Mark works with the Adoue St. church of Christ in Alvin, TX, where he serves as both evangelist and an elder. His email address is markmayberry@outlook.com, and his Bible Study website is www.markmayberry.net.

Gospel preaching should be distinctive. What do we mean? Webster defines the adjective “distinctive” as “serving to distinguish.” Simply stated, a “distinctive” object evidences “individual characteristics” and is “distinct from others of its kind” (Oxford). Gospel preaching has particular characteristics, being distinct from other kinds of preaching.

When Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount, “the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matt. 7:28-29; cf. Luke 4:31-32). His distinctive and demanding message did not sit well with the self-serving religious establishment of first century Judaism; perceiving Jesus as a threat, they conspired to destroy Him. When officers sent by the Pharisees to seize Jesus returned empty handed, the Pharisees asked, “Why did you not bring Him?” They answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks” (John 7:32, 45-46).

In like manner, Paul was a preacher, not an orator: “I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.” Emphasis was on his inspired message, not his endearing personality or persuasive words (1 Cor. 2:1-5).

Stressing the importance of distinctiveness, we are referring not to style, but to substance. Apollos was an eloquent speaker (Acts 18:24); Paul appears otherwise (1 Cor. 1:17; 2:1; 2 Cor. 10:10; 11:6). Yet, both were faithful servants and effective fellow workers (1 Cor. 3:5-9).

Despite differences in personality and presentation, the substance of their preaching was solid. In his preaching and teaching, Paul did not shrink from declaring anything that was profitable, but dedicated himself to presenting the whole counsel/purpose of God (Acts 20:17-27). Once Priscilla and Aquila explained to him the way of God more accurately, Apollos greatly helped the brethren, powerfully refuting unbelieving Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 18:24-28). Accordingly, the inspired apostle expressed great confidence in Apollos (1 Cor. 16:12; Titus 3:13).

Illustrating the importance of clearly communicating the Word of God, Paul said, “Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?” (1 Cor. 14:6-12, esp. vv. 7-8).

As musical instruments have distinctive sounds, and skilled musicians can produce clear tones, gospel preaching should sound forth with clarity and conviction. Considering the context of 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul’s primary application was to spiritual gifts. In addition to manifesting juvenile competitiveness (“My spiritual gift is better than yours!”), the Corinthians were misusing miraculous gifts: speaking in tongues without an interpreter being present resulting in confusion, or all speaking at once resulting in a spiritual cacophony. Both behaviors were unedifying and unscriptural. While we do not live in the age of miracles, there remains a secondary application: our preaching and teaching must be clear, precise, understandable, unambiguous, and unmistakably rooted in the Word of God.

Comparing the sound produced by a flute and a harp, Paul said, “If they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?” (v. 7). The Greek word diastolē, translated “distinction” (v 7), refers to “a separation, a difference” (Thomas 1293) or “difference, distinction” (BDAG).

If there is no distinction in the musical sound, tone, or note, the resulting sound becomes discordant and grating noise. Consider the auditory burden that parents bear when their young child is trying to master a musical instrument, whether it be a horn or stringed instrument. Yet, with continued practice, skill improves, and missed notes become less frequent.

Paul also said, “For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?” (v. 8). The Greek word adēlos, here translated “indistinct” and occurring twice, refers to that which is “unseen, not manifest” (Thomas 82). BDAG offers more detail, saying it (1) “pertains to not being readily apparent, not clear, latent, unseen” such as concealed or hidden tombs over which men might unknowingly walk (Luke 11:44), or (2) it “pertains to not being clearly defined, indistinct” such as the indistinct sound of a poorly-blown bugle (1 Cor. 14:8).

As musical instruments have a distinctive sound, so also does the Word of God. Just as an army is endangered if guards or watchmen fail to warn of approaching danger, so the people of God are imperiled by lack of clear, distinctive teaching (Isa. 56:9-12; Jer. 6:16-19; Ezek. 3:16-19).

The need for distinctive teaching is seen throughout the pages of Sacred Scripture, but for our present purpose, let us briefly consider Ephesians 4, in which the inspired apostle Paul demands distinctiveness in our personal demeanor, Biblical doctrine, and also in our collective and individual conduct.

Distinctiveness is demanded in demeanor (Eph. 4:1-3). Walking worthy of our calling requires humility and gentleness, patience and proper tolerance, along with love, which involves seeking the highest good of another person. The pursuit and preservation of spiritual unity requires believers to follow the hard path of self-denial, not the easy path of self-seeking.

Distinctiveness is demanded in doctrine (Eph. 4:4-6). Listing the seven foundational characteristics of Christian unity, Paul affirms there is one body (i.e., one divinely established church, not many and varied religious bodies/denominations). There is one faith (i.e., one divinely-given belief system set forth in the pages of the New Testament, not differing and contradictory creeds and catechisms, doctrines and dogmas). There is one baptism (i.e., one pattern of conversion, predicated upon hearing the word of God, believing that Jesus is the Christ, repenting of one’s sins, confessing one’s faith, culminating in submission to Christian baptism). There is one God and Father, one Lord Jesus Christ, and one Spirit (i.e., both Old and New Covenants affirm the singularity/unity of the one true God). There is one hope of your calling (not many and varied hopes, such as are seen in differing world religions).

Distinctiveness is demanded in collective conduct (Eph. 4:7-16). There is a pattern of organization, a pattern of worship, and a pattern for the work of the Lord’s church. In this particular passage, focus is upon the offices/functions that God placed in the church: “He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers” (v. 11).

Several of these “gifts” are historical: apostles and prophets revealed the gospel of Jesus Christ, which serves as a divine blueprint for the church. The remaining “gifts” serve ongoing needs. Evangelists/preachers proclaim the gospel message; pastors/shepherds (also known as elders/presbyters or bishops/overseers) ensure the biblical pattern is followed in local congregations; and teachers provide needed instruction in both public and private settings.

Distinctiveness is demanded in individual conduct (Eph. 4:17-24). We must not behave as do most of mankind, pursuing the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. We must lay aside all corrupt practices associated with the old man of sin. Being renewed in the spirit of our minds, we must put on the new self, and by pursuing after righteousness, holiness, and truth, reflect the likeness of God.

Distinctiveness is demanded in speech (Eph. 4:25, 29-32). Laying aside falsehood, we must speak truth. Avoiding vulgarity and all forms of corrupt speech, we must communicate words that are good for edification. Anger is replaced by forgiveness; bitterness gives way to kindness; clamor is supplanted by compassion.

Distinctiveness is also demanded in dress. Christian women (and men) must adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly (1 Tim. 2:9-10; cf. 1 Pet. 3:1-4). The difference between modest and immodest clothing may be observed in Genesis 3, which records the fall of Adam and Eve, their awakening moral awareness, their subsequent inadequate efforts to cover their nakedness, and God’s effective provision in that regard (Gen. 3:7-11, 21).

Understanding the need for distinctiveness, let us not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:1-2; cf. 2 Cor. 3:18). Individually and collectively, may we follow the Biblical pattern, submitting to the will of God, seeking a thus saith the Lord for all that we say and do (1 Pet. 4:10-11).

Sources:

BDAG = Arndt, William, Frederick W. Danker, and Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000).

Oxford = Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, eds., Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).

Thomas = Thomas, Robert L. New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries : Updated Edition (Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc., 1998).

Webster = Merriam-Webster, Inc. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1996).