THE PREACHER AND THE EVANGELIST

THE PREACHER AND THE EVANGELIST

I was glad to get your comments on evangelising. There is a difference between preaching and evangelising. The verb ‘to preach’ is kerusso, which is derived from the noun kerux, this latter is only used three times in scripture. The title Paul gives himself in 1 Timothy 2:7 — ‘I am ordained a preacher’; and in 2 Timothy 1:11 — ‘I am appointed a preacher’; and in keeping with this distinction he tells Timothy to preach the word, and then adds, “Do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4: 5). I would not hinder a man from proclaiming what he knows, and the example you adduce (Apollos) was not properly evangelising, he is said to have spoken, and taught diligently, and he was as to gift a ‘waterer’ (see 1 Corinthians 2: 6), and not an evangelist. The Greek word evangelised only occurs in Matthew 11: 5, and not at all in Mark. It occurs frequently in Luke. I think the one gifted to be an evangelist may be a preacher, but one could be an evangelist and not a preacher. It is said to the apostles, “Preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). I find they who went everywhere were evangelising, and yet that Philip preached Christ in Samaria. I think this is a warrant for preaching in Christendom. But what I feel is, that it is the preaching department that the evangelists in the present day turn their attention, and devote their chief energies to. As a proclaimer there would be less need of guidance, but as an evangelist you would surely admit that one is led of God to speak to souls, and to seek souls individually. I think the confusion has arisen from confounding the herald, or preacher, with the evangelist. In Old Testament times there were the former, never the latter. Lastly, a proclaimer makes himself more or less public; but I still think that the evangelist would not begin with that branch of his office, though, as I have said, he would not shrink from it, as Paul at Athens and at the Roman tribunal. An evangelist might not be able to string a dozen sentences together. ———— in the present day, as ———— in a former day, give me more the idea of real evangelists though not preachers. Where in the present day are the evangelists dropping into the cottages and seeking the stray lambs in the lanes and alleys? Preaching the gospel involves less personal sacrifice than any other service. A man may hold any worldly position, and enjoy any circle of taste and fashion, and yet be a preacher. A preacher by that very fact takes the place of eminence in a pulpit nowadays, and awes and electrifies the multitude. I do not say that blessing does not supervene, but I say that the evangelist to be true to his calling makes himself less than the least, he waits on the needy soul. In prison and in chains Paul is ready and at hand for the suppliant jailor. To be true to his office the evangelist must be the smallest man going. He exposes himself in the front rank to die or to win. The teacher has his own company and he can reside with them. I do not see how an evangelist can have any calling except one like Paul’s — tent-making, that can be taken up anywhere; he has no certain dwelling-place. I have gone over the subject again, and I trust you will see with me, or if not, that you will let me hear again.