Friendship Evangelism

Do we have to be a close and personal friend of someone to share the Gospel with them? Must we earn the right before sharing? I must admit I used to believe so. When I first became a Christian I was excited and zealous to share with my close friends and family what Jesus was doing in my life. I had no idea how to bring it up, so I went out and bought my first cross necklace that I purposely wore on the outside of my shirt. Doing this I thought the person would notice therefore THEY would bring it up and then I could tell them all the wonderful things He was doing in my new found faith. Sad, I know. Big surprise that didn't work out as I planned. Then I put a Jesus fish on my car thinking, "yeah, that will do it!." Wrong again. Jesus bumper sticker? Nope, didn't work. Cool Christian T-Shirt? Nothing. Whats wrong with these people? Don't they see my light shining? Don't they see the hope that lies within me? 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to "always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." (my paraphrase)  
So in my immaturity in the faith that was what I was supposed to do. Make friends and then wait for them to ask about my hope. Just wait. Any time now they will ask whats different about me and I will be ready. Any time now.........

That's the problem with friendship evangelism is that if we wait to long that friend may pass into eternity. They may not have tomorrow. One of my favorite evangelists, Tony Miano, once said "friendship evangelism is not friendship, nor evangelism." Tony recently wrote a in depth article on the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) website looking at friendship evangelism and its supposed support from 1 Peter 3:15. I highly recommend you check it out. 

In the article Tony does a beautiful exegesis of the passage. In it he states 

"Using the basic hermeneutic principles of observation, near and far context, historical context, and an understanding of the writer’s intent, it is obvious that 1 Peter 3:15 has nothing whatsoever to do with “friendship evangelism.” And any effort to use 1 Peter 3:15 as a proof-text for “friendship evangelism” requires the application of eisegesis1 to the Scripture."

He goes on to explain the intended audience or recipients of the letter from Peter, who were the "elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia." "Peter did not write to Christians who were well-liked, popular, and readily accepted in their communities." " Peter wrote to Christians who were living and dying for their faith, and were being persecuted."

Looking at the far and near context of 1 Peter 3:8-17, Tony continues on to show that,

"In 1 Peter 3 :15, Peter is not describing a relational conversation ( ie. friendship evangelism)  between an unbeliever and a Christian. Rather, Peter is preparing his readers to stand firm in the faith, to be ready to valiantly testify that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior -- the very hope that was in them -- in the face of persecutory opposition and hatred. Peter’s has an eye upon his readers’ likely persecution and potential martyrdom. He does not have an eye upon his readers’ ability to make friends with unsaved people."

But most importantly the article discusses the one part of the verse, that most who use this scripture for support of friendship evangelism, leaves out. And to find that part out your going to have read this all important article for yourself here. 

While you are over at CARM I highly suggest you look at the rest of Tony Miano's articles and the vast amount of information that CARM offers that will help you in your defense of the Christian Faith!

What I have personally learned is always do your homework before taking one verse out of context and my experience has taught me that I and you do not have to earn the right to share the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ with a friend or even a stranger for that matter. You can form a friendship with anyone in just a few minutes, be kind and loving and as the verse of 1 Peter 3:15 ends, share with them using "gentleness and respect."
So be that voice of one crying in the wilderness and go share your faith today because there is no promise of tomorrow!
Grace, love, and peace
Steven