Evangelists proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, calling those who hear to believe in him. This may be in the context of missionary journeys, often in partnership with others, or within a more settled ministry. Carrying out the task requires integrity and commitment in the face of hardships and danger; it also brings joy at seeing the church grow.
The task of evangelists
Announcing good news
Isaiah 52:7; Luke 4:43 See also Acts 5:42, Acts 8:12, Acts 11:20; Romans 10:15
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
But Jesus told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, because that is why I was sent.”
Proclaiming the gospel
Romans 15:16, Romans 15:20–21 See also Acts 8:5, Acts 15:7; 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1 Corinthians 9:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1–2; 2 Corinthians 10:15–16
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”
Testifying to the truth about Jesus Christ
Acts 10:42–43 See also John 1:35–36, John 15:26–27; Acts 1:8, Acts 2:32–33, Acts 17:2–3; 1 John 1:1–3
And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
Calling people to believe in Jesus Christ
Romans 10:13–14 See also Mark 1:14–15; Acts 13:38–39, Acts 16:30–34, Acts 18:4, Acts 26:28; Romans 1:5; 1 Corinthians 15:11; 2 Corinthians 5:11
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?
The context of the evangelist's work
Missionary journeys
Acts 13:4–5, Acts 14:24–25, Acts 16:9–10
In partnership with others
Luke 10:1 See also Mark 6:7; Acts 10:23, Acts 14:1, Acts 16:6, Acts 17:14–15; Philippians 1:5
After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit.
Within a settled period of ministry
2 Timothy 4:5 Timothy as a pastor is also to do the work of an evangelist. See also Acts 18:9–11 Paul spends a year and a half in Corinth; Acts 28:30–31 Paul preaches the gospel whilst under house arrest in Rome; 1 Timothy 4:13–14; 2 Timothy 4:2
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
The evangelist's integrity
2 Corinthians 2:17 See also 2 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:3–5
For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.
The evangelist's commitment
Working so as not to be a burden
1 Thessalonians 2:8–9 See also Acts 20:33–34; 1 Corinthians 4:12, 1 Corinthians 9:6
We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us. Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
Facing hardship and danger
2 Corinthians 11:23–29 Acts 5:18, Acts 20:23–24, Acts 21:33; Ephesians 6:19–20; Acts 5:40, Acts 16:22–23; Acts 7:58, Acts 14:19; Acts 9:29, Acts 21:30–31; Acts 20:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:2; Romans 9:1–2, Romans 10:1
Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. In my frequent journeys, I have been in danger from rivers and from bandits, in danger from my countrymen and from the Gentiles, in danger in the city and in the country, in danger on the sea and among false brothers, in labor and toil and often without sleep, in hunger and thirst and often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from these external trials, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?
Financial support for evangelists
1 Corinthians 9:11–14 See also 1 Timothy 5:18
If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
The evangelist's blessing
Joy at seeing the church grow
1 Thessalonians 3:7–9 See also Acts 15:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20
For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith. For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?
The satisfaction of seeing new converts grow in their faith
1 Corinthians 1:4–7; Ephesians 1:15–16; Philippians 1:3–6; 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3
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.