Foundations of Christian Leadership, Student Workbook, SW07
/ 2 8 7
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 Theological Overview of the Equipping Gifts Described in Ephesians 4.11 (continued)
evangelists, as does the New Testament” (The Amsterdam Declaration, published in Christianity Today , August 7, 2000, [Amsterdam 2000 was a world-wide gathering of evangelicals in mission called by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association with a special focus on itinerant evangelists and their role in world mission]). 3. “It will be seen then that though the apostles were evangelists, not all evangelists were apostles. This distinction is confirmed in Ephesians 4.11, where the office of ‘evangelist’ is mentioned after ‘apostle’ and ‘prophet,’ and before ‘pastor’ and teacher.’ From this passage it is plain that the gift of evangelism was a distinct gift within the Christian church; and although all Christians doubtless performed this sacred task, as opportunity was given to them, there were some who were pre-eminently called and endowed by the Holy Spirit for this work (D.B. Knox, “Evangelist,” New Bible Dictionary , 2nd Edition, J. D. Douglas and others, eds. Leicester, England-Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1982, pp. 356-57). 4. “Such individuals were not specifically called to serve a specific congregation, but moved about from place to place, proclaiming the gospel to people wherever they had opportunity. . . .Evangelists share the gospel of Jesus Christ in such a manner that it becomes good news to the hearers. The hearers respond and become faithful and committed followers of Jesus Christ. The evangelist also has a specific anointing “to equip the saints, for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4.12). The official recognition of such individuals within the congregation and in the church at large enables the process of bringing people to faith in Christ” (Harley H. Schmitt, Many Gifts, One Lord , Fairfax, VA: Xulon Press, 2002, p. 77). 5. “The evangelist of the Scriptures is, without question, the messenger to the unevangelized, preparing the way for the pastor and teacher in his more constant ministry in the church” (Lewis Sperry Chafer, True Evangelism , Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1967, p. 6). 6. “It will be seen that as an order in the ministry, the evangelist precedes that of the pastor and teacher, a fact which harmonizes with the character of the work each is still recognized as doing. The evangelist has no fixed place of residence, but moves about in different localities,
Made with FlippingBook Publishing Software