“Proclaiming Christ Is Not Optional But A Necessity” – Rev. Edwin Adjei

Introduction

Proclaiming Jesus Christ is a fundamental duty of every believer. As Rev. Edwin Adjei shared on “Joy Time in His Presence” with Ps. Ato Acquah on Joy 99.7 FM, proclaiming Christ is not optional but a necessity. 

Using Acts 17:1-4 as a foundational scripture, he outlined key aspects of proclaiming Jesus and why it is essential for every Christian.

What It Means to Proclaim Jesus

Rev. Adjei emphasized that to proclaim means to announce or preach, often in a loud and public manner. “This involves crying out, making noise, just as John the Baptist was a voice crying in the wilderness.”

Proclaiming Jesus is like the traditional town announcers, who beat the gong-gong to attract attention before delivering their message.

Additionally, proclaiming Christ is not just about making noise; it carries a meaningful message. “You are not just making noise, but the noise you are making carries a message. It has a purpose.” 

This means that every believer has a responsibility to share the good news of Jesus intentionally and effectively.

The Three Key Features of Proclamation

The Announcer – The person proclaiming Jesus must have personally encountered Him. “The thing about announcing Jesus is that no one who has not encountered Jesus has what it takes to proclaim Jesus.” 

Rev. Adjei referenced Mark 5:19-20, where Jesus told the delivered demoniac to return home and tell others what God had done for him. “It is what we have encountered of Christ that forms in our hearts a message for us to proclaim Him.”

The Announcement – The message of proclamation must focus on who Jesus is and what He has done. “Paul says we preach nothing but Christ and Him crucified.” The testimony of Jesus transforms lives, and when people see that transformation, they marvel.

The Announced – The central figure of the proclamation must always be Jesus. “When we proclaim Jesus, we do not proclaim ourselves. We do not proclaim our anointing or our position. What we proclaim is Jesus and who He is.”

The Six Ps of Proclaiming Jesus

1. Public – “Paul sought public places to proclaim Jesus. He did not hide in a private space but went to the synagogue.” Today, technology allows believers to proclaim Jesus on various platforms, reaching people even in their private spaces.
2. Prompt – Proclaiming Jesus must be done without delay. “The Bible says Paul’s custom was to seek public engagement to proclaim Jesus.” Just as Paul consistently sought opportunities, believers must make proclamation a lifestyle.
3. Persistent – Paul and his companions were persistent in their mission. “In Acts 16, we see Paul going to the riverside repeatedly to share the gospel.”
4. Purposeful – The message must be intentional and Christ-centered.
5. Powerful – Proclaiming Jesus must be done with conviction and the power of the Holy Spirit.
6. Personal – The testimony of personal encounters with Jesus makes the proclamation authentic and effective.

Conclusion

Proclaiming Jesus Christ is not a passive activity but an active, public, and intentional declaration of His love and salvation. 

As believers, we must embrace the responsibility of proclaiming Jesus with boldness, urgency, and consistency, ensuring that He remains the center of our message. “It is what we have encountered of Christ that forms in our hearts a message for us to proclaim Him. Hallelujah!”