Evangelists

by Wayne Blank

Evangelist, from the Greek word meaning announcer of good news, was generally used for someone who proclaimed The Gospel in places where it was previously unknown - such work becoming known as evangelism. While an evangelist was designated as a specific type of service (Ephesians 4:11), apostles, deacons and others were evangelists by means of their teaching ministries e.g. Philip, one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5-6), was an evangelist (Acts 21:8). The writers of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John also later became known as the Evangelists (see also Luke, Mark and The Apostle John). Some have even referred to Jesus Christ as an evangelist.

The specific Scriptural references to evangelists in The Bible:

"When we had finished the voyage from Tyre [see Paul's Third Missionary Journey], we arrived at Ptolemais; and we greeted the brethren and stayed with them for one day. On the morrow we departed and came to Caesarea; and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. And he had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied." (Acts 21:7-9 RSV)

"And His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints [see What Is A Saint?] for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ [see Christian Living], until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love." (Ephesians 4:11-16 RSV)

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing [see The Return Of Jesus Christ] and His Kingdom [see The Kingdom of God]: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths [see Sweet Nuthins']. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which The Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:1-8 RSV)

Fact Finder: What was the message that John The Baptist preached?
Matthew 3:1-2

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