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Kerygma (κηρύσσω, kērússō, to cry or proclaim as a herald) is the Greek word used in the New Testament for preaching (see Luke 4:18-19, Romans 10:14, Matthew 3:1).

As Jesus launched his public ministry he entered the synagogue and read from the scroll of Isaiah the prophet. He identfied himself as the one Isaiah pointed to when he declares, "today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." The text is a programmatic statement of Jesus' ministry to preach or proclaim (Kerygma), good news to the poor and the blind and the captive. These words describe a condition of the spiritual life as well as the physical life.

The ancient Christian kerygma as summarized by British scholar C. H. Dodd from Peter's speeches in the New Testament Book of Acts was:

1. The Age of Fulfillment has dawned, the "latter days" foretold by the prophets.
2. This has taken place through the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
3. By virtue of the resurrection, Jesus has been exalted at the right hand of God as Messianic head of the new Israel.
4. The Holy Spirit in the church is the sign of Christ's present power and glory.
5. The Messianic Age will reach its consummation in the return of Christ.
6. An appeal is made for repentance with the offer of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and salvation.

In the Erasmian Greek pronunciation, which is used in most universities for ancient Greek, both biblical and classical, kerygma is pronounced "kay-roog-ma", the first 'a' is long and the last 'a' is short.

1. The promises of God made in the OT have now been fulfilled with the coming of Jesus the Messiah (Ac 2:30; 3:19, 24, 10:43; 26:6-7, 22; Ro 1:2-4; 1Ti 3:16; Heb 1:1-2; 1Pe 1:10-12; 2Pe 1:18-19).
2. Jesus was anointed by God at his baptism as Messiah (Ac 10:38).
3. Jesus began his ministry in Galilee after his baptism (Ac 10:37).
4. He conducted a beneficent ministry, doing good and performing mighty works by the power of God (Mk 10:45; Ac 2:22; 10:38).
5. The Messiah was crucified according to the purpose of God (Mk 10:45; Jn 3:16; Ac 2:23; 3:13-15, 18; 4:11; 10:39; 26:23; Ro 8:34; 1Co 1:17-18; 15:3; Gal 1:4; Heb 1:3; 1Pe 1:2, 19; 3:18; 1Jn 4:10).
6. He was raised from the dead and appeared to his disciples (Ac 2:24, 31-32; 3:15, 26; 10:40-41; 17:31; 26:23; Ro 8:34; 10:9; 1Co 15:4-7, 12ff.; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 3:16; 1Pe 1:2, 21; 3:18, 21).
7. Jesus was exalted by God and given the name "Lord" (Ac 2:25-29, 33-36; 3:13; 10:36; Ro 8:34; 10:9; 1Ti 3:16; Heb 1:3; 1Pe 3:22).
8. He gave the Holy Spirit to form the new community of God (Ac 1:8; 2:14-18, 33, 38-39; 10:44-47; 1Pe 1:12).
9. He will come again for judgment and the restoration of all things (Ac 3:20-21; 10:42; 17:31; 1Co 15:20-28; 1Th 1:10).
10. All who hear the message should repent and be baptized (Ac 2:21, 38; 3:19; 10:43, 47-48; 17:30; 26:20; Ro 1:17; 10:9; 1Pe 3:21).

• Kerygmata Petrou

• The Essentials of the Kerygma
• The Apostolic Preaching and Its Developments by C. H. Dodd
• Kerygma and Dogma: A Post-Modern Perspective