THE KERYGMA OF THE APOSTLES

THE KERYGMA OF THE APOSTLES

*CONTENT; Apostles preaching was Jesus Himself. as the saving presence of God.

*Kingdom personified in Jesus Christ.-The Messenger became the message.

*Jesus the preacher became Jesus preached

-Centered on the Person & Mission of J.Xt.

-The Paschal Mystery.

THE KERYGMA OF THE APOSTLES

• Jesus died and became the Saviour(3acts 3titles)

• Jesus risen and became the Lord

• Jesus glorified and became Christ

THE KERYGMA OF THE APOSTLES

• Peter’s 5 Kerygmatic Discourse.

• l.Acts;2/14-39

• 2.Acts3/12-26

• 3.Acts4/9-12

• 4.Acts5/29-32

• 5.Acts10/34-43 Paul’s 1.Acts 13/16-41

 When the first evangelizers presented the Good News of salvation, the people always asked how they might have access to that salvation:

- 'What must I do to be saved?' Acts 16: 31- 'What must I do?' Acts 2: 38

The replies of Peter and Paul constitute the bridge with two lanes which are the means of making present and effective the salvation of Jesus: Faith and Conversion:- Paul:'Believe, you and your household and you will be saved.' Acts 16: 31- Peter:‘Repent and be baptized’. Acts 2: 38 Faith and conversion are the necessary and irreplaceable means by which salvation and freedom are achieved in each person and every environment. So, evangelizers are always on the look out:- That listeners might believe in Jesus. Acts 13, 39- That they might be converted to God. Acts 20,21

FAITH AND CONVERSION.FAITH AND CONVERSION.

FAITH

A - FAITH

• Salvation has already been fully achieved through the sacrifice, once and for all, of Christ on the cross. Jesus has already saved us, but how enters into communion with him in order for him to make it the work of our salvation? Primarily through faith, through which each of us makes it his or her own, that which belongs to us by the gift from God: the merits of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In him we are heirs of all the heavenly blessings and we have become more than conquerors in every test and tribulation. Faith, moreover, connects us directly with the fount of grace and allows us to have access to; the divine presence, free from every fear of punishment, because our sins have already been forgiven and we are at peace with God.

• In addition, faith is the response which man makes to God. It is not a feeling or an ideology, but a way of relating with God, living in accordance with the saving plan of God. It is not merely an intellectual assent, but above all, an unconditional surrender, in accepting salvation from Jesus. This necessarily implies renouncing any other means of salvation.

B: CONVERSIONB: CONVERSION

The other lane on the bridge which connects us to The other lane on the bridge which connects us to salvation is conversion, which is the necessary-salvation is conversion, which is the necessary-

expression of faith. Faith without conversion would expression of faith. Faith without conversion would be like fire which does not burn, or light which be like fire which does not burn, or light which

does not illuminate. It would be a dead and does not illuminate. It would be a dead and ineffective faith.ineffective faith.

conversion is not limited to a moral lifestyle. It should conversion is not limited to a moral lifestyle. It should be much more. It is a way of life; not by our own power be much more. It is a way of life; not by our own power

or purposes but by the faith which leads us to or purposes but by the faith which leads us to surrender our sinful life to Jesus and to receive his life surrender our sinful life to Jesus and to receive his life

as the Son of God. He begins to as the Son of God. He begins to live, love, serve and live, love, serve and act act in us and through us.in us and through us.

  Conversion is a way of life: we live our life with the life Conversion is a way of life: we live our life with the life

of Jesus:of Jesus:

It is to turn your back on sin, in order above It is to turn your back on sin, in order above all to turn your face towards God; or to express it all to turn your face towards God; or to express it

better, to surrender your heart to him.better, to surrender your heart to him.

Mercury is the Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. The temperature is closest planet to the sun. The temperature is raised very high and the heat is incandescent. However this raised very high and the heat is incandescent. However this

happens only on the part of the planet which has its face to the happens only on the part of the planet which has its face to the sun, because what is on the other side, is terribly cold and frozen, sun, because what is on the other side, is terribly cold and frozen,

with a temperature approaching absolute zero. Only when the with a temperature approaching absolute zero. Only when the planet rotates, and turns towards the sun, the light will shine on planet rotates, and turns towards the sun, the light will shine on

the previously dark side which becomes hot.the previously dark side which becomes hot.

In the same way, there are Christians who are turned towards In the same way, there are Christians who are turned towards God, at times very close, like the thief on the left side of the cross, God, at times very close, like the thief on the left side of the cross, but have not turned their hidden part to him, where there is some but have not turned their hidden part to him, where there is some darkness of sin or some anti-gospel attitude. A moral lifestyle is darkness of sin or some anti-gospel attitude. A moral lifestyle is

not a condition for salvation, but the consequence of having not a condition for salvation, but the consequence of having turned towards God.turned towards God.

Another aspect of conversion is the following: to live Another aspect of conversion is the following: to live as son and daughter. as son and daughter.

Saul of Tarsus was converted from being just to being Saul of Tarsus was converted from being just to being a son. Because of his personal encounter with Jesus a son. Because of his personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he began to live not merely on the road to Damascus, he began to live not merely

as a just man, but also as a son of God.as a just man, but also as a son of God.All of us need conversion. Another conversion. All of us need conversion. Another conversion.

Acts 2:27-38; 3:19; 4:4; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38-39; Cf Lk Acts 2:27-38; 3:19; 4:4; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38-39; Cf Lk 24:46-48.24:46-48.

Salvation is not individualistic. It has three Salvation is not individualistic. It has three aspects:aspects:

a. Personal Aspect.a. Personal Aspect.

'Be baptized, everyone of you. ' Acts 2:38 'Be baptized, everyone of you. ' Acts 2:38

There is a personal aspect, not There is a personal aspect, not individualistic, which is irreplaceable. As each individualistic, which is irreplaceable. As each person repents from his or 'her sins, he or she person repents from his or 'her sins, he or she decides to accept Jesus as the only Saviour, decides to accept Jesus as the only Saviour, being incorporated and grafted in him No one being incorporated and grafted in him No one

can proclaim Jesus as Lord of the life of can proclaim Jesus as Lord of the life of another person. It is a decision no one else another person. It is a decision no one else

can make for another.can make for another.

C. EXTERNAL MANIFESTATION OF FAITH AND CONVERSIONC. EXTERNAL MANIFESTATION OF FAITH AND CONVERSION

Faith involves the whole person, and not only a part of his Faith involves the whole person, and not only a part of his personality. So, there must be an outward showing, when there is personality. So, there must be an outward showing, when there is a profound change on the inside. If conversion is not expressed a profound change on the inside. If conversion is not expressed in some way, you would have to doubt if it were real. For this St in some way, you would have to doubt if it were real. For this St Paul declares that in order to obtain salvation it is necessary not Paul declares that in order to obtain salvation it is necessary not only to believe with the heart, but also to declare with the mouth.only to believe with the heart, but also to declare with the mouth.

'If you confess with your mouth: 'Jesus is Lord', and 'If you confess with your mouth: 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with the heart that you you will be saved. For it is with the heart that you believe and believe and

are justified, and it with your mouth that you confess and are are justified, and it with your mouth that you confess and are saved. ' saved. ' Rom 10: 9-10.Rom 10: 9-10.

b. Communitarian:b. Communitarian:

‘They devoted themselves . . . to the fellowship. ' ‘They devoted themselves . . . to the fellowship. ' Acts 2:42Acts 2:42

Those that are baptized become part of a Those that are baptized become part of a community, gathered together around the table of community, gathered together around the table of

the Lord, and the teaching of the Apostles. the Lord, and the teaching of the Apostles.

If for some reason it does not climax in the If for some reason it does not climax in the integration into the communities where the life of integration into the communities where the life of love and forgiveness is effectively experienced, love and forgiveness is effectively experienced, and each one can render service to the others, and each one can render service to the others, then the evangelizing process has been short-then the evangelizing process has been short-

changed.changed.

c. Social Aspectc. Social Aspect..'All the believers were together and had 'All the believers were together and had everything in common. ' Acts 2:44everything in common. ' Acts 2:44

The person who has been evangelized, since the The person who has been evangelized, since the community is not closed, will be able to render service community is not closed, will be able to render service

to the world. His conversion is spread so that the to the world. His conversion is spread so that the civilization of love can be established. The Gospel civilization of love can be established. The Gospel

transforms the " structures which are submitted to the transforms the " structures which are submitted to the power of sin: injustice, wars, repressive systems power of sin: injustice, wars, repressive systems

which do not set value on the person, or abuse men which do not set value on the person, or abuse men and women. The gospel (influences the political, and women. The gospel (influences the political, economic, cultural and ecological dimensions of economic, cultural and ecological dimensions of

society.society.

When St Paul refers to the heart and the mouth, these are so When St Paul refers to the heart and the mouth, these are so much more intimate than the more external parts of a person. much more intimate than the more external parts of a person.

That's to say, faith must be expressed so muchThat's to say, faith must be expressed so muchmore deeply. That is why what is expressed with acts and words more deeply. That is why what is expressed with acts and words

is what we believe and hope for.is what we believe and hope for.

So then in the process of kerygmatic evangelization it is So then in the process of kerygmatic evangelization it is absolutely necessary for a special moment when the evangelized absolutely necessary for a special moment when the evangelized person takes the opportunity to express his faith and conversion, person takes the opportunity to express his faith and conversion, confessing Jesus as only Saviour, and the Lord of his entire life.confessing Jesus as only Saviour, and the Lord of his entire life.

There are some, who taking this text in a fundamentalist sense, There are some, who taking this text in a fundamentalist sense, think that it is something automatic: who one day believe and one think that it is something automatic: who one day believe and one time confess that Jesus is risen and is Lord, are already assured time confess that Jesus is risen and is Lord, are already assured an eternal place in paradise. On the other hand, there are those an eternal place in paradise. On the other hand, there are those who precisely by a reaction to the previous exaggeration do not who precisely by a reaction to the previous exaggeration do not give any importance at all to the public profession of their faith.give any importance at all to the public profession of their faith.

We believe that the right way lies in entering the mind of St Paul: that We believe that the right way lies in entering the mind of St Paul: that what is believed in the heart must find public expression so that the what is believed in the heart must find public expression so that the

witnesses of this profession may also remain committed. witnesses of this profession may also remain committed.

It is certainly not a matter of an isolated act, which automatically It is certainly not a matter of an isolated act, which automatically achieves salvation, without an attitude of faith, for achieves salvation, without an attitude of faith, for 'those who persevere 'those who persevere

to the end will be saved.' to the end will be saved.' Mt 10:22. Mt 10:22.

So it cannot be an occasional act of faith, without living the faith. For So it cannot be an occasional act of faith, without living the faith. For 'the 'the Just man lives by faith'. Just man lives by faith'. Rom 1:17. The justified-saved person is the one Rom 1:17. The justified-saved person is the one

who lives the faith in every circumstance of his life.who lives the faith in every circumstance of his life.

During the ministry of Jesus we find types of manifestations of faith: During the ministry of Jesus we find types of manifestations of faith: - The woman with the issue of blood, who touches the hem of his - The woman with the issue of blood, who touches the hem of his

garment and is healed: Mk 5:25-34.garment and is healed: Mk 5:25-34.- Zaccheus, who places himself at his feet and expresses his conversion: - Zaccheus, who places himself at his feet and expresses his conversion:

Lk 19:8.Lk 19:8. Mt 16:16., 20:28., Mt 20:31 ., 7:37-38. Mt 16:16., 20:28., Mt 20:31 ., 7:37-38.

D. PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF FAITH AND CONVERSIOND. PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF FAITH AND CONVERSION

Confess Jesus as the only Savior, renouncing any other means of Confess Jesus as the only Savior, renouncing any other means of salvation, happiness, fulfillment or satisfaction which is not him. salvation, happiness, fulfillment or satisfaction which is not him.

(situation of sin - be it personal or social).(situation of sin - be it personal or social).

Fundamental biblical text:Fundamental biblical text:'Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under 'Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under

heaven given to men by which we must be saved.' Acts 4:12.heaven given to men by which we must be saved.' Acts 4:12.

- With respect to conversion: Jesus is my Lord.- With respect to conversion: Jesus is my Lord.

Jesus is Lord when he effectively governs and directs that person, who Jesus is Lord when he effectively governs and directs that person, who decides to live according to the principles of the gospel and standards of decides to live according to the principles of the gospel and standards of

the Kingdom.the Kingdom.

Fundamental biblical text:Fundamental biblical text:‘If you confess with your mouth: "Jesus is Lord" and ‘If you confess with your mouth: "Jesus is Lord" and

Believe in your heart that God raised him from the Believe in your heart that God raised him from the Dead, you will be saved.' Rom 10:9.Dead, you will be saved.' Rom 10:9.

THE MODE OF THE KERYGMA OF THE APOSTLES

i. In community sent by Jesus

ii. With the power of the Holy Spirit…cures & miracles

iii. With boldness Acts 4:29

iv. With love for the evangelized

v. In unity

Our response and role today- 2 Peter 3:11-12

• EXPERIENCE- Live as community be holy WAIT

• The New Commandment John 13: 34-35

• SHARE proclaim the Good News – HASTEN

• The great Commission Mark 16:15