EVANGELISM ARTICLE | Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba | Lagos, Nigeria
“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Acts 17:6, NKJV)
What would it take for the church today to have the kind of influence that makes the world take notice? What would happen if Christians became so committed to the gospel that their communities could not ignore their message, their example, and their devotion to Jesus Christ?
In Acts 17:6, the enemies of the gospel made a remarkable accusation against Paul and his companions: “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” The statement was intended to condemn them, but it became an extraordinary testimony to the influence of the practices, and calling people to submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ. They were not proclaiming a message that demanded a change of heart, a change of allegiance, and a change of life. Through the gospel, people were being delivered from the power of darkness and brought into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13). Can we have that kind of influence today? More importantly, are we willing to do what it takes?
A World That Needs Turning
The world has always needed the transforming power of God’s word. Humanity’s fundamental problem is not merely ignorance, poverty, corruption, immorality, or injustice. Beneath these problems lies the universal problem of sin, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Our society offers many solutions to human problems, but no human philosophy, political programme, educational system, or technological advancement can reconcile sinful humanity to God. Only Jesus Christ can provide the redemption that we desperately need (Acts 4:12). This does not mean that Christians should be indifferent to the problems around them. Rather, it means that we must understand the unique mission God has given us. We must bring the good news of salvation to people who need forgiveness, hope, and reconciliation with their Creator.
Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Before His ascension, He commissioned His disciples to preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15-16). This mission was not intended to end with the apostles. That gospel was to be taught to others who would, in turn, teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2). The world still needs the gospel. The question is whether the people who have received it are willing to share it.
The Gospel That Changed The World
The early Christians did not possess the political influence and communication technology available today. Yet the message they preached spread from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and beyond (Acts 1:8). What made the difference?
First, they believed in the power of the gospel. Paul declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). They understood that the gospel was not merely an interesting religious message. It was God’s means of bringing salvation to those who would believe and obey Him.
Second, they preached Christ. When Philip went to Samaria, he “preached Christ unto them” (Acts 8:5). When Paul met the Ethiopian eunuch, he began with the Scripture the man was reading and preached Jesus to him (Acts 8:35). At Corinth, Paul determined to know nothing among the people except “Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). The early Christians did not make themselves the centre of their message. They pointed people to Jesus, His death, burial, and resurrection, and the salvation available through Him (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Third, they preached with courage. When the authorities commanded Peter and John to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, they answered, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Their conviction was stronger than their fear of opposition. The result was not that every hearer accepted the message. Some believed, while others resisted. Nevertheless, the gospel continued to spread. Even persecution scattered believers who went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:1-4).
The lesson is clear: the power to change the world is not in the cleverness of our arguments, the attractiveness of our programmes, or the strength of our personalities. It is in the gospel of Jesus Christ, faithfully taught and lived.
Every Christian Must Become A Gospel Worker
One of the greatest obstacles to evangelism today is the assumption that it belongs mainly to preachers, elders, or those who have received specialised training. Certainly, those who preach and teach publicly have an important responsibility. Paul charged Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5). But the New Testament also presents evangelism as a work in which all disciples participated.
Following the persecution in Jerusalem, the scattered believers “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). These were not merely the apostles; Acts 8:1 distinguishes the apostles from the believers who were scattered. This should challenge every member of the Lord’s church. A congregation may have a preacher, a meeting house, a sound programme of worship, and well-organised Bible classes, yet still fall short of its mission if its members are not actively reaching the lost. We must ask ourselves: How many people have heard the gospel because of our personal efforts? How many neighbours, colleagues, classmates, friends, or relatives have we invited to study the Bible? How many conversations about spiritual things have we avoided because we feared rejection or embarrassment? We do not all have the same abilities, opportunities, or circumstances. Nevertheless, every Christian can contribute to the spread of the gospel. Some may teach publicly; others may arrange Bible studies, invite people to worship, distribute biblical literature, encourage new converts, or help remove practical obstacles that prevent others from hearing the truth. Whatever our circumstances, we must not allow evangelism to become somebody else’s responsibility.
Turning The World Upside Down Begins With Ourselves
There is an important truth we must not overlook: before we seek to influence the world, we must allow God’s word to transform our own lives. Paul urged Christians not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). We cannot effectively call people to repent while deliberately accommodating sin in our own lives. We cannot persuasively teach the importance of truth while being dishonest, or speak about Christian love while treating people with contempt. Jesus declared that His disciples are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Our good works should cause others to glorify our Father in heaven. Our conduct does not replace the preaching of the gospel, but it should support and commend the message we proclaim.
Consider the influence of a Christian who remains honest in a dishonest environment, shows kindness to difficult people, forgives those who offend him, keeps his promises, and treats others with dignity. Such a life can create opportunities for meaningful conversations about Christ. However, good behaviour alone does not tell people what they must believe about Jesus or what God requires for salvation. We must be ready to give an answer for the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15). Our lives should open doors, and our words should faithfully communicate the gospel. The church’s influence becomes most powerful when its members combine biblical teaching with sincere love, holy living, and a genuine concern for the souls of others.
We Must Speak The Truth In Love
If we desire to turn the world upside down, we must be prepared to challenge error. The apostles did not remain silent when confronted with false teaching. Paul reasoned from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 17:2-3). In Ephesus, he reasoned daily in the school of Tyrannus, and the word of the Lord spread throughout the region (Acts 19:8-10). Yet boldness must never become an excuse for arrogance, hostility, or personal abuse. We are commanded to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The Lord’s servants must not be quarrelsome but gentle, patient, and able to teach (2 Timothy 2:24-25). Our aim is not to win arguments at the expense of souls. It is to help people understanding and obey the truth of God’s word. This requires us to know the Scriptures, listen carefully to people’s questions, answer honestly when we do not know something, and patiently encourage further study. We must neither dilute God’s word to make it more acceptable nor present it in a manner that needlessly alienates those who need to hear it. The message of the cross may be offensive to some, but the messenger must not become an unnecessary stumbling block through pride and unkindness.
What Must We Do?
If we are serious about reaching our world, our commitment must move beyond good intentions.
We must pray for opportunities. Paul asked the Colossians to pray that God would open a door for the word (Colossians 4:3). We should pray for open hearts, wisdom, courage, and opportunities to teach.
We must prepare ourselves. Peter instructs Christians to be ready to give an answer for their hope (1 Peter 3:15). Regular Bible study equips us to explain the gospel accurately and respond thoughtfully to questions.
We must build relationships. People are not projects or numbers to be added to a congregation’s attendance figures. They are souls made in God’s image. Genuine friendship, compassion, hospitality, and concern can create opportunities for spiritual conversations. We must be willing to invest time in people, even when their response is slow.
We must teach the whole counsel of God. Our responsibility is not merely to encourage people to become religious. We must teach them to observe all that Christ commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). Like the apostles, we must proclaim God’s message faithfully, including the demands of repentance, faith, confession, and baptism into Christ (Acts 2:38; 8:35-38; Romans 10:9-10).
We must follow up with those who respond. Evangelism does not end when someone first hears the gospel or obeys it. New Christians need teaching, encouragement, fellowship, and opportunities to grow. The Lord’s commission includes teaching disciples to observe His commands (Matthew 28:20).
We must persevere. Not everyone will believe, and not every Bible study will result in conversion. Nevertheless, we must not become discouraged. Paul reminds us that we should not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9). Our responsibility is to sow and water faithfully, recognising that God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
Can We Do It Again?
Can we turn the world upside down? The question is not whether we can reproduce the exact historical circumstances of the first century. Nor is it whether we can guarantee that every person will accept the gospel. The question is whether we will faithfully proclaim the same unchanging message with the conviction, courage, and commitment demonstrated by the early church. We cannot save souls by our own power, but we can point people to the Saviour. We cannot force people to obey the truth, but we can teach it clearly and lovingly. We cannot control the response of every hearer, but we can ensure that fear, apathy, or complacency does not silence us.
Perhaps the world will not always describe our work as turning it upside down. Some will welcome the gospel; others will oppose it. Our success must not be measured solely by public approval, numerical growth, or immediate conversions. We must measure our faithfulness by whether we are doing what the Lord has commanded. The church needs more than admiration for the courage of the early Christians. It needs to imitate their faithfulness. We need members who see lost souls as people who need Christ, congregations that make evangelism a regular priority, and Christians whose lives reflect the message they proclaim.
Let us therefore return to the Scriptures, renew our commitment to the Great Commission, and take the gospel into our homes, workplaces, schools, neighbourhoods, and communities. The world still needs the transforming power of Jesus Christ. The gospel is still God’s power unto salvation. And the Lord still calls His people to carry that message to the lost. Will we answer the call?
GROW magazine | October 2026 PDF
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