Topical Bible: Ministers: should Preach: Not With Enticing Words of Man's Wisdom

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Christian ministry, the role of a minister is to faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, adhering to the truth of Scripture rather than relying on human wisdom or persuasive rhetoric. This principle is rooted in the teachings of the Apostle Paul, who emphasized the importance of preaching with divine power rather than human eloquence.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul addresses this concept in his first letter to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 , Paul writes, "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power."

Theological Implications

Paul's approach underscores the belief that the power of the Gospel lies not in the skill of the speaker but in the work of the Holy Spirit. The minister's task is to present the message of Christ crucified, allowing the Spirit to convict and transform hearts. This reliance on divine power over human wisdom ensures that faith is grounded in God rather than in the charisma or intellect of the preacher.

Practical Application

Ministers are called to prioritize the truth of Scripture over the allure of sophisticated language or philosophical arguments. This does not imply that ministers should neglect preparation or clarity in their preaching. Rather, it emphasizes that the ultimate effectiveness of their ministry depends on the Spirit's work through the faithful proclamation of God's Word.

Warnings Against Human Wisdom

The Bible warns against the dangers of relying on human wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:17-19 , Paul states, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.'"

Historical Context

In the Greco-Roman world, oratory and rhetoric were highly valued, and speakers often sought to impress their audiences with their eloquence. Paul, however, deliberately chose a different path, focusing on the simplicity and power of the Gospel message. This approach was countercultural and served to highlight the distinctiveness of the Christian message.

Conclusion

While the entry does not include a formal conclusion, it is evident that the emphasis on preaching not with enticing words of man's wisdom is a call for ministers to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Gospel. This approach ensures that the faith of believers is rooted in the divine rather than the human, aligning with the biblical mandate for authentic and effective ministry.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 2:1,4
And I, brothers, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

An Account of the Several Annual Conferences, and of the General ...
... Ghost," and "needed not that any one should teach them ... insulated congregations, as
most of the ministers of other ... it was "not their business to preach so many ...
/.../chapter 3 an account of 2.htm

The Marriage of Cana
... to please natural men, I need not preach here in ... Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but ... Jesus Christ to send forth his ministers to call ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the marriage of cana.htm

Concerning Worship.
... to be constantly practised by all the ministers of the ... a word with much power unto
those that preach the gospel ... of words, lest the cross of Christ should be of ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ...
... our share in this work, we should not only fall ... for the education of the children
of itinerant ministers. ... David Cadwalder, who was able to preach in Welch, was ...
/.../chapter 10 from the close.htm

Moody's Stories
... minister once invited a young brother to preach for him ... the love that real disciples
of Christ should have ... we want to-day all over America"new ministers in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/moodys stories.htm

The Holy Ghost --The Great Teacher
... hurt them much; but hear me, oh, ye ministers that conceal ... A Christian should do
with truth as a snail does ... thought he could preach; and he did preach a little ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the holy ghostthe great teacher.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ...
... the pressure so common to itinerant ministers in those ... I should soon collect around
me a more numerous crowd ... to believe God had called to preach, brother Porter ...
/.../chapter 12 from the close.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... manifested, in that when his ministers first began ... sinners, to the Jerusalem sinners:
"Preach repentance, and ... that has most need, reason says, should be helped ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... when he goes about by his ministers, beseeching of sinners to ... in his heart's blood,
that he should rather have ... Go into all the world, and preach repentance and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... spake them to the end that after generations should take notice ... 19th and 20th verses
also, I shall not spend much ... the next verses; for they are the words I do ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm