BY Argie Simonis
~ Evangelists
"And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came to Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and stayed with him." Acts 21:8
"But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry." 2Tim. 4:5
These are the two references that the word "evangelist" is used in Scripture.
In Acts 21:8, Philip, one of the first six deacons chosen by the Jerusalem church, was called an evangelist. However, there is no clear explanation of exactly what he did as an evangelist.
In 2Tim. 4:5, Timothy, who was the first bishop or pastor of the church in Ephesus, was asked by the apostle Paul to do the work of an evangelist. This means that even those who may not have that particular calling can serve as evangelists. It is commonly believed that an evangelist is someone who has a passion for leading people to the Lord. But every believer must have a passion for lost souls.
I believe an evangelist is someone who has a supernatural gift to bring people to the Lord. He finds special favor with the people of the world and goes to places that other believers would hardly go (ministry in prisons, to addicts, homeless people and generally outcasts, people who are usually rejected by society).
All believers must share their faith with others by the power of the Holy Spirit. But an evangelist ministers under a special anointing and does so as a calling.
All believers are to teach but that does not make them teachers:
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1Peter 3:15
All believers can prophesy:
"For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted." 1Cor. 14:31
but that does not make them all prophets. Likewise, all believers can and should evangelize the lost, but that does not make them all evangelists. Remember the Samaritan woman who evangelized her entire village (John 4:7-30)
The ministry of the evangelist is very important for the Church. He is the one who will contribute to the growth of the Church as he recruits new believers to join the body of Christ.
Observing well-known ministries of modern international fame evangelists, the gift of faith, gifts of healing and working of miracles characterize their ministry. Also the prophetic gift is strong with words of knowledge and words of wisdom, as well as gifts of mercy and help.
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~ Pastors and teachers
The ministry of the pastor or shepherd, is one of the most prominent ministries in the modern church. Apart from Jesus being described as the good Shepherd, the only time the word shepherd appears in the New Testament is in Eph. 4:11, when Paul refers to the fivefold ministry. In the O.T the only reference we see is in some places to the prophet Jeremiah:
"And I will give you pastors according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." Jer. 3:15
"Woe be to the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! said the LORD." Jer. 23:1
The word "bishop" is used instead of pastor (1 Tim. 3:1-2, Titus 1:7, 1 Peter 2:25) and was the common way of referring to the person who had oversight of the local church. The pastor as the leader of the local church or a group of believers, has a very important role in the body of Christ. Like a shepherd, the pastor will see to it that the Lord's sheep are spiritually fed, he will treat, help and counsel those in need. The pastor is the spiritual father of many believers.
Therefore, the qualifications of a bishop mentioned in 1Tim. 3:1-7 would be the qualifications of the pastor:
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." 1Τim. 3:1-7
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~ Teachers
In the four Gospels it is mentioned that Jesus spent twice as much time in teaching as in preaching. There is an essential difference between them: Preaching presents and proclaims the Word of God, while teaching interprets and explains the Word of God.
In general, the emphasis that has been given in the modern church is to get people born again, but the further training and deep grounding of believers in the Word of God is insufficient.
Teaching is the basic building block of desciple making. Jesus made disciples, not just converts, and this was the last command He gave His disciples:
"Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Matt. 28:19
Anointed teaching is necessary to fulfill this mission. The Apostle Paul also had the gift of teaching:
"Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity." 1Tim. 2:7
"And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them." Acts 18:11
Teaching is also a characteristic of the pastor (1 Tim. 3:2). I personally cannot imagine a pastor being effective in his ministry without also being a teacher.
Most churches do not systematically teach through the Bible, so believers cannot be properly taught in just one hour a week in church. Pastors focus on bringing a motivating message that might encourage someone or fill a momentary need. The result is that believers are constantly in the "milk" without being able to move effectively in their calling.
"And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." 1Cor. 12:28
Paul's reference to the gifts here is very interesting. Looking at the same reference in Eph. 4:11, pastors and teachers are mentioned together, without a comma. Here, if you noticed in the chain of hierarchy, the pastor is absent. I believe that the ministry of pastor and teacher are together.
The teacher meets Paul's description in 1 Tim. 3:1-7. He loves systematic study and has a gift for communicating his knowledge with simplicity. I would liken the teacher to an architect. The architect will unfold in front of you the design of the house and will explain in detail the perspective, use and functionality of each space. It will help you understand your home and its potential.
The teacher's mission is to prepare disciples who will in turn make other disciples.
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