Evangelism…meaning of evangelism and work of the evangelist
Evangelism…meaning of evangelism and work of the evangelist
Posted on August 10, 2008 Updated on August 8, 2008
What is evangelism and who is an Evangelist?
By Babatope Babalobi
Broadly defined, evangelism is defined as spreading the good news of salvation with the purpose of ensuring the conversion of unbelievers into Christianity. ‘Evangelistes’, the Greek word for evangelism means a ‘bringer of good tidings’, and it occurred thrice in scriptures-Acts 21:8; Ephesians 4:11; and 2 Tim 4 :5
Evangelism is not the mere testimony of a good, consistent life. The quiet, pervasive influence of the Christian life is necessary — but it is not evangelism. Being friendly, helpful, and neighborly may be a necessary preparation for evangelism, but it is no substitute for evangelism. Christianity cannot be radiated; truths about God and his Son have to be communicated. Good deeds do not convey the actual content of the gospel; the good news must be expressed in words.
Evangelism, then, is the specific, articulate presentation of the message that Christ’s death upon the cross propitiates (turns away) God’s wrath which abides upon man in his unregenerate state (Romans 3:25; John 3:36). Evangelism is the presenting of Jesus Christ, so that men will accept Him as their Savior from the guilt and power of sin, and declare Him Lord as they seek to follow Him in their daily lives[1].
Euangelistes “a messenger of good”, denotes a “preacher of the gospel,” Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11, which makes clear the distinctiveness of the function in the churches; 2 Tim. 4:5. euangelizo, “to proclaim glad tidings,” and euangelion, “good news, gospel.” Missionaries are “evangelists,” as being essentially preachers of the gospel.[2]
“Jesus evangelized. He preached the “glad tidings of the kingdom of God” (Luke 8:1). Paul evangelized. He said, “I have preached to you the gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:7). Philip evangelized. He “preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35). Evangelism in the Bible, then, was a ministry of the spoken word. Evangelism means “to make known the message of the gospel.” [3]
Since the only good news around is ‘Jesus news’ an Evangelist can therefore be safely defined as a Public speaker on the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The task of soul winning should be the preoccupation of every Christian since we are saved by grace in order to reach out to others. Every Christian is therefore meant to be an Evangelist, and no Christian should wait to be ordained to do the work of Evangelism. Once a person becomes born again, he automatically becomes an Evangelist and is expected to carry out the work of Evangelism.
