What the Cross Means

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this World? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (that is, by the simplicity of a proclamation) to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, but Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” —1 Corinthians 1:17-24