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PROCLAIMING the gospel

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John the Baptist came preaching, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:1-2).  Jesus followed him with the same message, “preaching the good news of the kingdom,” and providing a demonstration of power, “healing every disease and sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23).  Preaching the good news was the direct charge given to the twelve disciples, as they were first sent out by Jesus (Matthew 10:7-8), as well as an essential tool in the early church’s effort to spread the gospel.  Peter says to the people gathered in Cornelius’ house:

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.  Acts 10:42

The good news of God’s grace necessarily implies there must be some bad news. Peter goes on in this passage to explain that the gospel is an invitation to escape certain judgment.  The work of Christ is significant because of the presence of sin in our lives and the threat of judgment before a holy and righteous God!  Like Peter, we have been commissioned by Jesus to proclaim the gospel.  “Go and make disciples of all nations,” Jesus said (Matthew 28:19).  We are God’s ambassadors and proclaiming the good news of God’s grace and calling all people to live lives of worship is to be a primary activity of the church.  Paul wrote:

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  Romans 10:14

When Cornelius heard the gospel from Peter he was transformed immediately.  We read, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.  For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” (Acts 10:44, 46)  The point of this passage is not that everyone who receives Christ will speak in tongues.  The point of this passage is that all people can be saved and receive God’s Holy Spirit, even gentiles like Cornelius, and worship is the response all will have to experiencing God’s grace.  As the Church is faithful in proclaiming God’s grace, it will always produce lives that bring God praise.