Bible Study
November 25, 2025
“Our Gospel”
1 Thessalonians 1:3 – 5 (NKJV)
3 “remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,”
Yesterday we mentioned the three-fold combination of faith, hope, and love. Paul follows those words with “knowing, your election by God.” This scripture is not about predestination as some might think. Paul when he uses the “elect” he is referring to the community called the church. If we were to jump ahead to verse six we would see what happens when this church accepted the promptings of the Spirit, found salvation and in turn they spurned idol worship. This is what is meant by faith and repentance.
Paul referred in his message ‘our gospel’ because it was for all sinners. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ not of any one man. Only true forgiveness can come from Jesus; there is no substitution for salvation. It goes beyond the word to the power of the Holy Spirit.
Then he mentions a phrase ‘what kind of men?’ The quality of the message is confirmed by the lives of the preacher as well as the life of the hearer. Paul lived a life that was exemplary after his conversion and prior to it he would admit he was the worst of all sinners. Yet Paul would tell us to keep our eyes on Jesue who would not fail.
“Imitators” Paul refers to those who follow Christ or “mimic” Him. Jesus was the first, Paul the second, and the Thessalonians were the third. When you suffer affliction and can remain in joy is the true picture of salvation.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 