A noun occurring only three times in the NT (Acts 21:8; Eph 4:11; 2Tim 4:5); the idea of proclaiming the good news about God’s kingdom and about Jesus the Christ, however, is found throughout the NT writings. The cognate verb, “evangelize” (lit., “to proclaim good news”), is frequent, as is the Greek noun translated “gospel” or “good news,” which comes directly into English as “evangel.” By the third century, the authors of the four canonical Gospels (“evangels”) had come to be known as “Evangelists.”
Acts 21:8
8The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him.
Eph 4:11
11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
2Tim 4:5
5As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
