What Is Evangelism?

“The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food.” (Acts 21:8 NLT)

Are you aware that the word “Evangelism” isn’t found in the New Testament? The closest we come to finding a verse to describe what it means is found in 2 Timothy 4:5 where Paul writes: “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

Being an evangelist or having the gift of evangelism isn’t mentioned in the New Testament, but it’s certainly encompassed in Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19 when He said: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations…” According to the Greek-English Concordance, Evangelist is “the name given to the NT heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles.”

Do you find that odd? To me it seems of all people the Apostles, who were specifically chosen to be sent out with the Gospel message, should have been designated “Evangelists,” but the only person in the New Testament referred to as an “Evangelist” was Philip who was one of the seven men chosen to distribute food? Do you remember who else was chosen for food distribution?

Does the name “Stephen” ring a bell? Stephen was murdered for sharing the “good news.” Are you beginning to see a pattern here? Evangelists aren’t slackers, they’re the Lord’s varsity team. Someone might be tempted to think: “Oh, I don’t want to be on the front lines sharing my faith, I just want to help distribute food!” BOOM! That’s the point!

EVERYONE, from food distributor to Apostle, to me and you! EVERY Jesus follower is chosen by God to be an Evangelist. If we’ve been saved by grace and filled with God’s Spirit, we have a responsibility and a calling to help the people in our spheres of influence to understand who Jesus is and what He did. Burk Parsons wrote: “Evangelism isn’t a fish on your car, a cross around your neck, or your personal testimony—it’s proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.” 

Evangelism isn’t something we say or do, it’s who we are as a Jesus follower. It’s our attitude towards those who are “different” from us; those who antagonize us; who frighten us; who, truth be told, hate us and everything we stand for; as well as, of course, our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates, and on and on.

Evangelism isn’t something we learn, it’s something we pray God will be honored that we become in Him. Sharing the “Good News” that someone bound for hell can be forgiven and given new life in Christ, isn’t something we learn and practice, it’s something God ingrains in the very fiber of our being when we yield our life and allegiance to Him.

Love for lost people should ooze out of our pores, spill out of our countenance, be foremost in the way we speak and live. We don’t have to cram Jesus down anyone’s throat, we just let Him fill our heart and use our body, mind, and spirit to put Him on display in how we love the people in our spheres of influence. We don’t have to turn anyone “off” by preaching to them, we just need to let the Holy Spirit turn us ON for Him!

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊