Paul's Letters
Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church are reminders of how human nature and behavior have not changed. His concerns for the new converts and the infant church are similar to concerns that a twenty-first century church planter may have today.
The first century apostle writes to a young church community surrounded by a sexually promiscuous secular society. Among the believers, misunderstanding of future events wreaks havoc, and uncertainty. Internal squabbling threatens the very life of the local body of Christ.
Always the tender, loving father of an immature but sincere congregation, Paul begins his first letter with complimentary reflection, “…your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Their progression of growth allowed them to turn …from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven… that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” (I Thessalonians 1:9&10).
The remarkable account of the founding of the Thessalonian church is found in the first part of Acts 17. Evidently this coastal city at the northern extreme of the Aegean Sea was not known for its intellectual or scholastic achievements, unlike its neighbor Berea, Acts 17:11. Even so, Jews “…joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.” (Acts 17:4)
Paul and his companions were in the city for just two or three weeks, “…he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,” (Acts 17:2). In that brief time, and with the Jewish conversions, the synagogue leaders felt threatened. They enlisted the help of the city’s dregs (various translations describe these characters as “worthless loafers,” “wicked men of the rabble,” “worthless bums,” or “contemptible characters”) and accused the evangelists of having “turned the world upside down.” And they were right. The good news of the gospel had invaded their private worlds and wreaked havoc.
The synagogue leaders appealed to the civil authorities to quash the mini-revival. Even though it was their religious base that was threatened, the Jewish leaders did not level religious accusations, rather, they accused Paul and his companions of threatening the stability of the Roman government: “they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” (Acts 17:7). That brought immediate pressure on the new converts. We can imagine there was also a threat of future legal reprisals if the perceived provoking of unrest did not cease. Paul, Silas and their companions were then sent on their way to Berea.
It was important to Paul that new converts were reminded that remaining steadfast in the new-found faith was important to the ongoing welfare of the spiritual community. He reviews his history with them, including facing into persecution “but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.” (1 Thessalonians 2:2). Implicit in his review is the message that the good news is not only worth living for, it is worth dying for.
In that day, the worlds of the Middle East and Europe were accustomed to travelling evangelists descending on a city, delivering their message, and brow beating the locals into supporting their cause (religious or political), including supplying their personal needs. Paul was careful to remind those in the new church that he and his companions did not follow the trend. “For we never came with flattering speech… nor did we seek glory from men, either you or from others… we proved to be gentle among you… for you recall brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you,” (1 Thessalonians 2:5-9). What a contrast from the norm.
Paul’s letter reminds the readers that his interest in them did not cease when he departed for Berea, “and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you…” (1 Thessalonians 3:2). Understanding the days in which they lived, Paul gave instructions on how to face into and how to behave when culture and faith clashed: he describes a lifestyle superior to thrills of sexual immorality 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.
Already heresy had crept into the church. Doubt about the resurrection had surfaced. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14).
In his second letter, Paul expands the information regarding future events. The value of understanding these future events is for personal and group comfort and hope “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught… Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father… comfort and strengthen your heart in every good work and word.” (II Thessalonians 2:15-17).
The conclusion to both letters includes instructions for handling specific issues within the body of Christ. These instructions are as applicable to believers today as they were 2,000 years ago.
