EVANGELIST
1. Listed only one time: Eph. 4.11 - euangelistās
A. From euangelidzo, which means to announce or
proclaim
good (news).
B. Thus, a proclaimer or messenger of good news
C. Mentioned also at Acts 21.8. Philip the evangelist.
D. And at 2 Tim. 4.5 - do the work of an evangelist.
1. Timothy, who is probably an exhorter or
pastor, is
instructed to also work with the unbelievers.
2. Most of his activity is in connection with organizing
local churches and visiting already existing ones.
3. be sober: nāpho, present active imperative, be
balanced.
The emphasis is on soul disposition and attitude.
4. endure hardship: kakopatheo, aorist active imperative.
The verb means to endure harmful things (kakos).
The emphasis is on specific encounters with persecution pressure.
5. Do the work: poieo, aorist active imperative.
The emphasis is on specific points of contact with unbelievers.
6. Fulfill your ministry: plarophoreo, aorist active imperative
+ diakonia.
The emphasis is on fulfillment in the area of his spiritual gift. (The
diakonia --service-- of you).
2. The function of the evangelist:
A. Based on the word: a messenger of good news
1. context concerning Philip: ministry to unbelievers
2. context of 2 Timothy: ministry to unbelievers.
B. Based on the context of Eph. 4.11:
1. The apostle: 2 Cor. 11.28, concern over all the churches.
a. Mt. 16.18-19
b. Mt. 18.18
2. The prophet: 1 Cor. 14.3, pre-canon communication gift.
3. Pastor-teacher: 1 Pet. 5.1-3; Heb. 13.7, 17
4. Thus, the evangelist is a minister to unbelievers.
C. Based on the verb usage: 55 times
Proclamation of God's good news for relationship and fellowship with emphasis
on entrance into the family of God.
1. Mt. 11.5 5. Rom. 10.13-15
2. Acts 5.42 6. 1 Gor. 15.1-3
3. Acts 8.12 7. 1 Pet. 1.23-25
4. Acts 8.25
D. Based on the noun usage: 77 times
The message of salvation as provided by the work of Christ.
1. Mk. 1.15 5. 2 Th. 1.8
2. Acts 15.7 6. 1 Pet. 4.17
3. Rom. 1.16 7. Rev. 14.6-7
4. Eph. 1.13
3. Example of Philip:
A. His recognized title based on his gift. Acts 21.8
B. Acts 8.5-13, Ministry at Samaria
C. Acts 8.26-39 Philip and the Ethiopian
v. 26 - Divine guidance for evangelistic activity.
v. 27-29 Contact -
v. 27 - Gentile proselyte to Judaism normally considered a "God-fearer."
v. 30, Philip's point of contact -
Do you understand - ginosko, present active indicative
v. 31, The Ethiopian's response
1. How could I be able, dunamai - present middle optative
(I wish I could, but I don't see how it is possible)
2. Unless: ean mā - recognizes the need
3. someone guides me: hodāgeo, future active
indicative.
He recognizes the mechanics.
v. 32-33, The Old Testament scripture - Is. 53.7-8
v. 34, The man's desire to learn
v. 35, Philip's message. He proclaimed Jesus to him.
euangelidzo, aorist middle indicative
v. 36, included the issue of water baptism as a dedication
to truth.
1. Indicates that enough truth was taught so he could
understand the issues.
2. Principle found in Acts 2.36-41.
The ritual of baptism indicates an initial victory in the separation test.
Baptism functioned as an overt identification with Christians.
V. 37, not in the older manuscripts.
V. 38, The ritual of baptism - immersion
V. 39, went on his way rejoicing (chairo) present active
part.
D. v. 40 with Acts 21.8, Philip settles in
Ceasarea.
This is the last we hear of him.
E. "The traditions concerning Philip are conflicting
and uncertain." Unger.
4. Contrast evangelist and teacher
A. Desire: The evangelist is burdened to win souls.
The teacher is burdened to build up believers.
B. The evangelist deals primarily with unbelievers, whereas
the teacher deals with believers.
C. The evangelist deals with teaching evangelism
(ie,
the Gospel) whereas the teacher deals with teaching
the whole counsel.
D. At times the evangelist does the work of the teacher
and the teacher does the work of the evangelist. 2 Tim. 4.5
E. The evangelist, however, is not to pastor a local church
for any length of time. He should find a teacher to
be the pastor, or an exhorter until a pastor can be established.
F. The evangelist visits and makes many and varied contacts
among the unbelievers of a local community.
The teacher does not visit. His ministry is concentrated
in one (possibly two or three) location where he devotes his energies and
time to believers.
G. The evangelist uses much one on one ministry.
The teacher will use very little one on one, but ministers in public assembly
under the doctrine of privacy.
H. The evangelist, looking at the Word of God from the
perspective of his gift, will always make application to winning of souls.
The teacher will make application to building up others.
5. The Occupational Hazards of the gift.
A. Trying to make everybody else an evangelist.
Over emphasis on soul winning.
B. Thus, stressing ambassadorship as the prime purpose
of the Christian life.
C. Not studying the whole counsel, but only such passages
as can be applied directly to the unbeliever.
D. Also, not studying at all, but having a handful of
"canned" messages that he uses over and over again.
E. Not having a home church under the authority of a pastor-teacher
as his guide through truth.
F. Thus, forming an independent "evangelistic"
organization without the check and balance system of all 7 spiritual gifts.
G. Falling into operation Christian
celebrity-ship.
1. promoting yourself as the No. 1 this or that.
2. I've done such and such; 14 trips to the holy land.
3. I've got x number of converts to my credit.
4. Television/radio promotion and ministry.
H. Once you organize you leave yourself open to ecumenical
compromise.
6. The message of evangelism as exemplified in the book
of Acts.
A. Provides the information for the Holy Spirit to fulfill
Jn. 16:9-11 (sin, righteousness and judgment).
B. Acts 10.42-43, proselytes to Judaism.
They were God-fearers but were not saved (v. 11.14).
C. Acts 13.32-39, 43, Jews and proselytes
D. 16.30-33, Gentiles
E. 17.2-4, Jews and proselytes
F. 17.22-31, 34, Gentiles
G. 18.5, Jews
H. 24.24-27, Gentiles
I. 26.22-28, Gentiles
J. 28.23-24, 30-31
7. Two types of evangelist:
A. Missionary evangelist: He goes away from home to evangelize
and start churches. Philip at Acts 8.4-5
B. Local evangelist: stays local and brings new converts
into his local church. Philip at Acts 21.8 w/ 10.40
8. Principles for identification of this gift.
A. Remember that every believer will have an initial desire
to share his new found faith with others. And this will naturally increase
as he learns more and more truth.
B. But for the non-evangelist, this desire will mellow
out and be replaced with a more intense desire in the area of his actual
gift.
C. So the indication to the evangelist is an intensity
of desire to give others the gospel. This desire becomes the focal point
of every aspect of his Christian experience.
D. The desire and the ability from God fed by consistent
spiritual growth will produce soul-winning results.
E. Church leadership and even other believers will recognize
the evangelistic emphasis in the life of the person with this gift.
