I. What Is An Evangelist? What Does This Person Do?
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A. Definitions: Euaggelistes -- a preacher of the gospel. Euaggelizo— “to announce good news,” from eu, “well” + angelos, “messenger” (from, ago, “to lead; bring; drive; go; induce”).
B. Smith’s Bible Dictionary says:
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1) “( Publisher of glad tidings)An order of men in the Christian Church. They were not attached to any particular locality but worked wherever there was a field, by preaching or writing. Philip and Timothy and the four, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John are examples.” (Heb. KOHELETH) “A public instructor of the Gospel.” (Preacher) (Minister). (Heb. MESHARETH) “One who serves another; the term to distinguish from master; Solomon’s servants and ministers. ‘Moses rose up and his minister Joshua.’ He who administers an office. Gods ministers.” “Ministers of Christ.” "Christ came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” Minister “of the circumcision.”
2. PHILLIP THE EVANGELIST. A resident (in the latter part of his life) of Cesarea where He had A wife and family, of whom 4 daughters are mentioned as singers. He was one of the Seven deacons of the Church in Judaea . After Stephen was stoned he went to Samaria, where he baptized the magician Simeon. From there he was sent by Peter to Gaza and on the way (at Ain Karem?) he baptized the Ethiopian eunuch. His tour extended from Azotus to Caesarea, where he settled and was visited by Paul, Agabus and others. His death is not recorded.
3. TIMOTHY. Is first mentioned in Acts 16:1 where he is described as the son of a Greek by a Jewish mother. The father’s name is unknown; his mother’s was Eunice and his grandmother’s Lois. The family resided either at Derbe or Lystra, which is uncertain. He became a disciple of Paul during his first visit to Lystra, AD. 48, and was his friend and companion in his journeys and shared for a time his imprisonment at Rome and left him at Ephestus to continue his work, He possessed the confidence and affection of Paul.
C. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
- 1. EUANGELISTES = Literally, “a messenger of good (eu, “well,”
+ angelos, “a messenger”), denotes a preacher of the Gospel, Acts 21:8; Ephesians 4:11, which makes clear the distinctiveness of the function in the churches: 2 Timothy 4:5.”
2. EUANGELIZO, “to proclaim glad tidings,” and EUANGELION, “good news, gospel.” Missionaries are evangelists since they are essentially preachers of the gospel.
D. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon—”A bringer of good tidings, an evangelist . . . This name is given in the N.T. to those heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles: Acts 21:8; Ephesians. 4:11;
2 Tim. 4:5.”
E. Young’s Concordance— “One who announces good tidings”, Acts 21:8, Ephesians 4:11,2 Tim. 4:5.”
F. What Are the Biblical Qualifications of An Evangelist, If Any?
- 2 Timothy 4:1 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.”
(NIV) “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge.”
(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 and His kingdom.”
Paul starts off by charging Timothy; giving him his responsibilities. The Greek word is diamarturomai, “to attest or protest earnestly.” This was a direct responsibility of Timothy to carry out, not the duty of others. It comes from a Greek word which means “to be a witness, testify” (martureo). Thus, Paul highlights that being an evangelist means that God is attesting to and witnessing the work that you are about to undertake. He uses the term “therefore,” which simply means “certainly.” Certainly what? “Before” (enopion, “in the face of”) God! He is conveying that the charge to become one who does the work of an evangelist is accepted while standing in the face of God—looking God in the face with God looking back! What a sobering thought! God is watching to see how we carry out the work! But it is not just in the face of God, but also someone else—The Lord Jesus Christ. I hope that the picture of responsibility is becoming clear! It is a charge before the Witness that has created all things. it is a charge before the One who died for all mankind. It is a awesome responsibility! The two mentioned know how desperately this old world needs the gospel preached to it. They know how many or few years this world has left to turn. And they want to be witnesses to the Gospel preached by us as Evangelists. How do we view the charges from God and Christ?
Why is it significant that we look at the individuals that are bringing forth the charges? Because they shall judge! The word “judge” means “to try, distinguish, to condemn.” Thus we realize that we shall receive a greater condemnation. Who will be judged? The living and the dead when He comes back. Do not ever forget that He is coming back! The evangelist must work like the Lord is coming back! Is that how you have been carrying out the vocation you are a part of? (1 Corinthians 16:22; Ephesians 4:1) What will we say when Jesus appears? The evangelist must be the kind of person that looks for Christ to appear!
- 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.”
(RSV,) “preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching.”
(NIV) “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct rebuke and encourage --- with great patience and careful instruction.”
Next, Paul says that one must be “instant” (ephistemi, “to stand upon, be present”). We would say it today as “Stand up and be counted!” Jude says, “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3). What are we to stand up for? The Word and the preaching of it! When is it appropriate to stand up for the Word and the preaching of it? When it is in season, or as the Greek conveys, when it is well timed, when folks want to hear what you have to say! Sometimes we run into the people who actually want to know what the truth is! But there are other situations where people just do not want to hear the truth, but they need to!
Paul says “out of season” preaching is required by the evangelist also. What does he mean?
- • Out of season (akairos, “inopportunely”), (akaireomai, “to be inopportune; to fail of a proper occasion”).
- • Reprove (elegcho), “to confute; admonish (correct ).“
• Rebuke (epitimao), “to tax upon; censure; admonish.”
• Exhort (parakaleo), “to call near” it comes from the root word which conveys the idea of keleuo, “to incite by word.”
I really like the way that the Lord set this up for the evangelist. Preaching the gospel is to call folks closer or near to God! It is to excite them using the words of the gospel! How can we get folks excited about serving the Lord? Preach the Word! What happens when evangelists do not incite by word? You get a group of folks that have more important things to do than listen to the gospel. Something else incites them. We must realize that as evangelists.
What is the goal of this preaching? To give instructions in righteousness with patience.
- 2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”
(NIV,) “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
(RSV) “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.”
- · Sound (hugiairto, “to have sound health”; from hugies, “healthy; from auxamo, “to grow; enlarge”).
· Doctrine (didaskalia ,“instruction”).
· Own (idios, “pertaining to self”).
· Lusts (epithumia, “a longing”).
· Heap (KJV) (episoreuo, “to accumulate further”).
· Itching ears (knetho, “to scratch”). The thought is that if we are scratching our ears then we are distorting the hearing capability that we have. Simply put, we do not hear well when we are scratching our ears!
The evangelist must be keenly aware that not only will some people not want to hear the truth, but they will want to hear something! The evangelist must realize that usually the people that we preach to will be in one of two categories:
- (1) they will say “Tell me the truth and nothing else,”
(2) or “Tell me lies, fables, stories, and nothing else.”
“Turn away their. . .“ (apostrepho, “to turn away or back”). This phrase is used twice in this verse and comes from one word in the Greek. The first usage indicates that they would depart from the truth and turn again to the fables!
Fables (muthos, “a tale”). These have extreme popularity in our society these days. Look at the impact TV has had in our culture today. Millions of folks around the world want to hear about the “myths” that are portrayed on things like the soap operas, science fiction, and other melodramatic shows. Why what do you think would happen if one day they replaced the soaps with preaching of the truth? Ratings would plummet, sponsors would protest, and viewers would scamper to turn off their TVs! Today, for far too many folks, the rule is no fable no interest! Evangelists must realize what the competition is!
2 Timothy 4:5 “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
- (NIV) “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
(RSV) “As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
(NKJV) “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
“Watch” in the Greek conveys “clear thought.” Clear mindedness is required for one to function as an evangelist. The Greek shows that the partaking of wine distorts that clarity (nepho, “to abstain from wine”).[This would, by necessary inference, include anything (alcohol or drugs) that would make our mind not capable of “clear thought.”]
Next we are told that the evangelist must “endure afflictions.” This is one that you won’t hear taught on frequently, but none the less, it is a requirement! I’m not talking about where someone just made you mad. I am talking about doing as the Greek conveys—kakopatheo, “to undergo hardship” (from kakos, “worthless” + pathos, “suffering, passion”). The evangelist must put himself in a position to undergo hardship, suffering, and the passion of pain. How would Paul rate us as evangelists today?
The next term used by Paul is “toil” (ergon). This is representative of the migrant workers or a group that works in the field from sunrise to sunset—not the 9-5 work ethic that is followed today!
The key word in the verse is euaggelistes (“a preacher of the gospel”). It has a root word which helps us understand what is meant by the term “preacher”— euaggelizo, “to announce good news.”
How was the preaching to be done? What is the responsibility that Paul tells Timothy to take on? Timothy is to plerophoreo, “to carry out fully,” the duties and obligations laid upon him as a preacher of the gospel. The last part of this word is from phoreo, “to have a burden.” Is being an evangelist going to be the life of prestige and esteem from mankind? Not according to Paul!
What was Timothy to try to attain? He was to establish the trust and confidence so that the Word of God could be effective and have the necessary credibility! What about us today? Paul uses the word plerophoria, “entire confidence.” It is derived from the Greek word that we just looked at, plerophoreo, “to carry out fully.” How do we become effective as evangelists? By fully completing our mission to preach the gospel.
Here the evangelist is said to have a ministry, not just any ministry but “thy” (personal) “ministry” (diakonia, “attendance as a servant; aid; service”). You have a personal service that must be rendered. You must therefore have a personal commitment to serve and aid those in need of the gospel! You must “prove” (plerophoria, “entire confidence”) that you are a servant or aid to the Lord! Brethren, what does your personal commitment and service prove to the Lord?
Acts 21:8 “And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.”
- (NIV) “Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.”
(RSV) “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.”
As an evangelist, Phillip shows the importance of being hospitable. He must have recognized that there may be angels in his midst (cf. Hebrews 13:2) and so he took the company of folks into his dwelling. Here the word “evangelist” is euaggelistes (“a preacher of the gospel”). Thus we learn that he was a preacher of the gospel, but also that he was one of the Seven. In Acts, we read the following concerning this:
Acts 6:5 “And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.”
This was not a new practice for the people of God to use in putting forth leadership candidates for the work of the Lord. Listen to the writings aforetime (cf. Romans 15:4):
- Deuteronomy 1:13 “Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.”
1 Timothy 3:7 “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
The qualifications for being a leader were similar to the ones used in the New Testament. Let’s look at them for just a moment:
Old Testament (Deuteronomy 1:13)
- A. Take you wise men
B. Take you understanding men
C. Take you men known among your tribes
New Testament (Acts 6:3, 1 Timothy 3:1A. Look ye out from among you:
- 1. Select men of honest report
2. Select men full of the Holy Ghost
3. Select men full of wisdom
4. Select men of good report
III. Ordination: Is It Necessary? If So How Is It To Be Performed?
- A. ORDAIN, “To order, constitute, appoint, found, or establish, as priest deacon over a church.”
1. Hebrew
a. YASAD, “founded” in 1 Chronicles 9:22;
b. KUN, “to establish;”
c. MENAH, “to set or to number;”
d. NATHAN, “to give;”
e. AMAD, “to raise up;”
f. ARACA, “to set in order;”
g. PAAL, “work;”
h. KUM, “to confirm;”
i. SUM, “to appoint;”
j. SHAFATH, “to set;”
k. ASAH, “to make”
- 2. Greek
- a. Diatasso, “to arrange;
b. Kathistemi, “to place;”
c. Kataskouazo, “to prepare fully;”
d. Krino, “to separate;” and “to judge” (80+ times);
e. Horizo, “to bound;”
f. Poieo, “to make;”
g. Proorizo, “predetermine;”
h. Tasso, “to set in order;”
i. Tithemi, “to lay;”
j. Cheirotoneo, “to stretch;”
k. Ginomai, “to begin to be” (700 times in the NT);
1. Prographo, “to write before;”
m. Proetoimazo, “to appoint.”
Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
(NIV) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
The command is to “Go!” For the apostles, this is a responsibility that none was exempted from! “Go ye” is from poreuomai, “to traverse,” which is from peira, “a rest.”
The preaching of the gospel was a test or work that they had to constantly apply themselves towards to accomplish. The next thing said is “therefore” (oun, “certainly”)—it must be done! What must certainly get done? Teaching (matheteuo, “to become a pupil; to disciple”). Get done the work of making pupils and disciples! Make folks learners of what the gospel contains! What folks need to learn the gospel? All nations! Every one on this old earth! The Greek word for “nations” is ethnos (“a race; tribe”). This shows that no special group of folks are selected—all must submit to the gospel call!
The evangelist must practice baptism to be scripturally honoring his work responsibilities! Baptize is from baptizo (“to make fully wet,” from bapto, “to whelm; cover wholly with a fluid; to stain as with a dye”). Thus, he is not afraid of the saving power of water (1 Peter 3:21).
Evangelism is only sanctioned by the Lord if it is in His name, therefore, it is easy to see that the Lord will accept nothing less in the requirements that He has set for baptizing the learners of the gospel!
Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsover I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Luke 24:46-47 “And he said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
- · “Repentance” is from metanoia (“compunction; reversal;” from metanoeo, “to think differently;” from noieo, “to exercise the mind”).
· “Remission” is from aphesis (“freedom, pardon”).
· “Preach” is from kerusso (“to herald”).
The evangelist must preach the proper subject matter prescribed by Christ! What does this consist of?
- 1. Preaching repentance
2. Preaching remission of sin
3. Preaching to all of the world!
Luke 24:47-48 “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.”
John 4:35 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.”
(NIV) “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? 1 tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
The evangelist must have the ability to look at the fields and recognize a mature crop. The evangelist must know when to look at the fields. The evangelist must want to harvest the fruit. The evangelist must learn there is more fruit to harvest than there are harvesters!
Luke 10:2 “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:37 “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.”
John 4:36 “And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”
(NIV) “Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.”
(RSV) “He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.”
The KJV indicates here that one who reaps or harvests a crop gets pay for services. He then says in addition that the one who gets paid also does something else, what is it? He “gathereth fruit!” The Greek here means “to lead together.” Thus one that gets paid to work, works in leading along with others of the faith. The evangelist that works knows that his labor is not in vain in the Lord! By carrying out the duty of gathering fruit for eternal life, the evangelist can bring joy to himself and to the sower also. Both may rejoice in eternity!
1 Corinthians 3:8 “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.”
2 John 1:8 “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”
James 5:20 "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
John 4:37 “And herein is that saying true, ‘One soweth, and another reaps ’is true."
(NIV) "Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true."
(RSV) “For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’
The evangelist must understand that if he continues to sow the seed of the kingdom he will see the benefits. This does not mean that he will be the one who does the reaping. Two examples: I had some studies with two men who seemed to understand the gospel. On a Sunday morning, one man and his wife came forward to be baptized after a lesson by another brother. I was overjoyed that they obeyed the gospel. In the other situation, I studied and studied with certain persons with no results. Finally, I moved out of the city, and the first Sunday that I was gone they obeyed the gospel. I greatly rejoiced at the news!
John 4:38 “I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”
(NW) “I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
(RSV) “I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”
As an evangelist, you do not have to create the efforts from scratch; we have the one who has laboured already, Jesus Christ the Righteous. He has done the hard work (kopiao, “to feel fatigue”)! The evangelist is only reaping the benefits of Christ’s labour! For example, think of how nice it would be if someone offered you a job stacking heavy objects all day long and they agreed to pay you $25 per hour. When you came to work you found all of the objects stacked already, arid the supervisor said, “I already stacked them up for you. All you have to do is straighten them up and I will still pay you $25 per hour.” You would be thrilled, and if that happened every day you would think about how good you really have it! But that’s just what Jesus has done for the evangelist! This thing was not done in a corner! Jesus was not kept secret! Most folks have heard of Him! He has done the hard work for us! We have it So good!
John 15:27 “And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.”
John 4:39 (NIV) “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’”
(RSV) “Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’”
Here, the substantial religious awakening was caused by a woman with an evangelistic attitude, that we evangelists sometimes lack or let grow dim. How often do we let slide by us the opportunities to tell someone that “He told me all that ever I did.” How was her evangelistic attitude manifest to others? By word (logos, “something said, including the thought”). We must speak tip as a witness for Christ for a religious awakening to result!
The evangelist must have the following qualifications:
- 1. He must be sound in the faith! (1 Timothy 1:19).
2. He must be apt to teach (2 Timothy 2:24).
3. He must be sound in doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16; Titus 2:1).
4. He must be an example of good works (1 Timothy 4:12).
5. He must show zeal in using gifts possessed (1 Timothy 4:14;
2 Timothy 1:6).
6. He must have courage to rebuke sin (1 Timothy 5:20).
7. He must be willing to endure persecution (2 Timothy 2:3).
8. He must strive to fulfill all of the responsibilities of the work
(2 Timothy 2:15-22).
The following verses highlight other responsibilities and examples that we should consider when we are examining the vast responsibilities of the work of an evangelist!
- Acts 5:20 “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
(NIV) “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said “and tell the people the full message of this new life.”
(RSV) “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”
The angel was clear about the expectations that God had of the apostles in that day! Go and stand in the temple! Why? To speak to folks all the words of this life! We must tell people about this life to win them to Christ! When was the last time that you went and stood in the another religious organization’s building and told folks the words of this life? Have you ever done this before?
Acts 10:42 “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”
- Acts 22:15 “For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.”
Acts 26:16 “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee.”
Romans 1:15 “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.”
I Corinthians 9:1 6-17 “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.”
2 Corinthians 4:5 “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
2 Corinthians 5:14 “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:”
2 Corinthians 5:18 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
Ephesians 3:8-9 “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”
2 Timothy 4:5 “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
Ephesians 6:20 “For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4 “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”
2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
2 Timothy 4:1-2 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
2 Timothy 4:5 “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
2 Peter 1:16 “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
In conclusion, there are numerous duties that we haven’t even touched on but I hope that we will always remember that indeed the harvest is plenteous but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore . . . And do the work of an evangelist!
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