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 proclamation.
The term kerygma appears in the New Testament eight times: twice by Jesus making reference to Jonah’s proclamation to Nineveh and six times referring to the apostolic preaching. The term most often has, as its object, the gospel, the glad tidings of the early church. While the word itself is not cited often, the kerygma (the gospel to which it refers) can be found throughout the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles.
The message to which kerygma refers consisted of the basic evangelistic proclamations of the gospel that brought persons to faith in Jesus. It typically included elements enumerated as evidence of the truthfulness of the gospel. Certain events in the life of Jesus Christ were always present: first, that Jesus was the fulfillment of what was proclaimed by the prophets; second, Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again; third, God has made Jesus Christ as Lord; fourth, Jesus would reign over a judgment to come; and finally, a call to repentance and an offer of forgiveness.
Whereas exhortation and Didache (teaching) had origins in the early church for instruction, the kerygma served solely as a public announcement that Jesus is the Christ in whom salvation is to be found. Modern preaching has become more exhortative and teaching in nature. In contrast, the early church reserved the moments of proclamation for the kerygma in order that men and women might be won to faith.
Of primary importance to the kerygma was the one who proclaimed. The Greek word keryx could be a town crier, an auctioneer, or a herald. Usually, the keryx would be someone given authority to announce that which was heralded. Also, the herald would draw public attention to the message. The keryx would bring an edict from another party sovereign over the subject matter. For the early church, the proclamation of the gospel in power was delivered by those worthy of its content.
Essentially, the Christian faith did not exist until there was the kerygma, the message to be believed and embraced. Nearly all of the New Testament relates to and expands on the meaning of the kerygma.