WHY PREACHING?
Protestant churches put public Scripture reading and preaching near the center of gathered worship so that the gospel is heard, taught, and tested against the biblical witness.
Historical context
Word and sacrament belong together in historic Lutheran and Reformed teaching, even where service patterns and frequency of the Supper differ. Contemporary Protestant churches vary in how they order preaching, liturgy, music, and the sacraments.
Avoid overclaiming
Do not describe Protestant worship as universally non-liturgical or without sacraments. Lutheran and Anglican confessions retain ordered ministry and liturgy; even churches with less fixed forms have communal structures and teaching responsibilities.
Strongest alternative reading
Orthodox and Catholic worship also includes substantial Scripture reading and preaching, normally within Eucharistic liturgy. The distinctive Protestant emphasis concerns the gospel's normative proclamation and the ordering of ministry, not the invention of public biblical teaching.
Key points
- Christ commissions witnesses
- public reading of Scripture
- preaching in the gathered church
Common questions
- How are Word, sacrament, lawful calling, and accountability joined in this church?
- What is genuinely distinctive, rather than a practice shared with other Christians?
Scripture
- Nehemiah 8:1-12
- Luke 24:25-32; Acts 2:42
- 2 Timothy 4:1-5
- Romans 10:14-17
Primary sources
Augsburg Confession Article V states:
The Lutheran Augsburg Confession says the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the sacraments was instituted.
the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted
Passage context and translation
A Lutheran account joining proclamation and sacramental ministry, not a universal Protestant polity.
Before the excerpt
That we may obtain this faith
After the excerpt
For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith
Justin Martyr reports:
Justin's early worship account records public readings from apostles and prophets.
And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.
Passage context and translation
Justin explains second-century Sunday worship to a Roman audience, including readings, exhortation, prayer, the Eucharist, and care for the poor. This early witness is shared across Christian traditions.
Before the excerpt
And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things.
After the excerpt
Then we all rise together and pray