The Gospel Proclaimed With Power, With The Holy Spirit

This morning I felt like reading from Paul's letter to the Church in Thessalonica, and was specifically interested in his opening statements - as follows:

1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 NIV:

[2] "We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. [3] 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."

[4] "For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, [5] because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake."

The sections I am considering is Paul's statement about the Gospel coming to them, "not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit".  When I read through the account of Paul's visit to Thessalonica, which is recorded in Acts 17, I didn't see any significant occurrence that sounds like what Paul described here.  Here are the verses from Acts 17:1-4 NIV:

[1] "When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. [2] As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [3] explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. [4] Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women."

I am struck by the understatement of their time in Thessalonica, as described by Luke, the Author of Acts.  Later in Acts 20, we find that Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica had joined themselves to Paul's entourage (Acts 20:4) and were His traveling companions, and Aristarchus was his fellow prisoner while in Rome (Col 4:10). Little more is known about him, although Church history has that he was beheaded in Rome and a martyr for the faith. At a minimum we can conclude that Aristarchus's life was changed during what appeared to be a very short visit by Paul to his city.

So, back to Paul's note about the Gospel coming with "power, with the Holy Spirit." I believe that we can gain a better understanding by what Paul was describing by looking at his visit to Iconium and Lystra as recorded in Acts 14.  Here we see Luke providing a bit more description of what they experienced when they were proclaiming the Gospel.

Acts 14:1,3,8-11 NIV:

[1] "At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

[3] "So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders."

[8] "In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. [9] He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed [10] and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk."

[11] "When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”

I believe that these are great examples of the Gospel being delivered with power, with the Holy Spirit!  This Gospel, a definite departure from the traditional "Messianic" message the Jews would have normally heard, was dependent on more than just scriptural logic.  Paul was basically laying the foundation of His message by recalling to their minds the Messianic prophecies, but then through the power of the Holy Spirit, he and Barnabas were able to perform convincing signs and wonders, that provided the supernatural proof of His message's truth.  The people in Lystra were so convinced that they had seen godly power demonstrated that they proclaimed that Barnabas and Paul were Zeus and Hermes (Act 14:12).

Thus, I am led back to a common theme of my reflection, the Gospel as it is preached today, vs. the Gospel as preached and demonstrated in Paul's ministry.  I see significant differences in the basic Gospel message proclamation, and certainly in its effect on people.  I am grateful that there are so many who are convinced of the truth of the Gospel despite the relative lack of signs and wonders seen in the daily experience of the Western church.  Granted we are in a very different time historically, and the foundation of Christian thought is relatively pervasive in the majority of people living in what would previously have been labeled Christian nations.

I think it is safe to say that although there were Jews living in Thessalonica, Lystra, and Iconium, that the culture and theological mindset of the gentiles who lived in those cities were not aligned with Jewish thought.  They were Gentiles and the culture was either Roman or Greek thought, depending on the depth of influence of the Roman rule.  These were cultures and theological frameworks built around mythological stories and multiple gods and demi-gods.  They believed in supernatural beings, but their experience was one of story and legend, not actual live demonstration of Godly power.

I believe it was the regular, live demonstration of signs and wonders that Paul experienced that set his proclamation of the Gospel apart from all the other religious devotees clamoring for followers.  We see similar experiences with Peter when He was preaching the Gospel to the first gentiles, as recorded in a few excerpts from Acts 10:34-36,42-47 NIV:

[34] "Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism [35] but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. [36] You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." ...[42] "He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. [43] All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

[44] "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, [47] “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”

Here we see the confirmation of Peter's message accompanied by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as evidence both of the truth of Peter's words, but also as evidence to Peter and his companions that the Gospel had been accepted by these Gentiles!  It is important to note that the church or followers of "The Way" were being persecuted during these times, and to Peter and his companions, understanding that this was a God-inspired and approved occurrence, and not some trap, and was critical to their thoughts of ever doing this again (at least in my opinion).

Wrapping this all up, I am continued to be encouraged to pursue for the sake of the effectiveness of the Gospel proclamation, the reliance and expectation that the Gospel should be accompanied by power, signs and wonders, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  I am encouraged to pursue this, in spite of my own inability to make anything supernatural occur, for such was the same for Peter, Paul and Barnabas.  All of them ministered through the power of the Holy Spirit, and so can we.  I am encouraged by those ministries that are pursuing God, are proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and are seeing miracles, signs and wonders.  I am encouraged that these ministries are seeing results both in the US, as well as around the world.  I am encouraged that this proclamation of the Gospel, will effectively demonstrate the truth of the minister's words.   I am encouraged that for me, this is also a call and desire, for I cannot settle for less than the complete Gospel.

Lord, I pray that You would pour forth upon Your Church, a refreshing wind of signs and wonders, power and visitation of the Holy Spirit!  I pray that hearts and minds might be affected and forever changed, even as Aristarchus was changed when confronted by the Gospel that day in Thessalonica.  I pray that I might become a trusted representative of the Gospel to all that I meet.