The Preaching is a Proclamation
The Greek word translated as « to preach » is « κηρύσσω » ((kēryssō) (Strong’s Concordance (G2784)), « to herald as public screaming ». Preaching is a public proclamation. Even though preaching is a simple teaching, it is not to be confused with the pedagogical basic teaching of the Bible, mentioned in Matthew 28:20: « teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you » (Matthew 28:20) (« teaching »: (διδάσκω (disdasko) (Strong’s Concordance « To teach » (G1321)). We can take two examples that show the simplicity of a message preached, often by a simple sentence, and a detailed teaching in the form of a public speech:
Preaching: « From that time on, Jesus began preaching (kēryssō) and saying: “Repent, for the Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near » » (Matthew 4:17). In Luke 10:9, as Jesus Christ sends 70 of his disciples to preach ahead of him. He gives them exactly the same simple theme of proclamation: « The Kingdom of God has come near to you ».
The more detailed biblical teaching in the form of a speech: « When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he opened his mouth and began teaching them (disdasko), saying » (Matthew 5:1,2). Thus, the Sermon on the Mount is not a mere public proclamation, but a detailed biblical teaching in the form of a public speech of about half an hour (in that case).
Jesus Christ sends his disciples to preach
Preaching is much easier to do than teaching the Bible. This is the advice that Jesus Christ gave to a group of disciples that he was sending to preach ahead of him: “These 12 Jesus sent out, giving them these instructions: “Do not go off into the road of the nations, and do not enter any Sa·marʹi·tan city; but instead, go continually to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying: ‘The Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’ (…). You received free, give free. Do not acquire gold or silver or copper for your money belts, or a food pouch for the trip, or two garments, or sandals, or a staff, for the worker deserves his food. “Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving, and stay there until you leave. When you enter the house, greet the household. If the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon it; but if it is not deserving, let the peace from you return upon you. Wherever anyone does not receive you or listen to your words, on going out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet” (Matthew 10:5-14).
In the simple « instructions » that Jesus Christ gave to his disciples, there are five main instructions:
– Jesus Christ sets the territory or the area to be covered for preaching (Verses 5 and 6).
– Jesus Christ sets the theme of the proclamation, which will eventually spark conversations (verse 7): « The Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near ».
– Jesus Christ especially asks that this preaching is not to be used for a financial or commercial purpose: « You received free, give free » (Verse 8).
– Jesus Christ then gives more material and behavioral instructions, linked with the hospitality of the people who will welcome them (Verses 9-13).
– Jesus Christ explains that in case of refusal, it is advisable not to insist but rather « shake the dust off your feet », leaving the house or the city, putting the judgment in the hands of God: « Really I tell you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than for this city » (Matthew 4:15).
How to do ?
This is a concluding question: Let us imitate Jesus Christ, like his disciples, but also the Samaritan woman: « Many of the Sa·marʹi·tans from that city put faith in him because of the word of the woman who bore witness, saying: “He told me all the things I did.” So when the Sa·marʹi·tans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. As a result, many more believed because of what he said, and they said to the woman: “We no longer believe just because of what you said; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the savior of the world » (John 4:39-42).
The Samaritan woman preached, and her simple preaching has been so powerful that thanks to God’s blessing, a whole village came out to meet Jesus Christ and began to have faith in him. Do like the Samaritan woman, preach to your family members, your friends and especially those who do not have internet. Preach the Good News with the most possible means of communication, that the « Day of Jehovah is near » (Joel 2: 1,2). Feel free to use the Bible to support your statements, either by quoting biblical texts from memory or in essence, or by reading directly. In addition to preaching to those who do not have Internet, do not hesitate to use the social networks, creations of Biblical sites, blogs, Twitter, Facebook… To preach the Good News to all the nations before the end comes ( Matthew 24:14). By doing the best that you can, Jehovah God will not fail to bless your preaching activity, and will grant you everlasting life in the future earthly paradise: « For God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name by ministering and continuing to minister to the holy ones » (Hebrews 6:10). May God bless your preaching activity through Christ.
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Table of contents of the http://yomelyah.fr/ website
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