Spiritual
Gifts
By: Brian Schwertley
Part 3—Evangelist
The third office listed by Paul is
the evangelist. This office is often misunderstood today, for many
denominations still have an office called an evangelist. The modern “evangelist”
is someone who preaches the gospel where it previously had not been known.
Thus, church planters, missionaries and street preachers are often referred to
as evangelists. Indeed, the modern evangelist does spend most of his time doing
the work of evangelism. Although it is understandable why the title
“evangelist” is still in use today, one must make a distinction between the New
Testament office of evangelist and the modern counterpart. There are a number
of reasons why the evangelistic office during the first generation of the
church was unique.
(1) All the evangelists named in the
New Testament (except perhaps Stephen and Philip) have ministries that are
intimately connected with the work of the apostles (e.g., Barnabas, Timothy,
John Mark, Titus, Silas, Luke). They often functioned as special assistants to
the apostles. “If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow
worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are
messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ” (2 Cor.
8:23).
(2) The New Testament evangelists
had Spirit-given supernatural powers to work signs and miracles (e.g.,
Stephen–Ac. 6:8; Philip–Ac. 8:13; Barnabas–Ac. 14:3). The miraculous gifts were
needed to authenticate the gospel message at a time of new revelatory activity
(cf. Ex. 4:5; 1 Kgs. 17:4; Jn.
10:25; 2 Cor. 12:12; etc.); during the foundation
laying period of the church. Because of their miracle working abilities and
their intimate connection with the apostolate, the office of evangelist was
regarded as temporary and foundational by early Reformed theologians and
commentators. “The Form of Presbyterial Church
Government” in the Westminster Standards reads: “The officers which
Christ hath appointed for the edification of his church, and the perfecting of
the saints, are, some extraordinary, as apostles, evangelists, and
prophets, which are ceased. Others ordinary and perpetual, as pastors,
teachers, and other church governors, and deacons.”103
(3) New Testament evangelists often
engaged in special work. When the apostles had a special job to do they would
choose an evangelist for the task. They were in some sense apostolic vicars;
that is, men clothed with special powers for a specific purpose. They did
ministerial tasks that only one specially commissioned by an apostle could do.
The apostles even sent them out as superintendents of the churches. “But I
trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be
encouraged when I know your state” (Phil. 2:19). Paul ordered Titus to “appoint
elders in every city” (Tit. 1:5; cf. Ac. 15:22; 2 Tim. 4:9; Tit. 3:12).
(3) Whenever Paul lists church
officers he always places the evangelist before the pastor-teacher. This
position is logical given the evangelist’s ability to work signs and miracles
and their function as apostolic representatives to check on churches, appoint
elders and so on.
Given the testimony of Scripture
regarding the office of evangelist, one must either regard this office as
temporary (as does John Calvin and the Westminster divines), or, one must argue
that the supernatural gifts associated with this office and the close
connection with the apostles have ceased while the office itself continues. The
latter opinion, while popular, should be rejected for the simple reason that we
do not have the biblical right to remove major aspects of an office carefully
defined in Scripture without divine warrant. The men who today are involved in
missionary work and church planting are teaching elders who are focusing a great
deal of their attention on evangelism. They are evangelistic pastors, not
evangelists in the strict biblical definition of the term. When Timothy had
settled into a pastorate, Paul commanded him to “do the work of an evangelist”
(2 Tim. 4:5). Obviously, the elements of the office of evangelist that are not
unique to the first century, such as preaching the gospel in new areas and
establishing new churches continues. But they continue through the
non-extraordinary, perpetual office of pastor-teacher.
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Brian Schwertley,