Hi
this has always puzzled me regarding the role of the evangelist according to the scriptures.
Eph 4:11-12
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,Christianity always maintains that the role of the evangelist is to reach the unsaved and to 'win souls for Jesus' ,yet the principal scriptural reference to the ministry of the evangelist ,describes it as a ministry for the equipping of the saints, and building up of the body of Christ, rather than getting people saved
?
Phillip in Acts is refered to in many translation as 'Phillip the Evangelist'
Acts 21:8
and on the morrow Paul and his company having gone forth, we came to Cesarea, and having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist -- who is of the seven -- we remained with himAct 8:5 -7
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healedTimothy was urged by Paul to do the work of an evangelist
2 Tim 4:5
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministryWhat did Paul have in mind when he gave that instruction ?
what was it in Phillips ministry that caused him to be known as an evangelist ?
Do we still require this ministry today ?I think so ,after all we still have teachers (thank God) .If so how will it differ from the past if the ministry of the evangelist is accurately alligned with the scriptures ,rather than the traditional view imposed by cultural christianity.
Be interested to know your thoughts.
cheers
Dave UK