(Rom. 1:16)

By being not ashamed of the gospel, Apostle Paul fulfilled Old Testament prophecy that says that those that believe in the sure foundation (the gospel) shall not make haste ( Is. 28:16), or shall not be ashamed (Rom. 9:33; 1Pet. 2:6). These Scriptures show that the power that brings salvation is facilitated by the preaching of the gospel not by Church leaders only, but by everyone that has become born again and is established by the Holy Ghost (cons. Acts 1:8).

To prove it further, the practice of the early church is a shred of evidence (cons. Acts 8:1, 4-5; 11: 19-21; 1Thess. 1:5-8).  There are three striking testimonies of challenge in the preaching of the gospel by members of the early Church.

*                      it was not during an organized mass-evangelism or publicity.  They were doing it individually, defying the shame of persecution, and fulfilling the Scriptures (Is. 28:16;  Rom.  9:33).

*                      it was done by people running away from where they were persecuted for the same gospel they were preaching.  It was not during business nor missionary trip only (Acts 8:4-5; 11:19-21).

*                      it was not only the materially poor nor unemployed brethren that went about preaching the gospel. The rich and the learned ones among them not only sponsored the gospel-work but also joined in the preaching (comp. Acts 11: 20 -24 with Acts 4: 36-37). Evangelist Luke for example, who was Apostle Paul’s companion was a physician by profession (Col. 4:14; 2Tim.4:11; Philem. v. 24).

The Lord on His own part for them not to be ashamed of the gospel, confirmed their preaching with signs following. They preached and demonstrated the power of God (Matt. 16:15-16,20; Heb. 2:3-4).

In any local assembly where the number of people that are really preaching the good-news is few, numerical growth will be very slow. No matter the scope and success of evangelical rally or crusade by a local assembly, if nothing is done to establish the people that were won during the crusade, if the people doing the follow-up lack the power that the gospel goes with, numerical-growth will still be lacking and everything spent for the crusade will be a waste (cons. Rom. 1:10-11). That which Paul the apostle wanted to do for the believers in Rome was what gave a boost to the evangelical work of the church in Thessalonika (cons. 1Thess. 1:5-9).

Having heard these, who among us will like to continue preaching a gospel that yields little or no result?