Confronting the Powerless Gospel (Part 1)

[victoryword]

November 22

Confronting the Powerless Gospel (Part 1)

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake (1 Thess. 1:5)

The Greek word for power in this passage is "dunamis" which means "miracle or supernatural power". The Gospel is not in word only but in POWER!! Paul taught that the gospel is to be accompanied with POWER.

Not only is God's power lacking in most of our Western churches, but some "ministers" hold conferences and write books promoting a powerless gospel. Their books often attack ministers and movements in which God is sought to manifest His power.

This powerless gospel has its primary roots in the teaching of John Calvin, a "protestant reformer" in the 16th century. In his "Institutes," Calvin advocates for a gospel without power:

But the gift of healing disappeared with the other miraculous powers which the Lord was pleased to give for a time, that it might render the new preaching of the gospel for ever wonderful. Therefore, even were we to grant that anointing was a sacrament of those powers which were then administered by the hands of the apostles, it pertains not to us, to whom no such powers have been committed" (Calvin, Institutes IV, 19, 18).

Calvin admits to preaching a "new" gospel. Paul says that if anyone preached any other gospel than what he preached then that man is accursed (Gal. 1:6-9). Paul said that his gospel came with miraculous power. Calvin claims that his new gospel needs no such power.

Furthermore, Calvin contradicts Scripture when he claims that his new preaching makes the gospel "wonderful". Scripture, contrary to Calvin, defines "wonderful" as being in line with miracles: "And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did...." (Matt. 21:14-15a). The testimony of divine Scripture runs in direct contrast to the teaching of John Calvin.

Men have followed the teaching of John Calvin rather than the teaching of the Bible. Our world needs a true manifestation of God's power if we will defeat the forces of darkness that holds sway over the minds of sinners. We must reject the powerless gospel of men and stay with the miracle-power gospel of the Bible.

http://victoriouswordchurch.blogspot...el-part-1.html

[fuego]

Also:

1 Corinthians 2:

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in DEMONSTRATION of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

We are representatives of Jesus. We are to re-present Him. When our presentation doesn't include the power of God in the same manner Jesus demonstrated it, then we are not re-presenting him accurately.