The most important aspect of Christianity is it’s growth which is reflected in how many people are converted to the religion.
And before any conversion is made possible in Christianity there must be people who will spread the message that will convince others to become Christians.
Jesus Christ, whom the Christian religion was founded on his teachings and principles did not carry out his evangelical job alone but started by calling and commissioning 12 men who were known as his disciples.
Immediately after finding and commissioning these 12 men, he ordered them to go into the world and preach the gospel focusing on the theme repentance in order to enter the approaching kingdom of God.
In this article therefore, we are going to look at who are really called evangelists in the Christian religion, and after that we will also answer few questions that are related to being or becoming an evangelist.
So without further ado, let’s get started with this article right away.
The real meaning of evangelist.
The real meaning of evangelist is someone who preaches the gospel for the aim of helping people to know about the Lord Jesus Christ who is capable of giving them salvation.
This real definition of evangelist has its roots in the Bible as recorded in the book of Romans 10:13-14: For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
And as we can see from the above Bible passage, it is by calling on the name of the Lord that people will receive salvation. But then there is no way they will call upon this Lord until someone preaches to them. Thus these preachers the Bible is talking about are the ones being referred to as evangelist.
Who are called evangelists.
Preachers are the ones called evangelists, and as we can see from the real meaning of evangelist above their main duty is to preach the gospel of salvation and convert more followers to the Christian religion.
Without the evangelists, there is no way people are going to hear about the Lord Jesus Christ who is capable of giving them salvation.
But then, it is worth noting that, it is not everyone who hears the gospel from the evangelist that are going to believe it instantly, and for that reason the evangelist must ensure he possesses the spiritual gifts that will enable him to convince people to believe in the gospel.
He must also understand when to quit trying because the scripture has clearly pointed out that there are still going to be some who will never believe the gospel no matter how hard they hear it.
The difference between a preacher and an evangelist.
There is no difference between a preacher and an evangelist because both are compelled to spread the gospel of salvation as taught by the Lord Jesus Christ whom the Christian religion was founded on his teachings and principles.
It is however sad to discover that the modern day Christians have tried to make a distinction between the two terms on the grounds that a preacher can ask relates to a pastor whose duty is to watch over those the evangelist have been able to convert to the Christendom.
But they fail to realize that it is still the work of preaching that makes it possible for the evangelist to convince people to be converted before they then decide on the church they will go for the pastor to nourish them to keep growing in the work of salvation.
It is also worth noting that a pastor can be an evangelist and vice-versa, with the only difference being that some pastors are committed to just one Christian denomination while an evangelist can move from one denomination to another to still do the work of preaching.
Which apostle was an evangelist?
All the 12 apostles were evangelists and we can see proof in Acts 6:1-6 where they appointed 7 of the believers to distribute funds among the Greek-speaking Jews and the native Jews because of the conflict that rose among them, and verse 2 they specifically said that they (12 apostles) will commit themselves to praying and work of preaching.
Below is an outline of what really transpired in that Biblical passagge:
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
Other terms for evangelist.
Other terms for evangelist are: missionary, minister, pastor, revivalist, and religious teacher.
Now all the terms above are committed to doing the one and same job of preaching the gospel of salvation brought to the world by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Final thoughts.
Whatever view you might hold about any ministerial office in Christendom, you must always keep in mind that the sole aim of every Christian is to preach the gospel and convert more souls to the religion.
And for that reason, whether you chose to be an evangelist, a pastor, a teacher or whatever, there is no way you will ever escape the work of preaching.
