The Work of An Evangelist

By Ellis Crum

[Page 11]

     The word "evangelist" appears but three times in the New Testament. The first place we find the word is in Acts 21:8, where Philip is spoken of as "the evangelist." The second usage is in Ephesians 4:11, where evangelists are referred to as a distinct class or group of workers. The final occurrence of the word is in 2 Timothy 4:5. Here Timothy is told to "do the work of an evangelist."

     Some have erroneously used the word evangelist as a title. Newspapers and handbills announce that "Evangelist John Jones begins a series of gospel meetings." Occasionally I receive mail from a correspondent who uses this term as a title before my name. Let us investigate and see if we can find the true meaning of the word, also how it was used in days of old, and how it should be used today.

     Thayer defines the word evangelist as "a bringer of good tidings." Liddell and Scott give the same definition in their lexicon. The definition in Berry's Greek-English New Testament Lexicon is a messenger of good tidings." Both Young and Strong confirm these definitions, as well as Robinson's lexicon.

     Cross gives us this information under the heading EVANGELIST: "('a proclaimer of the Gospel'). (1) In the NT this word is thrice used of a traveling missionary (Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:5)" -- The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, pp. 478. Under the same heading in Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible we find this comment: "In the first place, then, the evangelist was a traveling Christian missionary, one who preached the good news of Christ to those who had never heard it before" -- pp. 247, (one volume edition). Consulting another reference book we obtain the following quotation: "The verb from which the substantive 'evangelist' is derived, signifies to proclaim good tidings... The corresponding verbs in Hebrew and Aramaic sometimes bear only the meaning 'announce,' but their prevailing import is to announce good tidings... Hence in Christian circles

[Page 12]

the term acquired the specific sense of announcing the gospel. The word 'evangelist' is not found in classical Greek or in the Septuagint, nor has it as yet been found in any papyri. So far as our present knowledge goes, it belongs only to the NT and to ecclesiastical Greek...a class or order of Christian labourers whose function was to go abroad proclaiming the gospel to those who had not heard it he is to visit new communities in order to preach the gospel to them" -- A Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, Vol.1, pp. 549.

     Searching further we find this information listed under EVANGELIST: "An order of men in the primitive church distinct from apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11). Their name implied that their special function was to announce the glad tidings of the gospel to those before ignorant of them, and as they were not pastors of particular churches, they were able to go from place to place preaching to those who as yet were without the Christian pale"-- The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible, pp.175.

     In Harper's Bible Dictionary we are told the term evangelist "is the name given in the New Testament to one who traveled from place to place proclaiming the gospel." All of these uninspired quotations seem to agree with the inspired writers. While we may not approve of an occasional word or phrase employed by these human scholars; nevertheless, the thoughts expressed are true to the New Testament teaching.

     From the very etymology of the word we see that the term evangelist denotes a work, not a title. We read of "Simon a tanner," "John the baptist," and "Philip the evangelist." The word following their names tells us concerning their occupation. We speak of "Bill the electrician" or "Joe the plumber," but we would not use these terms as titles before their names. I would suggest that all evangelists and those in the congregation who prepare copy for news items, advertisements, and other announcements use the word evangelist exactly as they would use the word electrician or plumber in connection with a man's name. It is best to always place the word evangelist after the name. In a sentence you can spell it with a small "e"; however, in display advertisements it might be a good idea to spell it all in caps to keep the printer or proof reader from changing it.

     Only Timothy and Philip are specifically called evangelists in the New Testament. A great number of others, however, may be properly designated evangelists due to the work they did. Examples of such workers would be Titus, Barnabas, and Silas. These men were heralds of salvation, messengers with a living message. The duty of a herald is to go from place to place proclaiming announcements or news to those who have not heard it. The testimony of the scholars and the sacred writers indicates that this is the work of true evangelists. From the very meaning of the word, as well as the testimony of scholars and historians, the idea of itineracy is an inherent part of the definition of an evangelist. He may not go from country to country, or even from city to city, but if he is a true evangelist he will go, not wait for people to come! Going from house to house or place to place he will bring the good news of salvation to those who have never heard it, or will explain the way of the Lord more perfectly to those who are in error. He will not sit in his office as a medical doctor waiting for calls to come in, or for clients to come to his office. An evangelist will not wait for someone to call him, but will rather go forth seeking those lost in sin. He will not wait for the time of the annual "revival." His Master's example and words will be constantly before him. This messenger of good tidings will see the fields white unto harvest. Beholding the rapid close of life's little day he will spend and be spent in the service of his Lord. He will redeem the time in his efforts to redeem men. Though his work may be hard and his hours long, they will seem fairly short. Like Jacob's seven years of labor for Rachel, "they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had for her." The evangelist's work also should be a labor of love.