Evangelist
The Meaning of Evangelist
The word "evangelist" comes from the Greek word euangelistes, meaning "one who brings good news" or "a bearer of good tidings." It is related to the familiar word euangelion (gospel), which means "good news." While many different people in the New Testament proclaim the gospel, the title of evangelist designates a specific role and gifting within the body of Christ. The evangelist is someone particularly equipped and called to announce the message of salvation to those who have not yet heard it.
Evangelists Named in the New Testament
The New Testament identifies specific individuals as evangelists. Philip, one of the seven deacons chosen to serve the Jerusalem church (Acts 6:5), is explicitly called "Philip the evangelist" (Acts 21:8). His ministry provides a clear picture of what an evangelist does: he traveled to Samaria and preached Christ with great effect (Acts 8:5-8), explained the gospel to the Ethiopian official on the road to Gaza (Acts 8:26-40), and settled in Caesarea, where he continued his ministry. Timothy, who served as a pastor and Paul's trusted companion, was also instructed to "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Timothy 4:5), suggesting that even those whose primary role was pastoral should actively share the gospel.
The Evangelist as a Distinct Ministry Office
Paul listed the evangelist as a specific gift given by Christ to the church: "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephesians 4:11-12). In this list, the evangelist stands between the prophet and the pastor-teacher, suggesting a ministry that bridges the work of initial proclamation and ongoing spiritual formation. While apostles and prophets established the foundation of the church, evangelists extended its reach by bringing the message to new audiences and territories.
The Evangelist's Distinctive Work
The evangelist differs from the pastor-teacher in focus and function. While the pastor-teacher nurtures and instructs established believers, the evangelist concentrates on reaching those who do not yet know Christ. The evangelist is characteristically mobile, traveling to different locations to proclaim the gospel rather than staying in one place. The early church saw this pattern when persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem and "those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (Acts 8:4). Philip's ministry exemplifies this itinerant pattern, moving from Jerusalem to Samaria to the Gaza road to Caesarea.
The Title Applied to Gospel Writers
In later church history, the title "evangelist" came to be applied to the four authors of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This usage, which developed after the New Testament period, recognized that the written Gospels served the same function as the spoken proclamation of the evangelist, telling the story of Jesus to those who had not witnessed the events firsthand. The Gospels bear a similar relationship to the Epistles as the evangelist bears to the pastor-teacher: the Gospels announce the good news, while the Epistles explain and apply it.
The Calling to Evangelize
While the New Testament identifies the evangelist as a specific office, the task of sharing the gospel belongs to every believer. God himself was the first evangelist, for he "announced the gospel in advance to Abraham" (Galatians 3:8). Jesus preached the gospel throughout his ministry (Luke 20:1), and Paul proclaimed it with tireless energy (Romans 1:15). The Great Commission given to all disciples, "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19), extends the evangelistic responsibility to the entire church, even as some are specially gifted and called to this work.
Biblical Context
The term evangelist appears three times in the New Testament. Philip is called an evangelist in Acts 21:8, and his ministry is described in Acts 8. Timothy is told to do the work of an evangelist in 2 Timothy 4:5. The office of evangelist is listed among Christ's gifts to the church in Ephesians 4:11. The related verb for proclaiming good news is used extensively throughout Acts and the Epistles, indicating that evangelistic activity was central to the early church's mission.
Theological Significance
The office of evangelist demonstrates that Christ himself equips and sends people to spread the gospel. The distinction between evangelist and pastor-teacher shows that the church's mission includes both outward proclamation and inward edification. The fact that Paul instructs Timothy, a pastor, to do the work of an evangelist reminds church leaders that evangelism is never optional, even for those primarily engaged in teaching and shepherding. The evangelist embodies the missionary nature of the church, which exists not for its own sake but to bring the good news to every person.
Historical Background
In the early centuries of Christianity, itinerant evangelists played a crucial role in the expansion of the faith across the Roman Empire. The Didache, a first-century Christian document, describes traveling teachers and prophets who visited local congregations. By the second and third centuries, the title 'evangelist' became increasingly associated with the four Gospel writers. The function of the evangelist, as one who brings the initial message to unreached people, has continued throughout church history in various forms, from medieval missionary monks to modern evangelistic movements.