"For our [preaching of the ] glad tidings (the Gospel) came to you not only in word, but also in [its own inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction and absolute certainty [on our part]." (1 Thessalonians 1:5, Amplified Bible)
The NIV says, "....not simply with words but also with power...."
During the Cold War, the US and USSR struck fear in the world because of the potential for a global thermonuclear war. The might of either military could have leveled the Earth. An attorney at Nuremberg referred to the German Army of WW 2 as the "greatest fighting machine since Alexander The Great." The power of one is virtually gone, the other greatly reduced, and the other unwilling to use it against global suffering. Power is a very relative term.
Our text speaks of, "word," and, "power," and we can have one without the other, that is, if the word or words are not in, "The Word of God," Jesus Christ. The Amplified has a great interpretation here. The word of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, "[its own inherent] power." History has proven, and I have specific cases, that carnal people, great preaching people, great charismatic people, people who seem to be the epitome of spirituality yet living double lives, can all preach the Gospel of Jesus and still people "get saved," receive Jesus, are baptized in the Holy Spirit, healed, etc. Why? "The Words of God/The Word of God," has "its[/His] own inherent power."
It is a most fearful reality to those who live double lives; The Gospel will be The Gospel, will produce the saving power of the Living Triune God in all open hearts who hear, regardless of the messengers, regardless of the behind-the-scenes shenaniganes of those in churches or independent "ministries." So, there is a warning here and encouragement here at the same time, a warning to all who seem to have great "results" and "success" in their churches and "ministries" yet are not walking in obedience to Jesus Christ, and encouragement to those who pray for the nations. The former will be judged at, "the Judgement Seat of Christ," the latter will continue to see many come to Christ, and in, "That Day," come, "bringing their sheaves with them"!
Father, in Jesus' Name, it is so wonderful to know that the Gospel of Jesus has, "its own inherent power." Amen.
The NIV says, "....not simply with words but also with power...."
During the Cold War, the US and USSR struck fear in the world because of the potential for a global thermonuclear war. The might of either military could have leveled the Earth. An attorney at Nuremberg referred to the German Army of WW 2 as the "greatest fighting machine since Alexander The Great." The power of one is virtually gone, the other greatly reduced, and the other unwilling to use it against global suffering. Power is a very relative term.
Our text speaks of, "word," and, "power," and we can have one without the other, that is, if the word or words are not in, "The Word of God," Jesus Christ. The Amplified has a great interpretation here. The word of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, "[its own inherent] power." History has proven, and I have specific cases, that carnal people, great preaching people, great charismatic people, people who seem to be the epitome of spirituality yet living double lives, can all preach the Gospel of Jesus and still people "get saved," receive Jesus, are baptized in the Holy Spirit, healed, etc. Why? "The Words of God/The Word of God," has "its[/His] own inherent power."
It is a most fearful reality to those who live double lives; The Gospel will be The Gospel, will produce the saving power of the Living Triune God in all open hearts who hear, regardless of the messengers, regardless of the behind-the-scenes shenaniganes of those in churches or independent "ministries." So, there is a warning here and encouragement here at the same time, a warning to all who seem to have great "results" and "success" in their churches and "ministries" yet are not walking in obedience to Jesus Christ, and encouragement to those who pray for the nations. The former will be judged at, "the Judgement Seat of Christ," the latter will continue to see many come to Christ, and in, "That Day," come, "bringing their sheaves with them"!
Father, in Jesus' Name, it is so wonderful to know that the Gospel of Jesus has, "its own inherent power." Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
