The apostle Paul writing to the saints at Rome said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16.) “It” refers back to “the gospel of Christ.” The word “power” translates a Greek word (δύναμις) from which we get our English words dynamite and dynamic. The gospel of Christ has explosive power. It is the power of God unto salvation, not to just anyone, but to all who believe regardless of race, nationality, ethnic background or social standing. It can change the beggar on the street and the king on his throne, if they will believe. It changed Paul, a persecutor against Christ to one who was persecuted on behalf of Christ.
The word “gospel” means “good news” or “glad tidings.” The Apostle to the Gentiles wrote to the Corinthian church: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” (1 Cor. 15:1–4.) How can someone’s death be good news? The passage answers: Christ died for our sins. His was a vicarious death. He died that we might live eternally. He “gave himself for our sins” (Gal. 1:4).
In the text quoted above, Paul said, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received.” Earlier in the same epistle, Paul wrote, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you….” (1 Cor. 11:23.) He did not preach a different message. What he received from the Lord, he delivered. The Lord speaks to us only through the word of God today. Those who claim that the Holy Spirit does something to them separate and apart from the word of God are denying the all sufficiency of the word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Acts 20:32). Everything the Bible says the Holy Spirit does to us, he does through the agency of his word, the sword of the Spirit. In the conviction and conversion of the alien sinner, and in the edification of the child of God, the Holy Spirit operates only through the word of God.
Jesus commissioned his disciples to preach the gospel. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15–16.) There were some who were teaching another gospel. They were teaching that the Gentiles had to be circumcised to be saved (Acts 15:1). Paul gave a stern warning to those who would teach another gospel: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:6–9.) Paul said to the young preacher Timothy, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim. 2:2.)
The gospel is hid to many. In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian saints, he said, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Cor. 4:3–5.) The god of this world is still working today, but there are honest and good hearts out there who need the saving power of the gospel.
The commands of the gospel are to believe the gospel, repent of our sins, confess Christ before men, be baptized for the remission of our sins. The gospel also includes being faithful unto death.
So, let each of us support our gospel meeting. Come to all the services. Encourage the preacher. Pray for the meeting. Invite others.
–Ben F. Vick, Jr.