1 Thessalonians 1:1

Where is the book of Thessalonians?

Thessalonians is a letter in the Bible, which is 66 total books and letters

Bible is split into the old and new testament

Old Testament is 39 books

New Testament is 27 books, or letter

Who is the Letter written By?

The letter is physically Written by Paul

The letter is Spiritually written and given by God through His Holy Spirit

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Who is the letter written to?

Written to the people of Thessalonica, which is still a city to this day

It’s in northern Greece

What do we know about the people Paul is writing to?

We will learn more about this as we read Thessalonians

One important fact to know ahead of time is that Paul only had 3 weeks of preaching the gospel to them before he had to flee the town for his life.

These were very new believers living out their new lives in Christ without a mature believer

1 Thessalonians 1:1 NIV

Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

Paul, Silas, Timothy

Paul, first called Saul

Pharisee

Law Police

Persecuted Christians

Acts 6:8–9 NIV

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen.

Acts 7:57–8:1 NIV

At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Acts 9:1–6 NIV

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Went on to share the gospel to the gentiles and plant churches, as we just learned in Romans 15

Silas

Acts 16

Because of time we won’t read the story, but I will summarize

Silas was a disciple of Paul whom Paul calls a faithful brother

He was Paul’s encourager, that traveled on many occasions with Paul

In Acts 16 Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in prison for casting a demon out of a women causing her master to lose money. about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing to God when an earthquake shook the prison. The prison doors swung open, and the chains fell off the prisoners.

Thinking all the prisoners had escaped the guard went to kill himself, but Paul shouted “we are all here, don’t harm yourself!”

Soon after the guard and his household believe in the Lord Jesus and become followers

Timothy

Young man dedicated to serving Jesus

1 Timothy 4:12 NIV

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Discipled to love and serve Jesus by his mom Eunice and grandma Lois

2 Timothy 1:5 NIV

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Became a disciple of Paul and represented him in many different cities

Paul Called Timothy a “son in the faith”

Became a pastor in Ephesus

Paul

Pharisee

Persecuted Christians and killed Christians

Met Jesus on the Damascus road, believed, and was baptized

Went on to share the gospel to the gentiles and plant many churches

Silas

Paul's brother in the faith

Paul’s encourager and travel companion

Timothy

Raised in the faith by his mom and grandma

Representative and disciple of Paul

Started serving God at a young age

Became a pastor