Evangelism

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The Four Evangelists, by Jakob Jordaens

Evangelism is the proclaiming of the Christian Gospel or, by extension, any other form of preaching or proselytizing. It also lends its name to any one of a number of Protestant Christian sects having roots in the late 19th century American Revivalist movements.

The word evangelist comes from the Koine Greek word ευαγγελιον (transcribed as "euangelion") via Latin "Evangelium", as used in the canonic titles of the four Gospels, and thus The Evangelists are the authors of the four Gospels -- traditionally known as Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (also known as the Four Evangelists). The Greek word ευαγγελιον originally meant a reward for good news given to the messenger (ευ = "good", αγγελλω = "I bring a message"; the word angel is of the same root) and later "good news". The latter term gives rise to the word "Gospel".

Contents

1 Evangelists
2 Perspectives on evangelism
3 Biblical quotes
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

Evangelists

For many groups, a church planter is called an evangelist. Sometimes, the regular minister of a church is called an evangelist in a way that other groups would typically use the term pastor. Among these groups is the Church of Christ and organizations such as The Foundation for Evangelism. The evangelical movement in Protestant Christianity encompasses denominations and parachurch organizations such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association which, among other characteristics, focus on evangelism and the drawing-in of new converts. In common parlance, the title of evangelist is most easily associated with those who lead large meetings like those of Billy Graham, possibly in tents or existing church buildings, or those who address the public in street corner preaching, which targets listeners who happen to pass nearby on the street.

Perspectives on evangelism

(Please see approaches to evangelism)

Biblical quotes

A more strict biblical definition of evangelist would equate it to a missionary:

Ac 21:8 (KJV) And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the [evangelist], which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
2Ti 4:5 (KJV) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

References

[link] - News Article in rediff.com
[link] - Evangelism in Indonesia
[link] - Clinton Spokesman on Baptists' Evangelism

External links

[EvangelismEncyclopedia.org,] - a wiki devoted to Biblical Evangelism.