Gimmicks Or The Gospel?

The Gospel of Jesus was the heart and soul of 1^st century preaching.

“…let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Now when they heard this…” Acts 2:36-37

 “This is the stone, which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12

 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Acts 8:35

 “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” Acts 9:20

 “And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.” Acts 11:20

 “Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” Acts 17:2-3

 “He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.” Acts 17:18

It was not Jesus plus something. Various gimmicks were not employed to draw people in so that they may be taught, the Gospel itself was the drawing power. Jesus was enough. “…no one comes to the Father except by me…” John 14:6

Any effort under the umbrella of Christianity that attempts to evolve Jesus to accommodate our culture or present him as more appealing to an entertainment driven society, is an effort that denies the power of the Gospel. Paul writes, “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 1:16