Congregational Evangelism in Philippians: The Centrality of an Appeal for Gospel Proclamation to the Fabric of Philippians

Did Paul want his congregations to pick up the ministry of evangelism or did he envisage himself and other ‘specialist’ proclaimers continuing the ministry of the gospel? Dr. Keown begins by outlining the contours of differing responses to this question ranging from exclusively ‘specialist’ evangelism to believers’ full participation in evangelic mission. He then explores the question through exegetical analysis of Philippians. He argues persuasively that one essential element of the rhetorical appeal of the letter is an injunction to the believers in Philippi to continue to preach the gospel with renewed unity and in the face of pagan opposition. He suggests that Paul envisaged ‘specialist proclaimers’ leading the evangelical mission and equipping ‘general believers’ to share the gospel as one dimension of living in the world.