A few months ago, while shopping, I heard two teenage girls talking. One of them asked, “ What do you want to be when you get grown?” The girl answered, “I want to be an evangelist so I can wear big pretty hats!” When you look at the word “evangelistic” you see the word “evangelist.” How do the words evangelistic and evangelist relate to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ? According to Strong’s Online Concordance (2209) evangelist comes from the Greek word “euaggelistes.” It means a bringer of good news or a bearer of good tidings. A missionary, teacher, preacher, gospeler or crusader can be evangelists. Another evangelistic term for evangelist is evangel.
What is the meaning of the word evangelistic? Evangelistic describes the work of looking for those who can be converted to Christianity. Sometimes it is used to describe meetings or services such as Christian crusades. Evangelistic is also used to describe the public speaking approach. For instance, preaching is called “evangelistic preaching.” Finally, the anointing gifting or calling on one’s life can be evangelistic.
The evangelistic ministry was evident during Jesus ministry. New Testament authors of the Gospel according to Matthew, the Gospel according to Mark, the Gospel according to Luke and the Gospel according to John were evangelists. They are known as the Four Evangelists. Philip was an evangelist. Acts Chapter 21 and verse 8 it states, “Philip the evangelist was one of the seven.” Timothy was an evangelist. In Timothy 2 Chapter 4 verse 5 Paul exhorts Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist.”
Several women in the Bible are believed to have had evangelistic calls on their lives. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary Salome and other women who saw Jesus first after His resurrection are considered evangelists by some. Women who supported Paul’s ministry in Acts are viewed by some as evangelists. Some believe the Woman at the Well was an evangelist. She is also referred to as the first Gentile missionary.
Thousands of years later, the evangelistic anointing was still at work. Great Christian faith trailblazers were also turning the modern world upside down. God used Smith Wigglesworth, William J.Seymour, A.A. and more. He also used Maria Woodworth-Etter, Aimee Semple McPherson and Kathryn Kuhlman and others. Creative miracles occurred. Like at Pentecost, speaking tongues appeared. God saved souls. His power changed lives.
Today, Christian broadcasting networks and Christian radio networks are being used as evangelistic tools. Supernatural events are seen all around the world. Missionary stories are heard throughout the nations. Godsent famous evangelists, such as Dr. Morris Cerullo, Oral Roberts, Dr.Juanita Bynum, Benny Hinn, Brian Carn to share the good news for modern man. Tell us how the evangelistic efforts of famous evangelists have affected your life and ministry. Share your comments and your testimonies.We look forward to reading them. Visit KNCB.ORG for sermon videos, audio sermons, free online Christian movies, evangelistic articles and more. Also, we would appreciate it if you would like us on Facebook, too.
©Vivian Caine – All Rights Reserved
Vivian, a born again Christian and an ordained minister loves to read, sing, play piano, write poems, songs and inspirational prose. As a retired educator, she loves working as an assistant for a thriving social media marketing global ministry. Contact Vivian by email at: pvc@kncb.org
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