Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7700 Leadership and the people of God  »  7724 evangelists  »  7725 evangelists, identity of

Some OT figures announced good news, but most evangelists are seen in the NT. The task was first given by Jesus Christ to the apostles and then to other believers. All Christians have a part in evangelism; there is, too, a special role of evangelist within the church, fulfilled by those with a particular gifting from the Holy Spirit.

An evangelist as one who announces good news

God as an announcer of good news

Galatians 3:8 See also Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 22:18; Genesis 26:4; Jeremiah 31:3-4; Acts 10:36

OT messengers announce good news

Psalm 96:2-3 pp 1 Chronicles 16:23-24 Isaiah 40:9 The good news of the end of the Babylonian exile. See also 2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 40:10; Isaiah 40:1-5; Isaiah 41:27; Isaiah 52:7; Nahum 1:15 the good news of the deliverance from Assyria; Matthew 12:41 pp Luke 11:32; Romans 10:15; 2 Peter 2:5

Angels announce good news

Luke 2:10-11 See also Luke 1:19; Revelation 14:6

John the Baptist announces good news

Luke 3:18 See also Luke 3:3; Luke 16:16

Jesus Christ as an evangelist

Luke 4:18-19 See also Isaiah 61:1-2; Matthew 4:23; Matthew 9:35; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:43; Luke 8:1

The disciples as evangelists

Jesus Christ sends out the Twelve

Mark 3:14 See also Matthew 10:7-8; Luke 9:1-2,6

Jesus Christ commissions the apostles

Mark 16:15 See also Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8

The evangelism of the apostles

Acts 5:42 See also Acts 8:25 Peter and John preach the gospel in Samaria; Acts 15:7 Peter preaches the gospel to Cornelius.

Other believers as evangelists

Evangelists are gifted by God

Ephesians 4:11

Paul as an evangelist

Acts 20:24 See also Romans 1:9; Romans 15:19-20; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 2:7

Philip the evangelist

Acts 21:8 See also Acts 8:5,12,35,40

Other evangelists

Acts 8:4; 2 Timothy 4:5 Timothy's calling includes that of an evangelist. See also Mark 5:20 pp Luke 8:39; John 4:28-29; Acts 18:26 Priscilla and Aquila; 1 Peter 3:15

Evangelists within the family

Mark 5:19

Witnessing to unbelieving partners:

1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Peter 3:1-2

Parents are a witness to their children:

Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5; Titus 1:6

See also

2354  Christ, mission
2363  Christ, preaching & teaching
2420  gospel
5109  Paul, apostle
5622  witnesses
7706  apostles
7739  missionaries
7966  spiritual gifts
8424  evangelism