Announcing Words of Good News!

1 Corinthians 14:11 says, "If then I do not know the power of the sound, I will be to the one speaking, a barbarian, and the one speaking with me a barbarian."

This scripture is specifically talking about understanding another's speech, so that the process of communication is complete, but it uses the word "power", which is the Greek word (dunamis), [1411, Strongs], conveying the idea that words have "power".

Cornelius, "...received a divine message by a holy angel to fetch (Peter)...and to HEAR WORDS..." from Peter (Acts 10:22), and the angel said, "...who, having come, shall SPEAK to you" (Acts 10:32). When Peter was come, Cornelius said, "...all we before God are at hand TO HEAR all the things assigned to you by God" (Acts 10:33). "While Peter was SPEAKING...the Holy Spirit fell upon all the ones HEARING the word" (Acts 10:44) and "...they heard them speaking languages [that they hadn't learned], and magnifying God" (Acts 10:46).

The angel had told Cornelius, "Send men to Joppa, and fetch Simon, the one called Peter, who will SPEAK WORDS to you by which you shall be saved - you and all your house!" (Acts 11:13-14).

Referring to Peter, the scripture says, "...and as I began to SPEAK, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as also upon us in the beginning" (Acts 11:15).

The important point, is that WORDS were spoken, that brought about salvation/deliverance, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 14:7, referring to Paul and Barnabas at Lystra, says, "...and there they announced the good news [preached the gospel]."

"...and a certain man in Lystra disabled in the feet sat, one being lame from out of the belly of his mother, who at no time walked. This one HEARD Paul SPEAKING, who [Paul] having gazed on him, and seeing that he had faith to be saved, said with a loud voice, 'Stand upright on your feet!', and he leaped up and walked" (Acts 14:8 - 10).

What is interesting, is that the same Greek word [ (sozo),4982], is used in both these passages, translated "saved" or "delivered". In other words, part of salvation, is divine healing. They are inseparable in the announcement of the gospel:

"...who will SPEAK words to you by which you shall be saved [sozo, 4982, Strong's]..." (Acts 11:14).

"...this one heard Paul SPEAKING, who [Paul] having gazed on him, and seeing that he had faith to be saved [sozo, 4982, Strong's ]..." (Acts 14:9).

Here are key points to note:

1) WORDS Spoken Produce Salvation/Healing - "...who will speak words to you by which you shall be saved" (Acts 11:14) and the man "...heard Paul speaking...and he had faith to be saved" (Acts 14:9)

2) The Gospel includes Divine Healing - "...there they were preaching the gospel (announcing the good news)" (Acts 14:7). If the message you are preaching does not include the healing of the sick [the KJV translates (sozo) as "healed"], then you are not preaching the gospel. You are preaching your version of the gospel, but not the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, because the scripture clearly states that "...there they were preaching the gospel" (Acts 14:7), and the result was that this man, a cripple from birth, was healed.

3) Faith Comes by Hearing the Announcement of the Good News - "...there they were announcing the good news" (Acts 14:7). "This one heard Paul speaking...and seeing that he had faith to be saved..." (Acts 14:9). How did the man receive faith to be saved? He heard what Paul was speaking.

4) The Holy Spirit is Manifest at the Announcement of the Good News - "While Peter was speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all the ones hearing the word" (Acts 10:44) and "...beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them..." (Acts 11:15).

Is there any reason to assume, that the Holy Spirit does not fall on all who hear the announcement of the gospel? Just because it is not stated in the account in Acts 14:7-10, is it not logical to assume, that the reason healing; salvation; deliverance; the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs, is because there is the announcement of the good news, and the Holy Spirit is manifested? By the same reasoning, would it also be logical to assume, that if there is not the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, ["...confirming the word [good news announced] by the signs following" (Mk.16:20) ] then what you are declaring, is probably not the full gospel?

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours