Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Evangelion In Scripture

Evangelion (translated Gospel, noun, synonym for Kerygma) means good news. Used 77 times in the English New Testament. In context of Christian faith, means glad tidings of salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul equates two terms in Rom. 16:25, “Now to him who is of power to establish you through my Gospel (evangelion), and the preaching (kerygma) of Jesus Christ…” Evangelion speaks of the content of the Gospel message proclaimed.


An analysis of the 7 scriptural titles directly associated with evangelion, each which illuminates the Gospel message (From James S. Stewart)

1. The Gospel of God, Rom. 1:1. The Gospel’s origin is in God.

2. The Gospel of Christ, Rom. 1:16, the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2Th. 1:8, the Gospel of His Son, Rom. 1:9. The Gospel is about Christ, but what about Him? Two-fold message, His person (His historical reality and His present ministry in heaven, and His atoning death on the cross, His burial, His resurrection). Neither part of the two-fold message can be separated. Paul stated that he was sent to preach the gospel, which he demonstrated both elements of the two-fold message (1Cor. 1:17-18). See also 1Cor. 15: 1,3,4, Rom 4:25, Acts 2: 36-37, 2Cor. 4:5

3. The glorious Gospel of Christ, 2Cor. 4: 3-4. Emphasis on the gospel’s intrinsic worth and majesty.

4. The Gospel of the grace of God, Acts 20: 24. The good news about God’s grace. Presupposes sin nature inherited from Adam and that all men and women deserve eternal punishment. On the basis of Christ’s atoning death, God offers forgiveness of sins. No one can earn this forgiveness; it is a free gift (Rom. 3:24).

5. The Gospel of Peace, Eph. 6:15. Peace is the fruit of the Gospel, see Rom. 5:1, Rom. 4: 24-25, Col. 1:20, Eph. 2: 13-14, Is. 53:5. The Cross produces peace in believers.

6. The Gospel of your salvation, Eph. 1:13. The individual appropriation of the gospel. The atoning sacrifice of Christ does not automatically save everyone; it establishes a basis upon which God can show mercy to all who believe, 2Cor. 5: 21, 1Pet 3:18.

7. My Gospel, Rom. 2:16.

Evangelizo (to bring good news, to announce glad tidings). Used 55 times in the New Testament. In LXX, used to describe a runner coming with the news of victory, it occurs twice in the Psalms proclaiming God’s faithfulness and salvation. Signifies the act of preaching the good news that the battle for souls was won by Christ’s atoning death, Jn. 12: 31-33, Col. 2: 13-15, Heb. 2: 14-15, 1Jn. 3:8). Evangelizo and Kerysso similar in meaning, but differ concerning the direction of action. The first emphasizes the act of bringing the message to others, the second speaks of being sent by a king with a message.

Evangelistes (bringer of good tidings, means basically the same thing as keryx). Used 3 times in the New Testament, appears in most English translations as “evangelist.” An evangelist is one specifically gifted to gather souls into Christ’s Church and who trains others to evangelize (Eph. 4: 8-12). This gift originates with Christ. The title is mentioned in connection to Philip (Acts 21:8), and Timothy (2Tim. 4:5). Philip went out from a local Church assembly to evangelize, Timothy was commanded by Paul to do the work of an evangelist within a local church body. Each local assembly contains lost souls (1Cor. 14:23).

From The Effective Invitation: A Practical Guide to the Pastor by R. Alan Streett.

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