Proclaiming the Whole Counsel of God

Chapter 1 The Characteristics of Pentecostal Preaching Introduction In this chapter, we will focus on what should be true of Pentecostal preachers, not what may be true. Not every preacher lives up to his or her calling in or out of the pulpit. At the same time, the discussion will go back and forth from preaching and to preachers themselves. No one can separate the two. When people think about one, they also talk about the other. For instance, it is impossible to speak about the King without talk of His kingdom (cf. Dan. 2:44-45). For years believers in Pentecostal churches ‘knew’ what Pentecostal preaching meant. It was often associated with the loud volume, the rapid speech, and the quick delivery of the preacher. Since most early Pentecostals came from poorer, less educated levels of society, these easily identifiable traits worked well for a practical, if not a precise, definition. With Pentecostals now coming from all levels of society, volume and mannerisms provide little assistance with the definition of Pentecostal preaching. Because of these changes in society, many older Pentecostals think their preachers have lost the essence of Pentecostal preaching. While, no doubt, younger members feel confused over the issue due to the many different styles of preaching current today. This chapter will attempt to address the characteristics of Pentecostal preaching. In the process, an effort will also be made to explain how to develop Pentecostal preachers in the modern setting. We may define Pentecostal preaching as follows: the preaching of the good news of Jesus Christ with a conscious reliance on the Holy Spirit for practical results. I. Pentecostal Preaching Is Biblical—Part 1 Goal: List the biblical characteristics of Pentecostal preaching. A. Pentecostal preachers study and proclaim the Word of God. Explanation: Not every Pentecostal preacher studies and proclaims the Bible like he or she should. But those true to their calling do. They have no “Thus says the Lord,” unless they study their Bibles and hear from God. But when they do, God reveals to them in the study what they must repeat in the sanctuary. When Jesus preached in the synagogue at Nazareth, He preached from the Book of Isaiah (Luke 4:14-30). During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached from the Law of Moses (Matt. 5:17-48). Jesus was a Bible preacher. The apostles in the Book of Acts preached from the Bible (cf. Acts 2:14-41; 3:11-26; 4:8-12, etc.). Pentecostal preachers must avoid the errors of fanaticism or heresy in their preaching, such as: promoting legalism, being dogmatic, setting dates for the Lord’s return, etc. The best way to avoid such mistakes is to preach the Scriptures, exalt the Savior, and be led by the Spirit. Paul tells the young preacher Timothy to “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Paul encourages him to prepare like this right after he instructs him to “preach the Word” (2 Tim. 2:2). The process for the study and proclamation of the Bible should include three steps. First, read the passage many times. Find out what it says. Second, interpret what it means. The context of the passage will help in this regard. Third, make practical applications for today. For example, 1 Timothy 6:10 in the NIV. After reading the verse several times, Bible students notice that money is not the root of all evil, but “a root of all kinds of evil” (emphasis added). When students ask what this means, they usually conclude that money is not the cause of everything wrong in the world. Money had nothing to do with the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden. When the question of application arises, careful Bible students point out how the love of money not money itself serves as one of the roots of evil. Money is not evil; it is simply a tool. Its owner determines its use. If Pentecostal preachers follow these simple steps and pray for the Spirit’s guidance, they can be confident that their preaching consists of the Word of God. Illustration: Like Ezra in the Old Testament, Pentecostal preachers devote themselves to the study of the Scriptures until they have a word from the Lord (Ezra 7:10.). Then they preach it clearly to their hearers (Neh. 8:8.). In the New Testament, Luke studied the life of Christ before he wrote his Gospel, “so that [Theophilus] might know the certainty of the things [he had] been taught” (Luke 1:1-4). After studying the eyewitness accounts and hearing from God, he penned his gospel like one long sermon to persuade his readers of its truthfulness. Application: Before preachers stand in the pulpit, they must have something to say. The only subjects they can preach with authority are those that the Bible addresses. Therefore, preachers must study the Scriptures carefully and preach them clearly. B. Pentecostal preachers emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit. Explanation: Jesus was not only a Bible preacher; He was also a Pentecostal preacher. The Holy Spirit conceived him. The Holy Spirit baptized Him. The Holy Spirit led him. The Holy Spirit enabled Him to cast out demons. The Holy Spirit anointed Him to preach. His whole life was lived in the Spirit. Throughout the Book of Acts, the apostles rely upon the Holy Spirit for guidance. For example, when Philip preached in Samara (Acts 8:4-40) and when Paul wanted to enter Bithynia (Acts 16:6-10). They preached under the direction of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:29; 10:19-20; 11:28; cf. 21:4). The apostles understood that the Spirit had come to take Jesus’ place not only as their Comforter, but also as their Teacher and Guide (John 14:15-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:7-11). Pentecostal preaching emphasizes the prophetic work of the Spirit. The prophets addressed a person’s obedience to the will of God. They were not shy to call attention to sin. They were quick to correct with clear instructions as to the will of God. Since the Spirit inspired the prophets of old to speak, Pentecostal preachers see themselves as their modern heirs. Pentecostal preachers are also prophetic in how they appeal to souls that are spiritually dead in order to make them live again. Like Ezekiel, a preacher may not know if certain bones can live or not, but God knows and that is knowledge enough for a Pentecostal preacher (cf. Ezek. 37). Thus, Pentecostal preachers preach like God wants to raise the dead every time they preach.