The Bible says that the message of the Gospel itself is power. The multitudes were astonished with Jesus’ doctrine, not because His sermons was neatly outlined, not because He spoke with eloquence, not because of His brilliance but because His word was “with power” (Luke 4:32). Likewise, the Apostle Paul said, “My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4,5).

The mere preaching of truth, even biblical truth, apart from the Gospel will never save a soul from hell and the wrath of God. The only saving truth is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the powerful message that must be preached in purity and simplicity; it doesn’t need any wisdom of words or craftiness of speech. It doesn’t need any enticing cultural relevance or sensitivity to the hearers. The simple proclaimed Gospel stands all on its own. “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power” (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

God has chosen the act of preaching the Gospel as a means to salvation. God destroys the wisdom of the wise by changing lives through the power of the Gospel (1 Corinthains 1:17-24). Offensive it may seem and foolish it may be, but “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).

Adulterers, prostitutes, fornicators, those who are in bondage to pornography and lust find themselves with new and holy desires and in love with Jesus. Rapists, pedophiles, homosexuals, murderers, and psychopaths hear the Gospel and find themselves in a right and sound mind sitting at the feet of Jesus. Thieves and liars repent and have faith in Jesus. Alcoholics dry up and drug addicts are set free without any therapy or rehab. The depressed find a peace that passes understanding without a ever consulting a psychologist. Therefore, the Apostle Paul had this one ambition:

I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Paul determined not to know anything except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Therefore, Paul went from house to house and preached publicly to everybody, “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Some preach a gospel that is truly incomplete while others proclaim a gospel that is completely untrue. Today, churches abound with prosperity gospels, social gospels, healing gospels, signs-and-wonders gospels, seeker-sensitive gospels, culturally relevant gospels, greasy grace gospels, easy believism gospels, and other false gospels.

The majority of Bible teachers and preachers are proclaiming truth but it’s incomplete by the act of omission. Some preach only faith. Others preach only forgiveness. These and others are having “a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5) as many hearers of these “gospels” have never been saved from sin. Believing in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins alone will not save anyone, if they do not repent.

What is this power of God unto salvation which Paul speaks about? (Romans 1:16)What is the true Gospel? Paul spells it out for us: Continue reading →