{"id":25530,"date":"2010-08-28T21:17:16","date_gmt":"2010-08-29T02:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=25530"},"modified":"2020-08-28T21:19:50","modified_gmt":"2020-08-29T02:19:50","slug":"we-preach-christ-crucified","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/we-preach-christ-crucified\/","title":{"rendered":"We Preach Christ Crucified"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\tby Joe R. Price\n
\"\"

The Apostle Paul II Timothy 4:6-13<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness<\/em>\u201d (I Corinthians 1:23). Let there be no mistake: Preaching \u201cChrist crucified\u201d is gospel preaching. The \u201cword of the cross\u201d is the power of God to save the lost (I Corinthians 1:18, 21; Romans 1:16). It reveals how God forgives sinners and what sinners must do to receive God\u2019s forgiveness (Romans 1:17; 3:21-26; Acts 2:37). It must be preached.<\/p>\n

The apostle Paul observed that when he preached at Corinth he\u201cdetermined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified\u201d (I Corinthians 2:2). Some hastily conclude that to preach Jesus is to preach only the life and death of Jesus and not the doctrine recorded in the inspired epistles by Christ\u2019s apostles and prophets. We are told, in effect, that Jesus is more important than His doctrine. Yet, He is \u201cthe Truth,\u201d which indisputably involves His doctrine (John 14:6; 7:16-17). Such minimizing of doctrine allows for the subjective interpretation of Scripture (\u201cchoose the doctrine of your choice\u201d). Such a view affirms that Jesus approves of each person deciding what doctrine is important and what is unimportant. We are scolded when we teach there is one body of doctrine (teaching) that is truth for all (John 17:17). \u201cJust preach Christ and leave others alone,\u201d we are told.<\/p>\n

In order to preach the \u201cmessage of the cross\u201d we must know what that preaching includes (I Corinthians 1:18, 21). Does it include the plan of salvation? Does it include principles of divine authority? Does it include the work and organization of the church? Does it include teaching about sin? Does it include instruction on human obedience? Does it include preaching the fulfillment of prophecy? The Scriptures answer\u201cyes\u201d to each of these questions. Let us see what it means to \u201cpreach Christ crucified.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Acts 8:5, Philip \u201cpreached Christ\u201d to the city of Samaria. What did that entail? In Acts 8:12 we learn that he preached the \u201cthings concerning the kingdom of God.\u201d Without question, preaching Christ is preaching about His kingdom, the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18-19). After all, the church is His body and fullness (Ephesians 1:22-23). How can one preach Christ and not preach about His body, the church? How can one preach Christ and not preach that He is the savior of His body, the church (Ephesians 5:23)?<\/p>\n

When Philip \u201cpreached Christ\u201d he preached concerning \u201cthe name of Jesus Christ\u201d (Acts 8:12). He proclaimed Christ\u2019s authority; His right to rule our lives (Matthew 28:18-19; Ephesians 1:20-23). To fully preach Christ we must preach His authority. Preaching how the authority of Christ is established and applied in Scripture should not be denounced as not preaching Jesus. Just the opposite is true; we will preach about Bible authority when we preach Christ. Whatever we say and do must be supported by His authority (Colossians 3:17). And, by the way, His authority is revealed to us in \u201cthe word of His power,\u201d His New Testament – \u201cthe word of the truth of the gospel\u201d (Colossians 1:5; Hebrews 1:1-3; John 16:13; II Timothy 3:16-17).<\/p>\n

When Philip \u201cpreached Christ\u201d he preached baptism, since \u201cboth men and women were baptized\u201d (Acts 8:12). This means he preached about sin and how sinners are saved (Acts 2:37-38, 40). This means he taught the plan of salvation when he preached Christ to the Samaritans (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8; 8:1, 4). Those who believed the gospel obeyed it and were saved (Acts 8:12-13). We conclude that Philip preached the continuing responsibilities of faithful, obedient discipleship (Acts 8:13). None should object to preaching the responsibilities of discipleship (such as moral purity, Romans 12:1-2) as not preaching Christ. \u201cAs you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving<\/em>\u201d (Colossians 2:6-7).<\/p>\n

When Philip \u201cpreached Christ\u201d he preached fulfilled prophecy. In Acts 8:35, Philip \u201cpreached Jesus\u201d from Isaiah 53:7-8, instructing the Ethiopian that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah\u2019s prophecy. The Jesus whom we preach is the suffering Christ of Old Testament prophecy (Acts 17:2-3).<\/p>\n

The New Testament of Christ is the apostles\u2019 doctrine that was preached in the first century (Romans 16:25). It is what lost souls heard, believed, and obeyed in order to be saved from their sins (Acts 2:40-41). The gospel they preached was not their own; it was revealed to them by the Spirit of God (John 16:12-15; Galatians 1:11-12; I Thessalonians 2:13). It was the \u201cword of the cross\u201d then, and it continues to be the \u201cword of the cross\u201d today (I Corinthians 1:18; I Peter 1:22-25).<\/p>\n

We will not make distinctions in God\u2019s word where there are none. To \u201cpreach Christ crucified\u201d includes preaching that Jesus fulfilled God\u2019s prophetic plan to save sinners. It includes His life, death, resurrection, and exaltation; it includes man\u2019s faith and obedience; it includes the church of Christ and the authority of Christ over our lives. We must preach the \u201cwhole counsel of God,\u201d the inspired Scriptures (II Timothy 3:16-4:2; Acts 20:27). To do less is not preaching Christ crucified to the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Joe R. Price \u201cWe preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness\u201d (I Corinthians 1:23). Let there be no mistake: Preaching \u201cChrist crucified\u201d is gospel preaching. The \u201cword of the cross\u201d is the power of God to save the lost (I Corinthians 1:18, 21; Romans 1:16). It reveals…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[228,73,536],"class_list":["post-25530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-crucifixion","tag-jesus","tag-preaching"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":63289,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/preaching-the-crucified-christ\/","url_meta":{"origin":25530,"position":0},"title":"Preaching the Crucified Christ","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 13, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 1:17-31 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What does it mean to \u201cpreach Christ crucified\u201d? - I Corinthians 1:23 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The message of the cross is the power of God - I Corinthians 1:18 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The message of the cross is God\u2019s means of salvation - I Corinthians 1:21 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Therefore,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":25528,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/are-we-to-preach-the-kingdom-of-heaven-or-to-preach-christ-crucified-as-paul-instructs-us\/","url_meta":{"origin":25530,"position":1},"title":"Are we to preach the kingdom of heaven or to preach Christ crucified as Paul instructs us?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 12, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Are we to preach the kingdom of heaven or to preach Christ crucified as Paul instructs us? Answer: There is no difference. Paul told the Ephesians, \"And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":56572,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-gospel-paul-preached\/","url_meta":{"origin":25530,"position":2},"title":"The Gospel Paul Preached","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 2, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"by Sean P. Cavender The book of Romans is Paul's defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout the epistle, Paul details man's sin, man's need for justification, the conditions for justification, the effects of God's grace, and the assurances of the child of God. He makes several statements of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":20251,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/preaching-like-paul\/","url_meta":{"origin":25530,"position":3},"title":"Preaching Like Paul","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 21, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"by Bobby Witherington via\u00a0Guardian of Truth\u00a0XXXVI: 3, pp. 80-82, February 6, 1992 There are many books that deal with preaching. Some are excellent. Some are not worth the paper and ink they require. Some are downright dangerous. But there is one book that not only reveals the value of preaching;\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/scan0013-13-300x235.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3818,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-it-possible-to-preach-christ-and-not-preach-baptism-or-the-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":25530,"position":4},"title":"Is It Possible to Preach Christ and Not Preach Baptism or the Church?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 1, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"by Donald Townsley via Guardian of Truth, December 15, 1988 From time to time men set forth the doctrine that we should \"preach Christ\" and leave the controversial subjects of the plan of salvation and the church alone. Some say, \"just preach the man and not the plan\"; others say,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":88547,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/did-the-apostle-paul-baptize\/","url_meta":{"origin":25530,"position":5},"title":"Did the Apostle Paul Baptize?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Louis Rushmore Plainly, the apostle Paul acknowledged that he personally baptized some individuals. \"Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul,'\u00a0or 'I am of Apollos,'\u00a0or 'I am of Cephas,' or 'I am of Christ.\"\u00a0Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25530"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25530\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}