Kerygma

Kerygma is a term from the Greek kerygma meaning proclamation or preaching. In Christian usage, it denotes the essential gospel message proclaimed to unbelievers: that Jesus is the Messiah, that he died for sins, was buried, and rose again, offering forgiveness and new life.

In the New Testament, the apostolic preaching centers on Jesus' death and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:3–5 is often cited as a concise formula of the kerygma: that Christ died for sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. The early church used this proclamation to inaugurate faith among converts, with later distinctions developing between the initial proclamation to outsiders and subsequent instruction for believers.

Core content of the kerygma includes humanity's need for repentance, faith in Jesus, forgiveness by grace, justification, and new life in him, fulfilled prophecies, and the promise of eternal life. The message typically invites a response—trust in Christ, baptism, and turning toward God.

Historically, the kerygma served as the entry point for conversion and was distinguished from didache, or instruction given to believers. Over time creeds and doctrinal summaries captured the kerygmatic core, aiding transmission of the gospel across cultures and generations.

In contemporary theology, “kerygma” often refers to the primacy of proclamation in evangelism, though many traditions balance it with teaching and discipleship. The term remains central in missions, liturgy, and ecumenical discussions about how the gospel is to be proclaimed to and received by diverse audiences.