I’ve had a number of discussions on the cross (plan to have a few more before heaven).  For me, the issue really came down to 1 Cor 1:18-25.  What I want to do is especially  HIGHLIGHT the point by removing some text (with ellipses).  The whole text is also below.

So here:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God

…it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe

…we preach Christ crucified

…to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called

…the power of God.

It is pretty glaring that Paul’s message was the cross, and the message was what saved (and what stumbled) those to whom he preached it.

It is the message of the cross that is in view, & Paul identifies it as the saving message in this passage.  Don’t you think the debate over the GES Gospel ends here?  If one wanted God to say it clearer, how should He have said it?

Grace,

Fred Lybrand

” For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-25, ESV)