172
The Acts of the Apostles
The Thessalonian believers were true missionaries. Their hearts
burned with zeal for their Saviour, who had delivered them from fear
of “the wrath to come.” Through the grace of Christ a marvelous
transformation had taken place in their lives, and the word of the Lord,
as spoken through them, was accompanied with power. Hearts were
won by the truths presented, and souls were added to the number of
believers.
In this first epistle, Paul referred to his manner of labor among the
Thessalonians. He declared that he had not sought to win converts
through deception or guile. “As we were allowed of God to be put
in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but
God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering
[257]
words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: nor
of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we
might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were
gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being
affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto
you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye
were dear unto us.”
“Ye are witnesses, and God also,” the apostle continued, “how
holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you
that believe: as ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged
every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk
worthy of God, who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory.
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when
ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it
not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which
effectually worketh also in you that believe.” “What is our hope, or
joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord
Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy.”
In his first epistle to the Thessalonian believers, Paul endeavored
to instruct them regarding the true state of the dead. He spoke of those
who die as being asleep—in a state of unconsciousness: “I would
not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are
asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if
we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which
[258]
sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.... For the Lord Himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel,