By Ptr. Elmer P. dela Peña and Haykie Tenorio
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Three aspects - kerygma, koinonia, and diakonia, should be integrated in our work of evangelism. Only so, are our methods of evangelism justified.
The kerygma is the proclamation that the shalom has come. Christ is there. We have not to look for another. We have entered upon the last days of total renewal. But, with the kerygma alone, in isolation, the evangelist soon becomes a more or less interesting orator. He needs the manifestation of the koinonia of which he is a part, and he has to justify himself as a witness of the Messiah-Servant in his diakonia.
The koinonia manifests the shalom, as it is present among men. But we need the continuous reminder of the kerygma, the interpretation of this shalom as the salvation of the Messiah, and the diakonia should prevent this shalom from being used in a self-sufficient way.
The diakonia translates the shalom into the language of humble service. But if we isolate this diakonia or give it an undue emphasis, then the evangelist soon becomes a sentimental philanthropist. He must never forget that he cannot render real service if he deprives man of the kerygma and leaves him outside the koinonia.
My insight on the reading reinforces my belief that it is easier and more rapid to do evangelism if every believer helps each other whatever denomination they belong. If we notice the prayer of Jesus in John 17:20-21, “20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me”. Jesus wants us to experience unity so that the world will believe that Jesus is from God. If Christians cannot be unified, then we are not approaching one another in love. And we cannot be a good witness for Christ if we are bickering with one another.
One of the things that most impresses the world is the way Christians love each other and live together in harmony, So then evangelism is easy to do and the church will grow not only in quantity but also in quality.
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The kerygma is the proclamation that the shalom has come. Christ is there. We have not to look for another. We have entered upon the last days of total renewal. But, with the kerygma alone, in isolation, the evangelist soon becomes a more or less interesting orator. He needs the manifestation of the koinonia of which he is a part, and he has to justify himself as a witness of the Messiah-Servant in his diakonia.
The koinonia manifests the shalom, as it is present among men. But we need the continuous reminder of the kerygma, the interpretation of this shalom as the salvation of the Messiah, and the diakonia should prevent this shalom from being used in a self-sufficient way.
The diakonia translates the shalom into the language of humble service. But if we isolate this diakonia or give it an undue emphasis, then the evangelist soon becomes a sentimental philanthropist. He must never forget that he cannot render real service if he deprives man of the kerygma and leaves him outside the koinonia.
My insight on the reading reinforces my belief that it is easier and more rapid to do evangelism if every believer helps each other whatever denomination they belong. If we notice the prayer of Jesus in John 17:20-21, “20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me”. Jesus wants us to experience unity so that the world will believe that Jesus is from God. If Christians cannot be unified, then we are not approaching one another in love. And we cannot be a good witness for Christ if we are bickering with one another.
One of the things that most impresses the world is the way Christians love each other and live together in harmony, So then evangelism is easy to do and the church will grow not only in quantity but also in quality.
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