Introduction: The Mission That Transcends Our Debates
For centuries, the church has grappled with one of theology’s most profound mysteries: the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation. Reformed theologians have championed God’s absolute sovereignty in election, while Arminians and others have emphasized human free will and the universal offer of the gospel. These debates have filled libraries, shaped denominations, and occasionally divided brothers and sisters in Christ.
Yet amid these theological discussions—important as they may be—stands a command so clear, so direct, and so universal that it transcends our systematic frameworks: “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” (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV).
This is not a suggestion for those who have resolved every theological question. It is not reserved for those who have perfectly aligned their soteriology. It is the marching orders for every believer, regardless of whether you sing hymns from the Trinity Hymnal or raise your hands in contemporary worship, whether you’ve read all five points of Dort or couldn’t name them if asked.
The question before us is not whether God is sovereign or whether humans have free will—both camps affirm truths that Scripture clearly teaches. The question is: Will we obey the clear command to share the gospel while we continue to wrestle with the mysteries of salvation?
I. The Common Ground: What Both Traditions Affirm
Before we address the imperative to evangelize, we must recognize that Reformed and free-will traditions share far more than divides them when it comes to the fundamental truths of the gospel:
A. The Gospel Message Is the Same
Whether you’re a five-point Calvinist or a committed Arminian, we proclaim:
- The sinfulness of humanity: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)
- The necessity of Christ’s atoning work: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
- The call to repentance and faith: “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15)
- The promise of eternal life: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)
B. Both Affirm God’s Sovereignty
Even the most ardent defender of free will acknowledges God’s ultimate authority and power. The debate is not whether God can save whom He wills, but the manner in which He has chosen to accomplish salvation and the role of human response.
C. Both Affirm Human Responsibility
Similarly, Reformed theologians do not deny that humans make real choices or bear genuine responsibility for their response to the gospel. The Westminster Confession itself states that God “freely and unchangeably ordained whatsoever comes to pass; yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures.”
D. Both Affirm the Necessity of Proclamation
Paul’s rhetorical questions in Romans 10:14-15 stand as a challenge to all believers: “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?”
No Christian tradition claims that people will be saved without hearing the gospel. God has chosen to work through human messengers. This is not because He needs us, but because He has graciously invited us to participate in His redemptive mission.
II. Why Both Camps Must Evangelize: Theological Foundations
A. The Reformed Perspective: God’s Sovereignty Compels Us
Far from being a deterrent to evangelism, Reformed theology provides profound motivation:
- Confidence in God’s Power
When we share the gospel, we do so knowing that God can open blind eyes and soften hard hearts. We are not relying on our eloquence, our techniques, or our persuasive skills. We trust that the Holy Spirit will apply the word to the elect in accordance with God’s sovereign purpose. This removes the crushing burden of thinking salvation depends on our performance. - The Mystery of Means
God has ordained not only the ends (who will be saved) but also the means (the proclamation of the gospel). As J.I. Packer wrote in Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, “The sovereignty of God in grace does not affect anything that we have said about the nature and duty of evangelism. It does not change the fact that evangelism is a commission for all Christians, nor the nature of the evangelistic message, nor the fact that everyone who hears the gospel is under obligation to repent and believe.” - The Example of the Apostles
Paul, who wrote more about election and predestination than any other New Testament author, was the church’s greatest evangelist. He endured beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonments to reach both Jews and Gentiles with the gospel. His doctrine didn’t paralyze him—it empowered him. - The Secret Things Belong to God
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever” (Deuteronomy 29:29). We don’t know who the elect are—that’s God’s secret. What is revealed is our responsibility to proclaim Christ to all people without discrimination.
B. The Free-Will Perspective: Human Responsibility Compels Us
For those who emphasize human free will, the motivation for evangelism is equally compelling:
- The Universal Love of God
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God’s desire is for all to come to salvation, and we participate in His mission when we extend the invitation. - The Urgency of Choice
If people have genuine free will to accept or reject Christ, then our witness becomes urgently important. Every conversation could be the moment when someone chooses eternal life over eternal death. We cannot be passive when souls hang in the balance. - The Power of Human Testimony
God uses human instruments to draw people to Himself. Your story, your words, your life might be the very thing that tips the scales for someone wrestling with faith. You are God’s ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:201Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.), and He has entrusted you with the ministry of reconciliation. - The Great Commandment and Commission Together
Love for God and love for neighbor compel us to share the greatest gift we’ve ever received. If we truly love people, we cannot withhold the message that can save their souls.
III. The Command Is Non-Negotiable: Exegeting Matthew 28:19-20
Let us examine the Great Commission itself, for it offers no exceptions based on theological persuasion:
A. “Go Therefore”
The word “therefore” connects this command to what Jesus has just said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (v. 18). We go in His authority, not our own. We go because He has commanded it, not because we’ve resolved every theological mystery.
The participle translated “go” (πορευθέντες) carries the sense of “as you go” or “having gone”—evangelism is to characterize our movement through life. Whether you’re a teacher, plumber, doctor, or retiree, you are commanded to make disciples as you go about your daily life.
B. “Make Disciples”
This is the main verb—the core command. We are not called merely to make converts or get decisions. We are called to make disciples: people who follow Jesus, learn from Him, and obey His commands. This is a lifelong process that begins with proclamation and continues with discipleship.
C. “Of All Nations”
The scope is universal. No ethnic group, no socioeconomic class, no geographic region is excluded. Whether you believe in limited atonement or unlimited atonement, the command to proclaim Christ to all nations remains unchanged.
D. “Baptizing…Teaching”
These participles describe how we make disciples: through baptism (identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection) and teaching (instruction in Christian doctrine and practice). Evangelism is not complete when someone prays a prayer; it continues as we nurture new believers.
E. “And Behold, I Am With You Always”
Jesus promises His presence to those engaged in this mission. Notice what Jesus did not do in this moment: He did not pause to engage the disciples in a theological seminar about the mechanics of salvation. He did not wait for them to fully comprehend the mystery of how God’s sovereignty and human response work together. He did not require them to pass a systematic theology exam before sending them out.
Instead, He simply commanded them: Go.
This is not a promise to those sitting in theological debates—though theological study certainly has its place and value in equipping the church. This is a promise to those who are actively making disciples. It’s a promise for those who are out in the highways and byways, in the marketplaces and neighborhoods, in the offices and coffee shops, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
IV. Practical Objections Answered
Objection 1: “If God has already chosen who will be saved, why should I evangelize?”
Answer: Because God has also chosen the means—your witness. Furthermore, you don’t know who the elect are, so you must proclaim Christ to all. As Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers” and a committed Calvinist, said: “When I meet a man, I do not ask whether he is one of the elect. I proclaim to him, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.'”
Objection 2: “If people have free will, then my inadequate presentation might cause them to reject Christ!”
Answer: While we should certainly strive for clarity and winsomeness, salvation does not ultimately depend on the perfection of your presentation. The Holy Spirit takes our faltering words and uses them according to His purposes. Moreover, silence guarantees people won’t hear about Christ. Imperfect evangelism is better than no evangelism.
Objection 3: “I don’t feel equipped or called to evangelism.”
Answer: The Great Commission was not given only to apostles, pastors, or those with the “gift” of evangelism. It was given to all disciples. You may not be called to be an itinerant evangelist, but you are called to share your faith. Start with your story—what Christ has done for you—and grow from there. The Holy Spirit will guide you (Luke 12:11-122And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.).
Objection 4: “Our culture is hostile to Christianity. It’s not the right time.”
Answer: When has culture ever been perfectly receptive to the gospel? The early church grew explosively in a hostile Roman Empire. The Reformation succeeded amid violent opposition. The church in China has thrived under persecution. Paul wrote, “Be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). There is no better time than now.
V. A United Call to Action: Practical Steps Forward
Regardless of your theological tradition, here are concrete ways to engage in personal evangelism:
A. Cultivate Relationships with Non-Believers
Jesus was known as a “friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34). Be intentional about building genuine friendships with neighbors, coworkers, and acquaintances who don’t know Christ.
B. Live a Distinctive Life
Peter exhorts us to “live such good lives among the pagans that… they may see your good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12, NIV). Our lives should raise questions that the gospel answers. Let your joy, integrity, generosity, and love be so evident that people ask, “What’s different about you?”
C. Be Prepared to Give an Answer
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to answer everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV). Study Scripture, know the gospel, and be ready to explain your faith clearly and winsomely.
D. Pray Specifically
Pray for opportunities to share Christ. Pray for boldness. Pray for specific people by name who need to hear the gospel. Prayer is not a substitute for evangelism, but it is the foundation of effective evangelism.
E. Use Your Story
You don’t need to be a trained theologian to share what Christ has done in your life. The blind man healed by Jesus simply said, “One thing I do know. I was blind, but now I see!” (John 9:25, NIV). Your testimony is powerful because it’s yours, and no one can refute what God has done in your life.
F. Invite People to Church and Christian Community
Sometimes the best evangelism is an invitation. Invite people to church, to Bible study, to Christian events where they can hear the gospel and see the community of faith in action.
G. Support and Participate in Missions
Whether through financial giving, short-term mission trips, or long-term service, engage in the global mission of the church. The Great Commission includes “all nations,” and we should support those who are taking the gospel to unreached peoples.
H. Disciple New Believers
Evangelism doesn’t end at conversion. Make yourself available to mentor new Christians, helping them grow in their faith, understand Scripture, and integrate into the church community.
VI. The Eternal Significance: Why This Matters
Let us never forget what is at stake. Paul wrote with tears about those who are “enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction” (Philippians 3:18-19). Hell is real. Heaven is real. Eternity is real.
But more than that, evangelism matters because:
A. It Glorifies God
Nothing brings more glory to God than redeemed sinners worshiping Him. Every person who comes to faith adds to the chorus of praise that will echo through eternity. “There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).
B. It Fulfills the Purpose of the Church
The church exists not primarily for our comfort or even our spiritual growth, but for God’s mission in the world. We 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” (1 Peter 2:9).
C. It Reflects the Heart of God
God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). When we evangelize, we align ourselves with God’s heart for the lost. We become instruments of His love and mercy.
D. It Demonstrates Our Love for Christ
Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). The Great Commission is not a suggestion—it’s a command. Our obedience in evangelism is a tangible expression of our love for our Savior.
VII. A Call to Unity in Mission
Brothers and sisters, we may never fully resolve the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility this side of eternity. That’s okay. These are deep mysteries that should humble us, not divide us.
But what should unite us is infinitely more powerful than what divides us: a crucified and risen Savior who has commanded us to take His gospel to every corner of the earth.
Imagine what the church could accomplish if we spent as much energy on evangelism as we do on theological debates. Imagine if Reformed and Arminian churches worked side by side in evangelistic outreach, confident that God will save whom He will save, and equally confident that He uses human proclamation to accomplish His purposes.
The world is not waiting for us to resolve our theological differences. The world is waiting to hear about Jesus Christ—His life that shows us God’s character, His death that pays for our sins, His resurrection that conquers death, and His invitation to “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Conclusion: The Time Is Now
Paul wrote with urgency: “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). We don’t have unlimited time. We don’t have the luxury of waiting until we’ve resolved every theological question or until we feel perfectly equipped.
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37).
Will you be a laborer? Will you put aside your hesitations—whether they stem from doctrinal debates or personal fears—and obey the clear command of Christ?
Whether you’re Reformed or Arminian, whether you emphasize God’s sovereignty or human free will, whether you attend a traditional liturgical service or a contemporary church—none of that exempts you from the Great Commission.
God has placed you in this moment, in this location, among these people, for such a time as this. Who in your life needs to hear the gospel? What opportunities has God given you that you’ve been neglecting? What fears or theological hang-ups have kept you silent when you should have spoken?
Today is the day to start.
Share your faith with a neighbor. Invite a coworker to church. Support a missionary. Start a Bible study. Mentor a new believer. Pray for boldness. Whatever step God is calling you to take—take it.
And as you go, remember Jesus’ promise: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
You are not alone in this mission. The sovereign God who ordains the ends and the means, the God who draws people to Himself and uses human vessels to proclaim His truth, the God who loved the world enough to send His Son—this God goes with you.
So go.
Make disciples. Share the hope you’ve found. Proclaim the excellencies of Christ. Invite people into the family of God. And trust that the God who has called you will accomplish His purposes through your faithful obedience.
The theological debates will continue. Let them. But let’s not allow them to distract us from the mission that unites us all: bringing glory to God by bringing the lost to Christ.
To God alone be the glory, now and forever. Amen.
“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ 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?” (Romans 10:13-14)
The question is not whether God is sovereign or whether humans have free will.
The question is: Will you proclaim Christ?