Pure Evangelism

2 Timothy 4:5 

" As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."  

The word "evangelism" was never spoken by Jesus Chist.  In fact, the word evangelism is never stated in the Bible, yet the active form of the word, evangelist, is. The Greek root of this word is "Euangelion". This literally means "the reward given for the transport of good news." Another beautiful aspect of this word is that the word "angel" comes from the root "euangelion".

So, what does all of this mean? First, to evangelize we must not encompass the noun, we must live out the verb. Just as the active form of "euangelion", evangelist, is used in the Bible, let us rise and move. I woke up this morning with something pressing on my heart that inspired this blog.   "What form of evangelism do you prefer?" I asked myself this question, and immediately found the inherit flaw. There are not multiple forms of evangelism. There is one pure form. It is the conscious and purposeful act of sharing the good news. It is not inviting someone to church. It is not being kind to someone. It is not feeding the hungry. Yes, we are called to do this as well! Yet, we are commanded to care for the orphans and the widows of our world so that we can express love to them and show them a little bit of Jesus. Yet we are certainly commanded to be an evangelist.  

Ephesians 4:11
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ."

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. This is who is called to build up the body.

My friend Alyssa, often tells me that she was called to be a teacher in the most radical of ways. The Lord literally closed down doors leading her down other career paths. She had a passion burning inside of her to be in the presence of young children, and to foster their growth and maturity. She states to this day though, that often she cannot see herself in front of a classroom teaching-yet she knows she must care for them, love on them, and model behavior and learning for them.

Alyssa knows that she is not the liaison, the spokesperson, or the redirector.  She is the source of hope for many of these children.  As evangelists we are not called to direct someone to a church. We are not called to simply invite. We are called to spend time with, share with, mentor, grow, and love on them.  We are called to be sober-minded and to teach. We are called to be in the presence of those who are lost. We are not called to point fingers to the pastor. We are called to teach where we are , and to drop anything for the Great Commission.  The only being we should be pointing to is HIM.

It is from there, that we should invite men, women, and children to partake and serve in the body of Christ.

Notice that in Ephesians, the duty of the individual is set before they have been called to equip.   Christ began a good work in us, and is continuing to work in us. He made us Evangelists. It is literally in our blood.   Let us become evangelists, teachers, and shepherds of men.  Then, let us allow Him to transform our hearts for our greatest calling. It is from there that he will bring men and women into our lives to equip.  

Philippians 1:6 

Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

We are not called to simply redirect and let others "take care of the preachy stuff." No- that is our job. Our heavenly father crafted every centimeter of our DNA, to bring another beautifully and perfectly made creation into His truth.

Also, let us remember that in Ephesians 4:11, it states that the Lord gave us the right and the desire to share Him with the world. He NEVER had to do this.  He LET us. He is entrusting His creation to relinquish our hearts to Him, so that he may transform them, so that we may share our testimonies, so that others come to know Him and He is praised.  It is a beautiful cycle that He intended for us.


Let us return to the root of the word Euangelion.  The word "angel" comes from this word. The angels that brought the good news of the birth of Jesus- they are Euangelion. An angel "encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them" (Psalm 34:7) Angels protect, share good news and carry out the will of the Lord. They are a part of the Lord's great plan.  As angels brought good news, so will we.  Angels are the model of evangelism. They are submissive. They are prophets. They are holy. They are teachers. They are evangelists.

Let us share the beautiful news of Christ, personally, directly and purposefully. It is what we were created for. Submit our whole hearts to God, and then we may equip.