Evangelism

1 Etymology
Main article: Good news (Christianity)
The word evangelist comes from the Koine Greek
word (transliterated as euangelion) via Latinised Ev(EV-common & angeliugem-, angel)as used in
the canonical titles of the Four Gospels, authored by
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (also known as the Four
Evangelists). The Greek word originally
meant a reward given to the messenger for good news (
= good, = I bring a message"; the word "l"
comes from the same root) and later good news itself.
The verb form of euangelion,[1] (translated as evangelism), occurs rarely in older Greek literature outside
the New Testament, making its meaning more dicult to ascertain. Parallel texts of the Gospels of Luke
and Mark reveal a synonymous relationship between the
verb euangelizo () and a Greek verb kerusso
(), which means to proclaim.[2]
The Four Evangelists

2 Proselytism
Main article: Proselytism
While evangelism is usually regarded as converting nonChristians to Christianity, this is not always the proper
usage of the word. If converting to Christianity includes services or material benets, evangelism is called
proselytism. Dierent denominations follow dierent
theological interpretations which reect upon the point
This term is not restricted to any particular Christian tra- of who is doing the actual conversion, whether the evandition, and should not be confused with Evangelicalism,
gelist or the Holy Spirit or both. Calvinists, for example,
a common term for a wide range of Evangelical believe the soul is converted only if the Holy Spirit is efProtestant churches and groups.
fective in the act.[3]
Christians who specialize in evangelism are often known Catholic missionary work in Russia is commonly seen as
as evangelists, whether they are in their home communi- evangelism, not proselytism. Archbishop Kondrusiewicz
ties or living as missionaries in the eld, although some openly stated, that proselytism is absolutely unacceptChristian traditions refer to such people as missionaries able and cannot constitute a strategy for the developin either case. Some Christian traditions consider evan- ment of our structures either in Russia or in any other
gelists to be in a leadership position; they may be found country in the world.[4] Especially regarding claims by
preaching to large meetings or in governance roles.
the Orthodox church that spreading the faith and reEvangelism is the preaching of the gospel or the practice
of giving information about a particular doctrine or set of
beliefs to others with the intention of converting others to
the Christian faith.

ceiving converts amounts to proselytism,[5] the Catholic

Church's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a document called Doctrinal Note on some Aspects
of Evangelization[6] which states that evangelism is an
inalienable right and duty, an expression of religious lib-

Christian groups who actively encourage evangelism are

sometimes known as evangelistic or evangelist. The scriptures do not use the word evangelism, but evangelist is
used in (the translations of) Acts 21:8, Ephesians 4:11,
and 2 Timothy 4:5.
1

6 MISSIONARY WORK

erty ..., and added, The incorporation of new members

into the Church is not the expansion of a power group,
but rather entrance into the network of friendship with
Christ which connects heaven and earth, dierent continents and age. It is entrance into the gift of communion
with Christ....

Origin

Main article: Great Commission

In recent history, certain Bible passages have been used
to promote evangelism. William Carey, in a book entitled, 'An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to
Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens popularised a quotation, where, according to the Bible, during
his last days on earth Jesus commanded his eleven disciples (the apostles) as follows:

to pray a prayer for salvation have become common, and

just as common are concerts that are focused on activity
not necessarily on prayer and conversion, thus forming an
environment that is not driven by conversion, but instead
relaying of a message.
Evangelists such as Reinhard Bonnke conduct mass evangelistic crusades around the world. Hundreds of church
denominations and organizations participate in an evangelism movement known as the Billion Soul Harvest,
which is a comprehensive initiative to convert a billion
people to Christianity.

5 Evangelists

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19,20 NIV
However, recent scholarship by Chris Wright[7] and others has suggested that such activity is promoted by the
entire Bible, or at least the wider term 'mission', although
the meaning of the word 'mission' and its relationship to
'evangelism' is disputed amongst Christians.

Billy Graham in Dsseldorf (1954)

Sometimes, the regular minister of a church is called a

preacher in a way that other groups would typically use
the term pastor. The evangelist in some churches is one
that travels from town to town and from church to church,
spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many Christians
of various theological perspectives would call themselves
4 Modern methods
evangelists because they are spreaders of the gospel.
Many churches believe one of their major functions is to
Breaking from tradition and going beyond television and function as evangelists to spread the evangelist belief that
radio a wide range of methods have been developed to Jesus is savior of humanity.
reach people not inclined to attend traditional events in
The title of evangelist is often associated with those who
churches or revival meetings.
lead large meetings like those of Billy Graham, Luis
Dramas such as Heavens Gates, Hells Flames have gained Palau[9] and J.A. Prez[10] possibly in tents or existing
enormous popularity since the 1980s. These dramas typi- church buildings, or those who address the public in street
cally depict ctional characters who die and learn whether corner preaching, which targets listeners who happen to
they will go to heaven or hell.
pass nearby. It can also be done in small groups or even
Beginning in the 1970s, a group of Christian athletes on a one-to-one basis, but actually it is simply one who
known as the The Power Team spawned an entire genre spreads the gospel. Increasingly, the internet enables anyof Christian entertainment based on strong-man exploits one to become an Internet evangelist.
mixed with a Christian message and usually accompanied
by an opportunity to respond with a prayer for salvation.[8]
Other entertainment-based Christian evangelism events
include comedy, live theater and music.

6 Missionary work

The Christian music industry has also played a signicant See also: Approaches to evangelism
role in modern evangelism. Rock (and other genres) concerts in which the artist(s) exhort non-believing attendees The New Testament urges believers to speak the gospel

3
clearly, fearlessly, graciously, and respectfully whenever an opportunity presents itself (see Colossians 4:2-6,
Ephesians 6:19-20, and 1 Peter 3:15).

[3] Curb proselytism in Andhra Pradesh. News Today. 4

July 2006. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
[4] Russias conversion does not require leaving Orthodox
faith: Catholic prelate. Catholic World News. 14 May
2007. Retrieved 10 January 2009.

Throughout most of its history, Christianity has been

spread evangelistically, though the extent of evangelism
has varied signicantly between Christian communities,
[5]
and denominations. Evangelism, apologetics and apostolic ministry often go hand in hand. An
(apostolos) is literally one who is ordered forth and [6]
refers to the missionary calling of being ordered forth
into the world by the initiation of God. An example of
an interplay between Evangelism and Apologetics can be
seen in the USA when upon door to door Evangelism [7]
the prospect is an unbeliever and challenges the Evangelist wherein the Evangelist then follows into the role
of the Apologist in defense of their faith with the hope [8]
that Evangelism may be restarted. Since missionaries often travel to areas or people groups where Jesus is not
yet known, they frequently take on an evangelistic role. [9]
But the apostolic or missionary calling is not necessarily the same (and it is a misnomer and misinterpretation [10]
to equate them), as there are many who serve in missionary, church planting, and ministry development roles who
have an apostolic calling or serve in an apostolic role but 9
whose primary duty is not evangelism.

See also
10/40 Window
Catholic Action
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Charismatic Movement
Child evangelism movement
Emmanuel Community
Evangelical Catholic
Evangelical environmentalism
Fidesco International
Open-air preaching
Romans Road
Technology evangelist

Footnotes

[1] The 7 Principles of an Evangelistic Life, p. 32, Douglas

M. Cecil, Moody Publishers
[2] Bible as a Second Language, webpage, retrieved November 5, 2008

Vatican defends duty to evangelize and accept converts.

Reuters. 14 December 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
Doctrinal Note on some Aspects of Evangelization
(PDF). Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. 3 December 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20
December 2007.
Wright, Christopher (2006). The Mission of God. IVP
Academic. ISBN 0-8308-2571-1.
http://journalstar.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/
coming-on-strong-power-team-lifts-weights-and-spirits/
article_dbe77b67-99ce-59f4-b994-d0c0e5891228.html
Luis Palau
Jorge Armando Prez

Further reading

Abdiyah Akbar Abdul-Haqq, Sharing Your [Christian] Faith with a Muslim. Minneapolis: Bethany
House Publishers, 1980. ISBN 0-87123-553-6
Jay Riley Case, An Unpredictable Gospel: American
Evangelicals and World Christianity, 1812-1920.
New York: Oxford University Press, 2012.

10

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Evangelism Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelism?oldid=675244836 Contributors: Wesley, Fubar Obfusco, William Avery,

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