The Testimony of God
There are no other declarations in scripture--other than those of the Lord--
which are as authoritative and as unequivocal as the statements made by the Apostle Paul; in particular in 1
Corinthians 2:1, where he quite boldly claims that his words are "the Testimony of God". As 2 Timothy 3:16
tells us that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" , it is God Himself, then, who authors Paul's unique
and bold claims. It is also God Himself who testifies very plainly what "His Testimony" is in verse 2:2: Jesus
Christ and Him crucified; that is, the preaching of the Cross. Could any dispute, then, that ALL other
"testimonies" of men pale in comparison to God's? Yet we hear an awful lot of testimonies of men these
days, and many "gospels". I do not, however, hear the Testimony of God--the preaching of the Cross. It's as
if the Church has abandoned it altogether; except in the limited application to non-believers for the purpose
of introducing them to salvation. But is that what God has commanded us to do?
What is "the Gospel"?
Very few Christians seem alarmed at the number of "gospels" that are being preached today in "Christian"
churches, conferences, websites and other forums. There is the "gospel of social responsibility", the "gospel
of compassion", the "purpose gospel", the "emergent gospel", the "gospel of becoming authentic followers of
Jesus", the "gospel of prosperity", the "gospel of faith", the "gospel of spiritual disciplines", the "Kingdom
Now gospel", the "social justice gospel" , etc., etc. ad nauseum.
However, just prior to the verses in Chapter 2, God tells us plainly in verse 1:17 & 18 precisely what "the
Gospel" (singular and superlative) truly is: "For Christ sent me...to preach the Gospel...for the preaching of
the Cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us which are saved (Gr. "sozo"), it is the power of God".
(emphasis added). The first important thing to note is that the "Gospel" is the "preaching of the cross", and
as Paul preached it ("Gospel" is capitalized to denote it as superior to all other "gospels"--recalling that
Galatians 1:8 tells us there will be many "gospels"). Note further that the message of the cross is NOT solely
for non-believers, as is commonly demonstrated in the church today. It is also for "saved" believers! And it
is the SOURCE of God's Power! see Further Study; "Sozo" (click here)
.
Therefore, it should not be surprising that Satan would focus his efforts at keeping the preaching of the cross
away from believers. Thus--and they that have ears to hear, hear this--ALL THOSE WHO OPPOSE THE
PREACHING OF THE CROSS ARE BEING DUPED BY SATAN TO ASSIST IN ACCOMPLISHING HIS
OBJECTIVES AND ARE, IN TRUTH, OPPOSING GOD, AND THEMSELVES (2 Timothy 2:25).
If you read Paul's letters carefully, you will note two overarching themes: bringing everything "captive" to the
work of the Cross, and pleading with BELIEVERS to do the same. see Further Study; "Exhortations to
Focus on Cross" (click here)
And so it is with this ministry...
There are no other declarations in scripture--other than those of the Lord--
which are as authoritative and as unequivocal as the statements made by the Apostle Paul; in particular in 1
Corinthians 2:1, where he quite boldly claims that his words are "the Testimony of God". As 2 Timothy 3:16
tells us that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" , it is God Himself, then, who authors Paul's unique
and bold claims. It is also God Himself who testifies very plainly what "His Testimony" is in verse 2:2: Jesus
Christ and Him crucified; that is, the preaching of the Cross. Could any dispute, then, that ALL other
"testimonies" of men pale in comparison to God's? Yet we hear an awful lot of testimonies of men these
days, and many "gospels". I do not, however, hear the Testimony of God--the preaching of the Cross. It's as
if the Church has abandoned it altogether; except in the limited application to non-believers for the purpose
of introducing them to salvation. But is that what God has commanded us to do?
What is "the Gospel"?
Very few Christians seem alarmed at the number of "gospels" that are being preached today in "Christian"
churches, conferences, websites and other forums. There is the "gospel of social responsibility", the "gospel
of compassion", the "purpose gospel", the "emergent gospel", the "gospel of becoming authentic followers of
Jesus", the "gospel of prosperity", the "gospel of faith", the "gospel of spiritual disciplines", the "Kingdom
Now gospel", the "social justice gospel" , etc., etc. ad nauseum.
However, just prior to the verses in Chapter 2, God tells us plainly in verse 1:17 & 18 precisely what "the
Gospel" (singular and superlative) truly is: "For Christ sent me...to preach the Gospel...for the preaching of
the Cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us which are saved (Gr. "sozo"), it is the power of God".
(emphasis added). The first important thing to note is that the "Gospel" is the "preaching of the cross", and
as Paul preached it ("Gospel" is capitalized to denote it as superior to all other "gospels"--recalling that
Galatians 1:8 tells us there will be many "gospels"). Note further that the message of the cross is NOT solely
for non-believers, as is commonly demonstrated in the church today. It is also for "saved" believers! And it
is the SOURCE of God's Power! see Further Study; "Sozo" (click here)
.
Therefore, it should not be surprising that Satan would focus his efforts at keeping the preaching of the cross
away from believers. Thus--and they that have ears to hear, hear this--ALL THOSE WHO OPPOSE THE
PREACHING OF THE CROSS ARE BEING DUPED BY SATAN TO ASSIST IN ACCOMPLISHING HIS
OBJECTIVES AND ARE, IN TRUTH, OPPOSING GOD, AND THEMSELVES (2 Timothy 2:25).
If you read Paul's letters carefully, you will note two overarching themes: bringing everything "captive" to the
work of the Cross, and pleading with BELIEVERS to do the same. see Further Study; "Exhortations to
Focus on Cross" (click here)
And so it is with this ministry...
| SPIRIT & TRUTH MINIStries "For the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit, and in Truth; for the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit, and in Truth. John 4:23,24 |
Preach the Cross.org
...for I determined not to know anything among you
save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
I Corinthians 2:2
...for I determined not to know anything among you
save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
I Corinthians 2:2
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Mark's Blog
read about this cross at Mark's blog