PROCLAIMING JESUS CHRIST EFFECTIVELY

PROCLAIMING JESUS CHRIST EFFECTIVELY

Jesus Christ told his disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel so that whoever believes would be saved (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8). Disciples of the Early Church were on one accord in proclaiming the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected when many souls believed and were added to the Church. As disciples of the Lord today, following the examples of Early Church disciples, we may be effective in spreading the good news of salvation through believing in Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected (Act 2).

OBSERVING HOW EARLY DISCIPLES AGREED TO PROCLAIM CHRIST

Before being filled with the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s Early disciples argued among themselves about who would be the greatest (Luke 9:46). But they came to be on one accord when they were praying, and. were empowered and inspired by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost to focus essentially on preaching the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected. As a result of their collectively concentrating on preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected, thousands of souls were saved. (Acts 1:8; Act 2; book of Acts).

In the apostle Paul’s determination to preach Jesus Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2), he solicited the cooperation and help of fellow believers from various churches. Recognizing them as brothers and sisters in the Lord, he asked them to pray and work together with him in unified efforts to reach nonbelievers for the Lord. (Romans 15:30-31; Ephesians 6:19 Colossians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). New Testament writings shows how very productive Paul was in working together with different Christians in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified.

The apostle Paul urged Christian believers not to be distracted from proclaiming Jesus Christ crucified by religious issues like different beliefs concerning holy foods, holy days, religious rituals, etc. (Romans 14:1-6).

EMPHASIZING ESSENTIALLY WHAT THE DISCIPLES PREACHED

The Bible records what the disciples preached:

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
The consequence of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
And there is no other name than Jesus Christ whereby anyone can be saved from sin (Acts 4:12).
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19; Acts 2:38).

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

FOLLOWING EXAMPLES OF EARLY DISCIPLES

The early disciples essentially followed what Jesus said and did: Jesus said: “if I be lifted up, I will draw all people unto me” (John 12:32). He said: people “shall live by every word that comes from the mouth of God” Matthew 4:4). He also said, “make disciples of all nations,” by preaching the gospel. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15-16). Moreover, the Lord told his disciples that in following his instructions to lift him up, they should be “wise as serpents, and harmless doves” (Matthew 10:16).

In our endeavors to carry out our Lord’s instructions, we can benefit from following examples and advice of the early disciples, who followed Christ. I learned the wisdom and benefit of doing this, in my working with a group whose main concern was living by the Word of God, and lifting Jesus up with the gospel Word go God.

The above-mentioned group was comprised of people from different Christian denominations. Despite our differences, our central focus was proclaiming Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected. In unity, we concentrated on preaching Jesus Christ, at home and abroad. We were effective in spreading the good news in troubled streets, in prisons, in shut-in and rehab programs. Many people were drawn to the Lord and saved as we focused essentially on proclaimed Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected.

To be effective like Jesus’ Early disciples were in proclaiming the gospel, we can focus essentially on doing what Jesus told them: “If I be lifted up, I will draw all people unto me” (John 12:32).