Foundations of Christian Leadership, Student Workbook, SW07

2 8 6 /

F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

A P P E N D I X 5 8

A Theological Overview of the Equipping Gifts Described in Ephesians 4.11 Rev. Terry Cornett, M.A., M.A.R.

I. Evangelists

A. Linguistic Considerations

Euaggelistes

“A preacher of the gospel” ( Strong’s Greek Dictionary of New Testament Words ) “The word translated in the NT ‘evangelist’ is a noun from the verb euangelizomai ‘to announce news’ and usually rendered . . . as ‘preach the gospel’” (D.B. Knox, “Evangelist,” New Bible Dictionary , 2nd Edition, J. D. Douglas and others, eds. Leicester, England-Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1982, p. 356). “The Greek word for evangelist (Eph. 4.11) is a compound of two words. The first Greek word means “well, good, kind, right, and proper,” eu. The second word means “messenger, envoy, one sent, an angel of God,” aggelos . Evangelist conveys one who is a good messenger, a messenger who comes to bring good news–news that will fill a listeners heart with joy and thanksgiving” (Harley H. Schmitt, Many Gifts, One Lord , Fairfax, VA: Xulon Press, 2002, p. 76). 1. “An evangelist knew the gospel narrative thoroughly and was capable of explaining it, as Philip the evangelist did to the eunuch. . . . Originally, euaggelistes denoted a function rather than an office. There could have been little difference between an apostle and an evangelist, all the apostles being evangelists, but not all evangelists being apostles” (Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary : New Testament, Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1992, pp. 670-671). 2. “All Christians are called to play their part in fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission, but some believers have a special call to, and a spiritual gift for, communicating Christ and leading others to him. These we call

B. Relevant Theological Quotes