Last evening in our small group we began to study Paul's Thessalonian letters.

The historical account of this church's origin is found in the inspired words of Acts 17:1-9.  We know from this story that Paul and his companions enjoyed only a limited stay in this Macedonian capital.  Paul "reasoned, explained and proved" the details of Christ's life for 3 consecutive Sabbaths, after which time the new believers endured the assault of murderously envious enemies, forcing Paul to abruptly depart by night to his next destination.

So the great Apostle, in no more than a month's time, witnessed the birth of a fledgling church.  A year or so later, from his more prolonged assignment in Corinth, he was writing to these believers, augmenting what he had taught with what he did not have time to say on the first occasion.

Who were the pastoral leaders of this authentic, vital congregation - the only church Paul designated as a "model" community (1 Thess. 1:7)?  How did they so quickly become evangelists so that the Word of the Lord sounded forth from them to the entire province (1:8)?  How could they survive in an environment of such fierce oppostion?  How did they thrive having at first only the Old Testament Scriptures for authority and truth?

Astounding questions for thought!

The only plausible answer?  Unlike other religious adherents, they really did "know the Scriptures and the power of God" (Mt. 22:29).  They knew an experimental power and presence of the Holy Spirit in supernatural ways that few have experienced.  Their sense of need and dependence upon the Spirit of God was extraordinary.

We are told simply that the gospel came to them "not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full assurance" (1 Thess. 1:5).

Just one other thought -  Acts 17:4 speaks of the believers who were "persuaded and joined Paul and Silas."  The verb translated "joined" comes from the noun "lot," as in "casting lots."  It could be translated as a middle voice verb, "they joined themselves" or as a passive verb in which case it could be understood in the sense that "God allotted them to Pauland Silas" (as fruits of authentic gospel preaching and into their spiritual care?).   Then it would certainly correspond to Peter's exhortation to the elders who were commanded to "shepherd the flock of God given by God's assignment into your care" (the meaning of 1 Peter 5:2), and it would remind us of God's sovereignty in electing a people to give to His Son (John 17:2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 24).  No wonder that this wonder of the Holy Spirit's power is a Scriptural model for us.  May the model be multiplied again.