The Elements of the Gospel

The Reception of the Gospel

1 Thessalonians 1:2 KJV 1900

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV 1900

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

1 Thessalonians 1:4 KJV 1900

Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 KJV 1900

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.

The word for knowing in verse four simply is an acknowledgement or remembrance of what is true in their lives - they are brethren or brothers and sisters.

And the word beloved there refers to God’s love for them - not Paul’s love for them (although Paul did love them) - the key was that God loved them and then chose/elected them.

Paul gives thanks to God for the Thessalonian believers because they are family and one of the key reasons for this thanksgiving is their election by God unto salvation.

In this passage, however, we see the very clear designation that God has chosen the Thessalonians unto salvation - He has elected them unto redemption and that is seen in their reception of the gospel that was preached among them.

Sometimes we get hung up on this term election - but it simply means that God chose them. We must remember that election is from the perspective of the divine - and we are only human. We are commanded to communicate the gospel to all - and we leave it with God Almighty regarding who is elect.

Those who received it - were chosen by God. Others, however, heard the same message, but chose not to receive.

The acceptance of the gospel by the believers in Thessalonica serves as the proof of God’s election of them.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 KJV 1900

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.

Paul goes on to describe the reception of the believers of this gospel and gives five elements of the good news, the gospel:

Element One: The Words of the Gospel

Paul states that the gospel came not just in words

But it did come in words

Romans 10:17 KJV 1900

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Grant Osborne comments:

God elected them, but it was the call of the gospel that worked it out in their lives. He chose them and then sent Paul and the mission team to proclaim the gospel to them. The gospel then came with double strength—both the words of the gospel itself and the power of the Spirit behind it.

This clearly states to us that we need to share the gospel with words - we need to tell others the good news of Christ’s incarnation, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection - in order to purchase for His own glory these sinners who have now become saints - not by their works, but by his lavish grace poured out upon them - and those who were removed far from God by the stain of sin - have now become not just subjects of the Heavenly God, but adopted sons and daughters - they now can call Him their Heavenly Father.

Romans 8:14–17 KJV 1900

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

This is the glorious message of the gospel - and it requires words to be conveyed - but not just empty words or philosophical concepts, but words that are filled with power

1 Thessalonians 1:5 KJV 1900

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.

Am I speaking to others the words of life?

Element Two: The Power of the Gospel

Christ had promised that power

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

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.

Paul clearly states that there was not only words, but a major shaking power that accompanied those words - enough to shake these pagans out of their idolatrous sinful lifestyle to accept the one true God.

Grant Osborne: “The words I choose are clearly critical, but the power comes from the Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 2:4 Paul states it very well:

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”

Still, the words chosen by the preacher are critical and become the medium through which the Spirit works.”

1 Corinthians 2:4 KJV 1900

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

When I speak about Christ, am I depending upon my skill or His power?

Element Three: The Seal of the Gospel

1 & 2 Thessalonians Explanation of the Text

With few exceptions, the Jews did not regard themselves as people of the Spirit. Two decades earlier, the young rabbi Saul engaged in religious work that was in the main verbal: teaching, dialogue, argument and counterargument, citation of tradition. It is only as an apostle of the new covenant that he finds himself empowered by the Spirit of whom the ancients prophesied (see, e.g., Ezek 36:22–32; Joel 2:28–29).

Romans 15:19 KJV 1900

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Am I yielded to the Spirit and allowing Him to work through me?

1 Thessalonians 1:5 KJV 1900

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.

Element Four: The Assurance of the Gospel

This could mean either that they had an assurance of the gospel within their lives - by the change in their behavior and attitudes.

More likely, though, it is speaking of the fullness of conviction of the preachers who proclaimed it. Even in the midst of difficulty, they spoke boldly - with complete assurance that their message was from God Almighty.

Acts 4:29 KJV 1900

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

Acts 4:31 KJV 1900

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

1 Corinthians 2:3–5 KJV 1900

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Do I have unshakeable conviction regarding the gospel?

Element Five: The Character of the Gospel

Finally, Paul describes their behavior among them and he begins by reminding them of something they know. He will continue to use this phrase later in the epistle -

Here he states that they clearly know what character they were - how they existed among the Thessalonians.

Does my lifestyle match my profession of faith?