help churches and other Baptist entities to improve evangelism, and provide conferences to instruct and inspire Baptists in evangelism. In a similar vein, many Baptist seminaries have professors who specialize in teaching evangelism. Praying for Christians to boldly share the gospel (Acts 4:31; Romans 10:1) and for persons to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved plays a prominent role in Baptist evangelistic efforts. In fact, prayer ought to undergird every aspect of evangelism. Obstacles and Challenges to Evangelism The emphasis on and efforts by Baptists regarding evangelism are not without obstacles and challenges. Because of the vital importance of evangelism in helping persons to find salvation in Christ, Satan will attempt to disrupt evangelistic efforts. Apathy and indifferenceon the part of Christians certainly obstruct effective evangelism. The causes of such conditions are many, such as spiritual immaturity, lack of biblical understanding, and a backslidden condition. Fear plays a role in obstructing evangelism. Persons may fear failure, ridicule, rejection, and even hostile responses if they endeavor to evangelize. Such obstacles may be overcome by realizing that the Holy Spirit is part of efforts to share the gospel (Acts 4:31). Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would empower “witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit, not the person witnessing, brings conviction and commitment in the heart of the lost person. Doubtin the uniqueness of Christ for salvation can sabotage evangelistic efforts. Universalism (the belief that everyone will ultimately be saved), relativism (the belief that Christ is onlyawayandnot theway to salvation), and materialism (the belief that nothing exists except matter in motion and thus there is no spiritual salvation) are prevalent and undermine evangelism. Failureto embrace the importance of evangelism is another obstacle. This can result from an interpretation of the Bible that tends to undercut evangelistic effort. For example, some persons believe that God has determined who will be saved and who will be lost before they are born. They stress passages that relate to election, predestination, and foreordination so much that they fail to heed the biblical teaching about sharing the gospel with all persons everywhere (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; Romans 10:12-15). Jesus declared, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16) and the apostle Paul wrote, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). The Bible teaches both the sovereignty of God and the freedom of choice of human beings. Although these two may seem contradictory, God says that his thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:6-9). Thus the followers of Christ have a responsibility to be involved in evangelism. then cometh aring, earing eword God.” ns 10:17
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