Equally prominent with the emphasis on doctrine, and perhaps more important in these first recorded utterances, was the importance placed on the role of the gospel and its fruit (1 Thess 1:5; 2:2, 4, 8-9; 3:2)
I say, “more important” because the gospel of salvation (Eph 1:13) was the door by which Paul the Evangelist entered into the lives of the Thessalonians. Paul could not teach them until he had won them to Christ.

The gospel, simply stated, is the offer of full and free salvation from sin on the basis of simple faith in Jesus Christ as the sin-Bearer (Eph 2:8-10). Christ had become the substitute for guilty sinners. He died, was buried and was resurrected on their behalf. (1 Cor 15:1-4). The good news was that Christ “…is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25). Unfortunately, this understanding of the gospel has increasingly become blurred and fuzzy with the increased popularity of liberal and neo-evangelical theology and the decline of dispensational theology. This being true, it is supremely important that we labor to make the gospel lucid even as Paul did.

This is the first of three studies in Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians where I will speak to: The Message, The Messanger and The Manner by which the Thessalonians were “evangelized, established and comforted in the faith” (1 Thess 3:2).

The Message
The gospel that captured the mind and heart of the Thessalonians and “turned them to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess 1:9) was clearly preached and understood. Paul identified it under three descriptive labels: the “Gospel of God,” “Our Gospel” and the “Gospel of Christ.”

(1)“The Gospel of God” (2:2,8,9) – This is the gospel of origination or source. Salvation has only one source! The good news to save sinners was God the Father’s idea! Oh the wonderful grace of God “… that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11)! God the Father: “… was not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)! God the Father: “…will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:3-4)! This is, indeed, good news! God wants to save sinners! Furthermore, the Gospel of God is a trans-dispensational gospel and is as old as the Bible itself (Gen 1:15; Gal 3:8; 4:4). It is the common denominator or foundation stone for all other forms of the gospel that would follow. This gospel was especially fitted for the heathen Gentiles who, unlike the Jews, were ignorant of God’s Person and existence.

Paul preached to the idol worshiping Gentiles of Galatia saying, “…ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:15-18).

To the Athenian Gentiles, Paul, having seen the inscription, “To an Unknown God,” on one of their altars, told them, “Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood (Adam) all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:21-30).

The Apostle Paul was consistent in his method and messages with respect to the Gentile heathen who knew nothing about God. He would preach, as he did to the Thessalonian Gentiles, the “Gospel of God” – the gospel of origination or source. It was important for the Thessalonian Gentiles to understand clearly that Paul was, “…a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God” (Rom 1:1-4). It was equally important for the entire Gentile world to understand clearly that Paul was, “…the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost” (Rom 15:16).

The emphasis is upon origination or source of the good news: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17; cf. Rom 1:1; 15:16; 2 Cor 11:7; 1 Thess 2:2,8-9; 1 Peter 4:17 – See my Bible Brief study – “The Gospel of God; What is it?” - advertised in this issue of Truth Aflame).

God the Father is the greatest giver in the entire universe. God the Father so loved that He gave (Jn 3:16). If a man becomes the possessor or recipient of grace; he got it from the Father – there is no other source! We must receive it as a gift from the Father who gives it (Rom 6:23). In fact, this is a point of doctrine that is often overlooked when trying to point the sinner to Christ and eternal life. The Bible says there are two decisions that lead to salvation:

(1) You must believe that God the Father exists, “…without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6).
(2) You must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8-9). That is exactly what the Thessalonians did when they “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess 1:9-10). These two decisions are linked together in other New Testament Scriptures (Rom 6:23; John 14:6; Heb 7:25).

(2)“Our Gospel” (1:5) - This is the gospel of ownership. This is a close kin to what Paul calls “My Gospel” which also shows ownership, but is a very personal ownership. The Lord Jesus Christ gave Paul this good news by revelation. Concerning that, Paul said, “I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:11-12). He has a right to claim its ownership; and does so, calling it “my gospel” (Romans 16:25-26). Furthermore, he claims that it had the “power to establish” others. This gives them corporate ownership with Paul. Paul, therefore, calls it, “Our Gospel.”

What Paul called “my gospel” (Rom. 2:16) was also what he referred to as the “Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God, which was committed to my trust” (1 Tim 1:11 - “mystery of the gospel” or “the Mystery”(Eph 6:19; Col 1:26). This is the gospel in its fullest development; it includes the revelation of the result of “Our Gospel” in the out-calling of the Body of Christ, her relationships, position, privileges, and responsibility. It is the distinctive truth that permeates all of Paul’s letters but most especially Ephesians and Colossians.

Paul explains, that he, “…went up (to Jerusalem) by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain” (Gal 2:2). Praise God and give Him glory - It had not been vain, i.e. fruitless or empty! Those who had been in conference with Paul could “add nothing” to his message! Paul had won their endorsement!

“My Gospel” was not only a declaration of ownership but also an approved gospel. Paul had proved it and found it to be fruitful (Gal 2:1-9). Paul did what a person might do, having found a product in the market place, tested it and found it worthy of recommendation to his friends and acquaintances. In addition to having proved this message to be fruitful, he came away with the endorsement of the assembled brethren. Peter, James and John extended the “right hand of fellowship” to Paul along with their blessing that, “We should go unto the heathen.”

Now, in Thessalonica, He preached this new, tested, fruitful and approved gospel to the Gentiles who received it with “joy of the Holy Ghost”(1:6). Paul reported, “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 worked also in you that believe” (1 Thess 2:13). He and they both embraced the same good news. He rightly calls it, “Our Gospel.”

Furthermore, when Paul speaks of “Our Gospel,” he does so deliberately, thus distinguishing it from any “other gospel.” That there were other gospels is undeniable in light of what he told the Galatians; “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Gal 1:9). And again, to the Corinthians he said, “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2 Cor 11:4).

What’s more, “our gospel” is to be distinguished from or set apart because it is preached independently of any ceremonies, rituals and sacrifices that were associated with the Law, Gospel of the Kingdom or the Gospel of Circumcision. It is the Gospel of the Mystery (Eph 2:8-9).

Because of Paul’s use of the words “our” and “my,” a word is in order about the Doctrine of Verbal Inspiration (…every Word of God is inspired –2 Tim 2:3; 2 Peter 1:21). Fifty years ago almost all evangelical doctrinal statements included an affirmation of belief in verbal inspiration. Today, modern day Bible paraphrases, using a translation technique called “Dynamic Equivalents” have abandoned it; seriously impeding the student’s ability to interpret the Bible. Those who employ this technique do not believe that every Word of God is inspired. Thus, they are free to discard important words or phrases in favor of giving their own interpretation (not translation) of the Bible. Such was the case when they removed the words “our” and “my” which Paul used to qualify and identify the “gospel” he preached. Had Paul not been inspired by God the Holy Spirit to include these words, he would not have used them! They are there because of verbal inspiration and were necessary. They gave the Thessalonian’s ownership and appreciation of the grace of God that had crafted a gospel uniquely fitted for the “heathen.” (See Dr. Henry Hudson article, “The Authority of the Holy Scriptures” in this issue of Truth Aflame) In addition, it was necessary to amplify the uniqueness of the Apostle Paul and his role as the Apostle of the Gentiles. Paul’s “our/my gospel” was certainly an advance on and in addition to what he called “the Gospel of God”.

(3)“The Gospel of Christ” (3:2). 1 Thess 3:2 - This is the gospel of celebrityship. The focus is upon Jesus Christ as the one elected or anointed to execute the work of saving the lost. As such, Christ is the great object of faith and praise. Paul is “not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Rom 1:16). When the Gospel of Christ, like a layer cake, is associated with the Gospel of God; each additional piece of information about the creative and redemptive work of Christ brings deeper and fuller appreciation of Christ. The Gospel of Christ and the Gospel of God are linked together as we see here in the Book of Thessalonians and again in Romans (1:9 and 16). When Paul brings the Gospel of Christ to the table, it manifests Him as the celebrity! “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Col 1:16-18).

Christ’s mission, and coming into the world was to save sinners. His love is recommended because there is no other love with which to compares. (Rom 5:7-8). It is greater than the relational love of mother, father, grandparents, or friends. We sinners are the objects of His great love of God. He was the only one who was ready, willing and able to be our Savior. He condescended – humbled Himself – pouring Himself out like a sacrificial offering. He obediently died an ignominious, ghastly death on an old rugged cross. He provided for us a great, glorious, perfect, complete, and everlast­ing salvation. The crowning labor of his life was to finish the work of saving the souls of lost humanity – “to seek and save that which was lost” (Lk 19:10). He is the celebrity for God hath “hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:9-11).

The Gospel/good news of Christ reveals a river of God’s grace that flows to believing sinners and blesses us with sonship, election, redemption, pardon, justification, adoption, and eternal life – its all of grace - from first to last it is all of grace, and not of works, (Eph 2:8). Yea! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Eph 1:3-6).

Oh, that the entire world would assemble prostrate before Him! Let the angels cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty” and let us sing the coronation song, “All hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!” to our Savior. The Apostle Paul called Jesus Christ the “The blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; Whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to Whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen” (1 Tim 6:15-16).

Conclusion
Paul was a pioneer and his excursion into the uncharted world of the Gentiles with the gospel was no small thing. He would not and could not have done so in the energy of the flesh. The only thing that explains the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul is the change that the gospel had made in his life and the fullness and power of God the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:1-5). This was never more dramatically demonstrated than in the lives of the Thessalonian Believers (1 Thess 1:5). Paul’s entering/entrance (1:5; 2:1) into their homes and community with the gospel must have been an unparalleled adventure. He expresses “joy”(1:6) over the fruit of the gospel. Their lives had been irreversibly changed (1:9); they were bold witnesses for Christ in spite of persecution (1:6,8,14). He described their stand for Christ as “work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope” (1:3).

The gospel and its power have not been diminished. A report that was made many years ago beautifully illustrates this:
“Nearly a century ago a young girl in New York City fell into an evil life; and the county records show the history of her descendants. They were nine hundred in number. Of these, two hundred are on the county records as criminals; nine of her own children served an aggregate term in State prisons of fifty years; and a considerable proportion of her descend­ants were idiots, lunatics, prostitutes, drunkards, and paupers.

History records a corresponding fact. Jonathan Edwards was a man whom the Word of God had changed from sin to holi­ness. A record of his descendants is known. Out of fourteen hundred of these, eight have been presidents of American universities; one hundred have been professors; one hundred have been ministers of the Gospel sixty have been eminent doctors; thirty, judges; twenty-five officers in the Army and Navy; and others mayors, senators, governors, and ambassa­dors.”

Sinner friend, it is good news to know that you can have your sins forgiven, become a child of God and have a home in Heaven. Would you trust Christ as your savior? Do it now and write and tell about it. We will send you some helpful literature to begin your new life in Christ.

Bible Doctrines Publications
PO Box 456
Comstock Park, Michigan 49321
E-mail: staff@bdtlb.org