Content of preaching

Preaching and the revelation of God’s character, word and will

Acts 20:26–27 KJV 1900

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

See also Ex 8:1; 1 Ki 12:21–24; Je 7:1–11; Eze 2:3–3:4

Preaching and the declaration of the gospel

Declaring the kingdom

Mark 1:14–15 KJV 1900

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

See also Mt 4:23; Ac 19:8; Ac 20:25

Declaring the person of Jesus Christ and his life

Acts 2:22 KJV 1900

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

See also Ac 10:36–38; Ac 28:31; 2 Co 1:19

Declaring the facts of the cross and the resurrection

Acts 2:23–24 KJV 1900

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

See also Ac 5:30; Ac 10:39–42; Ac 13:28–31; 1 Co 1:22–24; 1 Co 15:12–17

Declaring the victory and exaltation of Jesus Christ

Acts 2:33–35 KJV 1900

Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

See also Ac 5:31; 1 Pe 3:18–22

Declaring that Jesus is both Messiah (Christ) and Lord

Acts 2:36 KJV 1900

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

See also Ac 5:42; Ac 8:5; Ac 9:20–22; Ac 10:36; Ac 18:5

Declaring the call to repent

Acts 17:30 KJV 1900

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

See also Mk 1:15; Ac 2:38; Ac 3:19; Ac 26:20

Declaring the promise of forgiveness

Acts 13:38 KJV 1900

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

See also Lk 24:46–47; Ac 2:38; Ac 5:31; Ac 10:43

Preaching finds expression in the teaching of believers

The central place of teaching in the lives of the first Christians

Acts 2:42 KJV 1900

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

See also Ac 6:2; Ac 11:25–26; Ac 15:35; Ac 18:24–26; Ac 20:20

Teaching from the Scriptures

Acts 18:11 KJV 1900

And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

See also 2 Ch 17:7–9; Ne 8:2–8

Teaching on how to live

Matthew 28:19–20 KJV 1900

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

See also Eph 4:20–24; 1 Th 4:1–2; Tt 2:1–15

Preaching and the edification of believers

2 Timothy 4:2 KJV 1900

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

See also Ac 13:42–43; Ac 14:21–22; Ac 20:2; 1 Co 14:26–31

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 KJV 1900

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

See also 1 Co 11:2; 2 Th 2:15; 2 Ti 1:13–14

Preaching that does not conform to apostolic doctrine is to be rejected

1 Timothy 1:3–4 KJV 1900

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

See also Ga 1:6–9; 1 Ti 4:1–7; Tt 1:9–14

Preaching and the rejection of merely human wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 KJV 1900

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

See also 1 Co 1:18–25