(All Scriptures in this article are from the King James Version except where noted.)
Paul told the Romans, “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.” (Romans 1:16). But the power of the gospel does not rest in things that man ordinarily considers powerful. This is the point being made by the apostle in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And 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.”
The power of the gospel does not depend on excellency of speech. Paul was not a great speaker. In fact he said, “I am untrained in speech.” (2 Corinthians 11:6, NKJV).
The power of the gospel is not in enticing words. Paul says “if I ... pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10).
The power of the gospel is not in the wisdom of men. “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21). The power of the gospel stands in the Spirit and power of God. As Paul tells us, “... we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” The gospel Paul preached was by the revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12).
The power of the gospel is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:22-25). lt does not depend on worldly power (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”
The gospel does not depend on intellectual power (1 Corinthians 2:6-10). No analysis of the water in which you are baptized will find any powerful difference between it and any other water. The power is not in the water but in the answer of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:18-22). Peter says that there were eight people saved by water in the ark. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” The power is in Christ through obedience to the gospel.
The gospel does not depend on physical power. People in Paul’s day saw their brothers and sisters dying at the hands of the Romans and were beginning to think it might be wise to wield a sword with one hand and the word of God with the other. But this was not the way to spread the gospel. In 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, Paul said, “I myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Still, today many believe that they should fight in wars to be sure their freedom to worship the Lord and spread the gospel is preserved. Jesus said he and his kingdom need no such protection. When tried before Pilate, “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36). When the soldiers came to get Jesus for trial, Peter drew his sword and cut off the servant of the high priest’s ear. “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:52-53). The Lord's kingdom and its spread by the gospel requires only the armor and power of God (Ephesians 6:10-20).
The gospel does not need political power behind it. In fact mixing the gospel with politics cheapens and dirties it with political wheeling and dealing. When James and John tried introduce political power into the kingdom of God, Jesus called his disciples to him, “... and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45).
Both Jesus and Paul could have had political power. Both gave up that possibility to serve God. Remember how the people strewed palm branches in his path as he entered Jerusalem? This was an honor afforded only kings and high officials. In fact, they hailed him the King of Israel (John 12:12-19), but he he refused to be the political ruler they sought and the cries soon turned to “crucify him!” When the soldiers came to take Jesus away,Peter drew his sword to defend Jesus. The Lord indicated that all the power of the universe was at his disposal, but he would fulfill the will of God instead of using it (Matthew 26:54-57).
Paul was probably a member of the Jewish council. In any case, he had plenty of political clout. Yet he told the Philippians, “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:4-14).
Since both Jesus and Paul gave up the power of intellect, the power of might, and the power of politics for the power of the gospel; should we not do likewise? God does not need scientific or literary analysis to prove his word. He does not need carnal weapons to protect and spread it. He does not need the influence of judges, senators, or presidents to make it powerful. Should not we, like Paul, use only the power of God in the preaching of the gospel? The word of God, the gospel, contains that power. Will you not accept it? Obey it? Spread it? It is mighty against everything “that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God”.
Copyright Wes Dawson 2003
