The Kerygma Of The Early Church

The kerygma (preaching) is a summary of the preaching themes of the early church, based on the study of the sermons in the book of Acts. These themes, most visible in Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41), lie at the heart of the gospel: The prophecies are fulfilled, and the new age is inaugurated by the coming of Christ. He was born of the seed of David. He died according to the Scriptures, to deliver us out of the present evil age. He was buried. He rose on the third day according to the Scriptures. He is exalted at the right hand of God, as Son of God and Lord of the living and dead. He will come again as Judge and Savior of men and women. The Use of Kerygma in the Early Church The Greek word kerygma means "that which is preached," stemming from the root keryssein, signifying "to preach. " For the first century church kerygma characterized the central power of the gospel. The essence of earliest Christianity was contained in the kerygma's repeated pro…