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It is written:
Isaiah 52:7-How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
The Bible speaks often about the work and role of an “evangelist.”
For example:
Acts 21:8-On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
Ephesians 4:11-12-And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
2 Timothy 4:5-But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
From these passages, we can see that an evangelist is one who involves in work (“do the work of an evangelist”) that is directly connected with the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ and with building up (“edifying”) the Lord’s church (“the body of Christ”). Furthermore, we can see from the reference in 2 Timothy 4:5 that the evangelist may be expected to suffer hardships in the discharge of his responsibilities (“endure afflictions”).
Yet what exactly is an evangelist?
Let’s study.
The word translated “evangelist” finds its roots in the Greek word “euangelistēs,” which is connected linguistically with the word “Gospel,” or “euangelion.” The “euangelistes” was one who proclaimed the “eunagelion” or “Good News.” From studying the usage of this word in Greek (especially in the Greek Old Testament, also known as the Septuagint or LXX), we see some very important facts.
“In cl. Gk. a euangelos, messenger, is someone who brings a message of victory or other political or personal news that causes joy. In the Hel. period the word also meant one who announces oracles. Similarly, the vb. euangelizomai means to speak as a messenger of gladness, to proclaim good news; and, where it is used in a religious sense, to promise. But the vb. is often found with its original sense weakened to make it synonymous with angellō. (b) The noun euangelion means: (i) the reward received by a messenger of victory (since his good news brings relief to the recipients, he is rewarded); (ii) the message itself—chiefly a technical term for a message of victory, but also used of political and private messages bringing joy. Such messages are seen as gifts from the gods. When they are received, sacrifices are offered to the gods out of gratitude, but also in order to hold the gods to their gift. (iii) It is mainly in connection with oracles (i.e., the promise of some future event) and in the imperial cult that euangelion acquires a religious meaning. In this latter sphere news of a divine ruler’s birth, coming of age, or enthronement, as well as his speeches, decrees, and acts, are glad tidings that bring long-hoped-for fulfillment to the longings of the world for happiness and peace. It is not difficult to trace a connection between this religious use of euangelion in the Hel. world, esp. in the imperial cult, and its use in the NT. 2. (a) At the same time the OT roots of the NT concept of euangelion must not be ignored. In the LXX euangelion never appears in the sing. form. The pl. means reward for good news (2 Sam. 4: 10). Occasionally euangelia, a form unknown in the NT, also appears in the sense of glad tidings (e.g., 2 Sam. 18: 20, 22). (b) More significant is the fact that the vb. euangelizō—not found frequently elsewhere and limited to a few writings—comes to stand for the Heb. biśśar, to announce, tell, publish (e.g., 1 Ki. 1: 42; Jer. 20: 15). This vb. is used in Ps. 40: 9; 68: 11; 96: 2; Isa. 52: 7, to herald Yahweh’s universal victory over the world and his kingly rule. With his enthronement (cf. Ps. 96 as an enthronement psalm) and return to Zion (cf. Isa.) a new era begins. The one who brings “good tidings” (euangelizomenos, Isa. 40: 9; 52: 7) announces this new era of world history and inaugurates it by his mighty word. Peace and salvation have now come; Yahweh has become king; his reign extends over the whole world (Ps 96: 2–10). This “ ‘gospel’ is effective speech, a powerful saying, a word that brings its own fulfillment. In the mouth of his messengers God himself speaks, and his word is accomplished; he commands and it is done (cf. Ps. 33: 6, 9). The act of proclamation is itself the dawn of the new era. Hence it is easy to understand the special significance that attaches to the messenger of the good news. With his arrival on the scene and the delivery of his message, salvation, redemption, and peace become a reality (cf. Isa. 61: 1). 3. Rab. Jud. kept alive the concept of the messenger of good tidings. He was variously expected: as an unknown figure, as the forerunner of the Messiah, or as the Messiah himself. The content of his message was already familiar from Isa. and was thus no longer of primary interest. The important thing about him was rather his coming and the fact that by his proclamation he would usher in the era of salvation. Everything depended on his appearance and proclamation (cf. Pesiq. Rab. 36). Here we may make the same observation as was made concerning OT usage. The eschatological event finds expression in the Heb. vb. (biśśar means to preach the message of coming joy) and esp. the participial noun (m ebaśśēr, the eschatological messenger of joy), but not in the noun b eśōrâ, good news. This fact suggests that the NT term euangelion is derived from Gk. usage rather than Heb., or more precisely from the language of the imperial cult. The main difference is in the content of the euangelion.” (Verlyn D. Verbrugge, New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology: Abridged Edition, 213 (Kindle Edition): Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan)
Several things here are worthy of notice.
First, the role of an evangelist was directly connected with the proclamation of Good News. Often in classical Greek and in the Old Testament, this Good News was the direct message from a king or his entourage that told of some type of victory or reward for those who had suffered affliction. Examples would include news that a painful and long war had finally ended, that soldiers were returning home and being with families, rewards and honors bestowed, etc. There was usually in the word the idea of relief from some kind of hardship. The message of this good news was itself a harbinger of hope in seemingly hopeless situations. When this was used in reference to God, it was seen as a declaration that God was reigning and that this ensured eventual “peace” or “shalom.” Inherent within this word were the emblems of great assurance and promise of how God was working to one day right all wrongs and bring everything back to the good way that He had intended from the beginning.
“The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call shalom. We call it peace, but it means far more than mere peace of mind between enemies. In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight—a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be…God is, after all, not arbitrarily offended. God hates sin not just because it violates his law but, more substantively, because it violates shalom, because it breaks the peace, because it interferes with the way things are supposed to be…. We may safely describe evil as any spoiling of shalom, whether physically (e.g., by disease), morally, spiritually, or otherwise.” (Sean McDowell and Johnathan Morrow, Is God Just A Human Invention? And Seventeen Other Questions Raised By The New Atheists, 3268-32277 (Kindle Edition); Grand Rapids, Michigan; Kregel Digital Editions)
The evangelist therefore was seen as the proclaimer of hope for the King. Not only hope in the “here and now,” but also hope for good to follow.
Second, this word came to have a special meaning in showcasing prophecy of the Messiah and His reign upon the Earth. God’s Messiah would be the One Who would bring relief, healing, and transformation to those who were suffering. This is made clear in amazing and beautiful symbolism within the Old Testament. Notice some examples:
Psalm 107:35- He turns a wilderness into pools of water, And dry land into watersprings.
Isaiah 32:15 (Easy To Read Version)-This will continue until God gives us his Spirit from above. Then the desert will become rich farmland and the farmland will be like thick forests.
Isaiah 35:1-7-1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, The excellency of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. 7 The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
Isaiah 41:19-I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, The myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine And the box tree together,
Isaiah 51:3-For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
Isaiah 55:13-Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
Jeremiah 33:12-13-12 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In this place which is desolate, without man and without beast, and in all its cities, there shall again be a dwelling place of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down. 13 In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the lowland, in the cities of the South, in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks shall again pass under the hands of him who counts them,’ says the LORD.
Ezekiel 36:33-38-33 ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35 So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it.” 37 ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. 38 Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” ‘
Amos 9:14-I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them.
All of these passages convey that the Messiah is working in the world to bring about shalom, and the evangelist proclaims this message to humanity that has so often been ravaged by sin and its’ consequences. The Lord begins the work through the plan of salvation in the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 2:37-47), and will continue that work throughout life and finally culminating in the Second Coming (Romans 8:18-22). This assurance gives Christians the courage to persevere in the midst of the evil, pain, and suffering that we find ourselves in the midst of as pilgrims traveling through this land (1 Peter 2:11). We also find in this the ultimate assurance to the problem of evil that so often hurts our faith on the journey, and which unbelievers try to use against the Lord and His people. As Geisler and Brooks have written so powerfully:
“The argument against God from evil makes some arrogant assumptions. Just because evil is not destroyed right now does not mean that it never will be. The argument implies that if God hasn’t done anything as of today, then it won’t ever happen. But this assumes that the person making the argument has some inside information about the future. If we restate the argument to correct this oversight in temporal perspective, it turns out to be an argument that vindicates God. 1. If God is all-good, He will defeat evil. 2. If God is all-powerful, He can defeat evil. “3. Evil is not yet defeated. 4. Therefore, God can and will one day defeat evil. The very argument used against the existence of God turns out to be a vindication of God in the face of the problem of evil. …God isn’t finished yet. The final chapter has not been written. Apparently God would rather wrestle with our rebellious wills than to reign supreme over rocks and trees. Those who want a quicker resolution to the conflict will have to wait.” (Norman L. Geisler & Ronald M. Brooks, When Skeptics Ask: A Handbook On Christian Evidences, 64-65 (Kindle Edition); Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Books)
The work of the evangelist, then, is not only to assure people of the work of the Messiah in bringing about salvation for sinners who will come to Jesus for redemption (Matthew 11:28-30), but also to provide comfort in the knowledge of His continual work to bring about good for His people, both in this life and at the Second Coming. There is a Day of Judgment! While it will be a Day of sorrow for the unprepared, it will be a Day of victory for the church! We must persevere in the knowledge that God is working, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
Finally, the work of the evangelist involves standing against evil and corruption in the world. Christians are in the world, but not of the world (as the familiar adage goes). While here, we speak the Good News of Jesus and enjoin all to repent and follow Him. This will often bring about persecution from those who do not like the message of God. Indeed, we see this with many of the evangelists of days gone by. Consider Isaiah the Prophet as an example. Paul tells us:
Hebrews 11:37-They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—
Isaiah the Prophet was slain by wicked king Manasseh for preaching the Word of God. One Jewish history book (no doubt being here referenced) tells us what happened to the Prophet:
“Ascension Of Isaiah 1:1-9-“AND it came to pass in the twenty-sixth year of the reign of Hezekiah king of Judah that he called Manasseh his son. Now he was his only one. 2. And he called him into the presence of Isaiah the son of Amoz the prophet, and into the presence of Josab the son of Isaiah, in order to deliver unto him the words of righteousness which the king himself had seen: 3. And of the eternal judgments and torments of Gehenna, and of the prince of this world, and of his angels, and his authorities and his powers. 4. And the words of the faith of the Beloved which he himself had seen in the fifteenth year of his reign during his illness. 5. And he delivered unto him the written words which Samnas the scribe had written, and also those which Isaiah, the son of Amoz, had given to him, and also to the prophets, that they might write and store up with him what he himself had seen in the king’s house regarding the judgment of the angels, and the destruction of this world, and regarding the garments of the saints and their going forth, and regarding their transformation and the persecution and ascension of the Beloved. 6. In the twentieth year of the reign of Hezekiah, Isaiah had seen the words of this prophecy and had delivered them to Josab his son. And whilst he (Hezekiah) gave commands, Josab the son of Isaiah standing by. 7. Isaiah said to Hezekiah the king, but not in the presence of Manasseh only did he say unto him: ‘As the Lord liveth, whose name has not been sent into this world, and as the Beloved of my lord liveth, and the Spirit which speaketh in me liveth, all these commands and these words will be made of none effect by Manasseh thy son, and through the agency of his hands I shall depart mid the torture of my body. 8. And Sammael Malchira will serve Manasseh, and execute all his desire, and he will become a follower of Beliar rather than of me: 9. And many in Jerusalem and in Judea he will cause to abandon the true faith, and Beliar will dwell in Manasseh, and by his hands I shall be sawn asunder.’” (Dr. John H. Shepherd Sr. (Pastor), The Ascension of Isaiah: I am a man of unclean lips… Isaiah 6:5-7, 12-13 (Kindle Edition): Maitland, FL: Xulon Press)
Isaiah was sawn asunder for preaching the good news and exhorting people to repent. As Christians, we will suffering for following Christ and proclaiming His Word (2 Timothy 3:12). Yet we must persevere in this work, steadfast in the knowledge that God will bring good. Indeed, God allows suffering in and through the lives of His people to bring about goodness, even goodness that we may not readily identify “in the moment.”
This Good News of Jesus is not only for individual sinners, but also for entire nations: a call to repentance and salvation in Christ alone! In our divided times, doesn’t America need this message more than ever: to be reminded that righteousness which exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34)?
In the famous words of Alexis de Tocqueville, the great French ambassador to the United States:
“I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests-and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning-and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution-and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” (Alexis de Tocqueville, quoted in Michael D. Evans, The American Prophecies: Ancient Scriptures Reveal Our Nation’s Future, 251; New York, NY; Warner Faith)
As the priesthood of Christ, every baptized believer has the responsibility and privilege of proclaiming the Good News about the Savior (1 Peter 2:9; cf. Malachi 2:7). In this way, every child of God is an evangelist.
Christian, are you sharing the Word of God?
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.