What is an Evangelical?
Matthew Else
Minister Grace Baptist Church, Peel, Isle of Man (1974 - 2008)
Notes of a hearer from a meeting held at Sion Baptist Church Morecambe, Lancashire, England in January 1993.
Readings:
Matthew 28 vs. 16 - 20
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16 vs.14 - 20
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Many people pour scorn upon the term Evangelical, whilst others apply it to themselves without apparently understanding what it implies and means. It is important for us all to understand what words mean. We must not be hazy or mean even slightly different things. The word Evangelical is used by showbiz stars and by double glazing salesmen. We must learn what the word means and stand up for its true meaning. Remember that the word Christian is also a much abused word but we still use it and seek to explain to people just exactly what it really means and that in spite of the fact that most of the people who use the word actually abuse it or misrepresent what it really means.
1. The word evangelical comes from evangel and means gospel
Gospel - good news- so at its most basic it refers to one who gives prominence to the Christian gospel. We have every reason for this especially in the light of what the apostle says in Romans 1 vs 13-16
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that often times I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Now it is important to remember that the city of Rome was full of people willing to persecute the Christians, but Paul said 'I am willing to go with the gospel' for he goes on to say for the gospel is "the power of God unto salvation". The gospel is the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection for the benefit of sinners. This is the message that men and women need to hear and we must not be ashamed of it. We must not be ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ and what he has done.
2.Evangelicals are concerned with evangelism.
The evangelicals heart should be filled with the desire to share the message of redeeming love with lost souls. Christian friend may you take this to heart and put it into practice. It is so easy to lose your early zeal or your cutting edge. The pressures of daily life intrude and even the message of earth may dilute you. May God touch your heart and give you back the zeal that you once knew.
Now it is not only zeal that matters. It is vital that you have a zeal for the truth, otherwise you will lead people astray. It is so easy to be sincere but not according to knowedge. There is also, on the other side a dead orthodoxy. There are some people whose message you can not fault but they have no life.
The evangelical desires Christian orthodoxy characterised by life.
3. The Evangelical emphasises the one way of salvation
There are not numerous ways to God, indeed there is only one way. Jesus was so clear when he spoke to the disciples in John 14 vs. 6 "
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
4.The Evangelical stresses the importance of the new birth
Why? Simply because the Lord Jesus Christ stressed it. In his talk with Nicodemus he said
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
5.The Evangelical accepts all of Scripture
This is the heart and soul of the matter, the true evangelical accepts every verse of scripture as being God's inspired and inerrant word.
Today we hear of people who call themselves evangelical but they reject the Genesis account of creation. I believe with all of my heart that if a man rejects creation he is not an evangelical.
2 Timothy 3 vs.16
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
Those people who say that man evolved from the monkeys do not accept the authority of the whole word of God.
Again many who use the name evangelical actually soft pedal the Biblical doctrine of Hell and the eternal punishment of the wicked who die outside of Christ. Jesus spoke of
“And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9 vs.43-44
We have no right to pick and choose, if you want to call yourself an evangelical then you must accept the whole counsel of God. Not only must it be accepted but it must also be preached. Yes some of it is hard to understand, as Peter said of some of Paul's writing. But it is all breathed out of the mouth of God and is all profitable for us.
6.The Evangelical is Active
He is always trying to act upon his beliefs, it is not enough to believe, he must do as well. There is a time for argument, but there is also a time for action, for putting belief into practice.
7.The Evangelical is Lively
You should be alive for God, so that when a person sees you they see something of Christ.
8.The Evangelical is Holy
Christ died to purify us, now today. It is about the way in which you live. People will see the difference or they will notice the failure to live up to the high standard.