Evangelists

the inspired authors of the Gospels. The word is derived
from the Greek, εὐαγτελιον, formed of εὖ, _bene_, “well,” and ἄγτελος,
_angel, messenger_. The name of evangelists is said by some to have been
given in the ancient church to such as preached the Gospel without being
attached to any particular church, being either commissioned by the
Apostles to instruct the nations, or, of their own accord, abandoning
every worldly attachment, consecrated themselves to the sacred office of
preaching the Gospel. In which sense these interpreters think it is that
St. Philip, who was one of the seven deacons, is called “the evangelist”
in Acts xxi, 8; and that St. Paul, writing to Timothy, bids him do the
work of an evangelist, 2 Tim. iv, 5. It is, however, to be remarked,
that the office in which the evangelists chiefly present themselves to
our notice in the New Testament, is that of assistants to the Apostles;
or, as they might be termed vice apostles, who acted under their
authority and direction. As they were directed to ordain pastors or
bishops in the churches, but had no authority given them to ordain
successors to themselves in their particular office as evangelists,
whatever it might be, they must be considered as but temporary officers
in the church, like the Apostles and prophets. The term evangelist is,
at present, confined to the writers of the four Gospels.