PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

“...we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.” 

In the book of the Acts, we have Paul’s constant manner of preaching often described to us, particularly; “...and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” {Acts 17:2,3} 

Yea, when he had occasion to preach at Rome a whole day, from morning unto evening, we are told what he insisted on all the time, in this manner; “...and when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” {Acts 28:23} 

Nor did he change his subject, though he many times preached at Rome. “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” {Acts 28:30,31} 

And he himself says to the Corinthians, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God; for I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” {I Corinthians 2:1,2} 

And from many other passages, such as Acts 9:20, 20:24, and II Timothy 4:6,7, it appears, that this was the topic he never wearied of, from his conversion to his death. What a poor figure that clergyman will make, who had no other topic to insist on, nothing else to attach his Parish to him, BUT THIS ONE THING NEEDFUL!  

 -brother Robert Sandeman (Essay on Preaching, 1763 A.D.)

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