The Evangelist. An Introduction

Continuing on the path of apostles and prophets, I can't help but make a stop at the office or position of the ministry of and evangelist. My focus will be more on what some people make up an evangelist to be based on one verse, namely, 2 Timothy 4:5 -

 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

The word "evangelist(s)" only appears in Scripture three times - in Acts 21:8, in reference to one of the first seven deacons - ministers - servants in Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-5), which is the ONLY time anyone is called an "evangelist" in Scripture.

In Ephesians 4:11, which has been the starting point for my discussion on the ministry gifts, which this verse only tells us what gifts the Lord has given to equip the Body with.

The other verse where "evangelist" is used is in the verse I'm addressing today, 2 Timothy 4:5. As I mentioned at the start of this article, some use this verse to claim that Timothy was an "evangelist" because in most translations it has Paul telling Timothy to do the work of an "evangelist". Therefore they conclude that everything Timothy is instructed to do is what all "evangelists" are called to do. 

While this view of Timothy is not uncommon, there are two other views of him which are believed: like the most common, that Timothy and Titus are pastors. Which is why the epistles that bear their names are referred to as the "pastoral epistles". 

The other view is that Timothy is a special representative, delegate, emissary of Paul sent to Ephesus.

I have discussed 2 Timothy 4:5 with preachers who are called "evangelists" and not one has any Scripture to support their teaching that their congregation and those associated with them claim is how the congregation is set up to operate, that is, with an "evangelist" at the head. 

Some arguments they tell me are:

1. The "evangelist's" role is to see to public reading of Scripture and prayer; and
2. "Evangelists" we're given commands for oversight of the public service - which is why Paul sent "evangelists" to congregations who had shepherds, but were without an "evangelist".

As I had stated, there is no Scripture that implies these two above arguments. The first argument is based on Paul telling Timothy to "give attention to reading". (1 Tim. 4:13) Though the role of "public prayer" isn't found in the epistles to Timothy, unless one claims 1 Tim. 2:1-4 is an instruction for "public prayer", though it seems to simply be Paul's charge to Timothy to pray for all people.

Why did Paul write these letters to Timothy? In 1 Timothy, to deal with problems that had arisen in the Ephesian church, such as false doctrine (1:3-7; 4:1-3; 6:3-5), disorder in worship (2:1-15), the need for qualified leaders (3:1-14), and materialism (6:6-19). In 2 Timothy, where some believe Paul, aware that his end was near, passed his "apostolic mantle" of ministry to Timothy (2:2) and exhorted him to continue faithful in his duties (1:6), hold on to sound doctrine (1:13, 14), avoid error (2:15-18), accept persecution for the gospel (2:3, 4; 3:10-12), put his confidence in the Scripture, and preach it relentlessly (3:15-4:5)

I will bring this introduction part on the "evangelist" to a close for this week. I hope it has helped to wet your appetite on the "evangelist" and cause you to start digging into your view and what you have been led to believe by those that have trained you up in the milk of the Word and hopefully into a soldier of the cross (2 Tim. 2:3), able to eat the solid food (Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:2) of the Scripture of Truth (Dan. 10:21)