The Preaching of The Gospel

Elder J. F. Barrington

"... We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are CALLED both Jew and Greek, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” I Co~.l:23-24.

It is observed that the preaching of Christ has a vastly different meaning to these who are called from what it means to others. To others, both Jew and Greek, it is a stumbling block or foolishness; but to those which are called, whether they be Jew or Greek, it is the power of God and the wisdom of God. How long do you suppose one would need to preach foolishness to an individual in order to get him to “accept Christ”?

“And we know that all things work together for GOOD to them that love God (what caused them to love God?) to them who are the CALLED according to his purpose..” Romans 8:28.

“For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” Isaiah 14:27.. We observe that in many texts when the “CALLED” are mentioned, it states that they are called “according to the purpose of God.” “God is faithful by who ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ. “ I Cor. 1:9. Paul told Timothy that God "...hath saved us, and CALLED us with an holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.. “II Timothy 1:9.

The apostle Peter brings the same message as he writes to a particular group of people (not to mankind in general) and addresses them as “elect according to the foreknowledge of God...“ I Peter 1:2.  He says in chapter two, verse nine, “But ye are a CHOSEN generation, a ROYAL priesthood, an HOLY nation, a PECULIAR people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath CALLED you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

The calling of God is what is known as “effectual calling “. There is a gospel call, and that is to obedience. But the gospel call is only to those who are effectually called. The gospel call is to Jew or Greek foolishness unless they have been “delivered from the power of darkness”. (See Col. 1:12—14.) But unto them which are called, both Jew and Greek, the preaching of the crucified Savior is “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God,”

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God (shall be CALLED) and they that hear that LIVE.” John 5:25. I do not think that my preaching, or that of anyone else is going to get any favorable action from the dead, but the quickening voice of the Son of God gives life. “He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.” Psalms 68:20

Jude wrote his epistle to: “Them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and CALLED,” Here we see the beautiful and effectual work of the Trinity. They are sanctified by God the Father; that is cleansed from the pollution of sin and set apart to a holy use. They are preserved in Christ Jesus; that is, they are kept by His power and in His wisdom, They are CALLED, and that by the Holy Spirit as it shines in their heart to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus.

Let us now preach Christ crucified. We must not, nay, God forbid that we should, preach him any other way! “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth? IT IS CHRIST THAT DIED, yea, rather that is RISEN AGAIN...: This Is, to them that are CALLED, Christ the power (ability to save) of God and the wisdom (knowledge of whom to Save) of God.

Now the gospel does call to obedience. The purpose and grace given In Christ Jesus began ” ls now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death (Psa1i~s 60:20) and hath brought life and immortality  TO LIGHT through the gospel. ~ II Timothy 1:10.

Light is necessary. In order for anyone to see. But light will not enable a blind man to see, nor will it give life to the dead. However, those who have been quickened rejoice as the light reveals the wonderful works of God to them.

“But the God of all grace, who has called us unto His eternal glory by Jesus Christ, after that
ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle you.” I Peter 5:10

Elder J. F. Barrington