Paul emphasizes preaching the Word because signs were never the means of salvation; the preaching of the cross is the power of God.
In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul contrasts the Jewish demand for signs and the Greek search for wisdom with his preaching of Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:22-23). Les Feldick notes that signs were used by God for Israel's benefit, but believers today do not need a miraculous manifestation—the preached Word is what brings belief and trust in God (Clips 1, 4, 5).
1 Corinthians 1:18 — This verse shows that the preaching of the cross, not signs, is God's power to those who are saved.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24 — Paul directly addresses the Jewish demand for signs and Greek pursuit of wisdom, explaining why he preaches Christ crucified.
Scripture records Paul's own explanation in 1 Corinthians 1. He writes, 'For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God' (1 Corinthians 1:22-24). Earlier, he declares, 'For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God' (1 Corinthians 1:18). The Bible therefore presents the preached message of the cross as God's saving power rather than relying on supernatural displays.
Les further explains that after Israel rejected Jesus, the Holy Spirit was poured out on Jewish believers expressly so that signs, miracles, and wonders could continue in order to convince the nation of Israel to be converted to their rejected Messiah (Clip 7).
Paul writes, 'For the Jews require a sign' (1 Corinthians 1:22). Les explains that this demand went all the way back to Moses, when God turned the shepherd's rod into a serpent to prove to Moses and Aaron that He would bring Israel out of Egypt (Clip 0). Throughout Israel's history, supernatural events were constantly happening (Clip 2). Even during Jesus' ministry, the Jews said, 'show us a sign,' and Jesus performed miracles repeatedly to convince Israel of who He was (Clip 3).
Paul said he would not come showing signs and wonders and miracles, and he would not come with Greek philosophy; he would preach Christ crucified (Clip 1). Les says this simple message is all that is needed (Clip 1). The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God (Clip 5; 1 Corinthians 1:18).
Les teaches that 'you and I today do not need a manifestation of the miraculous in order to believe and trust what God has said' (Clip 4). While the early church did have gifts of healing and Paul performed miracles in Acts, by Paul's later letters there is no word about these miracles, and he could not heal his friend who was near death (Clip 6).
Les explains that signs were directed toward Israel. After the nation rejected their Messiah, the Holy Spirit was poured out on Jewish believers so that signs, miracles, and wonders could continue to convince Israel to be converted (Clip 7). The Jewish mindset was 'show me a sign, and maybe I'll believe' (Clip 1).
Signs for Moses and Aaron
Les shows that God used the shepherd's rod becoming a serpent to convince Moses and Aaron that He was sending them to bring Israel out of Egypt—signs were for the Jews' benefit.
Paul's Choice: Preach Christ Crucified
Les emphasizes that Paul refused to rely on signs or philosophical wisdom and instead preached Christ crucified—the simple message that is sufficient.
A Gentile Church Reminded of Jewish Signs
Les points out that Paul wrote to a Gentile church about the Jewish demand for signs, underscoring that Israel's history was filled with the supernatural and miraculous.
Jesus' Miracles Proved His Identity
Les says Jesus performed all His miracles to the nation of Israel to prove who He was, because the Jews were continually looking for signs.
No Miraculous Manifestation Needed Today
Les teaches that believers today do not need a miraculous manifestation to believe and trust God's Word, even though Israel required constant proof.
The Preaching of the Cross Is God's Power
Les ties 1 Corinthians 1 to the gospel: the preaching of the cross is the power of God to those who are saved, while Jews require signs and Greeks seek wisdom.
Paul's Later Ministry Without Miracles
Les notes that Paul performed miracles in Acts, but by his later letters there is no mention of these gifts, and he could not heal his own friend near death.
Signs to Convince Israel
Les explains that the Holy Spirit was poured out on Jewish believers so signs, miracles, and wonders could continue to convince the nation of Israel to convert to their rejected Messiah.
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 shows that Paul regards the preached message of the cross as God's saving power.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Paul directly contrasts the Jewish demand for signs with his preaching of Christ crucified.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:22 that 'the Jews require a sign.' Les explains this was Israel's nature from Moses onward—they constantly needed to see supernatural proof of God's work (Clips 0, 2).
According to Les, Paul did perform miracles in the book of Acts, and the early church had gifts of healing. But by his later letters, there is no mention of these miraculous works, and Paul could not heal his friend who was near death (Clip 6).
No. Les says believers today do not need a manifestation of the miraculous to trust what God has said. The preaching of the cross is God's power to those who are being saved (Clips 4, 5).
For Les, it means Paul set aside signs and philosophy and preached the simple message of the cross—the message that is sufficient (Clip 1).
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