Articles
Preach the Gospel to All Creation
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16, emp LS). Why does the “gospel” need to be preached to "every creature"? Because "every creature" needs to "be saved".
The apostle Paul said, "What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:9-10, 23). If "all have sinned", then "all", that is "every creature", needs to hear the gospel preached. That means that I need to hear and obey the gospel and so do you! Jesus said then, "He that believeth (believes what? the gospel, LS) and is baptized shall be saved (saved from what? their sins, LS)."
One can plainly see that the gospel is powerful. The apostle Paul said it this way, "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" (Romans 1:16). The gospel is God's power to save men's souls.
However, as powerful as the gospel is, there are many that have not nor, will they ever believe the gospel. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18).
How powerful is the gospel to save the sinner? Notice the example of the Corinthians. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (I Corinthians 6:9-11, emp LS).
We also must learn that the gospel has commands to be obeyed and promises to be received. One that obeys the gospel receives the promises of God. The Word of God teaches that "every creature" needs to: 1) Hear the gospel (Romans 10:17); 2) Believe the gospel (Mark 16:16); 3) Repent of their sins (Acts 2:38); 4) Confess Christ (Romans 10:9-10); 5) Be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38); 6) Remain faithful (Revelation 2:10).
When one obeys the gospel of Jesus Christ, he then will receive the wonderful blessings of God (Ephesian 1:3). Jesus said we would receive the blessing of being "saved" (Mark 16:16). The apostle Paul and the apostle John says we will receive the promise of the Father "eternal life" (Titus 1:2, I John 2:25). However, the consequences of not obeying the gospel will be eternal damnation in hell (Mark 16:16; 2 Thess. 1:9). Please, obey the gospel today!
