<\/p>\n
\u201c. . . our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction\u201d (1 Thessalonians 1:5).<\/p>\n
PAUL\u2019S ENEMIES IN THESSALONICA WERE PROBABLY SAYING THAT HE WAS A FAKE. The gospel of Christ was false, they would have said, and what is more, Paul knew it to be false. He was deceiving people deliberately, for reasons that were purely selfish. So Paul was anxious about those who had obeyed the gospel in Thessalonica. Knowing of their persecution and that they were hearing hateful charges against him, Paul was concerned \u2014 not about his reputation but about their steadfastness. The last thing he wanted was for their faith to be overthrown by doubts about him personally.<\/p>\n
To these brethren, Paul wrote, \u201cWe give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers . . . For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake\u201d (1 Thessalonians 1:2-5).<\/p>\n
Paul wanted several things to be clearly understood. (1) Although the gospel is communicated by words, it was far more than the reasonableness of the words that had moved the Thessalonians to believe. (2) In addition to the words, there had been \u201cpower.\u201d This is a reference to the miraculous powers by which the apostles guaranteed the truth of their message (Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:4,5; Hebrews 2:3,4). (3) The Thessalonians also needed to remember that the gospel had come to them \u201cin the Holy Spirit.\u201d This may be a second way of referring to the miracles, but it probably also points to the source<\/em> of the gospel. The message had come from the Holy Spirit and not merely from Paul\u2019s intellect (1 Corinthians 2:11-13). (4) Finally, the gospel had been presented \u201cwith full conviction.\u201d Paul believed the gospel deeply. He and his coworkers might be many things, but they were not charlatans or liars. \u201cYou know,\u201d he said, \u201cwhat kind of men we proved to be among you.\u201d<\/p>\n This text merits our careful attention. Even though the apostles are no longer preaching in person, the foundation has been laid and the record stands firm. The gospel, as preached and confirmed by the apostles, is just as powerful for us as it was for the Thessalonians!<\/p>\n \u201cThe world has many religions; it has but one gospel\u201d (George Owen).<\/p>\n Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n