It is essential to remember that it was the preaching (kerygma) of the apostles and early Christians that created the church in the first place. Men and women did not forsake their former ways of life because they were offered spiritual direction or instructed in righteous living; they became converts because of the explosive news that they heard. The apostolic preaching makes up most of the New Testament.48 The Spirit-driven proclamation of the new faith pivoted on the cross/resurrection event.
