What Does It Mean To Preach Jesus?
Patrick Morrison

Many in the religious world today have the idea that we need to preach Jesus. I agree with them in that we need to preach Jesus. But what does the Bible have to say about preaching Jesus? The Bible plainly tells us what it means to preach Jesus in Act 8:5-12. Let us look at what it meant to Phillip to preach Jesus.

When Phillip preached to the Samaritans, they believed the things he said concerning the kingdom. The kingdom is none other than the church, which Christ promised to build (Mt. 16:18-19). Phillip could not preach Jesus without preaching about the church, which Christ died to establish (Acts 20:28). There is but one church (Eph. 4:4-6) and Christ is going to one day save that church in heaven eternally (Eph. 5:23). No doubt Phillip told them these things. To Phillip preaching Christ meant to preach about the one church of Christ.

When Phillip preached Jesus to the Samaritans, he included in his preaching the authority of Christ. As Christians we are to respect the authority of Christ to the point that all that we do in faith and practice is according to His will (Col. 3:17). The religious world in general does not like to hear about the authority of Christ, but those in Samaria to whom Phillip preached gladly accepted what he had to say on this subject.

There is no doubt that Phillip preached baptism when he preached unto them Jesus (Acts 8:12). It is impossible to preach Jesus without preaching baptism. This can also be seen in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch. Phillip began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus (Acts 8:35). As they came to a certain water, the eunuch asked Phillip what did hinder him from being baptized (8:36). The religious world would have us preach the man, but not the plan. This is absurd! The man is the plan, and His plan includes baptism for the remission of sins!

What does it mean to preach Jesus? Among other things, it means to preach about the one church of Christ, the authority of Christ, and baptism for the remission of sins. Let us make sure that we stick to preaching Jesus the way the New Testament prescribes.

Responded
We rejoiced with the angels in Heaven that sisters Venise Gilbert and Betty Dupree came forward last Sunday morning in response to the gospel call of Jesus Christ. Both of these sisters are asking for the prayers of the congregation on their behalf - that they might have renewed strength in the paths that lie before them. Keep these ladies in your daily prayers and take encouragement from their determination to keep God first in their lives.

September Calendar

The September edition of the Activities Calendar and Men to Serve List is available today in the foyer. Dates of interest in this month's calendar include:

Bible Bowl- 9
New Preacher starts- 17
Picture Directory shipping date-21

Please pick-up a copy so that you may be informed of the month's activities and duty schedules.

Ladies' Work Group
The Ladies' Work Group is scheduled to meet tomorrow evening (Monday) at 7:00 in the annex.

TONIGHT!
Prayer Meeting at 5:30 pm in classroom #3.

Youngster's Class at 5:40 pm in the auditorium.

PM Fellowship in the annex after the evening worship service. All members and visitors are invited to stay with us and enjoy the food and fellowship.