To those who are saved, the preaching of the cross is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).
In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul says the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perish, but to those who are saved it is the power of God. Les Feldick repeatedly makes this the central point: the cross is not merely history — it is God's power at work in salvation, released when a person believes the gospel.
1 Corinthians 1:18 — This is the verse Les uses again and again to show that the cross's meaning differs completely for the saved and the perishing.
In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul draws a sharp contrast between two groups. To those who are perishing, the preaching of the cross is foolishness. To those who are saved, the preaching of the cross is the power of God. The Bible further shows that Christ Himself is described as the power of God to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks (1 Corinthians 1:22–24).
Les Feldick ties the question directly to 1 Corinthians 1:18. For saved people, the preaching of the cross — the gospel — becomes the very power of God. He says this power saves us and sets us free from the shackles of sin. It was the eternal God who was on that cross, so the event of 2,000 years ago has everything to do with us today. Les also stresses that salvation requires God's power, which is why no one can work for it; the power is released by believing the gospel.
Les says lost people simply cannot comprehend that what someone did 2,000 years ago has any effect on us today. Because of that they reject, ridicule, and scorn it. In Paul's words, it becomes foolishness to them even though it is the power of God to the saved (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Les explains that the cross is not just a past event because the eternal God was on that cross. For those who believe, the preaching of the cross is the power of God. This power is what saves us and sets us free from the shackles of sin, and it takes God's power to release us from sin's hold.
Les points out that salvation has to be an exercise of the sovereign power of an Almighty God. Human beings only have physical strength; only God can bring about spiritual salvation. Therefore no one can work for it or merit it. He illustrates this with Israel at the Red Sea — God told them to stand still and do nothing, showing that salvation is God's power, not human effort.
What the Bible Really Says About Salvation — 1 Corinthians 15 Explained
And if the Book says it, then whether I feel like it or not, that's what I have to go by. So he says you're puffed up, as though I would not come to you. Now don't forget that Paul is across the Aegean Sea from Greece, over there in western Turkey where Ephesus is still, the ruins of the city are there, and so he's across the Aegean Sea, probably 150, 200 miles away from Corinth, and these Corinth…
The Power of God to the Saved
Les points to 1 Corinthians 1:18 and says that while the world sees the cross as foolishness, to us who are saved the preaching of the cross becomes the power of God.
The Eternal God on the Cross
Les stresses that the cross has everything to do with believers today because it was the eternal God on that cross, and the preaching of the cross is the power of God to the saved.
God's Power to Save
Les connects the power of the cross to salvation: it takes God's power to save us and set us free from sin, and that power is released when we believe the gospel.
Sovereign Power, Not Human Work
Les teaches that salvation is an exercise of the sovereign power of God, which is why man cannot work for it or produce it with physical strength.
Paul's Repeated Emphasis
Les shows how Paul repeatedly calls the preaching of the cross the power of God to the saved and presents Christ as the power of God to those who are called.
Salvation Greater Than Creation
Les says it took greater amounts of God's power to save a sinner than to create the universe, and this power is released by believing the gospel.
Stand Still — God's Power Alone
Les illustrates salvation by Israel at the Red Sea: God told them to stand still and do nothing, showing that salvation comes by God's power, not human works.
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 is the key verse separating those who are perishing from those who are saved, and it defines the preaching of the cross as the power of God to believers.
1 Corinthians 1:24: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Paul identifies Christ as the power of God to those who are called, reinforcing the truth that the cross is God's power to the saved.
It means the power of God. Paul puts it plainly in 1 Corinthians 1:18: the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perish, but to those who are saved it is the power of God.
Les says they cannot comprehend that what someone did 2,000 years ago has any effect on us today. So they ridicule and reject it, seeing it as foolishness.
Les teaches that the power is released when we believe the gospel — that Christ died, shed His blood, was buried, and rose again. It is not released through human works or effort.
No. Les says salvation has to be an exercise of the sovereign power of an Almighty God, so man cannot work for it. Like Israel at the Red Sea, God says stand still — salvation is God's power, not human activity.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Salvation — 1 Corinthians 15 Explained