In our last sermon, we explained the believing unto salvation, today, we will be looking at another angle of salvation which is the preaching unto salvation.
Our guiding bible texts are Mark 16 vs 15 – 16, Acts 15 vs 1 – 11, Romans 10 vs 1 – 3, and Acts 19 vs 1 – 5.
In Acts 19 vs 1 – 5, even if the Ephesian church had believed the gospel, it took Paul to preach or announce to them about the Holy Spirit. What does this tell us? Preaching matters!
Our minds are sculpted by the words we consistently absorb. The gateway to knowledge often lies in what we read or hear from others. This principle is evident throughout the scriptures:
Wise men from the East proclaimed the birth of Jesus, setting in motion a chain of events that would alter the course of history.
Christ chose Mary Magdalene as the first herald of his triumph over death, instructing her to share the news with his disciples.
You can see that man must preach the good news of the Gospel and not by angels who have seen and tasted the Love of God.
THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION MEANING
Romans 1 vs 16(KJV):
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The phrase “unto salvation” in Greek is translated(eis sōtērian). “Eis” which is “unto” implies:
- “For” or “with a view to“
- “Leading to” or “resulting in“
- “For the purpose of“
So, a more literal rendering of the phrase might be “for salvation” or “leading to salvation.”
Secondly, “eis” is a preposition that implies movement toward a goal or purpose.
Therefore, in the context of Romans 1 vs 16, it suggests that the gospel is the means by which salvation is achieved or reached.
Question: How is the Gospel, the power of God that leads or results to salvation?
Answer: See Romans 1 vs 17 which says; For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the Just shall live by faith.
The reason, the Gospel is the Power of God is because it is the Goodnews of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus that can declare man righteous, his good works cannot make him righteous before God, when we believe this message, we can stand before God with no iota of shame, sin consciousness or guilt.
It is the same Gospel that Abraham believed and he was declared righteous before God, the prophets all spoke about this Gospel and today we who have believed are all declared righteous! Hallelujah!
THE PREACHING UNTO SALVATION
Our opening text is taken from Mark 16 vs 15 – 16:
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. (KJV)
Preaching is one of the acts we often see and hear. We hear many preachers on radio and TV stations, we see some in cars and places of gathering.
At dawn, we often hear morning preachers in our neighborhood. We hear preaching at outdoor crusades and many places and times. This is commendable and must be encouraged.
But did you know that it is not every preaching from the bible that can produce salvation? Are you surprised?
Some persons were promised that they would turn into billionaires if they accepted Jesus and all their problems would vanish away but this is far from what the Bible teaches.
In addition, we have so many people in the church who are so preoccupied with activities but are not saved.
In our opening text above, Jesus commanded us to go and preach a specific message called “the gospel”.
I Corinthians 15 vs 1- 2, “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”.
The preaching that is unto salvation is the preaching of the gospel. Any other preaching or message apart from the gospel will lead to false conversion.
The preaching of the gospel is the most important factor in every evangelical work. A false gospel will produce a false convert.
It would be very disappointing to be in a church taking part in many activities and later realize that you were not saved at all because a false gospel was preached to you and that false gospel made you or compelled you to start attending church.
A false gospel will produce a false faith and false faith will lead to false conversion and false conversion can never produce spiritual growth.
Many people we see in some churches who are not growing in Christ or are not showing the fruit of spiritual growth may be victims of false conversion.
The foundation for true spiritual growth is true conversion. A false convert can never grow spiritually.
Apostle Paul was very specific about preaching the true gospel, Galatians 1 vs 8, “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”.
This means that it is the message that saves but not the preacher. A true gospel preached by an “ordinary” church member is better than a false gospel preached by an Archbishop.
The preaching of the Gospel is power, I Corinthians 2 vs 4 says: And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
I Corinthians 15 vs 14: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
2 Timothy 1 vs 10: But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Galatians 3 vs 8: And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed.
I CORINTHIANS 1 VS 18 MEANING
I Corinthians 1 vs 18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
When you share the gospel with people, for some it sounds like a fairy tale, Intellectuals and philosophers might view the message of the cross skeptically, perceiving it as a tool for social control.
Other non-believers struggle to grasp its relevance, questioning how it could transform their lives.
This variety of reactions aligns with the scriptures that “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1 vs 18).
Furthermore, it echoes the misunderstandings that occurred during Jesus’ earthly ministry.
Even his disciples initially misinterpreted his mission, expecting Jesus to establish an earthly kingdom and liberate them from Roman oppression.
They never knew that saving them means dying on the cross, proclaimed by the Old Testament prophets, this mystery has been the plan of God right from the foundation of the world.
The gospel message is simple, it is meant to be believed and for we that are saved, it is THE POWER OF GOD!
Blessings Saints!
Greek Translation of Romans 1 vs 16
The Greek meaning of the power of God unto Salvation.
My passion lies in reaching out to young adults in communities and schools, witnessing the transformative power of faith in their lives.
This blog extends my ministry, sharing insights, encouraging believers, and exploring Christ's teachings in daily life.
Welcome, Brother James.
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