Preaching as the Primary Means of Grace: The Hearer's Duty

Preaching defined:

• Preaching is the Word of God
• Preaching is the instrumental Word
• It is the creating and recreating speech of God
• Preaching is the word and presence of Christ

The duties of the hearer:

• The duties to remember the reality of Christ's present reality
• Baptist Catechism:

Q. 97. How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to salvation?

A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation and prayer, receive it in faith and love, lay it up in our hearts and practice it in our lives.

(Prov. 8:34; 1 Peter 2:1-2; 1 Tim. 4:13; Heb. 2:1-3; Heb. 4:2; 2 Thess. 2:10; Ps. 119:11; James 1:21-25)