THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL
1 Thessalonians 1
“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.”
In my view, Paul speaking of the Thessalonians’ experience of the Gospel in terms of words, power, the Holy Spirit and deep conviction, is very instructive. I think that these are what we should be seeking to see whenever a conversion experience has taken place.
“Word” is easy enough to understand. People have to understand the Gospel and later in the chapter Paul summarise it for us: “They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” There is surely no other way to communicate these truths except by word.
“Deep conviction” is also clear, I think. Anyone who seeks to return to God needs to be convicted of sin leading to repentance. This is often minimised in modern evangelism and I think it weakens the power of the Gospel.
“The Holy Spirit” may raise some conflicting ideas. Some people insist that there must be signs of the presence of the Holy Spirit (speaking in tongues is the usual go to sign) while others say that whenever there is a clear embrace of the Gospel, God will respond with the Holy Spirit as promised and guaranteed (see Ephesians 1:13-14). However, all agree that the presence of the Holy Spirit is essential in a Christian’s life.
What does Paul mean by “power”? Paul did not speak of any supernatural event but he spoke at length about the change in the Thessalonians: “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. … They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”
In modern churches, this kind of power is rarely visible, especially among Western-educated people. Not many people are in the midst of severe suffering, not many people are visible idol worshippers. Perhaps this is because the Christian lifestyle today is hardly any different from a secular lifestyle and so what Paul said “You know how we lived among you for your sake” has no impact on today’s communities. Perhaps this is something that we need to think hard about.
“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”