Page 22 - April 2025 - Truth & Tidings

for it did not come to them in “just” word and understand that now, because of faith
but also in power. It was not in a limited in this message, “your body is the temple
nor a “low battery” kind of power, but the of the Holy Spirit” (1Co 6:19). It wasn’t a
word signifies a dynamite kind of power, partial giving of the Spirit, for “according
an earth-shaking, soul-rattling kind of to His mercy He saved us, through the
power. It was an abundant, miraculous washing of regeneration and renewing of
and mighty power. To many who listened the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on
to the spoken message, it was deemed us abundantly through Jesus Christ our
foolishness. But to those who believed Savior” (Titus 3:5-6).
and received it, who were saved by it, it
was the power of God unto salvation (1Co Aspect #4: In Security – A Mes-
1:18). Upon believing, they could rejoice in sage that Provides Certainty
the fact that their faith did not rest in the The remaining obvious question that
power nor the wisdom of men, but in the many of the Thessalonians may have had
power of God (1Co 2:5). The fact that this was, Can I lose it? Can I lose the peace
message came to them in such strength that I now have with God? Can I lose the
and power meant that there would be no Spirit who is now dwelling in me? Paul
shame in the message, but there would be wants each believer, both then and now,
rejoicing in the fact that the gospel is the to know that the true gospel promises
power of God unto salvation for everyone complete and comprehensive security
who believes (Rom 1:16). and confidence. There is eternal security
Aspect #3: In Spirit – A Mes- and no condemnation for those who are
sage that Was Life-Changing in Christ Jesus. This security is found in
the words of our Saviour, who said, “nei-
The gospel’s effect didn’t stop there; it ther shall anyone snatch them out of My
also packed a spiritual punch. God put His hand” (Joh 10:28). If the work of salvation
own seal, by the Holy Spirit, so as to dis- depended on you or me, there could never
play His great satisfaction upon each one be complete certainty; there would never
who received the gospel. For all who put be eternal security. But this message came
true faith in Christ, the book of Ephesians to them in much assurance and much cer-
tells us, “In Him you also trusted, after tainty. It now allows each one changed by
you heard the word of truth, the gospel its saving power to draw near to God with
of your salvation; in whom also, having full assurance: “Let us draw near with a
believed, you were sealed with the Holy true heart in full assurance of faith” (Heb
Spirit of promise” (Eph 1:13). While each 10:22). What an amazing way for Paul to
human being has an individual, personal finish summarizing the fourfold revela-
responsibility to trust in Christ, salvation tion of this message, this spoken message
is a work of God. The Holy Spirit has a of great power, this powerful message of
role as well and continues to this day to do Holy Spirit endowment, this Spirit-giving
what Christ Jesus promised He would do: message of complete and undeniable assur-
“convict the world of sin, and of righteous- ance. What an unshakable hope we have, a
ness, and of judgment” (Joh 16:8). What a “hope which is laid up for you in heaven,
great joy for each Christian to reflect on the of which you heard before in the word of
revelation of the gospel in their own life the truth of the gospel” (Col 1:5).

118 TRUTH kTidings April 2025