Preachers

I.         Terms

            A.        Evangelist (euaggelistes): a person who brings joyous news of victory from the battlefront. As a verb, it is translated as “preaching the gospel” (Romans 1:15).

            B.        Preacher (kerux): a herald or town-crier. A person delivering the messages and commands of the king.

            C.        Minister (leitourgos): a public servant. One who serves people on behalf of a government.

            D.        Minister (diakonos): a servant. Someone who runs errands for his master.

            E.        The terms are used interchangeably for the same set of duties (Colossians 1:25; II Timothy 4:5).

            F.        Many denominations distinguish between an evangelist, preacher, and minister. In their terms, an evangelist goes out to reach the lost souls, a preacher teaches from a pulpit, and a minister does service for the less fortunate.

                        1.         Evangelists teach in the church - Ephesians 4:11-16

                        2.         Preachers bring the good news to the lost - I Timothy 2:7; II Timothy 1:11

                        3.         Ministers teach the lost - I Corinthians 3:5

            G.        But preachers are not necessarily pastors. Pastors are a distinct duty - Ephesians 4:11

II.        Duties - II Timothy 4:5

            A.        To proclaim the good news - Romans 1:15-16; I Timothy 4:16; I Corinthians 1:21

            B.        To build up God’s people - Ephesians 4:11-13; I Timothy 4:11, 13; II Timothy 4:2; Titus 2:15

            C.        To publicly declare God’s will - Titus 2:1; 3:8; I Corinthians 14:26

            D.        To insure the message is taught accurately - I Timothy 6:20-21; II Timothy 1:13-14; I Timothy 1:3-4, 18-19

            E.        To rebuke those in error - II Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:13-14; 2:15

                        1.         Including elders who have sinned - I Timothy 5:19-21

            F.        To set an example - I Timothy 4:12

            G.        To appoint elders - Titus 1:5

            H.        Training others to teach - II Timothy 2:2

III.       Qualifications

            A.        Knowledge of God’s Word - II Timothy 2:14-15

            B.        No mention of appoint or ordination to the position

IV.      Payment

            A.        Right to be paid for teaching - I Corinthians 9:3-14