“Evangelization” is a new word for a centuries-old mandate. Jesus was the first evangelizer because He is the “Good News” for us. At His Ascension to the Father, He commanded His disciples to carry out His mission when He said: All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Where does the term “evangelization” come from? The Hebrew word, basar, meaning “to announce the good news or joyful tidings,” is connected in the Old Testament with “bringing the good news of salvation” (Cf. Isaiah 52:7; 61:1). Euangelizo, which is the Greek translation of basar in the Septuagint, is used in the New Testament to convey the same meaning:“bringing the good news of salvation.” In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus identifies Himself as the one anointed to “bring the good news” (4:18-21) and the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is said to be the “good news” (Mark 1:1).
In his writings, Saint Paul used euangelizo to refer to the ministry and mission, life and preaching of Jesus. Paul also used the word to indicate Christian activity to proclaim the Good News to nonbelievers. The early Christian Church used many other words for sharing faith, to proclaim or give witness. Early Church fathers continued to use the word euangelizo in their writings. When Latin became prominent, the word was translated evangelizo. Eventually, in the Middle Ages, evangelizo was translated into English. The term took two forms in English, evangelism and evangelization.
While evangelism was adopted by some Protestant Churches in the nineteenth century, that term was not used in the Catholic community. Just recently, in the middle of the twentieth century, a new understanding arose—that evangelization is linked to the entire Christian endeavor. This understanding influenced the documents of the Second Vatican Council and the Apostolic Exhortation on evangelization written by Pope Paul VI. Evangelization is the term that is used by Catholics today to share the good news of God’s love. Evangelization is the invitation for Catholics to share their faith.
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