Sixth Description of Evangelism in the Bible
The term "evangelism" derives from the Greek euaggelion, meaning "good message" or "good news," and evangelistai, referring to those who proclaim this message [3, 5]. In the biblical context, evangelism centers on the proclamation that the Savior has come into the world [3].
The New Testament identifies specific individuals as evangelists. Philip, for instance, is called an "evangelist" in Acts 21:8 [6]. He is first mentioned among the deacons appointed to manage food distribution in Acts 6, and later, during a period of persecution, he traveled to Samaria to preach, demonstrating his role as an itinerant preacher carrying the gospel to new places [4, 6]. Evangelists, in this sense, were missionary preachers of the gospel, distinct from apostles in authority or prophets in gift, and without the pastoral responsibility of overseeing a specific flock [6].
The "good news" itself is primarily understood as the life and teaching of Christ, as recorded in the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John [5]. These accounts were composed in the latter half of the first century, with Matthew and Mark preceding the destruction of Jerusalem, Luke around A.D. 64, and John towards the end of the century [5]. While some early interpretations suggested John's Gospel aimed to fill gaps in the other three, its stated purpose is for readers to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing, have life in His name (John 20:31) [7]. Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King, Mark as a prophet, and Luke provides a detailed historical account [3]. John's Gospel is often seen as addressing Christians, aiming to cultivate spiritual life and deepen their relationship with the divine Savior [8].
Beyond the specific role of an evangelist, the concept of proclaiming the "everlasting gospel" is also found in Revelation, where an angel is depicted flying in midheaven with this message [9]. This highlights the enduring nature of the gospel, which is described as everlasting in its essence and consequences [9].
The broader concept of instruction and spiritual growth is also connected to evangelism. Hebrews 6:2 mentions foundational teachings such as instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment [1]. These are considered rudiments of the Christian religion that believers are encouraged to move beyond, seeking a more perfect knowledge of evangelic truths [10]. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 6:6, describes the conduct of ministers of God, which includes chastity, knowledge, longsuffering, sweetness, the Holy Ghost, and unfeigned charity, all of which contribute to the effective communication of the gospel [2].
Sources
- Hebrews “Hebrews 6:2 (BSB) — instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 6:6 (DRC) — In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Philip The Evangelist — is first mentioned in the account of the dispute between the Hebrew and Hellenistic disciples in Acts 6. He is one of the deacons appointed to superintend the daily distribution of food and alms, and so to remove all suspicion of partiality. The persecution of which Saul was the leader must have stopped the "daily ministrations" of the Church. The teachers who had been most prominent were compelled to take flight, and Philip was among them. It is noticeable that the city of Samaria, is the first scene of his activity. Acts 8. He is the precurso”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The name Gospel (from god and spell, Ang. Sax. good message or news, which is a translation of the Greek euaggelion) is applied to the four inspired histories of the life and teaching of Christ contained in the New Testament, of which separate accounts are given in their place. They were all composed during the latter half of the first century: those of St. Matthew and St. Mark some years before the destruction of Jerusalem; that of St. Luke probably about A.D. 64; and that of St. John towards the close of the century. Before the end of the second century, t”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Evangelist — A "publisher of glad tidings;" a missionary preacher of the gospel (Eph. 4:11). This title is applied to Philip (Acts 21:8), who appears to have gone from city to city preaching the word (8:4, 40). Judging from the case of Philip, evangelists had neither the authority of an apostle, nor the gift of prophecy, nor the responsibility of pastoral supervision over a portion of the flock. They were itinerant preachers, having it as their special function to carry the gospel to places where it was previously unknown. The writers of the four Gospels are known as”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: John, Gospel of — The genuineness of this Gospel, i.e., the fact that the apostle John was its author, is beyond all reasonable doubt. In recent times, from about 1820, many attempts have been made to impugn its genuineness, but without success. The design of John in writing this Gospel is stated by himself (John 20:31). It was at one time supposed that he wrote for the purpose of supplying the omissions of the synoptical, i.e., of the first three, Gospels, but there is no evidence for this. "There is here no history of Jesus and his teaching after the manner of the ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: John, Gospel Of — This Gospel was probably written at Ephesus about A.D. 78. (Canon Cook places it toward the close of John's life, A.D. 90-100.--ED.) The Gospel was obviously addressed primarily to Christians, not to heathen. There can be little doubt that the main object of St. John, who wrote after the other evangelists, is to supplement their narratives, which were almost confined to our Lord's life in Galilee. (It was the Gospel for the Church, to cultivate and cherish the spiritual life of Christians, and bring them into the closest relations to the divine Savio”
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 14:6: In this part of the chapter we have three angels or messengers sent from heaven to give notice of the fall of Babylon, and of those things that were antecedent and consequent to that great event. I. The first angel was sent on an errand antecedent to it, and that was to preach the everlasting gospel, Rev 14:6, Rev 14:7. Observe, 1. The gospel is an everlasting gospel; it is so in its nature, and it will be so in its consequences. Though all flesh be grass, the word of the Lord endureth for ever. 2. It is a work fit for an angel to preach this everlasting gospe”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 6 In this chapter the apostle exhorts the believing Hebrews not to rest in the rudiments of the Christian religion they had learned; and much less to lay them again in the foundation after the Jewish manner, of which he instances in six particulars; but to seek after a perfect knowledge of evangelic truths, which, under a divine permission, was his determination to do, Heb 6:1 which was the best method to prevent apostasy, he dissuades from; by giving the characters of apostates, showing how far they may go in the knowledge of di”