While it's impossible to definitively name *one single* "first preacher" of Christianity, the role is most often attributed to
John the Baptist.
Here's why:
* Historical Context: John the Baptist was a Jewish ascetic preacher who preached repentance and baptism in the wilderness of Judea before Jesus began his public ministry.
* Preparing the Way: He proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and identified Jesus as the one he had been prophesying about. His preaching and baptizing were seen as preparing the way for Jesus.
* Gospels' Account: The Gospels portray him as a key figure who bridged the Old Testament prophecies and the New Testament era.
While Jesus himself began preaching and teaching soon after John, John the Baptist is generally considered to be the first to publicly announce the imminent arrival of the Messiah and to call people to prepare for his coming, effectively laying the groundwork for the Christian message.