Some OT figures announced good news, but most evangelists are seen in the NT. The task was first given by Jesus Christ to the apostles and then to other believers. All Christians have a part in evangelism; there is, too, a special role of evangelist within the church, fulfilled by those with a particular gifting from the Holy Spirit.
An evangelist as one who announces good news
God as an announcer of good news
Galatians 3:8 See also Genesis 12:2–3, Genesis 22:18, Genesis 26:4; Jeremiah 31:3–4; Acts 10:36
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
OT messengers announce good news
Psalm 96:2–3 parallel 1 Chronicles 16:23–24Isaiah 40:9 The good news of the end of the Babylonian exile. See also 2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 40:10; Isaiah 40:1–5, Isaiah 41:27, Isaiah 52:7; Nahum 1:15 the good news of the deliverance from Assyria; Matthew 12:41 parallel Luke 11:32; Romans 10:15; 2 Peter 2:5
Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news. Raise your voice loudly, O Jerusalem, herald of good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”
Angels announce good news
Luke 2:10–11 See also Luke 1:19; Revelation 14:6
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
John the Baptist announces good news
Luke 3:18 See also Luke 3:3, Luke 16:16
With these and many other exhortations, John proclaimed the good news to the people.
Jesus Christ as an evangelist
Luke 4:18–19 See also Isaiah 61:1–2; Matthew 4:23, Matthew 9:35; Mark 1:14–15; Luke 4:43, Luke 8:1
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
The disciples as evangelists
Jesus Christ sends out the Twelve
Mark 3:14 See also Matthew 10:7–8; Luke 9:1–2, Luke 9:6
He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach,
Jesus Christ commissions the apostles
Mark 16:15 See also Matthew 28:18–20; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
The evangelism of the apostles
Acts 5:42 See also Acts 8:25 Peter and John preach the gospel in Samaria; Acts 15:7 Peter preaches the gospel to Cornelius.
Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Other believers as evangelists
Evangelists are gifted by God
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
Paul as an evangelist
Acts 20:24 See also Romans 1:9, Romans 15:19–20; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 2:7
But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus — the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Philip the evangelist
Acts 21:8 See also Acts 8:5, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:35, Acts 8:40
Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.
Other evangelists
Acts 8:4; 2 Timothy 4:5 Timothy's calling includes that of an evangelist. See also Mark 5:20 parallel Luke 8:39; John 4:28–29; Acts 18:26 Priscilla and Aquila; 1 Peter 3:15
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Evangelists within the family
Mark 5:19 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Peter 3:1–2; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5; Titus 1:6
But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.