David's Deliberations . . .
The Power of God for Salvation
The apostle Paul wrote: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16 NASB). From this statement we learn at least three things: that mankind (Jew and Greek) is lost without the gospel; that God's power to save us is found only in the gospel (it is THE power of God for salvation) and that the gospel will only save those who believe.
Those who believe receive the power to be saved through the requirements of the gospel. John 1:12 tells us that "as many as received [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12). We have the right to become children of God when we believe the gospel. We become children of God when we obey the commands of the gospel.
The focus of Paul's apostleship was "to bring about the obedience of faith" (Romans 1:5; also Romans 16:26). He preached the gospel to the people at Corinth (1 Corinthians 15:1). In Acts 18:8, we read that "many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized" (Acts 18:8). Paul said that those who did this were saved by the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:2). This is a perfect demonstration of Jesus' command: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16). Further examples include: Peter's preaching the gospel to the Jews on Pentecost--they were baptized (Acts 2); Peter's preaching the gospel to Cornelius and family--they were baptized (Acts 10:34-48); Philip's preaching the gospel to the Samaritans--they were baptized (Acts 8:12); and Philip's preaching Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch--he was baptized (Acts 8:35-38).
Only those who believe the gospel and obey it can possibly be saved by it. Paul wrote: "...the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus" (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8; see also 1 Peter 4:17).
In light of the above examples, baptism is obviously a command of the gospel and one cannot obey the gospel without obeying this command, which brings us to another point. The command for us to proclaim (or preach, or share) the gospel is also part of the gospel and is universal. Let's not be ashamed of the gospel, but rather share it with everyone around us. Let's invite others to Bible classes and worship assemblies so they, too, can believe the gospel and have opportunity to obey it--bringing about the "obedience of faith"--ours and theirs.
—David Carl Swanson
