with joy.
Psalm 105:1-2 – Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
Isaiah 12:4 – And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.”
Psalm 96:2-3 – Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
Hebrews 13:15-16 – Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Worship and witness go hand in hand. We declare God’s salvation through joyful praise, and we can worship Him through our singing, speaking, sharing, and good works. When we get to know God personally, worship is the natural result.
Verses on the Work of the Spirit in Evangelism
Finally, evangelism is not something we do in our own strength; it requires the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus reminds us that, apart from him, we can do nothing. When we preach the gospel, we are invited to appropriate the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit gives us the words to say and works to soften the ears and hearts of those listening so that they may receive the good news.
John 15:4-5 – Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
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.
1 Corinthians 2:3-5 – And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Colossians 4:3-4 – At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Matthew 10:19-20 – When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
When we share the gospel, we should not rely on our own logic or words or arguments, but rather the work of the Holy Spirit. Spend time in prayer, asking God to work in the hearts of others and to give you the words to speak.
Conclusion
Evangelism is not about having the perfect words or strategies. Evangelism is about trusting God, loving people, and faithfully proclaiming the good news of Jesus. As these Scriptures remind us, God empowers His people to be witnesses so that His glory may be made known among the nations.
Which of these verses encourages you most? Take time to memorize one and pray for boldness to live it out this week. Want to learn more about evangelism? Check out our article, Evangelism Training: 5 Effective Tools for Introducing the Gospel.