Day 3: Evangelism vs. Disciple Making

Remember the question from earlier in our devotionals, “Are you a Christian?,” “Are you a disciple?” Well, let’s ask another, “Are you an evangelist?”

Evangelism

We consider evangelism to be the work of soul winning. We think good evangelists are soul winners. Evangelism is one of the fivefold ministries (Ephesians 4:11), but as we stated in previous devotions, the fivefold ministries are not always synonymous with our service to others as the church body.

• ‘Evangelize’ and ‘evangelism’ are not in the Bible. Apparently, we aren’t evangelical, or evangeli-called.
• Philip was called an evangelist in Acts 21.
• Some are called evangelists in Ephesians 4.
• We are called to do the work of an evangelist in the face of adversity in 2 Timothy 4.

What is the evangelist?

• In the New Testament, the action of the evangelist is to preach, or evangelizo, which is to announce, declare and bring forth the Gospel.(Mat 11:5, Luke 4:18, 43, Acts 8:25, Romans 10:15)
• There is another “to preach” in the New Testament, kerusso, which is to proclaim, a public crier, and publish a divine truth. (Matthew 4:17, 10:7, Luke 4:44, Acts 8:5)

Disciple Making

There is a very biblical role and language for the evangelist and preaching. We should proclaim and announce this Gospel we cherish. In fact, the Great Commission as written in Mark 16 uses kerusso to describe proclaiming the Gospel to those we will disciple. Biblical evangelism is deeply tied disciple-making.

Final Thoughts

There are many out there who don’t know or believe in the scripture. It is distant and removed from them. But you are not. And in true fellowship, the mutual exchange of the heart, you are connected and close to that person that needs the Gospel. The Gospel you first proclaim to them, according to I Corinthians 3, is not a citation of book, chapter, and verse, but the encouraging letter of your testimony that God has written upon your heart. When you share that encouraging letter you become an evangelist of the Gospel to them.

Biblical Devotion

Acts 21:8  On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven and stayed with him.

Ephesians 4:11-14  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,  (13)  until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,  (14)  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

2 Timothy 4:3-8  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,  (4)  and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.  (5)  As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.  (6)  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  (7)  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  (8)  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Scriptures that use kerusso (in italics and bold)

Mark 16:15-17  And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. (16)  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (17)  And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues.

Matthew 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 10:5-8  These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, (6)  but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (7)  And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (8)  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

Luke 4:43-44  but [Jesus] said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” (44)  And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Acts 8:4-5  Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.  (5)  Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.

Luke 4:17-19  And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,  (18)  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, (19)  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Scriptures that use evangelizo (in italics and bold)

Luke 4:43-44  but [Jesus] said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” (44)  And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Acts 8:4-5  Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.  (5)  Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.

Matthew 11:4-6  And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: (5)  the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. (6)  And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Luke 4:17-19  And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,  (18)  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, (19)  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Acts 8:25  Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

Romans 10:15  And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”