Timothy was born of a Jewish mother and a Greek father, and he was a young Christian from Asia Minor who was a companion and godson to the apostle Paul who wrote two letters that was included as a Bible portion to him.
These two Bible portions, that is the first and second Timothy, when studied closely, contains so many instructions about missionary and evangelical work, and from these instructions, one can easily spot some of the characteristics one must possess to become a very successful evangelist.
In this article, therefore, we are going to review the first and second letters of Timothy to uncover the characteristics of an evangelist. And without wasting much time, let’s get started right away.
The characteristics of an evangelist from Timothy.
The characteristics of an evangelist from Timothy are:
- Opposing false doctrines (1 Timothy 1:3-11).
- Having a clear conscience (1 Timothy 1:19).
- Striving for good deeds (1 Timothy 6:11)
- Running your best in the race of faith to win eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:12).
- Taking part in suffering as a loyal soldier of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
- Continuing in the truth you were taught (2 Timothy 3:14).
1. Opposing false doctrines (1 Timothy 1:3-11).
One of the characteristics of an evangelist from Timothy is the urge and ability to oppose false doctrine which has been ravaging the Christian religion ever since its inception.
In the inciting Biblical passage we mentioned above, Paul draws Timothy’s attention to the false teachings which was embedded in legends and long lists of ancestors, and instructed Timothy as an evangelist to ensure he stops those who were spreading this false doctrines.
Paul states categorically in verse 6 that so many people have lost their way in the Christian faith because of these false doctrines.
Therefore, as an evangelist, you must ensure you do not condone any form of false teaching you see arising from those false teachers who are still invading Christendom.
2. Having a clear conscience (1 Timothy 1:19).
My idea of having a clear conscience is staying away from sinful actions because they will definitely accuse or condemn you anytime you are set to do your job as an evangelist.
And the result of having a clear conscience is confidence toward God which will make you receive whatever you ask from him.
In 1 John 3:21-22 the scripture makes this point clearer when it says: Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
And as we can see from the above scripture, having a clear conscience will come from the ability to keep God’s commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
3. Striving for good deeds (1 Timothy 6:11).
Another characteristics of an evangelist from Timothy is striving for good deeds, which the inciting passage above states as listed below:
- Righteousness.
- Godliness.
- Faith.
- Love.
- Endurance.
- Gentleness.
4. Running your best in the race of faith to win eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:12).
Running the best in the race of faith simply entails the ability to serve Christ and withstanbd all odds till the day you die.
Let’s see how Paul makes an example of himself in this regard in 2 Timothy 4:6-8:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Thus, an evangelist must ensure he does not give up along the way no matter the difficulties that might set in as we are going to see in the next characteristics of an evangelist from Timothy.
5. Taking part in suffering as a loyal soldier of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
The disciples and the early Christians really faced a lot of suffering which some even ended in an untimely death.
Paul himself who wrote this letter to Timothy was not left out of this suffering as he states in several of his letters and epistles.
In 2 Timothy 3:10-13 he reveals to us thus:
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
6. Continuing in the truth you were taught (2 Timothy 3:14).
Finally, no matter the sufferings or challenges you face an an evangelist, you must make sure you continue in the truth you are being taught in the Bible.
One thing I’ve grown to understand in my Christian life is that most of the sufferings we go through in life are meant to test our steadfastness in Christ Jesus.
But when we have the capacity to withstand it all to the perfect end, we will always meet God’s power and manifestation at the other end.
