Acts 1:8 says “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
This verse, as well as others in the Gospels, is known as the Great Commission. Jesus gave this commission to the apostles and the first church. This verse is the pattern for churches to follow. Jesus told the Christians to be witnesses in their home town (Jerusalem), their neighboring towns (Judaea, Samaria), and the entire world. Roughly two thousand years later, there are still churches being started and lost souls being saved. This is the result of churches being witnesses to the lost. The only way for God’s plan to work is for churches to follow the pattern.
The Thessalonian Christians followed the pattern exactly as the commission was given. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-8 says “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. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.”
The Thessalonians received the Gospel in power and in the Holy Ghost exactly how Christ said it would come. The Thessalonians “sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad.” These believers were following the pattern exactly how it was meant to be.
The Thessalonians are an example to us as a church. At some point in our lives, we have received the Gospel. It is our turn to take the Gospel and bring it to others in Superior, Duluth, and around the world. Be a witness and help continue this pattern of reaching the world for Christ.
(Matt Shold)
