Volume 2 Issue 3 July 1996
by Brian Price
Paul stated in Romans 15:19 that he had, "fully preached the Gospel of Christ." Within that one statement we see Paul's recognition of the need to preach the Gospel. Note what Paul said in Romans 10:13-15, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" It was God's decision to bring this message of salvation through preaching. Understanding this, we can easily see that it was not man's design to bring forth the Word of God in this manner but the divine plan of God. To reject preaching is to reject God's plan.
If the problems and controversies surrounding preaching and preachers do not stem from the act of preaching then where is their origin? Simply put, the problems come from tainted messages that come forth from those who claim to be preachers of the Gospel. Paul warned Timothy of a time that would come when men would no longer endure sound doctrine but would only permit preaching that was soothing and brought no challenge to the listener. (2 Timothy 4:1-5) We have examples of men in the Bible who did not preach the doctrine of Christ as it ought to have been taught. Some simply had a lack of knowledge (Apollos in Acts 18:24-28) others willfully chose to deceive the people. (Hymenaeus and Philetus in 2 Timothy 2:17-18) Note that both needed to be corrected. Notice that the one who lacked knowledge did not get upset when he was corrected. His desire was to preach the truth and not worry about personal issues. Others would not withstand the correction and were marked. In turn the disciples were warned of those who would not preach the Gospel as it should be taught. Again we plainly see that the problems of preaching did not stem from the act of preaching but reside with those who fail to preach it accurately.
How do we know who is preaching the truth and who is not? There is but one source that can determine that. It is not a counsel of men. It is not a synod. It is not the theologians of the day. It's not a church. It's not another preacher. The one and only source is the Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Anybody that chooses to preach the Gospel of Christ is subject to answer for that which he has taught. If he can't give book, chapter, and verse for his teachings then beware of that one. In 2 Timothy 4:5 Paul told Timothy to make "full proof of thy ministry." Timothy had an obligation to prove his work through scripture. As listeners of preaching we need to recognize our obligation. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 states to "prove all things, hold fast to that which is good." Don't take my word for it, don't take any preachers word for it, put every teaching to the test of God's Word. Both the preacher and the listener need to recognize that their soul depends on a mutual acceptance of these responsibilities.
God is looking for preachers who love truth more than the preeminence and popularity of the people they are teaching. (3 John 1:9) He is also looking for students of the scriptures who are willing to put the teachings to the test of the scriptures and hold fast to only the things that are found to be truth. (Acts 17:11) The true test of a preacher of the Gospel is just that, is he truly preaching the Gospel as found in the pages of God's Word. If not, the teachings need to be rejected and the preacher needs to be corrected. Be lovers of truth and seek after the things of God.
