Calvary Road Baptist Church
"THE APOSTLE PAUL’S NEW CONVERTS TRAINING MANUAL," Lesson 4
by
John S. Waldrip
Classical Baptist Press
319 West Olive Avenue
Monrovia, CA 91016
February 2024
NEW CHRISTIAN’S BIBLE STUDY #4
INTRODUCTION:
We have learned that the Christian life consists of three primary activities that those around us observe. The Apostle Paul terms these three activities as the work of faith, the labor of love, and the patience of hope. Then, there was prayer that undergirded these activities.
Further, we saw that these three elements were evidenced in the lives of the very young Christian members of the Church in Thessalonica, even though they endured many afflictions in their newfound faith that would hinder the expression of their Christianity. They served God even when it hurt.
Remembering that the work of faith is Paul’s terminology for witnessing and evangelism, telling people about Christ, and explaining the Gospel, how evident is the work of faith in your life? Have you ever explicitly told anyone their need for Christ and how to be saved? When?
How about the labor of love? Have you ever involved yourself in an ongoing ministry to other believers, especially members of your Church? Would you like to become involved in such a Church ministry? What kind of Church ministry would you like?
Finally, how about the patience of hope? Would not a vital and growing love affair with the Savior need to express itself to others? Would such a relationship be required to sustain the other two activities during opposition and persecution?
This study before us will deal with First Thessalonians 2.1-12.
2A. PAUL’S LABOR OF LOVE (2.1-4.12)
1B. Notice The Actions Of Paul And His Ministry Team (2.1-12)
1C. Paul and his team’s entrance (2.1-2)
This is Paul’s account of how experienced Christians began a ministry.
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
1D. Their entrance was known (2.1)
What did the Thessalonian Church members know about the personal conduct they witnessed from Paul and his ministry team? Paul draws attention to the character of their ministry rather than its results, though nature and effects are intimately related. The essence of their entrance into Thessalonica was not in vain without purpose and earnestness. This was Paul’s stylistic way of describing the credibility of his missionary team’s ministry among the Thessalonian Christians.
2D. Their entrance was bold (2.2)
Despite facing contention, their previous experience with opposition and great suffering did not diminish the boldness with which they declared the Gospel to the Thessalonians. Such a reaction was different than one might expect.
2C. Paul and his team’s exhortation (2.3-12)
Here, Paul provides the ingredients of a proper Christian ministry.
1D. Their exhortation was pure in content (2.3-4)
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
1E. Notice what was missing from their ministry. There was an absence of,
1F. Deceit (“not of deceit”)
The emphasis of this word is error.
2F. Uncleanness (“nor of uncleanness”)
The emphasis of this word is moral purity.
3F. Guile (“nor in guile”)
The emphasis of this word is plotting to trick people, manipulation.
This verse contrasts Paul and his colleagues with the traveling religious hucksters so common then and now.
2E. Notice what was present in their ministry. There was a presence of,
1F. Approval from God (“we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel”)
This refers to God’s approval of their ministry following testing to be entrusted with the Gospel message.
2F. Speech toward men (“even so we speak … which trieth our hearts”)
Paul and his team spoke to those they ministered to as people who knew God sanctioned them after testing. Their audience was confident God had graciously authorized Paul and his colleagues to represent Him.
3F. Pleasing toward God (“not as pleasing men, but God”)
Though their immediate audience was those in Thessalonica they preached to and taught, they were mindful that their ultimate audience was God.
2D. Their exhortation was pure in intent (2.5-6)
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
1E. As seen in the methods they employed (2.5)
1F. Notice the occurrence.
First, Paul again asserts that he and his colleagues did not employ manipulative methods in their ministry.
“The kόlax, ‘the flatterer,’ a stock character in the literature of ethics and manners, habitually employs flattery to gain some advantage for himself.”
Neither were they secretly covetous, akin to idolatry, Colossians 3.5 and Ephesians 5.5.
2F. Notice the Observer.
“God is witness”
2E. As stated in the motives reflected by their methods (2.6)
1F. What Paul and those on his team did not do:
“Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others,”
2F. What they could have done (had they been manipulative):
“when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.”
3D. Their exhortation was with mother-like intimacy (2.7-9)
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
This describes a skilled mother with her children, where we see the maternal labor of love in action.
1E. In their demonstration of love (2.7-8)
1F. They were gentle, in contrast to treating those they ministered to as being burdensome (2.7)
Much like a wet nurse, skillful in nurturing infants, they tended to spiritual children’s needs as if they were their own.
2F. They were giving (the Gospel and their souls) because the Thessalonian Church members were dear to them (2.8)
2E. In their demonstration of labor (2.9)
1F. Which was memorable (“For ye remember”)
2F. Which was tireless (“labouring night and day”)
3F. Which was due (“we would not be chargeable unto any of you”)
4F. Which was preaching (“we preached unto you the gospel of God.”)
4D. Their example was as a godly father (2.10-12)
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Note: This is the Bible's most comprehensive, concise description of a father.
1E. The father’s qualifications (2.10) secure for him his audience, his child(ren).
“Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.”
Note the adverbs used to describe their paternal behavior witnessed by the Thessalonian members. Paul and his men behaved before them,
1F. Holily – Dad’s lifestyle evidences a vital relationship with God. One’s vertical relationship is the basis for horizontal relationships.
2F. Justly – Dad’s lifestyle evidences a proper relationship with his child. This is a child’s first-hand experience with a father.
3F. Unblameably – Dad’s lifestyle evidences a proper relationship with others (including mom and siblings). This is a child’s observation of dad’s interactions with other people.
2E. The father’s verbal instructions (2.11-12) to his audience, his child(ren).
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
1F. Observe the manner of instruction (2.11)
1G. Godly fathers/ministers exhort (addressing present difficulties dealt with by children/members).
2G. Godly fathers/ministers comfort (address past difficulties experienced by children/members).
3G. Godly fathers/ministers charge (address anticipated difficulties that will likely be faced by children/ members).
2F. Observe the motive for instruction (2.12)
This is the proper goal of all parenting and discipling.
1G. Instructed response (“That ye would walk worthy of God”)
2G. Instructed reason (“who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”)
CONCLUSION:
- Paul and his ministry team’s ministry to Christian Church members was essential to them. We see its importance to them in his description of their approach.
- We also see, in verses 3-12, that exhortation was an essential part of his ministry to believers. This concurs with Hebrews 10.25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
- Mom, how would you compare the mothering of your child to Paul’s example as a mom? Guys, how would you stack up to Paul’s example of a dad?
- Due to this study, how important has the labor of love and ministry to other believers, primarily Church members, become to you?
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HOMEWORK:
- Be sure to read First Thessalonians each day this next week. Remember, it is only five short chapters long. Read a chapter a day to your child, remembering that kids whose parents read to them daily are superior readers and performers in school.
- Hand out seven Gospel tracts and request that others hand out one tract daily for the week. This activity is the work of faith. And take tracts to have your new convert children pass out, perhaps at the store, in the park, or at the mall.
- Should you take offering envelopes to begin the practice of weekly giving to the cause of Christ? Have you considered offering envelopes for each of your children to help train them to do right at a young age?
Question? Comment?
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