The Apostle Paul and his co-workers planted the church at Thessalonica on his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-2). In his first epistle written to those believers from Corinth, he reminded them of their conversion to Christ. “For our gospel came not unto in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake” (I Thessalonians 1:5). These four features – word, power, Holy Ghost, assurance – are found in every conversion.
The “word” has reference to the testimony of God’s revelation, the Scriptures. No one comes to Christ apart from His word. Paul reasoned with the believers in Rome “…how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard…so then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:14,17). Peter testified likewise that we are “born again…by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever…and this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (I Peter 1:23, 25). James speaking of the heavenly Father adds “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth” (James 1:18; emphasis added). The word of God is essential to salvation.
Paul’s reference to “power” speaks to the efficacy of the word in bringing about repentance and new life. Paul called the gospel “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). The word, power, there is the word from which we get our word “dynamite.” No other power can bring life to a soul spiritually “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). It is this same power that enables the believer to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord” (2 Peter 3:18); and, thereby, enables him to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
The Holy Ghost brings salvation to each and every person that is born again. He is the Agent of every conversion imparting new life to every repentant sinner who trusts in Christ. For it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). Not only does He give life, but He sanctifies us making us progressively like Christ. Christ-likeness in the believer is the exclusive work of the Spirit of God. We cannot become more like Christ apart from the Spirit. “For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
Finally, an effectual conversion comes with assurance that is convincing and unwavering. The testimony of a life made new by the Spirit of God and His word is hard to refute. The Thessalonians saw the outworking of such a conversion in Paul and his co-workers, for they had scrutinized the lives of these men as they ministered among them. The result was “ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost” (I Thessalonians 1:6).
Christianity is not found in creeds or ceremonies. It is not defined by a list of “do’s and don’ts.” Christianity begins with a gospel message planted in the heart by the Spirit of God resulting in a new life that is convincingly transformed unto the glory of God. Does that describe your life?
From the Chaplain 