Huntington Church of Christ

It's always encouraging to hear people express their disgust for human doctrines. More and more people are interested upon hearing Christ preached. The Bible says Philip "went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ" (Acts 8:5). We naturally understand "proclaiming Christ" involves the information contained in the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) -- the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the Christ. It is also important to preach about his claim to be the Son of God. Shortly after his conversion, Paul entered into the synagogue of Damascus, proclaiming "Jesus, that he is the Son of God" (Acts 9:20).

Do you also realize that preaching Christ necessarily involves the preaching of His kingdom, the church? When Philip preached Christ in the city of Samaria it is said that he "preach(ed) good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 8:12). The kingdom and the church are synonymous. Jesus said, "...Upon this rock I will build my church...I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 16:18, 19). If we are going to preach Christ we cannot withhold information concerning His everlasting kingdom. To do so would be teaching half-truths.

Preaching Christ also involves the preaching of salvation through baptism. This is the reason the people of Samaria were baptized (Acts 8:12). Philip also taught the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8. He began in Isaiah 53 and "preached unto him Jesus." (Acts 8:35) By reading the next two verses we must conclude that baptism "into Christ Jesus" was taught (Acts 8:36-39). Romans 6:3-4 also links the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ to baptism and salvation. It is a spiritual death to sin and resurrection of a new spiritual life.

Many want Christ preached, but they also wish to censor His message. Modern preachers claim to preach Christ, yet never mention a word about baptism, unless they say it is not important. The same is true concerning Jesus' church. They claim to preach Christ, but make His church of no value by saing "go the church of YOUR choice!" Christ's church is important. He died and shed His blood for it (Acts 20:28). If we determine to rpeach Christ, let us be sure we preach it all!

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ