Receiving eternal salvation is contingent upon a person believing in the gospel message (Acts 13:39), repenting of their sins (Acts 2:38), confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Rom. 10:9) and being baptized for the remission of their sins (I Pt. 3:20-21). However, hearing the gospel message precedes these steps and gives the people the information they need to know in order to be saved. Without this information, how can people know what to believe in or have any hope of salvation?

“So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ,” (Rom. 10:17). Conversion accounts throughout the book of Acts provide examples of the lost being taught the message of Christ’s life, teachings, death, burial and resurrection. Paul and Silas in Acts 16:30-34 taught the jailor and his household about Jesus. Upon hearing the message, they believed and were baptized. The gospel message was not taught through a vision from heaven, from the mouths of angelic beings or by any supernatural fashion. It was delivered by Paul and Silas teaching the lost about Christ and is an example that each of us can follow in spreading the gospel message.

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom 10:14-15). We all need to be involved in spreading the gospel message to the lost of this world (Mk 16:15-16). How else can they be saved?

Is this a commitment you have made and practice in your daily life? Or have you justified a lack of spreading the gospel message? It’s easy to justify a lack of action from assuming someone doesn’t want to hear the message to counting on someone else to tell them about Christ. Rather than finding an excuse we need to rise to the challenge and seek out opportunities to preach the gospel message. We need to give all mankind the opportunity to accept or reject the gospel message that is able to provide eternal life.

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