Evangelism

==Etymology==
{{main|The gospel}}
The word ''evangelist'' comes from the [[Koine Greek]] word {{lang|grc|[[wiktionary:εὐανγέλιον|εὐανγέλιον]]}} (transliterated as ''euangelion'') via Latinised ''evangelium'' as used in the canonical titles of the [[Four Gospels]], authored by (or attributed to) [[Matthew the Evangelist|Matthew]], [[Mark the Evangelist|Mark]], [[Luke the Evangelist|Luke]], and [[John the Evangelist|John]] (also known as the [[Four Evangelists]]). The Greek word {{lang|grc|εὐαγγέλιον}} originally meant a reward given to the messenger for good news ({{lang|grc|εὔ}} = "good", {{lang|grc|ἀνγέλλω}} = "I bring a message"; the word "[[angel]]" comes from the same root) and later "good news" itself.

The verb form of ''euangelion'',<ref>The 7 Principles of an Evangelistic Life, p. 32, Douglas M. Cecil, Moody Publishers</ref> (translated as "evangelism"), occurs rarely in older Greek literature outside the [[New Testament]], making its meaning more difficult to ascertain.  Parallel texts of the Gospels of Luke and Mark reveal a synonymous relationship between the verb ''euangelizo'' ({{lang|grc|[[wiktionary:εὑαγγελίζω|εὑαγγελίζω]]}}) and a Greek verb ''kerusso'' ({{lang|grc|[[wiktionary:κηρύσσω|κηρύσσω]]}}), which means "to proclaim".<ref>[http://www.truevictories.com/2007/10/downloads.html Bible as a Second Language] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201171636/http://www.truevictories.com/2007/10/downloads.html |date=2008-12-01 }}, webpage, retrieved November 5, 2008</ref>