"Here we…see the power of this preaching of the Gospel. Beyond all the might and power of the world and of all creatures, Christ proves His ability to draw the hearts of men to Himself through the Word alone and to bring them to His obedience without any compulsion or external force at all. Apart from Christ, all men are everlastingly subjects and captives in the power of the devil, of sin, and of death; but He rescues them for an eternal, divine freedom, righteousness, and life. This great and marvelous thing is accomplished entirely through the office of preaching the Gospel. Viewed superficially, this looks like a trifling thing, without any power, like any ordinary man’s speech and word. But when such preaching is heard, His invisible, divine power is at work in the hearts of men through the Holy Spirit. Therefore St. Paul calls the Gospel “a power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith” (Rom. 1:16)."-Martin Luther, LW 13:291
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