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The abiding disciple is an evangelist by virtue of the meaning of the word. It comes from the word Gospel (Greek: euaggelistes) and means 'one who brings good news'. The Father was, and still is an evangelist. "He preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham".1 Jesus Christ was, and still is an Evangelist. Like the Father, He preached the gospel.2 Further, Paul was Evangelist, and so was Philip, Timothy, and indeed all the early disciples who "went everywhere teaching the Word".3
In the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry we read there are "some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, some teachers".4 In this sense "some evangelists" would describe the preacher of the good news going from place to place (i.e., Philip or Timothy), and someone who stays local within a city or region. It is not questioned that the Lord, for his purposes, causes gifted evangelists to emerge who have broad spheres of influence (such as D. L. Moody, Billy Graham, etc.), and to be bearers of the good news that Jesus Christ is King and Savior.
By contrast, however, we realize that all disciples are not 'preaching evangelists' but they are bearers of the good news. Anyone who in anyway is actively promoting the gospel (by written word, radio, T. V., literature, Internet, money, helps, etc.) is in fact part of the evangelizing process. D. T. Nile described evangelism as 'one beggar telling another beggar where to find food'. The disciple by his holy life and confident character is always in process of 'telling someone where to find food'. Evangelism is bringing.
It is well to remember that a Biblical description of a disciple is someone who follows and does what his Teacher said to do. One cannot just follow or just do, but the two working in perfect harmony produce a normal evangelistic out-flow of our faith. James said, "Faith without works is dead."
Evangelism, therefore, becomes not something we purpose to do, but something we cannot help but do. "Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel".5
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 24:14
Mark 1:1
Acts 14:7, Acts 20:24
Romans 1:1
1 Corinthians 15:1
Philippians 1:27
Colossians 1:23
1 Timothy 1:11
1. Galatians 3:8
2. Luke 20:1
3. Romans 1:15, Acts 21:8, 2 Timothy 4:5, Acts 8:4
4. Ephesians 4:11-12
5. 1 Corinthians 9:16
© Copyright 2001 Lighthouse Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
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