Good point how 2 distinctive Evangelists, as onedoes get used to come in and revive, such as a Whitefielf/Graham, wile oters stay in area and teachand raise up spirtal leadership...I tend to think of an evangelist as what we now call a missionary. And what we call an evangelist as a revivalist (but I won't quibble about nomenclature).
A Revivalist not only preaches the gospel (mass evangelism, as John pointed out) but also preaches the revival necessary (again, as John pointed out) for personal evangelism. And he thus is a great encouragement and blessing to the local church. One evangelist friend of mine, after telling him the above, told me, "Yes, I am a missionary sent to encourage and strengthen the churches." I thought that was a great answer!
The work of the Missionary/Evangelist is much more difficult than the work of the Evangelist/Revivalist as the Missionary/Evangelist (usually) lacks a local church to encourage and support him in his initial efforts. It is his job to start and nurture that local church and encourage the members to read, pray, and grow in grace so they can then take over the job of personal evangelism.
But that's just me.
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What Is an Evangelist?
- Thread starter John of Japan
- Start date
You actually think I would ignore Mark 16:15 throughout my 46 years preaching and 33 years as a missionary?? On the contrary, I hold to all five statements of the Great Commission (do you?), and have done detailed studies on all of them.
But that is not the question. The question is, what is your view of the Biblical evangelist? In particular, how do you find a Biblical distinction between a lay and pro evangelist?
I do the work of evangelism as outlined in Mark 16:15. I do not hold the office of evangelist.
Okay, you're doing better, now that you've referenced the book of Timothy. Let's talk about doing the work of an evangelist as per how Paul exhorted Timothy. What would that include? Shouldn't that be cross-referenced to Eph. 4?
(Have to go. I'll be back Monday.)
Witnessing to lost people is a part of the duties.
Evangelist - JoJ is working through a bible study with us. Work with him. At the end of it, whether you two, or any of us, end up agreeing or not, YOU will be better educated, prepared, and sharpened for the things God has planned for you.
He asked about Ephesians 4 with regards to evangelists. What do you think?
He asked about Ephesians 4 with regards to evangelists. What do you think?
That's pretty plain. But that is for all believers, not just evangelists. I note that Mark's target audience for his Great Commission statement is simply "the eleven." They are not even called apostles or disciples as in other GC statements. I believe this is because they are backslidden at this point, doubting the resurrection.
Having said that, you said, "Witnessing to lost people," but the Markan GC says to give the Gospel. To witness is to simply tell your story (cf. Luke's GC in 24:48). In Mark's GC you must give the Gospel, which of course is defined carefully by Paul (1 Cor. 15:1-8).
But back to the topic of evangelist. What else must an evangelist do, referencing especially Eph. 4:11-12)?
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11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
We see here that an Evangelist plays an integral part in the Local Church Assembly. He, as well as the Pastor, Equips the Saints for the Work of the Ministry, that is Spreading the Gospel, Making Disciples. He also Builds up the Body of Christ by Teaching, Encouraging, Rebuking and giving Admonition when he is given the opportunity to do so. He Plays an integral part in the maturation of the believer/s. He promotes Godly living, as mapped out through the Rest of the Letter. He Encourages people to Love and Share the Love of God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In my personal view, the Evangelist may speak to certain areas of the Church that needs to be addressed (out of season) when the Pastor hasn't had the spiritual insight to do so (for whatever reason).
I believe Evangelists' primary calling is to Call the Sinner to repentance and the Saint to a deeper walk with Christ (during a limited time frame).
I believe the Pastor is to "Do the work of an evangelist" (call the sinner to repentance by Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ) as well as Feeding the Sheep a steady diet, Week after week, of the Word of God, both milk and meat.
Edited to Add:
Personally, i believe a major difference of an Apostle, Evangelist and Pastor is the Time Spent with the Congregation (for the most part).
Apostles Started and Established Churches, Evangelists visit to add and strengthen, and Pastors Stay Long term to Feed.
We see here that an Evangelist plays an integral part in the Local Church Assembly. He, as well as the Pastor, Equips the Saints for the Work of the Ministry, that is Spreading the Gospel, Making Disciples. He also Builds up the Body of Christ by Teaching, Encouraging, Rebuking and giving Admonition when he is given the opportunity to do so. He Plays an integral part in the maturation of the believer/s. He promotes Godly living, as mapped out through the Rest of the Letter. He Encourages people to Love and Share the Love of God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In my personal view, the Evangelist may speak to certain areas of the Church that needs to be addressed (out of season) when the Pastor hasn't had the spiritual insight to do so (for whatever reason).
I believe Evangelists' primary calling is to Call the Sinner to repentance and the Saint to a deeper walk with Christ (during a limited time frame).
I believe the Pastor is to "Do the work of an evangelist" (call the sinner to repentance by Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ) as well as Feeding the Sheep a steady diet, Week after week, of the Word of God, both milk and meat.
Edited to Add:
Personally, i believe a major difference of an Apostle, Evangelist and Pastor is the Time Spent with the Congregation (for the most part).
Apostles Started and Established Churches, Evangelists visit to add and strengthen, and Pastors Stay Long term to Feed.
Great post from Jon. Thank you!
This is a strong point, even if edited in, and I agree.
The only book I know of (there must be others) that completely delineates the role of the evangelist is The Evangelist, by John R. Rice (1968, Sword of the Lord). It can be bought second hand on Amazon.
He writes: "Evangelists are intended to edify and build up the body of Christ, to prepare the saints for service. This is to the end that souls will be saved as Christ's spiritual body, the church, is taught and edified and developed to increase itself by soul winning" (p. 9).
He writes: "Evangelists are intended to edify and build up the body of Christ, to prepare the saints for service. This is to the end that souls will be saved as Christ's spiritual body, the church, is taught and edified and developed to increase itself by soul winning" (p. 9).
You preach/witness to the lost in a public arena, so would you see youself called and gifted to be an Evangelist or not?
Street evangelist yes
We're trying to be strictly Biblical here, so please distinguish Biblically between the types of evangelists you are listing: street evangelist, pro, amateur.
Please support Biblically many of the things that IFB do and have in their churches. Youth Ministry, teetotalism, their view on music, and so on.
Translation: "I can't honestly answer your question because I make this stuff up as I go along."
Can't do it can ya
But you have used Scripture to support your stance on evangelism in the past and said to people that they ignore Scripture when you speak of it. Now you say that it can't be supported by Scripture? We are speaking of evangelism. The Bible speaks clearly of the subject.
Why? The subject matter is "What is an Evangelist?"
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You appear to be trying to derail the thread. I can't remember when I've seen a more irrelevant answer to a post of mine.
Personally, I think a discussion about the Biblical role of the evangelist is very profitable. I'm hoping you'll take a deep interest in the subject of this thread, and learn and grow.
Let me try again.
1. Biblically, what other roles than "witnessing" as per Mark's GC does an evangelist have?
2. Biblically, are there distinctions between various kinds of evangelists such as "pro," "amateur," "street," and so forth?
Let me get back with you. It may take a few days.