Category Archives: Word of God

Doctrine of Proclamation (3)

We continue our study of the words descriptive of the kind of preaching in which inspired men in the first century engaged and of which God approved. The references are all found in the book of Acts.

20400pPreached (EUENGELISATO) – 8:35: This word “is almost always used of the good news concerning the Son of God as proclaimed in the gospel” (except in I Thess. 3:6).  Observe that the preaching was from the scriptures. The scriptures make us wise unto salvation (II Tim. 3:15). The completed revelation of God’s word forms the body of doctrine from which sermons are to be preached (Eph. 4:11-15; Rom. 6:16,17; Tit. 2:1; Gal. 1:6-9, 23; Jude 3; II Tim. 4:1-5; 3:16,17). Note, too, that Jesus was preached from the OT. This teaching from the Old Testament about Jesus led to teaching doctrine (e.g., the necessity of baptism).  Preaching Jesus means preaching the good doctrine.  Those who teach other than wholesome doctrine are to be withdrawn from (I Tim. 6:3-5).

Proving (SUMBIBAZON) – 9:22: According to Thayer this means to put together in one’s mind, to prove, to demonstrate. Paul so thoroughly constructed an undeniable argument for the deity of Jesus that it confounded the Jews. Christians are commanded to prove all things (I Thess. 5:21). Thus, Christianity is rational and logical (Rom. 12:1,2). Preachers of the gospel must give sufficient thought to the sermon they preach to make it logically coherent.  The sermon is to come to a point.  They must also prepare to deliver it in a way that convinces and moves the hearer to respond.  Unprepared delivery takes away from even the most well designed lesson.

Disputed (SUNEZETEI) – 9:29: To dispute is to seek, ask, or inquire with another; deliberate, debate, to hold discourse with, argue, reason, to question, dispute, cavil. This word is used of the Pharisees as they “questioned” with Jesus, tempting Him by seeking a sign (Mark 8:11). It is also used of Stephen in Acts 8:9. Verse 10 states, “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” It is not wrong to debate, as long as the truth is preached in love, both for the truth itself and for the souls of men (Eph. 4:15). Alexander Campbell wrote of the controversial nature of Jesus in the very first issue of the Millennial Harbinger that Jesus “never sheathed the sword of the Spirit while He lived; He drew it in the banks of the Jordan and threw the scabbard away.”

Rehearsed (ARXAMEVOS) – 11:4: “Peter confines himself to a careful recital of those incidents mentioned in the preceding chapter…” There is great good accomplished by the rehearsal or review of past events. It is especially scriptural to preach the same lessons once and again. Paul wrote, “To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not greivious, but for you it is safe” (Phil. 3:1). Every preacher should only have one gospel sermon. There may be different ways of presenting the same message, but the message of salvation should always be there, always designed to instruct the hearer to render obedience to Christ.  

Paul’s wrote: “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” (I Cor. 2:1-2). Preachers should not let their desire for novelty or style interfere with the simple proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ. Never sacrifice truth for invention or entertainment. Worship is not a spectator’s sport or a sport of any sort. If the hearer is not moved by the stirring truth of the gospel powerfully and rationally delivered, regardless of how many times it has been heard, then anything else that may move the hearer, moves the hearer for the wrong reason.

Expounded (EXETITHETO) – 11:4: According to the Analytical Greek Lexicon, this word means “to place outside, put forth; to expose; to set forth, declare, explain.” This word gives authority for interpretation. Indeed, without interpreting the Bible we could not understand it. Preachers are in the business of explaining the scriptures (cf. Neh. 8, esp, v. 8). Aquilla and Priscilla expounded the way of God more perfectly to Apollos (18:26) and Paul expounded the truth to all that would come unto him in Rome when he was in his first captivity (28:23). This all implies that one has studied the word and has garnered something from it to present.

More next week.

Eric L. Padgett

Doctrine of Proclamation (1)

Those who teach and preach the gospel publicly have an awesome responsibility placed upon their shoulders (James 3:1).  It is instructive and beneficial to gospel preachers today, as well as to every obedient child of God, to carefully study the words chosen by the Holy Spirit to describe God-approved preaching.  The book of Acts, replete with examples of approved gospel preaching by men who were taught by the Master and led by the Spirit of God, provides for us perhaps the richest description of acceptable proclamation of truth. While the following list is certainly neither exhaustive nor complete in its application, it is hoped that it might form the basis for further reflection by those interested in conforming their preaching to the pattern revealed in the New Testament.
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Lifted (EPERE) – 2:14: This word is used of the eyes (Matt. 17:8), head (Luke 21:28), hands (Luke 24:50), a sail (Acts 27:40), man (II Cor. 11:20), and “every high thing” (II Cor. 10:5), as well as the voice (Acts 2:14 et. al.).  It means to lift up, raise, elevate; to hoist; and when used of the voice, to lift up the voice, to speak in a loud voice. Although his sorrowful sobs of denial had filled Jerusalem earlier, Peter’s voice was now raised in prophecy and praise.

This word is not suggestive of “yelling” or “hollering” as so many modern, denominational preachers–and, unfortunately, even many in the Lord’s church–are wont to do, but of confidence.  Christians carry a message that is desperately needed by the world.   Peter, along with the other apostles, with a confidence that grew out of knowing the Lord was resurrected from the grave, raised the volume of his voice that he might be heard above the noise of the crowd.  Just as a sail might be hoisted to catch the winds, or as the eyes are lifted to catch a glimpse, Christians must raise their voice so that the gospel can be heard.

Said (APEPHTHEGXATO) – 2:14: This word is “expressive of the solemnity of the utterance” and shows “that St. Peter’s words were inspired.”  It was not used of ordinary speech in the LXX, but of the speech of prophets and it was used by the Greeks of the sayings of the wise and philosophers.  Thayer says of this word, “belonging to dignified and elevated discourse.”  Gospel preaching is not to be childish or vulgar.  While it is true that a sermon should be able to be understood by common folk (Mark 12:37), there must be a dignity about the lesson.

Just as those who study God’s word are noble (Acts 17:11), those who preach it should be dignified. Nor should God’s word be aimed at simpletons. Gospel preaching should appeal to the intellect (Eph. 5:14-17; II Tim. 2:15) as well as to the emotions (Acts 24:25).  This word is found only three times in the New Testament, all in Acts (Acts 2:4,14; 26:25).  In 2:4 it is used of the Spirit-inspired “utterance” that was given to the apostles in the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  In 26:25 Paul contrasts his speech with that of a madman, which he was accused of being.

(To be continued)

Eric L. Padgett