Abstract
The article aims to define what the most distinctive characteristics of Pentecostal preaching are in order to assess these elements critically. Pentecostal preachers argue that their message is concerned with the Bible as the Word of God and its explication for modern-day listeners, but with the explicit purpose to perpetuate what the Bible says about the revelation of God as revealed to the contemporary preacher. The purpose of preaching is in other words that believers will experience an encounter with the same Spirit who revealed God to people in biblical times in order that present-day people will be saved, freed, healed and delivered in the same way as in apostolic times. Pentecostal preaching is described in terms of three elements, God’s work in preaching, preparation for preaching, and the preaching event. The several aspects are described and discussed and some of the conclusions are that Pentecostal preaching should as non-negotiable be rooted soundly in Scripture, beginning from and focusing on the biblical text, while at the same time exegesis, although necessary academic work, may not be allowed to minimize the influence of the Spirit because the end of preaching is a word from God that produces the divine desired effect in the human situation. However, the emphasis on supernatural results leads in some instances to the manipulation of the context of preaching in order to gain the desired results, using emotionalism, mass suggestion, disorder, or showmanship.
Highlights
From its earliest days preaching had an important function within the Pentecostal movement as an explanation at the hand of the Bible of whatNel STJ 2017, Vol 3, No 1, 285–307God still wants to do for people, to touch them with his Spirit of power.1 Pentecostals inherited the Reformation form of preaching that is used generally in evangelical circles, consisting of the exposition of biblical passages (Dela Cruz 2010:121)
Pentecostal preaching is described in terms of three elements, God’s work in preaching, preparation for preaching, and the preaching event. e several aspects are described and discussed and some of the conclusions are that Pentecostal preaching should as non-negotiable be rooted soundly in Scripture, beginning from and focusing on the biblical text, while at the same time exegesis, necessary academic work, may not be allowed to minimize the in uence of the Spirit because the end of preaching is a word from God that produces the divine desired e ect in the human situation
They changed it from an orderly and reasoned discourse into a chaotic phenomenon with what seems to be all style and little substance (Johns 1998:3). e delivery style was subservient to the explicit aim of preaching, that was not merely to impart information or explain what a biblical passage means for the rst listeners or even for today’s readers, but primarily to build faith in the listeners’ hearts to receive what God wants to give them and that correlates with what the people described in the Bible experienced
Summary
God still wants to do for people, to touch them with his Spirit of power. Pentecostals inherited the Reformation form of preaching that is used generally in evangelical circles, consisting of the exposition of biblical passages (Dela Cruz 2010:121). Pentecostal preachers prefer to refer to their preaching as ‘messages’ rather than ‘sermons’ to illustrate their reliance upon the Spirit to supply them with an inspired message suitable for each unique occasion.8 They regularly use prophetic terminology in their ministry, for example, ‘I have a message that the Lord has laid on my heart, that God deposits in my spirit’ (Sheppard 2001:64), and they pray and allow that the Spirit will move powerfully to make their preaching e ective, with the resultant signs and wonders. God’s role in preaching is that he has spoken through Scripture; in order for the preacher to uphold what God has communicated, he or she must preach the Scriptures or at least stay within its boundaries (Robinson 2001:20)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
