The gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.
According to Romans 1:16, the gospel of Christ is the power of God that brings salvation. This power is released by believing in what Christ did—His death, burial, and resurrection. It is not through works or church rituals but through faith.
Romans 1:16 — This verse explicitly calls the gospel the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, directly answering the question.
Romans 1:16 states: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." This verse declares that the gospel itself is the power of God, and it is effective for salvation for all who believe. The emphasis is on believing, not on performing works or participating in rituals. 1 Corinthians 1:18 also says "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." This aligns with the idea that the gospel is the dynamic power of God for those who are being saved.
Les Feldick teaches that the gospel—not church membership, baptism, or good works—is the power of God unto salvation. He stresses that believing the gospel releases this power, which is so great that it took more of God's power to save a sinner than to create the universe. He emphasizes that salvation cannot be earned or merited because it requires God's own power working in the believer. Les also explains that the gospel is the power that frees believers from the binding forces of the devil, the flesh, and the world.
Les teaches that the power of God is released by believing the gospel. He uses the analogy of a dead battery being charged by an outside source to illustrate how the gospel infuses life. When a person believes that Christ died, was buried, and rose again, that power becomes effective for salvation.
According to Les, the gospel does not include joining the church, getting baptized, taking communion, tithing, or doing good works. These have their rightful place but are not part of salvation. Salvation is solely through believing the gospel.
Les emphasizes that many people believe in something, but they are not believing the right thing. It is crucial to know and believe the gospel—that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. This is the content that brings salvation.
Importance of Knowing the Gospel
Les stresses that believers must know what they believe, having full knowledge of the gospel, not just any belief.
Power of God in Salvation
Les teaches that the gospel is the power of God and that it takes more power to save a sinner than to create the universe.
Gospel as Power, Not Works
Les rejects the idea of earning salvation, affirming that the gospel itself is the power of God.
Salvation by Faith, Not Works
Les clarifies that salvation does not come through church membership, baptism, or good works, but through believing the gospel.
Gospel as Generating Power
Les uses the car battery analogy to show that the gospel infuses life into the believer, acting as generating power.
Power Frees from Bondage
Les explains that the power of God breaks the bondage of sin and gives believers true freedom.
Believing, Not Works
Les emphasizes that salvation is to everyone who believes, leaving works out entirely.
Salvation Through Faith, Not Works
Les states that salvation is not through church membership, baptism, or works, but by believing the gospel.
Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
This is the key verse stating that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
This verse reinforces that the preaching of the cross is the power of God to those who are saved.
Yes, according to Romans 1:16, the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. It is not something else, like church membership or baptism, but the gospel itself that holds this power.
You receive the power of God by believing the gospel—that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again. Belief in this message releases the power of God for salvation.
No, good works cannot save a person. Salvation is by believing the gospel, not by works. The gospel, when believed, becomes the power of God for salvation.
Watch the Teaching: The Abrahamic Covenant: Why God Chose Israel & What It Means For Us