Why is preaching the gospel essential for salvation?

Preaching the gospel is not only an integral component of the Christian faith but the very means by which God has chosen to reveal His salvation. Romans 10:14 emphasizes the necessity of preaching by stating, 'How shall they hear without a preacher?' This highlights that the proclamation of Christ's finished work is vital to understanding and embracing the grace offered in the gospel. The message preached connects the believer to the promise of salvation, as it was through the angels that the shepherds received the good news, which they could not have known otherwise. Their response to the proclamation—going forth to announce what they had seen—models the believer's duty to spread the gospel as God works through that message to bring His elect to faith.