I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. [2 Timothy 4:1-5, ESV]
What does it mean to “do the work of an evangelist”? Evangelist derives from the Greek verb ευαγγελίζω. Both ευαγγελίζω and its cognate noun ευαγγελίον derive from a compound of ευ- (good) and άγγελoς (messenger). It is often translated as “good news” and in the New Testament it is applied exclusively to the unique message of the life and works of Jesus.
The nature of the gospel, no matter what age or language we are speaking in, is the life and works of Jesus [1 Corinthians 15:1-11]. It is not about world views or comparative religion. It is not a catechism or bullet point list of things we must give our consent to. It is not even about the conversion of unbelievers. It is the presentation of Jesus Christ to those who need to meet him – period.
In Galatians, the Apostle Paul makes it plain that the true gospel is distinguished from other (έτερος or “different”) gospels because the true gospel is ουκ κατά άνθρωπον – not after/by man. The gospel is not defined by men but by He who Is the Gospel – Jesus Christ. So, in Biblical evangelism we must first recognize that the gospel is not some system devised by man – whether that system is Jewish legalism or the Golden Keys of Soul-winning or the Finney-esque altar call – but the person of Jesus Christ.
In our post next week, we will discuss more fully the role of the ευαγγελιστής or “evangelist” in this encounter with Jesus Christ.
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Erik,
Right on! The Jews added hundreds of laws to the ten commandments over fifteen centuries. During the twenty-one centuries of the Church multiple layers have been added to the simple message of the Gospel. The Prosperity Gospel for instance diverts attention away from Christ to the believer. Personal needs and desires supersede sacrificial service including self-denial. This is the reason most Christians are empowered by the flesh instead of the Holy Spirit. I like what one writer said, “If the Holy Spirit were removed from the modern Church, most ministry would continue. If the Holy Spirit were removed from the first century Church, the majority of ministry would cease.”
Good post, Erik.
Michael, Good comments. I appreciate your interaction.
In about a week I'll have a testimonial sort of post up. I hope to get your feedback on it. You seem like one who has been where we have been.
Erik,rnrnRight on! The Jews added hundreds of laws to the ten commandments over fifteen centuries. During the twenty-one centuries of the Church multiple layers have been added to the simple message of the Gospel. The Prosperity Gospel for instance diverts attention away from Christ to the believer. Personal needs and desires supersede sacrificial service including self-denial. This is the reason most Christians are empowered by the flesh instead of the Holy Spirit. I like what one writer said, “If the Holy Spirit were removed from the modern Church, most ministry would continue. If the Holy Spirit were removed from the first century Church, the majority of ministry would cease.”
Good post, Erik.nMichael, Good comments. I appreciate your interaction. nIn about a week I’ll have a testimonial sort of post up. I hope to get your feedback on it. You seem like one who has been where we have been.
Looking forward to the rest of this post. Was disappointed this one was so short.
Next week's post will be more lengthy – tackling one of the sacred cows of extreme fundamentalism, “Soul-winning.”
Looking forward to the rest of this post. Was disappointed this one was so short.
Next week’s post will be more lengthy – tackling one of the sacred cows of extreme fundamentalism, “Soul-winning.”