To simply preach and teach Christ, we must point people to “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), and “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Preaching Christ to folks is showing them His character to be imitated (1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6), His authority to which we must subject ourselves (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Acts 3:22-23; Acts 7:37), and His commands to be totally obeyed (Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 1:22; cf. 1 John 2:3-5).When Philip went to Samaria and simply “preached Christ to them” (Acts 8:5, we can see the results. Note that “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 name of Jesus Christ” refers to His authority. Saying “Lord, Lord” has no value in and of itself (Matthew 7:21-22) — we must be willing to live our lives at His direction and not our own (Colossians 3:17). To act “in the name” of Jesus then, is to act by His direction and power (Acts 4:7-12). Salvation is “in His name” and thus preaching and teaching Christ would include preaching and teaching His name (cf. Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:25-30).
When Philip preached Christ, note that he instructed folks to be baptized “into Christ” (cf. Gal. 3:26-27). Also note that when the Samaritans heard the preaching of Christ, they were baptized (Acts 8:14-16). The result of Philip preaching “Jesus” to the eunuch (Acts 8:35) was when “they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water; what hinders me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36).
While Jesus was on earth, He told his disciples that He would send them His Holy Spirit to guide them into “all truth” (John 16:13). As His chosen witnesses, they were to preach Christ to the world (Luke 24:46-47) and to teach “all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20). Today, those who think of themselves as teachers and preachers, fail in their obligation if they preach and teach less than the whole truth (cf. Acts 20:27).
Regarding the preaching and teaching of Christ, we might ask, “Is it a tremendous responsibility?” Yes, it is certainly that — and much more (James 3:1). Any individual who lightly regards simply preaching and teaching Christ, is the individual who neglects Bible study and substitutes a glad-hand and glib tongue — he is the individual who is unworthy of the name “preacher” or “teacher.”
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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