The Greek word for “evangelist” is “euaggelistes”, and it means one sent to preach the gospel (good news of the Kingdom of God). An evangelist is a messenger sent out with a message. The primary task of an evangelist is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God to the lost.
The ministry of the evangelist is not limited to functioning outside the local church. Evangelists also function in the church to teach and train others to do the work of the ministry, which includes evangelism. They work closely with the other five-fold ministry in the Church to bring maturity according to Ephesians 4:11-16.
“…..do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5b).
All are admonished to do the work of an evangelist by being a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ and winning souls for the Kingdom of God, but this does not make every believer an evangelist.
One of the marks of an evangelist is the gift of miracles. As a supernatural endowment, signs and wonders accompany this ministry to confirm the gospel and bringing the lost into the Kingdom of God.
“And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip [the evangelist] spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:6-8 brackets mine).
The ministry of the evangelist brings much joy as souls are harvested into the Kingdom of God. There is much joy in harvest.
An evangelist might plant churches, but the divine requirement is that the apostles and prophets lay the foundation. Pastors and teachers also have their function. An apostolic team comprising the other five-fold ministry gifts will establish apostolic order according to apostolic patterns in the New Testament Church, following up to ensure these patterns are maintained.
Like we earlier said, an evangelist is a messenger sent out with a message. This we must recognize that evangelist should not just be evangelical in function, but must become apostolic in their assignment and nature, because they are “sent one’ as well with a message. Also, they must embrace the fact that, there is only one gospel message, and it is the gospel of the Kingdom.
Copyright © 2017 by Israel Onoriobe
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