Uploaded August 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Today's Bible Study considers the question, what is an evangelist? This question comes from Jeff, who asks, "Over the past year or two, I’ve thought a lot about the role of the evangelist and what exactly Paul means to “do the work of the evangelist” (2 Tim 4:5). It’s interesting that the word form εὐαγγελιστής is only used 3x in the NT, yet we build a lot of our congregational ministry in the churches of Christ around that role/office.
I’m curious to know if you have an episode on the role of the evangelist specifically, or if you’d be interested in publishing one? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I think that if one reclaims a biblical view of 'gospel,' as you unpacked in your podcast, then the concept/definition of the role of 'evangelist' would necessarily be impacted as well. What is the role of the evangelist? How does preaching the gospel impact that role? If the gospel is more holistic than evangelizing the lost, how does that impact the role of the evangelist? What is the dynamic/authority between the evangelist and the shepherd? Does one have authority over the other? Do they share authority? Does an evangelist travel or is he located? Etc. Appreciate you and your podcast. Thanks."
Though it is hard to tell in English, in Greek, the words "gospel" (εὐαγγέλιον) and "evangelist" (εὐαγγελιστής) are related words. So, in order to define "evangelist," we must first define, "gospel." Wes defines the gospel as, "The Good News that Jesus, the long-awaited Priestly King of Israel, has made atonement for sins and has been victorious over death; he will eventually destroy sin and death and will bring all things under God’s rule."
If this is the Good News, then what is an "evangelist" and what should the role of an evangelist look like? We hope you enjoy this discussion.
Links and Resources:
radicallychristian.com/what-is-the-gospel-god-is-all-in-all
King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight
radicallychristian.com/the-gospel-what-does-gospel-mean-in-the-bible
sitsconference.com/resources/Archives/2010---The-Pastorals/2-Work-Of-An-Evangelist.pdf
Today's Bible Study considers the question, what is an evangelist? This question comes from Jeff, who asks, "Over the past year or two, I’ve thought a lot about the role of the evangelist and what exactly Paul means to “do the work of the evangelist” (2 Tim 4:5). It’s interesting that the word form εὐαγγελιστής is only used 3x in the NT, yet we build a lot of our congregational ministry in the churches of Christ around that role/office.
I’m curious to know if you have an episode on the role of the evangelist specifically, or if you’d be interested in publishing one? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I think that if one reclaims a biblical view of 'gospel,' as you unpacked in your podcast, then the concept/definition of the role of 'evangelist' would necessarily be impacted as well. What is the role of the evangelist? How does preaching the gospel impact that role? If the gospel is more holistic than evangelizing the lost, how does that impact the role of the evangelist? What is the dynamic/authority between the evangelist and the shepherd? Does one have authority over the other? Do they share authority? Does an evangelist travel or is he located? Etc. Appreciate you and your podcast. Thanks."
Though it is hard to tell in English, in Greek, the words "gospel" (εὐαγγέλιον) and "evangelist" (εὐαγγελιστής) are related words. So, in order to define "evangelist," we must first define, "gospel." Wes defines the gospel as, "The Good News that Jesus, the long-awaited Priestly King of Israel, has made atonement for sins and has been victorious over death; he will eventually destroy sin and death and will bring all things under God’s rule."
If this is the Good News, then what is an "evangelist" and what should the role of an evangelist look like? We hope you enjoy this discussion.
Links and Resources:
radicallychristian.com/what-is-the-gospel-god-is-all-in-all
King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight
radicallychristian.com/the-gospel-what-does-gospel-mean-in-the-bible
sitsconference.com/resources/Archives/2010---The-Pastorals/2-Work-Of-An-Evangelist.pdf
