Scripture for the mission

25 Bible Verses About Evangelism and Sharing Your Faith

The Scriptures every witness should know: the command to go, the message we carry, boldness, how to speak, the harvest, heaven's joy, and the God who gives the growth — 25 passages with what each one teaches.

By · 6 minute read · Updated 2026-10-18

The short answer

The Bible's teaching on evangelism begins with Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20) and His promise of power to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). It defines the message — Christ died for our sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) — and calls the gospel the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). It teaches us to ask for boldness (Acts 4:29–31), to speak with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), to pray for workers for a plentiful harvest (Luke 10:2), and to trust that God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

Scripture anchors: Matthew 28:18–20 · Acts 1:8 · Romans 1:16 · 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 · 1 Peter 3:15 · Luke 10:2 · 1 Corinthians 3:6–7

By theme

1. The command to go

Evangelism is not an optional extra for especially gifted Christians. It is the mission the risen Jesus gave His whole church, with His authority behind it and His presence with it.

  • Matthew 28:18–20 — with all authority, Jesus sends His disciples to make disciples of all nations, and promises to be with them always
  • Mark 16:15 — go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation
  • Acts 1:8 — the Holy Spirit gives power to be Jesus' witnesses, from home to the ends of the earth
  • John 20:21 — as the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends His followers

2. The message we carry

We do not share our opinions or a set of rules. We announce good news about what God has done in Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 — Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures
  • Romans 1:16 — the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes
  • John 3:16 — God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life
  • Romans 6:23 — the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
  • Ephesians 2:8–9 — we are saved by grace through faith, as a gift of God, not by works

3. Boldness for the task

Fear is common, and the early church felt it too. Their answer was to pray, and God answered with boldness.

  • Acts 4:29–31 — the believers prayed for boldness, were filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke the word of God boldly
  • 2 Timothy 1:7–8 — God gave us a spirit of power, love and self-control, so do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord
  • Ephesians 6:19–20 — Paul asked for prayer to open his mouth boldly and make known the mystery of the gospel
  • Proverbs 28:1 — the righteous are bold as a lion

4. How to speak

Scripture cares about how we share as well as what we share: with readiness, grace, gentleness and patience.

  • 1 Peter 3:15 — always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and respect
  • Colossians 4:5–6 — walk in wisdom toward outsiders, and let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt
  • 2 Timothy 2:24–25 — the Lord's servant must be kind to everyone, patient, and correct opponents with gentleness

5. The harvest and its urgency

Jesus saw people ready to receive the gospel and few willing to go. He told His disciples to pray, and then He sent them.

  • Luke 10:2 — the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few; pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers
  • John 4:35 — lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for harvest
  • Romans 10:14–15 — how will they hear without someone preaching, and how will anyone preach unless they are sent?
  • 2 Peter 3:9 — the Lord is patient, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance

6. Heaven's joy and the end of the story

Every person who comes to Christ matters to God, and the story ends with a multitude worshipping Him from every nation.

  • Luke 15:7 — there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine who need no repentance
  • Revelation 7:9–10 — a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language worships before the throne
  • Daniel 12:3 — those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever

7. God gives the growth

We are responsible for faithfulness, not for results. God's word does not return empty, and God Himself brings people to life.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 — one plants, another waters, but God gives the growth
  • Isaiah 55:11 — God's word will not return to Him empty, but will accomplish His purpose

Field notes

  • Read every verse in its context. The surrounding passage always deepens what a single verse means.
  • Memorise a few. Matthew 28:18–20, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 and 1 Peter 3:15 are a strong start.
  • Pray these verses back to God, especially Acts 4:29–31 and Luke 10:2.
  • Use Scripture in conversations gently. A verse read together and explained often speaks more than an argument.
  • Let the verses move you to act: pray for one person today, and go out with others this week.
  • These summaries are paraphrases to help you find each passage. Open your Bible and read the full text.

Common questions

What is the main Bible verse about evangelism?

Matthew 28:18–20, the Great Commission, is the central passage: the risen Jesus, with all authority, sends His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey Him, and promises to be with them always. Acts 1:8 adds His promise of the Holy Spirit's power to be His witnesses.

What does the Bible say about being bold in sharing faith?

The early believers prayed for boldness and were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke God's word boldly (Acts 4:29–31). Paul asked others to pray for boldness for him (Ephesians 6:19–20) and told Timothy that God gave us a spirit of power, love and self-control, not fear (2 Timothy 1:7–8).

Is every Christian called to evangelize?

Yes. Jesus gave the Great Commission to His disciples and promised to be with them to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18–20), and every believer is called to be His witness (Acts 1:8) and to be ready to give a reason for their hope (1 Peter 3:15). Some are gifted as evangelists (Ephesians 4:11), but all are called to witness.

What verse says the harvest is plentiful?

Luke 10:2 (and Matthew 9:37–38): the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few, so pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.

Find a group near you · Go and make disciples · All evangelism guides

Keep reading