A) INTRODUCTION.

B) DUTIES.

C) SERVICES.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

 

The best Biblical help for a definition of what is an “Evangelist,” is found in Ephesians 4:11:  “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”  The Greek form of this word for “evangelists,” being, “euaggelion,” which is ordinarily translated as “Gospel.”  The exception is, that here it designates one who “announces” the Gospel to others, i.e., “a bringer of good tidings” (see Luke 2:10 & 1Th. 3:6 where “euaggelion” is used as that).

 

 

B) DUTIES

 

 

Literally however, it is God Himself Who is an evangelist, for He, “preached the Gospel beforehand unto Abraham,” Galatians 3:8.  Jesus Christ was an evangelist, for He also, “preached the Gospel,” Luke 20:1.  Paul was an evangelist as well as an Apostle (see Rom. 1:15).  Philip, the deacon, was also an evangelist (see Acts 21:8; more popularly known as an evangelist; see also Acts 8:40).  And Timothy, the pastor, was also an evangelist (see 2Ti. 4:5).  Indeed, all the early disciples were “Evangelists,” for upon being driven out of Jerusalem, they, “went everywhere preaching the Word,” Acts 8:4.

 

By contrast, Ephesians 4:11 teaches that one particular order of the ministry, distinguished from every other, is singled out by the Head of the Church for this work in a distinctive sense.  All may possess the gift of an evangelist in a measure, and be obligated to exercise its privilege and duty, but some are specially endued with it, i.e., “He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”

 

It will be seen, that as an orderly ministry progresses, the “Evangelist” precedes that of the pastor and teacher; a fact which harmonizes with the character of the work.  However, each is still recognized as doing a portion of the work of an “Evangelist.”

 

The Evangelist has no fixed place of residence, but moves about in different localities, preaching the Gospel to those ignorant of it before.  As these are converted and united to Jesus Christ by faith, the work of the pastor and teacher begins, to instruct them further in the things of Christ and build them up in the faith.  The Evangelist founded the Church; the teacher builts It up in the faith.

 

 

C) SERVICES

 

 

At a later time, the name of “Evangelist” was given the writers of the four Gospels, because they tell of the story of the Gospel, and because of the effect of their promulgation at the beginning, which was very much like the work of the preaching Evangelist.  In character, the Gospels bear something of the same relation to the Epistles as “Evangelists” bear to pastors and teachers.

 

An Evangelist is a “publisher of glad tidings,” (see Luke 1:19; 8:1; Acts 13:32; Rom. 10:15).  Considered as a missionary preacher of the Gospel; judging from the case of Philip, Evangelists had neither the authority of an apostle, nor the gift of prophecy, nor the responsibility of pastoral supervision over a portion of the flock (although not restricted from; just not their primary obligation; which should be to Evangelism).  They were itinerant preachers, having it as their special function to carry the Gospel to places where it was previously unknown.  The irregular Evangelist prepared the way for the regular “pastor.”  The Evangelists preached the glad news, the salvation of sinners, and the Biblical doctrines as set forthcoming from which prepared the way for the pastorate.  It was therefore a work, rather than an order, or set office of the Church.

 

In the New Testament, the “Evangelists” appear on the one hand, after the “apostles” and “prophets;” and on the other hand, before the “pastors” and “teachers” (Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11).  Meaning, they probably stood between the two in service to the Church.  We can then think of it in terms that they were to go to places where people where to be “Evangelized” into the message of the Church; while on the other hand, the Church itself was to be given the message as a revitalization of those things it holds dear.  With the invitation to the community, the Church is connected to the community, and seeks to have them come out and listen to the message of Its Evangelist.  However, just to be clear, the work of the “Evangelist” is the proclamation of the glad tidings to those who have not previously known them, rather than the instruction and pastoral care of those who have believed and been baptized.

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