"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing," asserts Paul in First Corinthians. "But to us who are being saved, it is the power of God." The word of the cross...folly to those who are perishing. To those who are being saved by it -- to us -- it is the Power of God.

Imagine, if you will, the scene in Jerusalem: devout Jews gathered from every nation under heaven. There is a sound of mighty wind, tongues of fire light upon each of the disciples, who begin to speak as the Spirit gives them utterance. At the sound the multitude comes together, and they are bewildered because each one hears them speaking in his own language. "These are Galileans! How is it we understand?" (Acts 2:5-13).

When a word is spoken, it is accomplishment enough to understand when the word comes in…