Modern preaching seldom includes the truth on how to be saved. The main stream denominations and the other organizations each have different instructions for receiving salvation that have no biblical foundation. The most popular phrases are “get saved” and “got saved” which teach that salvation is gotten rather than being received through obedience. Yet, the teaching the false teachers do routinely says that salvation is a gift which cannot be gotten by works. That is true, but” get saved” and “got saved” are not part of the Bible message and telling someone to get saved is not teaching the gospel. The gospel is about obedience in the beginning of the new life to the end of life on the earth.

The words preach the gospel are found 11 times in the New Testament and not once are the words “get saved” found in the scriptures. It is an invention of men who deny that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). The word translated power is the Greek word du/namij (pronounced doo'-nam-is) which means among several definitions, might, strength and ability to carry out some work. God gives and the ones who hear the preaching receive the blessing of salvation by obeying the gospel of Christ. Paul wrote in Romans 10:14-15 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  In these verses Paul reasons from back (conclusion) to front (thesis) to show the necessity of  preachers going to preach the gospel. In verse 15 he wrote that a preacher must be sent to preach. Verse 14 says that without a preacher they can’t hear the gospel and if they haven’t heard they cannot believe.  Then if they can’t believe they cannot call upon  him in whom they have not believed. Paul’s message is a simple one. Go and preach; the people will hear and believe and then they will call upon the Lord.

Notice that “get saved” isn’t part of Paul’s message. It is believe and call upon the author of salvation, Jesus Christ. The words “call upon” have caused some difficulty for preachers and those who want to follow God. Various meanings have been given to the words, many of which are not biblical. The verb e)pikale/swntai- pronounced ep-ee-kal-eh'-om-ahee-middle voice means that the one doing the calling is acting with reference to himself or herself. It doesn’t state how the person acts with reference to himself or herself since the context, both immediate and remote, will show the meaning. Throughout the Bible, the term call upon teaches those who have not obeyed to be baptized, and those who are saved use the term to show their reliance on the one in whom they  believe. (See Acts 7:59-60, the stoning of Stephen. For a fuller discussion of the term call upon--see  http://www.godchristspiritbible.com/False_Doctrines_of_Men_Part_IV.htm)  the 6th paragraph.

  When Peter preached the first gospel message in Acts 2, he used the term call on which is not different in meaning from call upon. It is a difference in translation for the same verb form e)pikale/swntai.) Then Peter told them how to call upon the Lord in Acts 2 :38. Most of the denominational preachers and many of the others not associated with denominational hierarchies leave out the parts of Acts 2 that do not fit their man made doctrines.

In the next lesson, a discussion will ensue on verses following Acts 2:38, and then what is meant by preach the gospel, preach the word and what obedience means as the series moves along.

© 01-20-2011 DEC

 Next Lesson Preaching the Gospel Part III