I am not one for "proof-texting;" using Bible verses
proverbially to prove a point. There are too many aberrant consequences,
heresies and apostasies that result from it. Proof-texting has been
used to justify just about every cult and false doctrine in the world. I can
prove absolutely anything you
want me to prove by selecting certain Bible verses and thus "prove"
that what you want me to prove is true "according to the Bible."
Having said that, there
are certain things that occur so often in God's Word that they had best not be
ignored. As someone once noted, if God says it once it is important. If He says
it twice, it is very, very important. If he says it more than twice, you had
jolly well better perk up and pay attention.
So it is with preaching the gospel.
So it is with preaching the gospel.
Far too often we concern
our preaching with matters of character, social ills, politics, raising money,
even a generic kind of faith and all sorts of things other than the gospel.
Here are ninety-nine (99)
references to preaching the gospel in the New Testament.
That's more than two, so I think we might do well to pay attention. We might
even reconsider what we ought to be preaching.
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom
Matthew 9:35 And
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom
Matthew 26:13 Verily
I say unto you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached in the
whole world,
Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have
the gospel preached to them.
Matthew 24:14 …this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in
all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the
Son of God;
Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at
hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever
shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall
save it.
Mark 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no
man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or
wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all
nations.
Mark 14:9 Verily I say unto you, Wherever this gospel shall
be preached throughout the whole world…
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature.
Luke 3:18 Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to
the people,
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to
preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John
what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the
lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is
preached.
Luke 9:6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel,
and healing everywhere.
Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets 'were' until John: from that time
the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man
enters violently into it.
Luke 20:1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the
people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests
and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
Acts 8:25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the
Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many
villages of the Samaritans.
Acts 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached
the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Acts 14:7 And there they preached the gospel.
Acts 14:15 "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like
passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn
from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky and the earth and
the sea, and all that is in them;
Acts 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that
city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and
Antioch,
Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said
unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice
among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel,
and believe.
Acts 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go
into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach
the gospel unto them.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear
unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which
I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of
the grace of God.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
separated unto the gospel of God,
Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of
his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to
you that are at Rome also.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for
it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ
according to my gospel.
Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of
peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias
saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your
sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles,
ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the
Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of
God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully
preached the gospel of Christ.
Romans 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where
Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the
fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to
my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:
not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect.
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus
Christ and Him crucified.
1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye
not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?
Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should
hinder the gospel of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should
live of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to
glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not
the gospel!
1 Corinthians 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against
my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
1 Corinthians 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel,
I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in
the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be
partaker thereof with you.
1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which
I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel,
and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that
are lost:
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which
believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,
who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Corinthians 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in
the gospel throughout all the churches;
2 Corinthians 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for
your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for
your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
2 Corinthians
10:14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our
measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you
also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
2 Corinthians
10:16 To preach the gospel in
the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made
ready to our hand.
2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not
preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or
another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with
him.
2 Corinthians 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be
exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God
freely?
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into
the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and
would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto
you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any
other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed.
Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which
was preached of me is not after man.
Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which
I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation,
lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Galatians 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the
truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of
the circumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was
unto Peter;
Galatians 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the
truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou,
being a Jew, lives after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why
compel thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen
through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham,
saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Galatians 4:13 Ye
know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto
you at the first.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body,
and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Ephesians 3:7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of
that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his
power.
Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace;
Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open
my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Philippians 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first
day until now;
Philippians 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have
you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and
confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Philippians 1:12 But
I would ye should understand, brethren that the things which happened unto me
have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel…
Philippians 1:16 ...the one 'do it' of love, knowing that I am set for the defense
of the gospel;
Philippians 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of
the gospel.
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of
Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your
affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for
the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 2:22 But
ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with
me in the gospel
Philippians 4:3 And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which
labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my
fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel,
when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning
giving and receiving, but ye only.
Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard
before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved
away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which
was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a
minister;
1 Thessalonians
1:5 For our gospel came not
unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much
assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1 Thessalonians
2:2 But even after that we had suffered
before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in
our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much
contention.
1 Thessalonians
2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you,
we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of
God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
1 Thessalonians
2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labor and
travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto
any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
1 Thessalonians
3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and
minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of
Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
2 Thessalonians
1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them
that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ:
1 Thessalonians
2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel,
even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.
2 Thessalonians
2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel,
to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of
me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according
to the power of God;
So, as a pastor, teacher or leader, does this in any way convict you?
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