WITNESS OF THE THESSALONIANS

“For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything” (1 Thess. 1:8 NKJV).

Here in his introduction to the first epistle to the church at Thessalonica, the apostle Paul speaks very highly of the believers in this church. One of the things he commends is their witness. Thus, we want to note the conspicuousness of their witness, the continuousness of their witness, the confirmation of their witness, and the circumference of their witness.

Conspicuousness of their witness - “Sounded forth.” The believers in Thessalonica were not silent or secret believers. They were conspicuous saints. Their witness was not muted. They spoke out for the Lord and lived a conspicuous Christian life. No one had to inquire if they were believers, for it showed readily in both their conduct and conversation. This is the only way we are to live our faith.

Continuousness of their witness - “Sounded forth.” The word translated “sounded forth” is in the perfect tense in Greek and speaks of an action completed in the past with continuing results in the future. This said their witness continued day after day. It was not a momentary thing that got everyone all excited at some service at church on Sunday but had worn off by Monday. They were faithful saints. Continuous witness is the most effective witness.

Confirmation of their witness - “The word of the Lord.” The message of the saints at Thessalonica was the Word of God. This made their witness authentic. If you want to find out if a movement or church or ministry is authentic and true, check where they stand on the Word of God. It matters not how large a crowd they attract or how many buildings they have, what matters is are they proclaiming the Word of God.

Circumference of their witness - “Not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith . . . has gone out.” The witness of the Thessalonians had a great outreach. They had a world-wide witness because they were faithful witnessing in their own community.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 2)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“If we understand what lies ahead for those who do not know Christ, there will be a sense of urgency in our witness!”

David Jeremiah (1941 -)

American Evangelical Christian Author, Theologian and Pastor

Word Study

Fix (hope)

In 1 Peter 1:13 we read, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (NASB).

“Fix (hope)” is the Greek word elpízō (ἐλπίζω = el-pid'-zo). It means to look forward with confidence to that which is good and beneficial. In a religious sense, the word means to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence. In Classical Greek, elpízō means to put one’s expectation and trust for the future in someone or something. It is a word which deals with the future in an anticipatory and positive way. In the Septuagint elpízō means putting ones’ hope in God or His Word. In the New Testament, elpízō is used to mean to hope or to trust in, to expect to be able to do something. As used here by the apostle Peter, elpízō signifies the expression of absolute certainty of future good.

Did You Know…

According to Lam. 3:48, the prophet Jeremiah states that his tears flowed continually over the sins of Israel.

Bible Quiz

What astonished the apostle Paul about the Galatian believers?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

Whom did the apostle Peter raise from the dead in the City of Joppa? Dorcas (Acts 9:39-40).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

He trusted in God, let Him deliver him (Psalm 31:14-15; cf. Matt. 27:43)

"But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me” (Psalm 31:14-15 NJKV).

In spite of his persecution, David’s trust in the Lord was unwavering. He relied on God to deliver him from his enemies. On the cross, the Lord Jesus also placed His trust in the hands of His Father. Joining the crowd, the chief priests, elders, and scribed joined in mocking the Lord Jesus, saying, “He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God” (Matt. 27:43). It was inconceivable to them that the Messiah would permit such mistreatment of Himself or that God would permit such mistreatment of His Son. They were utterly blind to what Scripture taught about the Messiah’s suffering and atoning death, and took the Lord Jesus’ crucifixion to be final and irrefutable proof that His claims were false. And so, although they taunted Him to save Himself, the Lord Jesus had to pursue His life’s mission to the very end, because there the Son of God would truly save humanity. It was the power of love, not nails that kept the Lord Jesus on the cross.

Did You Know – Christian History

The Judsons

Adoniram Judson was born on August 9, 1788, in Malden, Massachusetts. He was an American Particular Baptist missionary who worked in Burma for almost 40 years.

After graduating from college, Judson joined a group of mission-minded students who called themselves “The Brethren.” They inspired the establishment of America’s first organized missionary society. Eager to serve abroad, Judson became convinced that “Asia with its idolatrous myriads, was the most important field in the world for missionary effort.” He, and three other students from the seminary, appeared before the Congregationalists’ General Association to appeal for support. In 1810, the elders voted to form the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Judson was also commissioned by the Congregational Church, and married Ann Hasseltine on February 5, 1812. He was ordained the next day at the Tabernacle Church in Salem. On February 19, he and his wife, Ann Judson set sail aboard the brig Caravan with Luther Rice, Samuel Newell and Harriet Newell. After intensive Bible study during the long voyage, the Judsons were persuaded of the Baptist position regarding baptism, and once in India, asked British Baptist missionaries to baptize them. The Judsons did not remain in India, but became missionaries in Burma where Anne’s support of her husband during a period of captivity saved his life and cost hers. Newell lost his wife and newborn daughter shortly after reaching India. Ill health compelled Rice to return to the United States. Nott worked for many years in India.

By the time of Judson’s death, he had translated the Bible into Burmese as well as a half-completed Burmese-English dictionary; missionary E. A. Steven completed the English-Burmese half. Burma at the time had 100 churches, and over 8,000 believers. Judson had developed a serious lung disease and doctors prescribed a sea voyage as a cure. However, on April 12, 1850, Judson died at age 61 on board ship in the Bay of Bengal and was buried at sea, having spent 37 years abroad with only one trip back home to America. A memorial to Judson was built on Burial Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts

Adoniram Judson’s life left an indelible mark not only in America but around the world - most notably in Burma (Myanmar), where his mission sparked a lasting spiritual and cultural legacy. His translation of the Bible into Burmese and the establishment of churches, schools, and printing presses continue to influence generations. Each July, Baptist churches in Myanmar celebrate “Judson Day,” commemorating his arrival as a missionary.

A Little Humor

Why did the Pharisees miss the Easter miracle? They were too busy guarding the tomb to notice it was empty, while the world woke up to the risen King - talk about missing the biggest plot twist in history!

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“It is unlikely there’ll be a reduction in the wages of sin!”