1 Corinthians 3:5
Memory Verse
Therefore, who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but both ministers through whom you believed, and each one as the Lord gave? 1 Corinthians 3:5.
No matter how well a man speaks, conveys the truth, or articulates God’s Word in a manner that resonates with you, he is still only a minister. Salvation does not come by persuasion from men (Galatians 1:10). Rather, God is the one who gives us the faith to believe the gospel for salvation (Philippians 1:29). As further emphasized, salvation is not through the desirous will of man, nor based upon how a man runs, but is an act of mercy by God according to His will (Romans 9:16).
In light of this, we of the Church are given the ministry of reconciliation. Our duty is to convey the message of salvation accurately—Christ died on behalf of our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). This is the only message that has the inherent ability to save (Romans 1:16). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit convicts them of their unbelief in Christ (John 16:8–11). Therefore, we are not to proclaim the gospel using the persuasive words of men, but in the inherent ability of the Spirit, which is manifested in a life of righteousness, so that faith is in God, not in the wisdom of men (1 Corinthians 2:4).
Given this, salvation comes by faith through grace (Ephesians 2:8). Therefore, salvation by faith is not simply believing in Christ or that God exists, for even the demons believe such things (James 2:19). Faith is taking God at His Word and, thereby, is the foundational substance upon which grace stands (Hebrews 11:1). Remember, it is through the kindness of God that a man is led to a change of mind, not by the persuasive words of man’s wisdom (Romans 2:4).