Evangelism is telling someone the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was raised from the dead and is now extending forgiveness of sins to all who would believe.

 

The apostolic anointing will equip you to be a minister.  Ministry is not just standing behind a pulpit on Sunday morning and preaching the gospel.  Ministry has been glamorized and confined within the four walls of a local church, but ministry is really in the trenches, on the streets, out where the people live, at work and in the marketplace.  You may never preach the gospel inside a church building but that does not mean that you are not called to play an active and vital role in ministry.  Remember that you are being equipped for the work of ministry Ephesians 4:12.  The Greek word for ministry is diakonia meaning to... promote,  proclaim, execute the will of another.

It also means to meet the needs of others as a servant.  But what exactly does it mean to minister?  Let's examine just a few things that ministers do.

 

MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (see Healing of Memories and Forgive)

 

Our first responsibility as ministers is to lead people to Jesus Christ and share our faith as ministers of reconciliation.

 

"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; {19} To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18-19 KJV).

 

Reconciliation is the Greek word katallage meaning to restore the sinner back to favor with God.  The word says that, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 KJV). Who are those responsible to herald this good news of restoration? They are the ministers of God (all believers) who are active in promoting, proclaiming and executing His will.

 

Evangelism is telling someone the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was raised from the dead and is now extending forgiveness of sins to all who would believe.

 

The word says, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?  and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?  and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"  (Romans 10:14-15 KJV).

 

All believers can preach (herald) the gospel, share the good news and bring glad tidings!  Paul is teaching us that one cannot get to know Jesus unless someone shares the news.  That someone is the ordinary believer.

 

As believers we represent a royal priesthood of ambassadors of Jesus. As we share our faith, the good news, the word of God and our personal testimonies, the Holy Spirit uses our testimony to penetrate even the hardest of hearts.  As we share the truth of the gospel we either catch fish (souls) on the spot or plant seeds in people for a later harvest, but something always happens.  Reaching the world with the gospel "is" the ministry.

 

INTERCESSION  (see Father Knows Best)

 

Those who do the work of ministry intercede (pray) for others.  To intercede is to plea or make a request on behalf of another. Ministers understand the power of intercession because it is part of the very nature of God.

 

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none" (Ezekiel 22:30 KJV).

 

To intercede for another means to pray with the Holy Spirit to get prayer answers for others.  The Apostle Paul said that he travailed in prayer again for the Galation believers.

 

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you" (Galations 4:19 KJV).

 

From this verse we discover that Paul had such a heavy burden for the people in this church that he prayed that Christ (the anointed one) would be formed (morphoo) in them.  Can you imagine the power of this intercession that so challenged these believers to be conformed into the image of Christ?

 

As Paul travailed it means that he felt the pains of child birth during this intense time of prayer.  In fact his intercession was so powerful that, coupled with the Holy Spirit, it gave birth to new things, unlocked mysteries of God, destiny and purpose over the people.  So we learn that ministers follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and intercede for others.  "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men" (1 Timothy 2:1 KJV).

 

LAYING ON OF HANDS

Ministers follow the biblical pattern of laying hands on people.  The laying on of hands is a scriptural pattern of impartation that is seen throughout the scriptures as a solid biblical doctrine.  Scripture says,

 

"Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment" (Hebrews 6:2 KJV).

 

Let's see some instances where ministers laid their hands on others in the scriptures.

 

One of the last things that Jesus said when speaking to believers was that they, "shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18).  The pattern of the laying on of hands as a ministry function is also demonstrated in the lives of the apostles.

 

"And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people" ("Acts 5:12 KJV).

 

We see a transference of anointing when Moses laid his hands on Joshua.  The ministry of the laying on of hands was so important to God that he commanded Moses to do it before all the congregation.

 

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him...  And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses" (Numbers 27:18,23 KJV).

 

When Barnabas and Paul were sent out of the church in Antioch, the laying on of hands released God's mighty power into this apostolic team.

 

"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."  (Acts 13:2-3 KJV)

 

When men were chosen as deacons in the early church hands were laid on them to set them apart for service.

 

"Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them" (Acts 6:6 KJV).

 

Jesus ministered to the sick by the laying on of his hands.

 

"And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things?  and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon?  and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.  But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.  And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them" (Mark 6:2-5 KJV).

 

It was well known throughout Jesus' ministry that there was always virtue (power) flowing through his hands.  We can see this when one day Jesus was asked to place his hands on a deaf man.

 

"And they brought unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him" (Mark 7:32 KJV).

 

Even the Apostle Paul experienced the personal ministry of having hands laid on him.

 

"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 9:17 KJV).

 

The laying on of hands is an important act of a minister.  Never be afraid to do it because it is the Bible way to release God's mighty power.  Signs and wonders are awaiting when you obey the scriptures to lay your hands on others.

 

PRAYER FOR THE SICK (see Miracles)

 

Praying for those who are sick is an important aspect of a minister. It is God's desire to heal the sick and he will use you to pray for others who need healing.  When teaching his disciples how to be ministers he said, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8 KJV).

 

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  He is still healing the sick and requiring his ministers (those who execute his will) to take an active role.  Scriptures declare,

 

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people" (Matthew 4:23 KJV).

 

"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses"
(Matthew 8:17 KJV).

 

"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk"
(Acts 3:6 KJV).

 

"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (Acts 10:38 KJV).

 

CASTING OUT DEMONS (see What About the Occult? and The Occult)

 

Jesus gave every one of his ministers power to cast out demons.  In today's society people are in desperate need of deliverance ministers. We must never forget that the same anointing that heals the sick, opens blind eyes and deaf ears, will also cast out demons.

 

Demons can never be talked out, negotiated out or manipulated out. You cannot make deals with them.  They have a ministry of destruction and they must be cast out.  The Greek word for cast out is ekballo meaning to... violently drive out, expel by force, command to depart.

The anointing to cast out demons has been given to all those who believe and walk in God's authority.  The apostolic dimension will not tolerate nor ignore demonic spirits.  All believers are authorized to use the name of Jesus and cast out devils.  Deliverance is one of the most neglected ministries in the church today.  But it is one of the most important.  Why?  Because to really love people means that we want the very best for them.  If there are demonic strongholds in the lives of people, there is no way to help the people get free outside of an effective deliverance ministry.  Due to demonic strongholds, many people continue to fall into the same old sins.  In my book "Come Out!" I go into more detail in regards to deliverance.  I wrote the book as a handbook for the serious deliverance minister.  Jesus instructs us in the following verses,

 

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  {16} He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  {17} And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; {18} 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" (Mark
16:15-18 KJV).

 

"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  {20} Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."  (Luke 10:19-20 KJV)

 

From His instruction we learn that evil spirits are in fact subject unto every believer who ministers the gospel.  It is because your name is written in the Lamb's book of life that you have the authority to cast out demons.  That's worth rejoicing about, too!  Let's help those we love by exercising our rights to cast out demonic powers.

 

GET PEOPLE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST (see How to be Filled with the Spirit)

 

"But ye shall receive power (dumanis), after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."  (Acts 1:8 KJV)

 

The Greek word for witnesses is martus.  This is where we get the English word martyr.  A martyr is one willing to suffer and die for their faith.  This verse is teaching us that after the Holy Ghost comes upon us that we would receive such an infilling of the Holy Spirit that we would be willing to even die for the advancement of the cause of Christ.  This really captures the spirit in the scripture that declares, "And they overcame him (Satan and demonic powers) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" Revelation 12:11 KJV).

 

Those who are born again may not be filled with the Holy Spirit.  We can see this clearly as the Apostle Paul meets with believers who had never even heard about the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

 

"He (Paul) said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?  And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.  {3} And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized?  And they said, Unto John's baptism.  {4} Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.  {5} When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  {6} And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied" (Acts 19:2-6 KJV).

 

The Spirit of God will use you to lay your hands on people to be filled with the Holy Ghost, too.  There are many other functions of a minister that you may want to study out such as... pointing people to Jesus the author and finisher of their faith (Hebrews 12:2)  being a good listener showing mercy and compassion (1 Peter 3:8) visiting and calling those whom God lays on your heart encouraging and building others up in faith (Deuteronomy 3:28) and finally serving others (Romans 12:10).

 

This scripture really captures the spirit of a minister.  "And whosoever will be chief (protos) among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:27-28 KJV).

 

Remember there is an anointing provided for you the minister (believer) and we must never lose sight of the basic operations of that anointing.  Jesus boldly declared, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19 KJV). 

The anointing has a definite purpose. Here are six functions of the anointing...

1. Preach the gospel to the poor

2. Healing of the brokenhearted

3. Deliverance to captives

4. Sight to the blind

5. Liberty to those who are bruised (hurts and wounds)

6. God's favor (ministry of reconciliation)