Preaching is centred on the nature and will of God and his claims on all people. Expressed in prophecy, declaration or teaching, it includes the proclamation of the way of salvation to unbelievers and instruction about the faith to believers.
Preaching and the revelation of God's character, word and will
Acts 20:26–27 See also Exodus 8:1; 1 Kings 12:21–24; Jeremiah 7:1–11; Ezekiel 2:3–3:4
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.
Preaching and the declaration of the gospel
Declaring the kingdom
Mark 1:14–15 parallel Matthew 4:17 See also Matthew 4:23 parallel Luke 8:1; Acts 19:8, Acts 20:25
After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”
Declaring the person of Jesus Christ and his life
Acts 2:22 See also Acts 10:36–38, Acts 28:31; 2 Corinthians 1:19
Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.
Declaring the facts of the cross and the resurrection
Acts 2:23–24 See also Acts 5:30, Acts 10:39–42, Acts 13:28–31; 1 Corinthians 1:22–24, 1 Corinthians 15:12–17
He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip.
Declaring the victory and exaltation of Jesus Christ
Acts 2:33–35 See also Acts 5:31; 1 Peter 3:18–22
Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’
Declaring that Jesus is both Messiah (Christ) and Lord
Acts 2:36 See also Acts 5:42, Acts 8:5, Acts 9:20–22, Acts 10:36, Acts 18:5
Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”
Declaring the call to repent
Acts 17:30 See also Mark 1:15 parallel Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 26:20
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
Declaring the promise of forgiveness
Acts 13:38 See also Luke 24:46–47; Acts 2:38, Acts 5:31, Acts 10:43
Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
Preaching finds expression in the teaching of believers
The central place of teaching in the lives of the first Christians
Acts 2:42 See also Acts 6:2, Acts 11:25–26, Acts 15:35, Acts 18:24–26, Acts 20:20
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Teaching from the Scriptures
Acts 18:11 See also 2 Chronicles 17:7–9; Nehemiah 8:2–8
So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching the word of God among the Corinthians.
Teaching on how to live
Matthew 28:19–20 See also Ephesians 4:20–24; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–2; Titus 2:1–15
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Preaching and the edification of believers
2 Timothy 4:2 See also Acts 13:42–43, Acts 14:21–22, Acts 20:2; 1 Corinthians 14:26–31
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
Preaching and the continuation of apostolic doctrine
Preaching should be rooted in apostolic doctrine, which is to be faithfully handed on
2 Timothy 2:2 See also 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Timothy 1:13–14
And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.
Preaching that does not conform to apostolic doctrine is to be rejected
1 Timothy 1:3–4 See also Galatians 1:6–9; 1 Timothy 4:1–7; Titus 1:9–14
As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
Preaching and the rejection of merely human wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:1–5 See also 1 Corinthians 1:18–25
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
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.