I would like to start this article with an apology. The article is a bit choppy in my opinion. Though I believe it will get some wheels turning in every one's mind that reads it to research more on some of the points or questions that I have raised. So let us begin!
When looking at the "office" or "position" of an evangelist(s) it is best to look where we first find the word, as mentioned previously in the introduction, is only found three times in Scripture. The first in reference to Philip, who is the only person ever specifically identified as an evangelist in Scripture (Acts 21:8)
We first see Philip in Acts chapter 6 as one of the seven men chosen to distribute care to the Grecian widows. Chapter 8 is the only place we see him function as an evangelist.
What is an evangelist? An evangelist (Greek - euaggelistes - S# 2099) is a bringer of good tidings, a messenger of the good news (gospel) of salvation through Jesus the Christ. Part of an apostle's work was that of an evangelist as seen in Paul who preached the gospel (Acts 14:15; 16:10; 17:3; Rom. 1:15; 15:20; 16:25; 1 Cor. 1:17; 23; 15:1; Gal. 1:15-16; Eph. 3:8; 1 Th. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11). We also see that Timothy was called to do the "work or function" as an evangelist (2 Tim. 4:5).
We often hear and have been taught that all followers of Christ are called to do the "work or function" of an evangelist - one who preaches the good news of salvation through Jesus the Christ. Yet, show me just ONE NT verse were this is taught? In Ephesians 4:11 where we find the word "evangelist" - would be best translated from the Greek, as some do, "and some as proclaimers of good news," which makes sense. Not all, but God gave gifts (v. 8) to some to proclaim the good news.
The "great commission" was given to the apostles only (Mt. 28:16-19; Mk. 16:14-15; Lk. 24:33, 44-49). Teachers tell us the "great commission" has been given to us, that none of us are exempt from this "commission", even though the these texts don't hint to such. Neither do we see the apostles giving the new believers in Christ such a commission. Also, we are taught we are called to be "fishers of men", even though this is what Jesus had said to some of His disciples who later became apostles that were "fishers of fish" by trade (Mt. 4:18-22). Nowhere else in Scripture do you find anyone else called to be "fishers of men", yet it is often our charge when evangelism is taught. How many of us have fallen for this line, hook and sinker? Let's not forget Acts 1:6-14 and Christ's "commission" to the apostles who were the only ones assembled to receive His charge.
Believers are told to be ready to give and answer to every man that asks you for a reason of the hope that is in you (1 Pet. 3:15). Yet, where in Scripture do we find all believers were sent out to preach the gospel? (Rom. 10:14-15) We are told as we leave the doors of the "church" building that we enter into "our mission field". We won't find that in Scripture, though it is often said and can be found above the exit at some "church" buildings. Just think of all that is taught on evangelism, that ALL believers are called to preach the gospel, or "share the gospel" - a phrase not even found in Scripture, possibly 1 Peter 3:15, or Eph. 6:15 being the closest thing to that line of thought in the NT or even 2 Cor. 5:18, though none of the three say we are all called to preach the gospel. The light of our good works and love we have for one another are to be a witness to others that we are Christ's (Mt. 5:13-16; Jn. 13:34-35). We see from history that it was the early Christian's witness that was noticed - their good works in love to others that set them apart and drew others to Christ, as well as their refusal to worship the emperor of Roman which brought persecution. In the context of one of the most memorized verses (Jn. 3:16), we find in the verses following (17-21) that light exposes darkness. As in the book of 1 John, pretty much throughout that book John talks about our Christian walk in light and love. We also see that Ephesians chapter 5, walking in light and love reproves those that walk in darkness as also seen in John chapter 3 and the book of 1 John. Let's not forget 1 Peter chapter 4, verses 1-5 and how our walk is seen as strange to those walking in darkness. That we are living epistles, known and read of all men (2 Cor. 3:2).
A common OT verse used for the charge of evangelism is Prov. 11:30 - "and he that winneth souls is wise." This could apply to saving believers that have gone astray into error (Jam. 5:19-20; Jude 1:23) as well as unbelievers. Though Prov. 11:30 doesn't necessarily imply that ALL believers be engaged in winning souls, unless you add to it. This might be a worthwhile study for you to embark upon and not something I plan to look at length in this series.
Moving back to Philip, his ministry is found in the eighth chapter of Acts. In it we see that Philip went to each place alone at first, though in Samaria when they believed the gospel, John and Peter came up to minister the Spirit, etc (Acts 8:14-17), and it's quite possible that Philip, Peter and John travelled together preaching the gospel in many villages in Samaria before parting ways, where Philip once again is alone to meet the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:25-39), where Philip heads out alone preaching in all the cities of Azotus before making his home in Caesarea (Acts 8:40; 21:8). Does that mean they always go out alone? Jesus sent them out 2 by 2 (Mk. 6:7, 12). Even in the book of Acts on their "missionary travels" they always went in at least pairs (Acts 13:2-3; 15:35-41). One could conclude that those engaged in an evangelistic type ministry often do so in pairs and at times alone. Therefore the thought that a "single evangelist" is ordained over a Body of believers is foreign to Scripture.
Which brings up another question, "How long does an evangelist, or those doing the "function or work" of one remain in one location?
Again, the only true evangelist noted in Scripture is Philip. From his "ministerial deployment" when persecution hit the believers in Jerusalem he went to the city of Samaria and preached. Philip seemed to be there a short time before the apostles heard about the Samaritans receiving the gospel and came to the city. As noted earlier, they were there a brief time before preaching in many villages in Samaria on their return to Jerusalem. No long term stays are apparent. (vs 5, 14-15, 25) Then the Lord sent Philip to Gaza for a brief encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch (v. 26). Afterwards Philip preached in all the cities of Azotus, until he came to Caesarea (v. 40) as mentioned earlier. Nowhere does anyone that I'm aware of believe that Philip stayed at any length in any of the cities or villages he preached in until he came to Caesarea.
Looking into Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus we learn that Paul left/sent Timothy to Ephesus and Titus to Crete for a very short period of time to aid in establishing the assembly of believers there. If they are "evangelists" as the some like to claim, then they are still not following the NT pattern!
"Evangelists" remain at congregations for years, or even as a popular "evangelist" told me, for decades, citing Philip at Caesarea where there is nothing known about the congregation there, let alone what, if any, role Philip would have had in it. Therefore using Philip at Caesarea as an "evangelist" heading up the congregation there for years are simply things cooked up in the imagination of their own hearts and are vain and not Scriptural. As a popular slogan in the Church of Christ declares, "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." Not so in this case as is evident! It is a clear case of eisegesis on their part.
Also, if "evangelists" were to head up the local assembly (for years), why do we not find this pattern in Scripture? Look at Acts 14:23 where Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, ordaining or appointing elders in every congregation, and then left. Notice what is missing? They, being apostles, didn't appoint (an) "evangelist(s)" and elders in EVERY CONGREGATION, only elders. If "evangelists" are to head up every congregation, why would they not appoint this essential piece?
Again, Paul instructs Titus to ordain or appoint elders in EVERY city (Titus 1:5). Notice again that Paul does not mention the ordaining or appointing in every city of "evangelists!" If "evangelists" are the essential piece in leading the congregation to grow in the Lord, why aren't they even mentioned by Paul? Could it be that some have been led astray with false doctrine? I believe so.
It's the elders who are called overseers that are to feed the flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4), they are the ones that watch over their souls (Heb. 13:17).
An "evangelist" on the other hand as I've shown previously is a proclaimer of good news. No other functions do we have for an "evangelist" apart from leading others to salvation in Christ. Yet, some have corrupted the Scriptures in applying duties of an elder to an "evangelist."
One last example from Scripture, if "evangelists" were to lead congregations and play an essential part in the feeding and governing of every assembly, why were they not mentioned at a crucial time in "church" history where Jewish converts were trying to put a yoke of bondage on the Gentile converts in Acts chapter 15? Who were assembled to decide what the practices should be for those Gentile converts? "Evangelists?" No! It was the apostles and elders! (vs. 3-4, 6, 22-23)
Many years later when Paul returned to Jerusalem to worship. Many of the unbelieving Jews were ready to kill Paul because they believed he was teaching Gentile converts to forsake Moses and not to follow after their customs. So in whose presence did Paul receive counsel from on how to conduct himself in this manner? The "evangelists?" No! Once again it was the apostles and elders! (Acts 21:18)
If the "evangelist" is a central and essential piece in the spiritual growth and governance of every assembly as some claim, why were they absent in the last two examples noted above? I think you see the pattern. They do not hold the prime position that some teach that they do.
Therefore the idea of some today that an evangelist is sought out by an eldership, or committee to put on a performance or two before the flock to determine whether or not they like his style enough to anoint him as the new face of their "church" in the community to lead them for years to come is not found in the example of Philip, nor in Scripture. Yet this pattern had to come from some where, right? All things Bible? Maybe not!
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