Last Sunday the focus of our entire service was Communion, the Lord's Supper. 1 Corinthians 11 says that the Communion service is a "proclamation" (v. 26). The Greek word means to "to proclaim, promulgate:- declare, preach, show, speak of, teach." It should be no surprise that the word is very common in the Book of Acts, the Bible's record of the early spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the church.
In Acts 4:2 the Apostles proclamation "in Jesus the resurrection from the dead," was disturbing to the Lord's enemies.
It was on the basis of Christ's resurrection that Paul and his companions proclaimed the forgiveness of sins (13:37-38).
Looking back on a portion of ministry Paul said they had "proclaimed the word of the Lord."
Even the forces of evil realized that these early missionaries were "proclaiming . . . the way of salvation" (16:17).
It was a clear word that left no doubt, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ." (17:3) So clear that it brought opposition from the Lord's enemies (17:13).
It was a proclamation that people needed to hear even if they didn't know they did. It is a proclamation that is true, and has the authority of the God of the universe behind it (17:23).
It is a proclamation of the Gospel--the good news that Jesus died, and came forth from the grave and that He did that for us (26:23).
Last Sunday, and in the days since, I have found myself wondering how my, how my church's, proclamation measures up to that "turn-the-world-upside-down" (17:6) word proclaimed by these folk in the Book of Acts. My answer is not encouraging. I am challenged, and I challenge my brothers and sisters in Christ:
Let's do some proclaiming!
It's STTA.
You can listen to last Sunday's message about Communion here.
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