The "Content of the Proclamation" refers to the essential message and teachings conveyed by the apostles and early Christians as they spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This proclamation is rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and is foundational to Christian doctrine and practice.

1. The Gospel Message

The core of the proclamation is the Gospel, or "good news," which centers on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul succinctly summarizes this message in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 : "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." This passage highlights the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the cornerstone of Christian faith.

2. Repentance and Forgiveness

A significant aspect of the proclamation is the call to repentance and the promise of forgiveness. In Acts 2:38 , Peter addresses the crowd at Pentecost, saying, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." This call to repentance is a turning away from sin and a turning towards God, made possible through the sacrificial death of Christ.

3. The Kingdom of God

The proclamation also includes the announcement of the Kingdom of God. Jesus began His ministry with this message, as recorded in Mark 1:15 : "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel." The Kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope, inaugurated by Christ's first coming and to be consummated at His return.

4. Salvation through Faith

Central to the proclamation is the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not earned by human effort, but received through faith in Jesus Christ.

5. The Role of Jesus as Lord and Savior

The proclamation affirms Jesus as both Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9 declares, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." This confession acknowledges Jesus' divine authority and His role in the believer's salvation.

6. The Promise of Eternal Life

The proclamation offers the promise of eternal life to those who believe. John 3:16 famously states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This promise is a central hope of the Christian faith, assuring believers of life beyond physical death.

7. The Call to Discipleship

Finally, the proclamation includes a call to discipleship, urging believers to follow Jesus and live according to His teachings. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus commissions His followers, saying, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This Great Commission underscores the responsibility of believers to spread the Gospel and nurture new disciples in the faith.

The "Content of the Proclamation" is thus a comprehensive message that encompasses the life and work of Jesus Christ, the call to repentance and faith, the promise of salvation and eternal life, and the ongoing mission of the Church to make disciples of all nations.