The gospel of Christ is powerful because it is the Word of God and of His beloved Son. It is the truth that sanctifies, it is words of eternal life. if we will receive with meekness the divine revelation, it is able to save our souls (Jas. 1:21; Rom. 1:16).

The Lord Jesus Christ set out His apostles to preach the gospel and make disciples. "How whall they believe in HIm of Whom they have not heard?" (Rom. 10:14). "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" (10:15). The doctrine of Christ is designed to prick hearts and to lead men to conversion. It invites all to learn and to follow Jesus (Matt. 11:28,29).

Christians in Thessalonica had turned from idols to serve the one true God, waiting for His Son to return because Jesus delivers from the wrath to come (1 Thes. 1:9,10). Having received the Word of the Lord themselves, they in turn sounded forth that same Word in every place (1:8). Convicted that the gospel was truly the Word of God (2:13), they spread the good news of the Savior.

The gospel is the means by which God uses to call men unto salvation for the obtaining of glory (2 Thes. 2:14). The apostle Paul beseeched Christians "to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called" (Eph. 4:1). How were the Ephesians called unto Christ? Paul traveled to Ephesus and preached the gospel to the city (Acts 19). Many believed and became disciples of Christ.

"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God... It pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe" (1 Cor. 1:18,21). Jesus announced, "The truth shall make you free" (Jno. 8:32). The Word of God is the truth (17:17). The faith and hope of the saints in Colosse was the result of them hearing "the Word of the truth of the gospel" (Col. 1:5). God calls by the gospel all sinners to be saved through His Son Jesus Christ and not by any other means.

By David Bunting, in Northfield Boulevard Notable Notes Sept. 4, 2011.

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