Why is “Preach the Gospel and When Necessary Use Words” WRONG?

[Excerpted from our book Misunderstood & Misapplied Bible Verses & Passages—Book 1]

This saying is often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, but there is no evidence that he actually said it, and none of his writings include these words. Additionally, the Bible does not support the idea of wordless preaching.

Jesus said, “Preach the Gospel.” Mark 16:15

“Preach”

Let’s define what it means to preach the gospel. The word “gospel” means “good news.” The good news Jesus was speaking about is the saving grace He gives to anyone who trusts in His death for the forgiveness of their sins and believes that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9).

The word “preach,” in Greek, is “kerusso” and means to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel).  

The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines “preach” as:

To pronounce a public discourse on a religious subject, or from a subject, or a text of Scripture; to discourse on the gospel way of salvation and exhort to repentance; to discourse on evangelical truths and exhort to a belief of them and acceptance of the terms of salvation.

Even in our modern English, “preach” holds the same meaning.  According to the current Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it means to deliver a sermon, to urge acceptance or abandonment of an idea or course of action.

Clearly, to preach anything, one must use verbal or written words. Words are how people communicate; words are always necessary to communicate the gospel.

Faith Comes By Hearing the Gospel

Romans 10 explicitly states that the gospel must be heard.  

Romans 10:13-15  For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?  

Romans 10:17-18  So then faith comes by hearing [words preached], and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”

The Great Commission to Preach the Gospel

Jesus’ command to preach the gospel is found in all four Gospels (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:21-23) and in the Book of Acts (Acts 1:8).  We call this the Great Commission.  By Jesus’ words, it’s clear that He meant to preach the gospel using words. [Bracketed content, mine]

Matthew 28:19-20  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them [words are necessary] to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Mark 16:15  And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel [with words] to every creature.

Luke 24:44-45, 48    Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”  And He opened their understanding [with words], that they might comprehend the Scriptures…And you are witnesses of these things….” 

John 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  [God sent Jesus to preach and proclaim with words] 

In the first chapter of Acts, before the Lord’s ascension into Heaven, Jesus commanded that His followers preach the gospel—again, using words.

Acts 1:8  “…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me… [Witnesses always use spoken words.]

Two Errors in “when necessary use words.”

1. The phrase, “when necessary, use words” to preach the gospel implies that good deeds can preach the gospel.  

Understand that just like our good works can’t save us, our good works can’t preach the gospel.  If good works could preach the gospel, one could say that non-Christians are preaching the gospel by their good works.  Of course, they are not.  Both Christians and non-Christians do good works out of love and concern for others; however, non-Christians’ good works are not done in service to Jesus or in His name, so they do not reflect Jesus or His works.

Now, don’t get me wrong. How we live is very important. It is essential to support our testimonies when we speak the gospel with our words. A redeemed life is a changed life. It’s also an empowered life. If we share the gospel and don’t live in a way that demonstrates we are changed by it, then our testimony will be diminished.

2. The saying, “when necessary, use words,” gives some Christians an unbiblical excuse for not sharing Christ.  

They might feel uncomfortable, even fearful, talking about Jesus.  They might fear rejection or feel inadequate to explain the gospel or to give biblical answers to questions.  Sadly, they are letting fear stop them from fulfilling their commission. They are failing to understand that when Jesus saved them, He also equipped them with the indwelling Holy Spirit, whose job is to teach and guide us, including our verbal and written communication of the gospel.

What About Those Who Say, “I’m Not Called to Preach the Gospel?” 

Some Christians will say, “I’m not called to evangelize.” However, that isn’t true.  While not all Christians are called to be evangelists by vocation, we are all called to evangelize by preaching the gospel and making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). 

Be Bold

Acts 4:13  Now when they [the rulers, elders, scribes, high priest and his family] saw the boldness of Peter and John. . . . they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

The authorities confronted Peter and John for having proclaimed the risen Jesus Christ of Nazareth and for saying, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  They commanded Peter and John “not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18). Peter and John responded by saying:

Acts 4:20  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Peter and John had been with Jesus, and they were bold!  We have Jesus with us and the Holy Spirit in us; therefore, BE BOLD!  They could not but speak that which they had seen and heard.  We cannot but speak that which we know and trust.  

Fulfill your commission by speaking the truths of God—believing that you don’t do it by yourself but by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Conclusion

• Speak the gospel, for it is necessary to testify with words.  
• Live the gospel, for it is necessary to support your testimony.

Do both and glorify the One who lived and died for you and has given you eternal life with Him.  Tell others: “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise. . . not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

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