Those entrusted with the responsibility of preaching are to discharge it faithfully, boldly and persistently in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Christian community should honour faithful preachers and challenge those who fail to honour their responsibility.
The responsibilities of preachers
They must be diligent in their preaching
2 Timothy 2:15 See also 1 Timothy 4:13–16; 2 Timothy 4:1–5
Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
They must be faithful in their preaching
Acts 20:20 See also Jeremiah 26:1–2, Jeremiah 42:4; Acts 20:25–27
I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house,
They must be persistent in their preaching
2 Timothy 4:1–5 See also Acts 18:4–6, Acts 20:31; 1 Thessalonians 2:1–2
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
They must be bold in their preaching
Acts 28:31 See also Jeremiah 26:7–15; Amos 7:10–17; Acts 4:18–20, Acts 5:27–29, Acts 14:1–3
Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
They must be encouraging in their preaching
Acts 14:21–22 See also Acts 15:32; 1 Corinthians 14:3–5; 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12; 2 Timothy 4:2
They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
They must be filled with the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:4 See also Acts 4:31–33; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Peter 1:12
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,
They must be compassionate in their preaching
Mark 6:34 See also Matthew 9:35–38
When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.
The responsibilities of the church towards preachers
Faithful preachers should be honoured
1 Timothy 5:17 See also Matthew 13:53–57 parallel Mark 6:2–4; Luke 10:3–8; Hebrews 13:7
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Unfaithful preachers are to be exposed and will be judged
Galatians 1:6–9 See also Jeremiah 14:14–16; Ezekiel 13:1–23; 1 Timothy 1:3–4, 1 Timothy 4:1–7; Titus 1:10–11; 2 Peter 2:1–3; Revelation 2:14–16, Revelation 2:20–23
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.