Tag: The Gospel Stands On It’s Own Power - 1 Corinthians 1-2

1 Corinthians 1:17

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Tag:  The Gospel is Powerful On Its Own

Notice how many times Paul talks about the Gospel and power in just this first section of his letter to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:24

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5

and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Paul did not want the Corinthians to be fooled.  The Gospel was not meant to be packages in a fancy, entertaining and/or intellectual manner.   In fact, Paul warned the Roman Christians about those who were attempting to do that very thing:

Romans 16:17-18

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

The point of the Gospel is that it stands on its own merits.  We don’t need to put makeup on the message to make it impact the hearers.  Our Hollywood technology has caused us to become bored with a story, told simply and plainly.   But, that is because they want us to buy, sell and swallow their messages.  They must upscale the message because it has no power.  The Gospel is a powerful message without the fancy words and technicolor impressions.   That is not to say that those things can’t enhance the communication of the message.  Jesus used parables and stories to communicate the truths He taught.  That was a common method for that day to communicate.  The apostle wrote letter (this book is one of them).  That was the proper method in that day to communicate.   But, there is a difference of using a method to empower the message and allowing the power of the message to carry the day.  When you have no content the deliver method matters.  When you have powerful words (the Gospel) you don’t need those tools.  That is Paul’s point.  The Gospel stands powerful, alone.