What is an Evangelist?

Written by: Andrew Friesen on 6/27/2010

What do you think of when you hear the word evangelist?  Some people might picture someone in a flashy suit talking about nothing but money and special anointings. Others may think of someone wagging their finger at people telling them everything that’s wrong with them.  It makes me wonder if any ordinary person could actually relate or even be interested in what these so called evangelists preach.  What does the Bible have to say about evangelists?

The word evangelist appears only a few times in the Bible. Eph 4:11-12 says, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." It's interesting that evangelists are listed right in the middle of the 5 ministries of the church.  They are gifts of God to the church for the purpose of edifying and building up the church.  So here we see what evangelists actually do.  They build up the church of Jesus Christ and don’t tear it down.  They encourage and don’t discourage.  Praise God!

You can also find the word evangelist in Acts 21:8.  It says that Phillip was an evangelist.  So because we know that Phillip was an evangelist we can then look at Phillips’ ministry and see pratically what evangelists actually do and how they do it.  

"Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8:5-8)

Phillip preached CHRIST to a city that did not belong to the Christian religion.  He did not speak politics.  He did not talk about his special gifts or anointing. He did not instruct them on everything they had to do.  He did not even tell them everything that was wrong with them.  Instead, he told them what was RIGHT with JESUS.  This is what a true evangelist will do.  They lift up and glorify Jesus Christ.  In front of crowds and one on one.  Philip shared Jesus with an Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:35 "Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus."  That's an evangelist.  It's a joy to share Jesus not a job.  As well, there were signs and wonders that followed the preaching of Phillip.  A true evangelist will demonstrate the power of God so that people’s faith will be in the power of God and not human wisdom.  1 Cor. 2:4-5 says, "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." And lastly, the result was there was GREAT JOY in that city.  Isn’t this the kingdom of God?  “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17)

Philips ministry INSPIRED the church.  "When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. Acts 8:14"  Do you see it?  Phillip encouraged Peter and John.  How?  By his life.  By what they heard.  They saw God’s love working in and through Philip for the world.  They were touched by God's love for all people and decided to partner with Philip in reaching the lost.  That’s an evangelist.  Someone filled with the Holy Spirit who preaches Jesus Christ with signs and wonders following.  Lost souls are saved,  miracles happen, the Holy Spirit is poured out, and the church of Jesus Christ is built up for the glory of God.  Your thoughts?  -Andrew