Who (or What) is an Evangelical? - Part 2

At the root of the word "evangelical," is good news, glad tidings, or a good message.

The New Testament Greek word, εὐαγγέλιον, (transliterated euangelion (eu- "good", -angelion "message.") In English, we get the word gospel from this, since the Old English word, gōd-spell, means the same thing.

Four Evangelist - Irish Book of Krells

This is why Christians refer to the four authors of the gospels as the Four Evangelists.  At a very basic, simple level, an evangelical is one who proclaims and lives by the good news - the gospel of Jesus Christ.  At this simple and basic level, Evangelicals claim an ongoing tradition back to Jesus Christ, the Four Evangelists, and the Apostles.

Yet, if this was all Evangelical meant, then all Christians would be Evangelicals, so I further explore what the word Evangelicals has meant over time.  However, I wish for now to emphasize that in this sense Evangelicals wish to identify, or stand, with all Christians over time.

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On to Part 3