THE GOSPEL BRINGS FULL ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.
TEXT:
"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." (1st Thessalonians 1 verse 5, King James Version).
There was something peculiar about Apostle Paul's ministry. His delight was to preach the Gospel of Christ not with enticing words of man's wisdom but "in the demonstration of the Spirit and of Power." (see 1st Corinthians 2 verse 4). Yes, the day of Pentecost witnessed the birth of the Church with Power. Indeed, Apostle Paul warned the Church of men beguiling her "with enticing words", devoid of power (see Colossians 2 verse 4).
In our Scripture reading for today, Paul, the esteemed Apostle of the Gentiles reiterated this fact saying, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost,". Usually, in the New Testament setting of the Holy Scriptures, whenever reference is made of the Spirit, it's usually in conjunction with Power (see Luke 4 verse 14, Romans 1 verse 4, 15 verse 19, 2nd Timothy 1 verse 7). This is so because He's the Source of Power (Acts 1 verse 8).
The combined impact of the Holy Spirit and Power on the Gospel cannot be overemphasized. The demonstration of the Spirit and Power has always served to authenticate the Gospel as true. Undoubtedly, this is by the efforts of God Himself through the Person of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 15 verse 19, for instance, the Bible says that "Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God;" the Gospel of Christ was preached by Apostle Paul "from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum,". Isn't it clear therefore that by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, God bears the preachers of Christ's Gospel "witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?" (see Hebrews 2 verse 4).
To every preacher of Christ's Gospel therefore, it's important that we seek God to bear us witnesses with extraordinary signs and wonders, to authenticate the Message of Christ to the world. This is absolutely important because the hearts of men need to be specially touched with conviction that God is involved in the business of salvation. This was so with Jesus in His earthly ministry; and in John 3 verse 2, Nicodemus remarked saying, "we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."
The Easy To Read version of our Scripture reading for today reiterates the same thing saying,
"When we told you God's good news, it was not only words that we spoke to you. God helped us with his power and with the Holy Spirit. As a result, you were sure that our message was true..."
The Message version adds further emphasis saying,
"When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions." This is talking about the assurance of salvation that the Gospel brings to the hearts of men by the ministry of God's Spirit.
Truth is, the truth of the Gospel cannot be emphasized by words alone, but also by the demonstration of the Spirit and Power, occasioning signs and wonders, showing that God is involved in it. This is what brings to the hearts of men the much needed assurance of salvation that gives them reasons to believe. This truth is shown in Jesus' ministry while He was here on earth. The Bible says in John 2 verse 23,
"Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did." The same was true of Philip as he preached Christ in the city of Samaria (see Acts 8 verses 6 to 7).
We are in the end times and the need to bring down God's glory for men to behold cannot be overemphasized. The result of such a preaching or ministry that evidence signs, wonders and miracles is that men will be convicted and become joyful followers of the Lord, notwithstanding the challenges they may encounter having decided for Jesus.
Again, in these end times, we note that the hearts of men have become hardened against God through deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3 verse 13), technological advancement and the adverse impact of the world system, etc; that the very existence of God is daily questioned.
Further, we are not on the other hand unaware of the devil's ploy to confuse the arena with false signs and wonders. Indeed, we have been warned about his antics (see Mark 13 verse 22; 2nd Thessalonians 2 verse 9 and Revelation 13 verses 13 to 14). This shouldn't deter us in the slightest magnitude. That there are fake coins in the market isn't to mean that the original coin shouldn't be displayed or exhibited.
What these workers of iniquity don't realize is that in spite of the dubious source of their power to do miracles, signs and wonders in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to Apostle Paul in Philippians 1 verse 18, in the end, "Christ is preached", men are saved, the Gospel is furthered. But woe to the instrument of evil and deception by which Christ is preached! (see Matthew 7 verses 15 to 23; Luke 13 verses 24 to 27).
PRAYER:
Thank You Father for grounding my faith in the Gospel of Christ, to the end that I am assured of my salvation, in Jesus name.