Evangelists
4: 11a
Furthermore, he gave some people as evangelists.
Evangelists (Greek: evangelistes) are men and women who are the messengers of the Good News and to proclaim that message with boldness. Evangelists are given the unique ability by the Ruach Ha’Kodesh to clearly and effectively communicate the Gospel of Yeshua Messiah to others. They are burdened in their hearts for the lost and will go out of their way to share the truth to them. Evangelists are able to overcome the normal fear of rejection and engage non-believers in meaningful conversations about Messiah. This brings them great joy knowing that the feet that bring good news are beautiful to those who believe (Isaiah 52:7). Both men and women can have this gift. Most people think of an evangelist preaching to large crowds, like Billy Graham. But evangelism is also important on an individual, one-on-one basis.
The specific term evangelist is used only here in Ephesians, in Acts 21:8, where Philip is called an evangelist, and in Second Timothy 4:5, where Timothy is told to do the work of an evangelist. But these limited references describe a vital, extensive, and far-reaching ministry, indicated by the use of the vert euangelizo (to proclaim the Good News) 54 times, and the noun euangelion (Good News) 76 times. ADONAI was the first evangelist, since He told the Good News to Abraham in advance by saying, “Through you, all the Gentile Nations will be blessed (Galatians 3:8b). Even the angel evangelized when he announced the birth of Messiah (Luke 2:10). Yeshua Himself evangelized in preaching the Gospel (Luke 20:1), as did His apostles in preaching the Word (Acts 8:4).
Philip demonstrates that the evangelist is not a man with ten suits and ten sermons who runs a road show (see the commentary on Acts, to see link click Bb – An Ethiopian Aska about Isaiah 53). Evangelists in the B’rit Chadashah were missionaries and church planters (much like the apostles, but without the title and miraculous gifts), who went where the name of Yeshua Messiah was not known and led people to faith in the Savior. Then they taught the new believers the Word, built them up, and moved on to new territory. Timothy illustrates the fact that an evangelist can be identified with a local congregation in a prolonged ministry for purposes of preaching and expounding on the true Gospel, in order to counter false teachers and their counterfeit message and to establish sound doctrine and godliness.
Gifted evangelists are uniquely designed and given to the Church to reach the lost with the saving Gospel, and every Messianic congregation and church should consider this ministry as a high priority. The local assembly should raise up evangelists, to send some out to the mission field and to have others remain permanently in the local fellowship – to teach, mobilize, and lead others out to fulfill the commission of winning the lost to Messiah.162 However, the fact that you may not possess this gift does not exclude you from being burdened for lost souls or witnessing to them. In the early Messianic community, every believer was a witness (Acts 2:41-47; 11:19-21). And Peter commands us that we must always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that is within us (First Peter 3:15).
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the privilege and joy of telling others about You! How wonderful it is to bring good news (Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:15), when all around there are problems and the world seems spinning to its destruction. What fantastic good news the gospel is! “Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers, that through this One [Messiah Yeshua] is proclaimed to you the removal of sins, including all those from which you could not be set right by the Torah of Moses. Through this One everyone who keeps trusting is made righteous (Acts13:38-39).
Being an evangelist may bring suffering and hardships while on earth, but what eternal joy there will be in heaven by those who have heard and received the Gospel! As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (Second Timothy 4:5). When we focus on the eternal length of time in heaven, it is so important to make time to evangelize, using the wisdom and power of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh. Sometimes we may evangelize by speaking to those we know, sometimes we may evangelize by prayer. Always sharing the Gospel is very important and a great privilege. In Messiah Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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