kerygmathe

Kerygma is a term derived from the Greek word meaning "proclamation" or "preaching." In a Christian context, it refers to the core message of the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. It is not simply a theological treatise but a public announcement intended to evoke a response of faith and repentance. Early Christian communities understood kerygma as the fundamental teaching that God's redemptive plan had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of humanity and was raised from the dead, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe.

The content of the kerygma typically includes elements such as the announcement of Jesus' death and resurrection, the call to believe in him, the promise of forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the expectation of Christ's return. It is seen as the foundational proclamation upon which Christian belief and practice are built. The book of Acts in the New Testament provides examples of this core preaching in the sermons of Peter and Paul. The emphasis is on God's action in history through Jesus, and the imperative for individuals to respond to this divine initiative. Kerygma is therefore understood as the essential, life-transforming announcement of the Gospel.