The Evangelist’s Conduct.
It is extremely important that en evangelist’s personal conduct be above reproach. People expect men who have this ministry to maintain a Christlike attitude in all things.
At the ‘rock-face’ of planting churches, an evangelist is at his best ever in ministry. It is there that violent opposition to satanic plans are encountered and defeated as the message of fire precipitates and dissolves the counterfeit.
Unction or Anointing is like dynamite, it is God’s Knighthood on the soldier-preacher who has wrestled in prayer and gained the victory. Victory is not won by firing intellectual bullets or wisecracks, but in war-room prayer closet. Unction will pierce and percolate, it will sweeten and soften. An evangelist is like a ‘wild animal, born to be wild, adapt naturally where the world is wild, (wise as serpents and gentle as a dove) and tame it with his flaming tongue.’ The church was born by tongues of fire. Too many live in the smoke; not the flame.
- Evangelistic Preaching affects time; prayer affects eternity.
- He must not strive with his brethren.
- He must pay his bills promptly.
- How can one have faith to pray for the sick who has not faith for God to supply his needs?
- He must work with the pastors. An evangelist who will not seek to work with the pastors and the local churches is a menace and a trouble-maker. Ac 8:14, 25
- The evangelist should avoid exaggeration in estimating the size of his crowds and the number of his converts.
- He should be careful in publicizing a healing until time has proved it.
- He should document the miracles of his meetings in such a way that the opposition will be confounded and silenced.
- There is no need to spend time railing against the unbelieving clergy: he that demonstrates the miracles will have the people with him, despite the most cunning sophistry of the opposer.
- A minister should use caution in the handling of his money matters. An over-emphasis on the raising of money can produce a serious backlash.
- The evangelist should live modestly and not above the level of his brethren.
- On the other hand, ministers must not become envious of the large offerings taken in these meetings. A plan should be worked out that is satisfactory to all concerned. It should be remembered that equipment necessary for the accommodating of thousands of people may cost enormous sums money. The depreciation is enormous. If the tent blows down or is otherwise destroyed, who will offer to help the evangelist pay for it?
But as to those who mischievously oppose the ministry of healing, we have only this to say: it would be surprising if human nature had so changed that there should not be repeated the same bitter opposition as was in the days of Christ. The Pharisees, jealous because of the increasing popularity of Christ, declared that He cast out devils by the prince of devils.
In this connection, the Lord called attention to the fearful guilt of the cities which had not repented although mighty works were done in their midst. He declared that if those works had been done in Sodom and Gomorrah, they would have repented—incidentally testifying to the power of the ministry of healing (Matt. 11:23-24). As for the cities who rejected this ministry, the Lord solemnly declared that they would be in a less favorable position at the day of Judgment than the inhabitants of Sodom (Luke 10:9-12).