the inspired authors of the gospels. The word is derived from the Greek εὐαγγελιστής, formed of εὖ, bene, "well," and αγγέλος, "angel or messenger."

The denomination evangelists was likewise given in the ancient church to such as preached the gospel up and down, without being attached to any particular church, being either commissioned by the apostles to instruct the nations, or of their own accord abandoning every worldly attachment, and consecrating themselves to the sacred office of preaching the gospel. In which femine fome interpreters think it is that St Philip, who was one of the seven deacons, is called the evangelift, in the 21st chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, ver. 8. A- gain, St Paul writing to Timothy, ep. ii. cap. iv. ver. 5, bids him do the work of an evangelift. The same apostle, Eph. iv. 11, ranks the evangelists after the apostles and prophets.