# “Merely to declare the truths of the gospel is not to preach it” by John Newton

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2026/03/04/merely-to-declare-the-truths-of-the-gospel-is-not-to-preach-it-by-john-newton/
- Published: 2026-03-04T09:45:00-06:00
- Author: tollelege

“I wish you, upon your entrance into the ministry, to have a formed and determinate
idea, what the phrase, _preaching the gospel_, properly signifies.

The gospel is the power of God unto salvation; and this gospel is preached when 
it is accompanied with some due degree of that demonstration and power from on high,
which is necessary to bring it home to the hearts and consciences of the hearers.

Thus the apostle Peter informs us, “that it was preached in the beginning with the
Holy Ghost sent down from heaven;” (**1 Peter 1:12**) and Paul reminds the Thessalonians,“
that they had received it not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost,
and in much assurance.” (**1 Thess. 1:5**)

From these passages, I think we may warrantably conclude, that merely to declare
the truths of the gospel, is not to preach it.

The knowledge of it as a system may be acquired, and of course recited by those 
who have no portion or tincture of that inward conviction of its important certainty,
which is necessary to impress a correspondent conviction upon others.

Many of the great truths of the Scripture may be represented by a man of a warm 
and lively imagination, in such a manner as considerably to affect the imaginations
and natural passions of an audience, even though he should not himself believe a
word of the subject.

This would be an effect of no higher kind, than is produced upon the stage. The 
exertions of a skilful actor first drawn forth by the sight of the spectators, and
a desire to please them, act upon them reciprocally, and give him an ascendency 
over their feelings.

This is all very natural, and may easily be accounted for.

It is not so easy to account for the presumption of those preachers, who expect,(
if they can indeed expect it,) merely by declaiming on gospel subjects, to raise
in their hearers those spiritural perceptions of humiliation, desire, love, joy,
and peace, of which they have no impression on their own hearts.

I premise, therefore, that there is one species of popularity which I hope will 
rather be the object of your dread, than of your ambition. It is a poor affair to
be a stage-player in divinity, to be able to hold a congregation by the ears, by
furnishing them with an hour’s amusement, if this be all.

But the man who is what he professes to be, who knows what he speaks of, in whom
the truth dwells and lives, who has not received the gospel from books, or by hearers
only, but in the school of the great Teacher, acquires a discernment, a taste, a
tenderness, and a humility, which secure to him the approbation of the judicious,
qualify him for the consolation of the distressed, and even so far open his way 
to the hearts of the prejudiced, that, if they refuse to be persuaded, they are 
often convicted in their own consciences, and forced to feel that God is with the
preacher.

When Philip preached, the Eunuch rejoiced; when Paul preached, Felix trembled.

The power of the truth was equally evident in both cases, though the effects were
different. One criterion of the gospel ministry, when rightly dispensed, is, that
it enters the recesses of the heart.

The hearer is amazed to find that the preacher, who perhaps never saw him before,
describes him to himself, as though he had lived long in the same house with him,
and was acquainted with his conduct, his conversation, and even with his secret 
thoughts, **1 Corinthians, 14:24-25**.

If, therefore, you wish to preach the gospel with power, pray for a simple, humble
spirit, that you may have no allowed end in view, but to proclaim the glory of the
Lord whom you profess to serve, to do his will, and for his sake to be useful to
the souls of men.

Study the word of God, and the workings of your own heart, and avoid all those connections,
communications, and pursuits, which, experience will tell you, have a tendency to
damp the energy, or to blunt the sensibility of your spirit. Thus shall you come
forth as a scribe, well instructed in the mysteries of the kingdom, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, approved of God, acceptable to men, rightly dividing 
the word of truth.

Thus your trumpet shall not give an uncertain sound, nor shall you appear like a
cloud without water, to raise and disappoint the expectations of your hearers. A
just confidence of the truths you speak, a sense of the importance of your message,
a love to precious souls, and a perception of the divine presence, will give your
discourses a solidity, a seriousness, a weight, which will impress a sympathetic
feeling upon your hearers, and they will attend, as to one who speaks with spirit,
demonstration, and power.”

–John Newton, **[_The Works of John Newton_](https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-works-of-john-newton-4-vols.html),
[_Volume 6_](https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-works-of-john-newton-4-vols.html)**(
Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1820/1988), 6: 398-402.

[⌊The Works of John Newton⌉⌊The Works of John Newton⌉[

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