What is an Evangelical Christian

[JJay]

I heard someone in the news the other day sarcastically say something like - "is he one of those evangelical Christians that actually believes a person died and 3 days later came back to life?" And, this coming from someone who I believe would call himself a Christian.

Anyways, the above reminded me of a question that often comes to my mind - what is an Evangelical Christian? I suspect I could get almost as many different answers as people I ask. I understand that when Billy Graham was asked this question he replied that he did not know himself.

What do you think? Is an evangelical Christian different than any other Christian? Perhaps the more important question is - what is a Christian?

 

[trofimus]

As you said, definitions will differ individually, but I think that generally this always applies:

a) evangelical Christian is a protestant (not RCC, not eastern orthodox etc.)
b) evangelical Christian is mostly a biblical literalist (young earth, dinosaurs with men etc.) - this is, where the problem may be, I think.

 

[JaumeJ]

Following are examples of the first: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I would imagine the other nine were also, Apostles that is.

 

[Dino246]

Good question! I wasn't familiar with the term until I moved about 15 years ago.

 

[Magenta]

Ephesians 4:10-13 (ASV)
(He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Evangelism is the commitment to or act of publicly preaching of the Gospel with the intention of spreading the message and teachings of Jesus Christ. Many of us here are evangelists!

https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-an-evangelist.html

^ ^ that page may also help explain what a Christian evangelist is

 

[Magenta]

Perhaps the more important question is - what is a Christian?

A Christian is a person who has put faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, including His death on the cross as payment for sins and His resurrection on the third day. John 1:12 tells us, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4, 10). A Christian is a child of God, part of God’s true family, and one who has been given new life in Jesus Christ. https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-a-Christian.html

 

[JJay]

Ephesians 4:10-13 (ASV)
(He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Evangelism is the commitment to or act of publicly preaching of the Gospel with the intention of spreading the message and teachings of Jesus Christ. Many of us here are evangelists!

https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-an-evangelist.html

^ ^ that page may also help explain what a Christian evangelist is

So is an evangelical and evangelist one in the same? Also, I would hope that anyone/everyone with a Christian faith would share it with someone. So maybe all Christians are evangelical/evangelist to some degree.

 

[LPT]

Here's one from the gospels.

Mark 9:28
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Anyways, the above reminded me of a question that often comes to my mind - what is an Evangelical Christian?

1. Since the word "evangel" means Gospel, an evangelical Christian is primarily one who has believed the Gospel, been born again, and also propagates the Gospel.

2. But it goes well beyond that. Those who believe the Gospel also believe that the Holy Bible is the written Word of God, and all the teachings (doctrines) of the Bible are true. Since those doctrines are "fundamentals of the faith", ideally the evangelical Christian is also a Fundamentalist Christ.

3. However, the terms "evangelical" and "fundamentalist" have been corrupted because theologically liberalism entered into the seminaries and Bible schools of those who used to be evangelical and fundamentalist. So evangelicals started to become neo-evangelicals and now they have started to become liberals. It is the same with the fundamentalists, who have now started to become neo-evangelicals also. The Reformed churches were at one time evangelical and fundamentalist, but many have gone along with theological liberalism (which is essentially a rejection of the inspiration and authority of the Bible)

4. We are presently in the period known as the Great Apostasy and the Emergent Church Movement has entered into many mega-churches. This movement is also essentially theological liberalism along with many false teachings, some adopted from Roman Catholicism and others adopted from New Age teachings.

 

[maxwel]

As you said, definitions will differ individually, but I think that generally this always applies:

a) evangelical Christian is a protestant (not RCC, not eastern orthodox etc.)
b) evangelical Christian is mostly a biblical literalist (young earth, dinosaurs with men etc.) - this is, where the problem may be, I think.

I think this was a pretty good answer.
The word "evangelical" is thrown around by different people to mean different things.

If it's being used in a pejorative way, then it's almost irrelevant to guess what the person actually meant.
You're just dealing with an unbeliever looking for an excuse to ridicule believers.


...

 

[Nehemiah6]

evangelical Christian is a protestant

There are plenty of evangelical Christians who DO NOT regard themselves as Protestants. Protestants are within the following groups -- Reformed, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Anglican. These were all formerly within the Catholic Church and broke away during the Reformation. But there are a whole host of churches outside these groups.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Many of us here are evangelists!

There's a difference between evangelists and evangelicals. This thread is about the latter.

 

[dcontroversal]

Here's one from the gospels.

Mark 9:28
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

And what was Jesus' reply............................

 

[JaumeJ]

And what was Jesus' reply............................

Something to the effect that no one can do a good think in the name of Jesus and remain an enemy………..is that close at least.?

 

[JaumeJ]

Mar 9:28 When Jesus came home, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive the spirit out?"
Mar 9:29 He told them, "This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting."

Huh?

OK, I got it now….
ar 9:38 John told Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name. We tried to stop him, because he wasn't a follower like us."
Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, "Don't stop him, because no one who works a miracle in my name can slander me soon afterwards.

 

[Adstar]

I heard someone in the news the other day sarcastically say something like - "is he one of those evangelical Christians that actually believes a person died and 3 days later came back to life?" And, this coming from someone who I believe would call himself a Christian.

If a person does not believe Jesus died and came back to life 3 days later that person is Not a Christian.. That belief is a Core salvational doctrine of Christianity.. All Christians,, evangelical or not,, must believe that..

What do you think? Is an evangelical Christian different than any other Christian? Perhaps the more important question is - what is a Christian?

As far as i know the word evangelical means to share the message of the Gospel.. So if a Christian is an evangelical they should be the ones who will share the gospel with everyone and anyone in their lives..

Of course the tag now is just a tag that seems to encompass different churches with a variety of beliefs..

 

[Adstar]

what is a Christian?

1) A Christian is a person who believes all the teachings of Jesus..
2) A Christian also trusts that the death of Jesus on the cross pays the penalty for their transgressions against the standards of God and thus secures for them eternal life with God..

 

[garee]

I heard someone in the news the other day sarcastically say something like - "is he one of those evangelical Christians that actually believes a person died and 3 days later came back to life?" And, this coming from someone who I believe would call himself a Christian.

Anyways, the above reminded me of a question that often comes to my mind - what is an Evangelical Christian? I suspect I could get almost as many different answers as people I ask. I understand that when Billy Graham was asked this question he replied that he did not know himself.

What do you think? Is an evangelical Christian different than any other Christian? Perhaps the more important question is - what is a Christian?

The word evangelical is derived from the Greek word "ággelos" as messengers of God. They can be human or the unseen messengers as sons of God led by the Spirit of God.

Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Could be many of this forum .

Evangelicals can plant the incorruptible seed by which men do become new born again creatures and we have the privilege to water the seed with the water of the word as that which husband are to wash there wives with as the doctrine of God that fall from the sky like rain.

Deuteronomy 32:2My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

Water in various forms is used to represent the gospel.

But Christ must cause the increase if there is any.

Fire like water or salt can destroy or build up and create and preserve .

1 Corinthians 3:14-16 (KJV) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?


We are saved by the cleansing fire. Other destroyed by the fiery wrath.

 

[dcontroversal]

Something to the effect that no one can do a good think in the name of Jesus and remain an enemy………..is that close at least.?

AMEN

But Jesus said, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.

 

[garee]

JJay said: what is a Christian?

I would say it is the new name Christ promised to name His bride the church in Isaiah . Having divorced Israel .

Not all Israel is Israel as born again believers. .Just as all the disciples of Christ were not believers.

The meaning is found in the name without adding any other meaning to it. A place name that denotes the residents under the founder of the city Christ our savior, or city of refuge.

Christian simply means residents of the city of Christ in respect to her founder Christ. Coming down prepared as His chaste virgin bride who has not fornicated with the gods of this world. Holding to the first commandment...…….. have no other gods before Him.

That meaning seems to be all but lost. And not that followers of Christ or disciples takes away from the meaning. But many disciples followed Christ no longer when in unbelief(no faith) walked away . They would not be considered residents of the heavenly City of Christ prepared as His eternal bride

Revelation 21;1-2 King James Version (KJV) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.