"Evangelism" is a popular word in religion today. However, if you consider the methods used under the banner of "evangelism," it would be better to call such activity, "proselytism." What's the difference? Evangelism is to do the work of an evangelist. Paul wrote Timothy saying, "...do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry," (2 Timothy 4:5). The work of an evangelist is nothing more or less than making plain the Gospel (the evangel) before men and women of this world. The goal is not to fill the churches or to get people to walk aisles or say the sinner's prayer in order to have an impressive membership. It is not to preach sermons on morality in order to try to make people live better. It is not preaching a mixed brew of justification and salvation by the works of the law, as if man's contribution is required to make the work of Christ complete. To evangelize is to declare to sinners of this world the peace, pardon, righteousness, life, and salvation that is by Jesus Christ alone, and through the free grace of God, Romans 3:23-28. The work of making it effectual to the heart is that of the Spirit of God, which like the wind, blows as He pleases, according to the eternal decree of God the Father, John 3:8, Acts 13:48.

Proselytism is merely to recruit someone to join one's party, institution or cause. Sadly, this is what many are doing today under the name of "Christianity." Our Lord said of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:15 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." So many have done nothing but change from one form of religion to another, still ignorant of the answer to the question, "How can God be just and justify the ungodly?" They still retain their old heart and ways. In changing religious communities they may add some new teaching or experience to the old which has never produced a righteousness acceptable to God, and they go on to their own eternal ruin in ignorance and darkness of the righteousness of Christ, Romans 10:3. To their former heathenism, they simply add a new form of idolatry (any false notion of God). Both being equally as bad, this only makes them more and more deserving of hell, and prejudiced against Christ, and his Gospel. Cain stood in serf-righteous opposition to Abel. Works religion will always be at enmity with the Gospel of grace and therefore the God of grace. Child of God or proselyte of religion? Which?