Why Preach The Gospel If God Has Already Determined Who Will Be Saved? -- Voddie Baucham

[Hazelelponi]

 

[QVQ]

I agree with all of the above
AND, also preaching the gospel is:
Fellowship
Preaching the gospel is shout out to all who hear the Word and say Amen.

 

[Whatever]

I didn't watch the YouTube video. every time I click on a embedded video it won't let me see it. It wants me to go to the original site and then go through a captcha test.

The reason we preach the gospel even though God has predetermined who will be saved, is because preaching the gospel is the predetermined way God has ordained for the elect to be saved.

1 Co 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

We get to be a part of God's plan of using us as a means to save our friends, neighbors and family.

 

[brightfame52]

The Gospel is beneficial to them God has predetermined to save, because it announces to them the Gospel of their Salvation and causes them to believe Eph 1:13

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
To them its a powerful message causing them to believe 1 Cor 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Notice "but unto us which are saved" which are saved is a present passive participle, so they are in a saved state, regenerated state, and to them the word of the Cross, and them only, is the Power of God.

But to the lost or perishing, the preaching of the Gospel or Cross is foolishness.

 

[Rella]

I didn't watch the YouTube video. every time I click on a embedded video it won't let me see it. It wants me to go to the original site and then go through a captcha test.

The reason we preach the gospel even though God has predetermined who will be saved, is because preaching the gospel is the predetermined way God has ordained for the elect to be saved.

1 Co 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

We get to be a part of God's plan of using us as a means to save our friends, neighbors and family.

I am so confused now.

I thought God gave the faith to those he elects? What does preaching have to do with it?

And you say "We get to be a part of God's plan of using us as a means to save our friends, neighbors and family.

But how can we save them if they are not elect. (Predestined)

 

[Arial]

I am so confused now.

I thought God gave the faith to those he elects? What does preaching have to do with it?

And you say "We get to be a part of God's plan of using us as a means to save our friends, neighbors and family.

But how can we save them if they are not elect. (Predestined)

We don't know who the elect are. But they have to hear before they can believe.

Romans 10: 13-21
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed" And how are they to believe in him of whom they have not heard" And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.

 

[Hazelelponi]

@Eternally-Grateful,

Here’s something else I’d ask you to consider: why do we preach the Gospel to the unregenerate?

Not because we think unregenerate man has spiritual power in themselves. Scripture’s clear — they don’t. The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:14). Spiritually, they’re dead. But we still preach. Why?

Because the Gospel itself is God’s chosen instrument — and He has appointed that through its proclamation, the dead will hear and live.

Paul says in Romans 1:16 that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation — not a possibility, not an offer waiting on man’s initiative — but the very power by which God saves. And that’s exactly why we preach it, even to the unregenerate: because salvation doesn’t rest on man’s readiness — it rests on God’s ability.

“We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” — 2 Corinthians 4:7

We preach from weakness — cracked jars, not polished silver. Why? So that it’s unmistakably clear that the power belongs to God. Not to the preacher. Not to the hearer. Not to persuasion or emotional readiness. Just God.

So yes — we proclaim the Gospel to people who are dead in sin, because that’s exactly what God uses to raise the dead. We obey, and He gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:6).

This is where your "faith prior to regeneration" framework falters. You seem to lean the entire weight of Gospel preaching on man’s ability to respond — but we preach precisely because he can’t, and because God can. We trust not in the jar, but in the treasure it carries.

So we aren't supposed to hold back. We should not wait for signs of spiritual life first. We preach the truth — clearly, boldly — because it’s not our power that saves. It’s God’s.

Following up— Paul doesn’t just say we’re jars of clay to highlight our weakness. He goes further and explains what exactly God does through the Gospel:

“Even if our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers… But God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts…” (2 Cor. 4:3–6)

Do you see the pattern? The Gospel is veiled because of spiritual blindness — not because it’s unclear, not because the preacher isn’t convincing, but because the heart is blind. And the only thing that removes that blindness is God Himself shining His light.

Paul deliberately links this to Genesis 1 — God speaks light into existence out of darkness. That’s how he describes conversion. Not man reaching up — but God shining down.

This is the critical difference between your position and what the Scriptures teach. The framework your using places the weight of faith on man’s decision — as if the veil lifts because someone chooses to see. But Paul says the veil is removed when God acts. It is God’s light that reveals the glory of Christ. The Gospel doesn’t wait on man — it pierces darkness by Divine command.

And how does He do it? Through the very Gospel we preach. That’s why we keep proclaiming Christ — to the blind, the dead, the hard-hearted — not because we believe in them, but because we believe in God’s power to make blind eyes see.

So again, it’s not about crafting the right emotional appeal, or tipping man over the edge into the right decision. It’s about trusting that when the Word goes forth, God does what only He can do.

We carry the treasure in jars of clay. We shine the light of Christ through the Gospel. And when God speaks, the darkness flees.

May God grant us clarity to see His sovereign grace.

In Christ’s love,
Hazelelponi

 

[CrowCross]

Here’s something else I’d ask you to consider: why do we preach the Gospel to the unregenerate?

One of my answers would be....if 10 people are gathered in front of you..or even 10,000...I would "assume" all are elected and all need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now, I know all of those being preached to are not of the elect...but some are.

Matt 10:14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.