Preaching Christ

By

Shelby G. Floyd

January 6, 2008

 

 

 

 

    In the early history of the growth and development of the New Testament church we find that after the death of Stephen, there was a great persecution that arose against the church that was at Jerusalem.

 

The Church Was Scattered

 

    All the members were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria except apostles: “And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. (Acts 8: 1.) The apostles lost their congregation since the mem­bers were all scattered abroad.

 

They Preached the Word Everywhere

 

    But the members did not lose an audience be­cause the Bible says, “therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4.) Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. (Acts 8: 5.)

 

What does it mean To Preach Christ?

 

    1. Preaching Christ includes faith, “when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” (Acts 8:12.)

 

    2. Second, preaching Christ involves the kingdom of God or the church, “when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” (Acts 8:12.

 

    3. In the third place, preaching Christ involves preaching the name of Jesus Christ: “when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” (Acts 8:12.) There is no other name by which man can be saved. (Acts 4: 12.)

 

    4. And in the fourth place one cannot preach Christ without telling people about baptism: “when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” (Acts 8:12.) The people of Samaria were bap­tized both men and women. (Acts 8:12.)  Baptism is for salvation or remission of sins. (Acts 2:38.)

 

    Shortly before Jesus left the earth he said, “He that believ­eth and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16: 16.) That is exactly what the people of Samaria did. They believed and were baptized and therefore received the promise of salvation. Copyright © 2008 Shelby Floyd All Rights Reserved