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Bibleteachings
Congregation of Thessalonians
In Thessalonians people had come to believe in
Jesus and when they were receiving the word of God, so they turned away from
serving idols. Now we are looking at congregation of Thessalonians, because it
was come as an example to all beliefs in Macedonia and Achaia.
Location of Thessalonica
Thessalonian located in Macedonia, which belongs to the administrative
district of Rome and was one from its province. Congregation Thessalonians has
evangelized provinces of Macedonia and Achaia, which was the neighbour
province of Macedonia. Congregation of Thessalonians took the gospel about 200
kilometres away from it’s own region. Think about such time roads and vehicles
so you understand how large and extensive was their work.
Self-sacrifice and loving and gentle care
This kind of action required to much bother seeing and certainly of the bother
also economic self-sacrifice from the congregation of Thessalonians. Paul,
Silvanus and Timothy take gospel Thessalonian. It is interesting to examine
how Paul, Silvanus and Timothy worked in just congregation of Thessalonians.
They did not demand from the congregation appreciation towards them, in other
words they haven't had such an attitude; we are an apostle and you are only
those who are sitting in the bench and are listening to us. Paul, Silvanus and
Timothy were mild in Thesslonians, such as breast-feeding mother is to her
child. My wife and I have three children, and I know, how gently mother takes
care of new-born child. Mother fed the baby in morning, daytime, in evening
and at night. Therefore, also apostles mildly cherish on the word of God to
Thessalonians, because they loved Thessalonians such as mother loves her baby.
Apostles worked very hard in the congregation, they work every night and day,
but however they not burdened anybody. Paul, Silvanus and Timothy also urged
and encouraged congregation such as father encouraged his children. They
taught Thessalonians to wander worthily before God.
They accepted word of God as word of God
After this kind of self-sacrificing and loving environment, we understand now
that starting-point, what made Thessalonians congregation good example in the
congregations in Macedonia and Achaia. Apostles give thanks to God without
ceasing, that Thessalonians having received the Word of God, not as a word of
men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also works in those, the ones
believing in God. Because they accepted the word of God as the word of God it
also affected in faith with them. In this there is important teaching, if we
don’t believe the word of God it is not for benefit to us and can’t affect in
us, but if we believe the word of God as the word of God so it seriously
affects in our hearts faith in God. Timothy went to enquire about faith of
Thessalonians, lest Satan would be teased Thessalonians in that way, that they
would be given up from the belief and that the work of the apostles would be
been wasted. However, Timothy brought the happy message to Paul from the faith
and love of Thessalonians congregation. Paul wrote Thessalonians of this
letter, where was teaching from the belief and love, which is in the Jesus
Christ. Paul taught, that Thessalonians must wander acceptable to Lord such as
they were wandered also, but in their wandering, they needed all the time grow
and become ingrained more to Jesus. This is indeed the will of God to His
congregation, it must not stick in the place, but congregation must have all
the time in progress of change of mind and grow more in Jesus Christ.
Elders lead local congregation
Paul reminded Thessalonians of these command,
which they had given to them by commandment of the Lord Jesus: Believers must
sanctify to God and to avoid the immorality. Believers men must marry with his
wife in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, such as unbelievable
make, because they don't knowing of God. Sisters and brothers in Lord must not
oppress and not can get to produce any type of damage to another believer.
Believers wandering must be towards unbelievable decent, and believer could
not be unnecessarily needy of help. Paul also urged to continue it when
congregation of Thessalonians built up each other in the belief and confession
must give to the elders of congregation, because they are leading work in the
congregation and also advising and teaching the congregation. Congregation
must also hold precious to spiritual work of elders. This can be seen very
clearly that the local work was leading elders not apostles. Apostle’s
function was to be as advisors in the congregation, and they taught
congregation to respect theirs elders and receive their teaching. Paul advises
warning the disobedient ones, comfort those that are fainthearted, sustain the
weak, be long-suffering towards all. Broken hearted and depressed must support
and encourage in the Lord. Weak must support, to help and support. Towards all
must be long-suffering. Nobody can't return evil for evil to anyone, but
always pursue the good, both towards one another and towards all.
Unity and love
Paul urged the congregation be happy and in the prayer be durable. In all
situations and conditions must praise the God, for that it is the will of God.
The fire of Holy Spirit must not to extinguish in the congregation, prophesied
must not despise, but all must test in the congregation and must keep that
what is good (accordingly with word of God ). Paul wrote yet Thessalonians
another letter, which write: Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the congregation
of Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and
peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! They were praising
congregation of Thessalonians before God, because Thessalonians faith grew
abundantly and their mutual love increased in all. Congregation of
Thessalonians patience and belief lasted persecution and distress, which they
experience from the people of the world. Paul wrote, that this persecution and
distress and sufferings were a righteousness sentence of God, by way of which,
they are looked at worthily to the kingdom of God. Think about that, today's
congregation may grumble from the small and insignificant matters. Suffering
which will be received with praises will crown our access to the kingdom of
God. We must stop complaining in the congregation of God and let to start
praise God in every situation to Lord so in the pleasure as also in distress.
Sanctification through the Holy Spirit
Paul continues his letter; believers are called in sanctification through Holy
Spirit and to believe to the truth of word of God. Because by this way
believer can own the brightness of gospel of Lord Jesus. Thessalonians must
stand as the firm in the belief and hold on to the teaching of word of God.
Lord Jesus is faithful and he confirms his own and preserves his congregation
from bad, if congregation is faithful to the Lord Jesus. Paul writes also that
hadn’t got power over to Thessalonians, but they urged congregation to believe
to the God. From this we can be seen clearly that the congregations don’t lead
the apostles, neither they aren’t superiors of the congregation, but God led
the local work in congregation through elders. Apostles were only the starters
of the work, after which elder were set to the lead in local congregations.
Furthermore, so Jesus is the head of His body.
Petri Paavola
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