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Evangelist Sphamandla Hlatshwayo shares his view on the topic “ππ‘π ππ¨π₯π π¨π ππ―ππ§π ππ₯π’π¬ππ¬ π’π§ ππ‘π π π’π―π-π π¨π₯π ππ’π§π’π¬ππ«π²”.
Sphamandla is also an author of the book tittle “Grace” that is about his understanding of the fundamental principles of the Gospel and Salvation. The book serves as a valuable resource for successful evangelism by breaking down complex mysteries into easily understandable concepts. Get yourself a copy Sphamandla’s Book.
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The New Testament presents a cooperative model within the βfive-fold ministryβ , as explicitly taught in Ephesians 4:11-12, where each office/Ministry βapostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachersβhas unique roles in equipping and building the church. This model emphasizes the need for each gift/ Ministry to operate together to advance Godβs kingdom. Letβs examine closely the essential role of evangelists in this process, particularly through the example of Philip the Evangelist (Acts 21:8), to clarify the distinct yet collaborative functions of the βfive-fold ministry.β
1. Philip the Evangelist as an Equipper in the Body of Christ
Ephesians 4:11-12 reveals that Christ gave various ministries to the church βto equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.β
This passage highlights the important role evangelists play in the churchβs mission to equip the saints . Evangelists are not only preachers of the gospel but they are also responsible for equipping other believers to share their faith and participate in evangelistic efforts as well because essentially every believer should be a soul winner.
The responsibility to equip is not exclusive to apostles. Evangelists help the church reach out to the world, training believers to effectively spread the gospel. Thatβs why evangelists contribute uniquely and equally so to the entire mission of the church, alongside with other ministries such as apostles, pastors, and teachers.
2. Philip the Evangelist: A Biblical Example of Sending and Equipping Grace
Philipβs ministry provides a clear biblical example of how evangelists are sent by God and play a role in equipping others In certain territories and regions.
In Acts 8:26-40, Philip is divinely directed to encounter the Ethiopian eunuch, showing the βsendingβ grace present in the evangelistic ministry. Philip not only preached the gospel to the eunuch but also explained the Scriptures in depth ( teaching) leading the eunuch to faith and baptizing him.
This account shows that evangelists are instrumental in leading people to the full expression of their faith. Evangelists do not merely proclaim the gospel but are involved in bringing believers into obedience and equipping them for their journey with Christ.
Evangelists, like all five-fold ministers, must be thoroughly equipped themselves to effectively carry out their ministry. Likewise, apostles must be well-trained, as the equipping and teaching grace is not exclusive to their ministry such narrative cannot be correct.
Philipβs evangelistic mission in Samaria (Acts 8:5-8) further demonstrates how evangelists prepare the ground for deeper ministry. Through his proclamation, many believed, experienced healing, and were delivered. His ministry created an opening for further apostolic work. This shows that evangelists play a foundational role in expanding the church by equipping others and preparing the ground for future discipleship and growth.
3. The Great Commission Involves the Whole Church
The Great Commission, as given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20, is directed to all believers, including evangelists, apostles, pastors, and teachers. While apostles had a foundational role in the early church, the commission to βgo and make disciplesβ applies equally to evangelists, who are gifted to preach the gospel and reach the lost.
Philipβs mission to Samaria in Acts 8 is a prime example of how evangelists fulfill the Great Commission. His work demonstrates that evangelists are βsentβ by God to new territories to proclaim the gospel and make disciples. Evangelists, working alongside apostles and other ministers together play a crucial role in fulfilling the mandate of discipling nations as it should be.
4. The Collaborative Nature of the Five-Fold Ministry
The five-fold ministry is designed to operate as a team, with each role contributing something vital to the churchβs mission. Ephesians 4:12 emphasizes that the goal is to equip the saints for service and build up the body of Christ. Each officeβwhether apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacherβbrings a unique aspect to the mission, and none hold all the responsibilities alone, such notion is not correct.
Evangelists should be competent in equipping believers for work of ministry as the apostles, prophets, teachers and shepherds do and While apostles may lay foundational doctrines and prophets provide spiritual insight, evangelists focus on spreading the gospel, discipling new believers, and training others to do the same. This collaborative model ensures that the church is both theologically grounded and actively engaged in the world, fulfilling its mission effectively.
5. Evangelists Are Empowered by the Holy Spirit to Fulfill Their Mission not just skilled by apostles.
Acts 1:8 reminds us that the Holy Spirit empowers all believers, including evangelists, to be witnesses βto the ends of the earth.β This divine empowerment is not limited to apostles but is available to all who are called to proclaim the gospel. Evangelists, in particular, are equipped by the Spirit with the boldness and clarity to spread the gospel in various contexts.
Just as Philip was empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach to the Ethiopian eunuch and the people of Samaria, evangelists today are also led by the Spirit to reach those who have not yet heard the good news. This divine guidance affirms that evangelists are both sent and empowered by God to fulfill their role in the Great Commission.
The idea that only apostles carry the sending and equipping grace does not align with the broader New Testament teaching. Evangelists, like Philip, are an integral part of the five-fold ministry and play a vital role in both being sent and equipping others to reach the lost. The collaboration of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers is necessary for the church to effectively fulfill its mission. As the church seeks to carry out the Great Commission, it must recognize the essential contribution of evangelists in expanding the kingdom of God and equipping believers to share the gospel with all nations.