Day 22: Doctrine Shapes Preaching

Scripture Reading:

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers.” – Acts 2:42, LSB

From the very beginning, the church was devoted to the apostles’ teaching. Preaching was not shaped by personal opinion, cultural trends, or audience demand—it was rooted in the truth of God’s Word. Doctrine shaped the content of every sermon, and the Spirit used that truth to bring life and growth.

The same must be true today. Preaching is not primarily about persuasion, storytelling, or emotional impact. It is the faithful proclamation of sound doctrine. The pulpit is not a stage for performance but a platform for truth. As Paul told Timothy, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:2).

John Calvin described preaching as “the public exposition of Scripture by the man sent of God, in which God Himself is present in judgment and grace” (Institutes, 4.1.5). For Calvin, preaching was inseparable from doctrine, because God’s voice is heard when His Word is faithfully explained.

Louis Berkhof emphasized, “Doctrine supplies preaching with its content; preaching is the proclamation of that doctrine to men” (Principles of Biblical Interpretation, p. 22). Without doctrine, sermons may inspire but they will not save. With doctrine, they bring God’s truth to bear on hearts and lives.

The Reformers fought to restore doctrinal preaching. In their day, sermons were often filled with superstition, tradition, or moral platitudes. By returning to Scripture alone, they ensured that the church was fed with truth. This is why preaching was central to the Reformation—it was the vehicle for delivering sound doctrine to God’s people.

Beloved, preaching without doctrine may tickle ears, but it cannot feed souls. Doctrine gives preaching its authority and power. The Spirit blesses doctrinal preaching to convict, convert, and comfort. As the apostles did in Acts, the church today must devote itself to teaching shaped by truth.

Personal Reflection

1. Why is it important that preaching be rooted in doctrine rather than opinion?

2. How does Acts 2:42 show the centrality of doctrine in the life of the early church?

3. What dangers arise when sermons lack doctrinal content?

4. How can you encourage your church to remain devoted to doctrinal preaching?