Preach The Word

[Guest Kurt]

OF ALL those who claim to be Christian, only Jehovah's Witnesses take the preaching of the good news seriously. They form the only group in which every member feels a personal obligation to approach his neighbor on a regular basis in order to talk to him about God's purposes. Why is this? Because each Witness feels that, as a Christian, he must be a footstep follower of Christ. (1 Peter 2:21) What does this imply?

In the minds of many, Jesus Christ was merely a man who did good deeds. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and showed love and kindness to those in need. But Jesus did much more. He was first of all a zealous preacher of the good news of God's Kingdom. A few months after his baptism in the river Jordan, Jesus began publicly preaching: "Repent, you people, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near." (Matthew 4:17) Mark's account states: "Jesus went into Galilee, preaching the good news of God and saying: 'The appointed time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near. Be repentant, you people, and have faith in the good news.'"—Mark 1:14, 15.

Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow him, and we read: "Then he went around throughout the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom and curing every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity among the people." When the crowds in Galilee tried to detain him, he said: "Also to other cities I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth." Then he went preaching in the synagogues of Judea.—Matthew 4:18-23; Luke 4:43, 44.

 

[David Normand]

Actually, Jehovah's Witnesses are the only group that actively encourages all members to take preaching the kingdom message seriously. Not all members do, which is why we periodically get friendly reminders as to why we form congregations and go to meetings (especially the midweek meeting) in the first place.