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Scriptural Support for The Left Hand of the Evangelist
In [5] The Star theory of the Equipping Gifts, the Evangelist holds ethos, the power of the Social Domain in their left hand. The left hand symbolizes liberty and creativity, so this is saying that Evangelists find novel ways of connection people to social contexts, even if it flies in the face of preexisting social convention.
Perhaps we find support for this in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8). Philip, identified elsewhere as an evangelist, is taken by the Spirit for an encounter with the Eunuch who is reading the prophets. Philip explains the passage, introduces the Eunuch to Jesus, and baptizes him into the beloved community.
What’s interesting is that Philip welcomes a Gentile convert into the faith before Peter’s vision and interaction with Cornelius in Acts 10. Many see Peter’s role and the direct revelation of the vision of the sheet of animals as the establishment of the convention that Gentiles will now be welcomed into the faith, confirmed by the Holy Spirit through speaking in tongues. This makes Philip’s actions in Acts 8 unconventional. In other words, he is being creative with including the Eunuch and those who will hear his testimony into the social fabric of the Church.
Sounds like an Evangelist to me.
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2 Replies
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Wow. Have I heard this before? The eunuch was brought into Christ before the conversion of Gentiles by confirmation of the Holy Spirit at Cornelius’s house! Unconventional…Something to think about.
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This makes me think about some of the “unconventional” things were piloting in AV. This makes an effective and attentive partnership with the prophetic gift especially important. Otherwise, the evangelist could innovate too far outside the Lord’s vision for the people’s fitness.
I think about this sometimes. Take for instance our radical openness in our meetings. We’re so open now so people can have their story and discover their path. But this could feed into an distorted Western individualism that is far from a healthy individuality. There’s also mutual submission and sacrifice necessary to be community, pursue common mission, and actually build a different reality.
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