God’s gift in the body.
We can learn many things about the shepherd/pastor in both the Old and New Testaments. Examples of both the wicked and godly are plentiful. Men who fleeced the sheep and those who sacrificed themselves for the sake of the flock. In Jesus we discover God’s Good Shepherd for mankind, but not much is said of the evangelist.
The apostle Paul, traveling through Caesarea on his final journey to Jerusalem, stayed with Philip the evangelist who had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. (Acts 21:8) (Perhaps the same Philip who baptized the Ethiopian) In his letter to the Ephesians we learn that it is one of five gifts of ministry which Jesus gives to His body, the church.
” To equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ shall be built up until we all reach maturity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
We are not given more detail about this particular gift until Paul writes his second letter to Timothy telling him to “do the work of the evangelist.” (2 Timothy 4:5) This gift was given through Paul as he laid his hands upon Timothy. A gift which Timothy was told to “fan into a flame.”
Timothy was reminded that God does “not make us timid, He gives power, love and discipline,” and “ do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:6-8)
The evangelist is to preach the word; be prepared at all times to correct, rebuke and encourage others with great patience and careful instruction as they endure hardship carrying out their duties. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
I believe our Father would enable more of His children to do the work of the evangelist by inviting others to receive His gift of grace. Our responsibility is to pray and proclaim “the testimony of our Lord.” God’s Spirit will produce the fruit as we open our mouth to praise Him.
We get to tell others what Jesus has revealed, that which God planed before the beginning of time, immortality in Christ” (2 Timothy 1:10) That’s it! The letter to Timothy is the only clear discription of the gift of the evangelist.
His Family Table 