Proclaiming the Gospel

How the gospel is proclaimed is crucial for the result. Faith comes by hearing. We are born again by the word of truth. The proclamation of the gospel brings about the new birth. It is therefore absolutely vital that the proclamation of the gospel is the very best, that it is true and sincere and in complete harmony with the Scriptures.

The gospel consists of two main parts. If one of these two parts is missing in the preaching, the entire proclamation of the gospel is actually in vain. If something is born, it is stillborn.

What must be sought and obtained

I would like to list four different scriptures, each of which is very significant in its own right. Taken together, they speak a four-fold, plain, and powerful language about proclaiming the gospel:

1) Proclaim the commandments of the Savior. 2 Pet. 3:2.

2) Proclaim His praises [virtues]. 1 Pet. 2:9.

3) Proclaim life to you. 1 John 1:2.

4) Proclaim that God is light. 1 John 1:5.

This is only a small selection of such scriptures. This is essentially what the Scriptures speak about from cover to cover in many different ways, directly and indirectly, by means of illustrations and parables—so it is not difficult either to find or to understand what is meant. All that is lacking are people who have the mind to do everything possible to attain to it. However, the few who have this mind also attain to what they are seeking, precisely because God has not only given us clear instructions about what He wants us to do and what we shall become, but also because of what point #2 contains; namely:

The grace and power that is required in order to reach this high goal.

1) The forgiveness of sins, the atonement, pardon, the death of Christ. His blood that was poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

2) Our death with Him. Our old man is crucified with Him.

3) Raised with Him and sat in heavenly places. Filled with Him. A branch on the vine. A member of His body.

4) The power of the Holy Spirit; guidance and leading; an innate power and fullness which is received by faith and through prayer and obedience.

5) Denying yourself; judging yourself; forsaking everything of one’s own; being separate.

There is an infinite fullness of light and perfection in God, an infinite fullness of the riches of glory, virtue, and achievements to partake of through the gospel.

There is an infinite fullness of grace and power and help to be had from God so we can get what we are seeking, so it can succeed. Where sin abounds, grace (help to get rid of sin) is even more abundant!!! Therefore it will succeed! Glory to God!

What kind of marred and unprofitable gospel is the harlot doing its utmost to proclaim around the world in these days? Point #1 above is crossed out and rejected, even mocked—yet it is the very thing that must be sought after and obtained. And when it comes to point #2, all that is left in most assemblies is the pardon.

They proclaim that you neither can nor shall obtain anything. Neither is there grace and power to obtain it. The result is: nothing comes from nothing. Worldly sinners are in the world, and religious sinners are in religious assemblies.

One sinner deserves another sinner.

Both worldly and religious sinners have an opportunity to be saved from their sin in the church of the living God.

Elias Aslaksen