Understanding the Doctrine of Preaching

What is preaching?

In Christian theology, preaching is the divinely commissioned proclamation of the gospel and biblical truth, serving as the primary means of transmitting God’s revelation to humanity.

Its purpose is to communicate God’s revealed truth, calling individuals to repentance and faith in Christ, as seen in Acts 20:20-21 where Paul declares, 'Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.' Scripture emphasizes this mission as central to the preacher’s duty, as 2 Timothy 4:2 instructs believers to 'preach the word.' It also urges them to be ready in season and out of season.

Preaching in the Biblical Context

Rooted in Israel’s covenantal history, biblical preaching emerges as a divinely ordained means of conveying God’s will and redemptive purposes.

In the Hebrew Bible, prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah modeled preaching as a call to covenant faithfulness (Isa. 1:10-17, Jer. 2:4-8), while Jesus redefined its mission during His ministry. Mark 1:14-15 records Jesus’ inaugurating proclamation: 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel,' framing preaching as both eschatological announcement and summons to transformative faith. This model became the template for apostolic preaching, emphasizing urgency and divine authority.

Jesus’ prioritization of preaching (Mark 1:38-39) established its centrality in advancing God’s kingdom, a practice the early church adopted through sermons like Peter’s on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41). This covenantal continuity bridges Israel’s prophetic tradition with Christian mission, setting the stage for exploring preaching’s theological function in subsequent contexts.

Preaching and Salvation in Acts 10:36-37

Peter’s sermon in Acts 10:36-37 exemplifies apostolic preaching’s dual focus on Jesus as the universal Savior and the imperative of repentance.

In Acts 10:36, Peter declares, ‘You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,’ framing Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s covenantal promises. This universal lordship (‘Lord of all’) underscores the inclusivity of salvation, transcending ethnic or cultural boundaries. Verse 37 adds, ‘In Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and indeed to the end of the earth,’ echoing the Great Commission’s geographic scope while affirming Jesus’ messianic authority. Crucially, Peter’s message pairs proclamation with a call to action: repentance (Acts 10:43), linking faith in Jesus to the forgiveness of sins - a pattern consistent with Jesus’ own preaching in Mark 1:15.

This model reveals preaching’s theological function: to announce Jesus’ lordship while demanding a response of repentance and faith. By anchoring salvation in Christ’s identity and mission, Peter’s sermon aligns with Jesus’ teachings and the early church’s witness, setting a precedent for how Christian preaching mediates both grace and accountability. Such sermons, as seen here, inform and transform, inviting listeners into a covenantal relationship with God through Christ.

Preaching as a Means of Grace

In Christian theology, preaching is regarded as a divinely ordained channel through which God’s grace is communicated to believers.

Reformed traditions emphasize preaching as the primary means of grace, where God’s Word, when faithfully proclaimed, transforms hearts through the Holy Spirit’s power (2 Timothy 4:2). Catholic theology, meanwhile, integrates preaching within the sacramental economy, viewing it as part of the Church’s apostolic mission to sanctify and instruct. Scholars debate the extent to which preaching alone mediates grace, with some emphasizing its efficacy when aligned with sacraments and communal worship.

This transformative power of preaching lies in its call to repentance and faith, as seen in Jesus’ own ministry (Mark 1:15) and Peter’s sermon in Acts 10:36-37. Such debates underscore preaching’s theological weight while inviting reflection on its role in nurturing covenantal faithfulness in contemporary Christian practice.

Why Preaching Matters Today

In an age marked by fragmentation and relativism, preaching remains a vital force for uniting believers around shared truth and purpose.

Preaching addresses modern challenges by fostering covenantal community, countering individualism with collective identity in Christ. Its proclamation of Jesus as 'Lord of all' (Acts 10:36) transcends cultural divides, offering a universal message of grace and accountability. This continuity with apostolic witness, as seen in Peter's sermon, anchors churches in a mission that resists postmodern fragmentation.

By calling for repentance and faith (Mark 1:15), preaching transforms passive listeners into active participants in God's redemptive work. This dynamic bridges ancient proclamation and contemporary spiritual formation, preparing the way for exploring preaching's challenges in modern contexts.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of preaching, explore key biblical texts and reflect on their application in your spiritual journey.

Acts 10:36-37 and Mark 1:15 offer rich insights into preaching’s call to repentance and faith. Consider how these passages challenge your own engagement with sermons, whether through personal reflection or discussions in small groups.