4 “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.” (1 Thessalonians 1:4–5 (ESV)
How did the Apostle Paul know God had chosen the Thessalonian believers unto salvation? How could he be so certain? How can believers in Christ today know God has chosen them? How can we be certain God has truly saved our souls?
The Apostle Paul knew God had chosen the Thessalonians because of four indisputable factors. (1) The word of the gospel had been preached; (2) The preaching came with power; (3) The power was from the Holy Spirit; and (4) The Holy Spirit brought full conviction. Let’s examine each of these factors individually.
First, the Apostle Paul, Silas and Timothy preached the word of the gospel to the Thessalonians. Second, Paul wrote the gospel came to them not just in word (λόγῳ; logos) or speech, but also in supernatural power (δυνάμει; dynamei). The supernatural power was from God through these three missionaries. The Thessalonians became changed people. The gospel changed them. Third, the power of the gospel originated from or by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowered Paul, Silas and Timothy to preach the gospel. However, it was the Holy Spirit who converted the Thessalonians.
Fourth, the Thessalonians conversion by the supernatural power of the gospel through the personal work of the Holy Spirit came with full conviction. The word full (πολλῇ; polle) is an adjective meaning to be great, numerous, or large. The noun conviction (πληροφορίᾳ; plerophoria) means confidence, assurance and certainty.
The Apostle Paul knew the Thessalonian’s conversion was true because it was accompanied by their full conviction the gospel was true. This was a work by the Holy Spirit through Paul, Silas and Timothy.
“Paul identifies the Thessalonians as elect because they showed conviction by believing the gospel. They placed their faith in Christ when the good news was preached to them. Paul’s observation regarding belief and election confirms Jesus’ own words, when He said that all whom the Father has given to Him will certainly come to Him and will never be cast out (John 6:37). Our faith is the instrument or means by which we cling to Christ for salvation, but it also reveals our eternal election,” explains Dr. R.C. Sproul.
We must remember the biblical truth of faith. Faith, is the trust in, commitment to, dependence upon and the honor and worship of Jesus Christ. Faith, or belief, involves the entire person: intellect, emotions and the will.
“Faith is an intellectual element (notitia), which is “a positive recognition of the truth”; an emotional element (assensus), which includes “a deep conviction of the truth”; and a volitional element (fiducia), which involves “a personal trust in Christ as Savior and Lord, including a surrender … to Christ,” states Dr. Louis Berkhof, in his Systematic Theology.
Faith is also a sovereign gift from God. Biblical, saving faith does not originate within the fallen sinner. Rather, saving faith is a result of the regenerating power and ministry of the Holy Spirit and is rightly viewed as God’s gift (John 1:12-13; 3:1-8; John 6:35-60; Acts 13:48; 16:14; Eph. 2:1-9; Phil. 1:19; 2 Peter 1:1). Paul added neither he, Silas or Timothy did anything unethical in sharing the gospel Therefore, the LORD receives all the glory and praise.
“All kinds of traveling philosophers were roving about in the world of that day. They plied their trade for their own sake, in their own interest. Paul, Silas, and Timothy were different. They carried on their difficult tasks for the sake of the people, that they might be saved. In that spirit and frame of mind they had entered Thessalonica, and the experiences which they had endured there had added to their spiritual vigor (hence, it is not at all necessary to weaken the sense of the verb “became”),” states Dr. William Hendriksen.
William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of I-II Thessalonians, vol. 3, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 51.
As Herman Bavinck explained, “Christ has accomplished everything, and though he did not accomplish rebirth, faith, and repentance in our place, he did acquire them for us, and the Holy Spirit therefore applies them.”
“Though Christ does not repent for His people, the faith and repentance a believer exercises are gifts of His grace (Acts 5:31; Phil. 1:29).Like faith, repentance holds a continual place in the Christian’s life. Believers do not merely repent of their sins at the beginning of their Christian experience. Rather, as Martin Luther famously stated in the first of his Ninety-Five Theses, “Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance,” concludes Dr. Sproul.
The evidence of true, biblical faith is a changed life of obedience before the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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