A. Actually this should be listed with prophecy. If a person is used only in the simple gift of prophecy—if he does not have manifestations of the other gifts in his ministry—then his prophecies will deal only with edification, exhortation, and comfort.

B. But what does "encourage" mean?

1. Encouragement strengthens and calls forth renewed commitment.

2. Typically believers are encouraged to some godly course of action.

a. Many were encouraged by Paul’s chains to "speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly" (Philippians 1:14).

b. The apostle encouraged believers in Thessalonica to "walk worthy of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:12). God’s grace and love are intended, he told them, to "encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word" (2 Thessalonians 2:17).

3. There is a subjective aspect to encouragement.

a. The purpose of encouragement is that we may be strengthened for fresh faith and obedience.

b. How beautiful, then, is the gift of encouraging (Romans 12:8).

c. Those with this spiritual gift are able to strengthen others, enabling them to win fresh victories in their Christian lives.

C. 1 Corinthians 14:12...Excel in gifts that build up the church.

D. Romans 12:11...never be lacking in zeal.

A. "One who proclaims good tidings" is the name given in the N.T. to one who traveled from place to place proclaiming the Gospel.

1. Philip, one of the Seven chosen by the Twelve to look after benevolent work among widows and the needy (Acts 6:1-5), is perhaps the best example of the Christian evangelist."

B. "The word appears only in Acts 21:8 (which identifies Philip as an evangelist), Ephesians 4:11 (which views evangelists as gifted individuals given to the church), and 2 Timothy 4:5 (where Timothy is told to ‘do the work of an evangelist’).

1. It is likely that the person called to be an evangelist carried the gospel to new regions as a missionary."

C. In Ephesians 4:11...The evangelist is listed between the apostle/prophet and the pastor/teacher ...sent forth as missionary preachers of the Gospel by the first; and preparing the way for the labors of the second.

A. Sincere faith...2 Timothy 1:5 (1 Corinthians 4:17).

1. Encouraging, comforting and urging you to live worthy of God...1 Thessalonians 2:11-12.

B. Knows scriptures...2 Timothy 3:15-17.

1. Reading from the Law...a message of encouragement...Acts 13:15.

2. Encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it...Titus 1:9.

C. Gifted by God...2 Timothy 1:6 (1 Timothy 4:14).

1. (Prophet) John exhorted and preached...Luke 3:18.

D. Carry on the work of the Lord...1 Corinthians 16:10.

1. With many words he warned them...they were baptized...Acts 2:40-41.

2. Show forth His salvation...Psalm 96:2-10.

3. A banner...Psalm 60:4.

E. Experience...(2 Corinthians 1:19; Philippians 2:19-23; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-6; 1 Timothy 1:3).

1. Urge you to contend for the faith...battle...Jude 3.

F. Proved himself...Philippians 2:19-23.

1. Encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God...1 Peter 5:12.

G. Brethren spoke well of...Acts 16:2.

1. Preached...strengthening the disciples and encouraging them...Acts 14:21-22.

2. Let us not give up meeting together; let us encourage one another...Hebrews 10:25.

H. Urgency

1. Souls thirst for God...Psalm 42:1-2.

2. My zeal has consumed me...Psalm 119:139.

I. Impact the world...Matthew 5:13-16...salt of the earth...light of the world.

A. Acts 6:1-16...full of faith, Holy Spirit and wisdom...apostolic commission.

B. Acts 8:4-8...signs and wonders followed his teaching.

C. Acts 8:9-13...taught good news and baptized in Samaria...Philip went to Samaria right after the martyrdom of Stephen.

D. Acts 8:14-17...apostles come with Holy Spirit baptism to help him.

E. Acts 8:26-38...with the eunuch...through the Ethiopian treasurer to Queen Candace, Philip is in part responsible for bringing Christ’s message to Africa.

F. Acts 8:39-40...led by the Holy Spirit.

Laying on of Hands

A. The book of Hebrews classes the laying on of hands as one of the Christian doctrines...Hebrews 6:1-2.

B. Laying on of hands is always associated with the idea of blessing (Isaiah 44:3), or of identifying oneself with a person or an animal in the presence of God.

1. The donor of an animal destined for a burnt offering to God in absolution from sin pressed his hand on the victim’s head...Exodus 29:10; Leviticus 1:4, 4:4.

C. It is used for solemnizing a testimony...Leviticus 24:13-14.

D. Augustine, the early church leader, regarded it as a symbol of intercessory prayer.

E. It is used for consecration to God’s service (done by apostles, prophets, teachers, church elders):

1. Of Levites...Numbers 8:10-11.

2. Of Joshua...Numbers 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 34:9.

3. Of deacons in New Testament times...Acts 6:6.

4. Of missionaries...Acts 13:3.

5. Of ministers of Christ at ordination...1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6.

6. Jewish rabbis laid their hands on pupils when these were ready to become teachers.

F. Hands laid on the heads of children:

1. Imparted the blessing of parents, as by Jacob upon Ephraim...Genesis 48:9-20.

2. Of dedication, as by Jesus...Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16.

G. In the act of healing, Jesus, the apostles and others laid hands on the sick, as if to communicate God’s blessing, or to express his own intimate sympathy...over 40 times in the New Testament...Matthew 9:18; Mark 1:41, 6:5, 8:23; Luke 4:40, 13:13; Acts 28:8; etc.

H. In some New Testament instances it is associated with baptism...Acts 8:17, 9:17, 19:6.