We cannot neglect the importance of preaching in our churches. The Apostle Paul gave the emphatic command to his protege Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 to ‘preach the word.’ What this consists of though is unclear. Does it mean in the Old Testament only or also include the New? 

Paul goes on to say “for the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.” This is what our Pastors are to preach, sound doctrine. And what that is will answer the question of what it includes. Earlier in this second letter to Timothy, Paul defines this. He says, “what you have heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound doctrine, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”

Therefore, the sound doctrine that Timothy’s preaching is to consist of is the pattern of sound teaching that the Apostle Paul has already relayed to him. What this means then is that to preach the Word is to preach the Old and New Testament, it’s what Paul did, what Peter did, what Jesus did and what our preachers are to do likewise: preach the Word.