An Unshakeable Church

How can a church remain steadfast in the tide of time? The young church in Thessalonica shows us. A review of the biblical evidence.

The Church has a high calling. It is God’s holy temple, the dwelling of God’s Spirit (1 Cor 3:16), and the body of Christ (Eph 4:11-12). That is why it must anticipate strong resistance in this world, as the young congregation in Thessalonica experienced in the days of the Apostles. That congregation emerged within three weeks and faced persecution immediately. Yet it remained unwavering. There were several reasons for this:

A Reborn Church
The church in Thessalonica was a born-again church, a congregation of redeemed Christians: “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace” (1 Thess 1:1).

It was plain to see that the Thessalonians knew the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. We read about the church’s origin in Acts 17:1ff., where verse 4 says, “And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.”

The salvation message resonated strongly with the Thessalonians from the start. Paul testified: “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake” (1 Thess 1:4-5).

They accepted the Word “in the Holy Spirit,” which speaks to their new birth. The Holy Spirit was dwelling in them. They were His temple. “For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess 1:9).

A Devoted Church
Paul and his team’s ministry left its mark: “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess 1:6).
 
The Apostles’ testimony as imitators of Christ was infectious. The Christians in Thessalonica not only talked about their faith, but also shaped their lives after the example of Paul and his companions. The Thessalonians’ example shows how important role models are (cf. 1 Thess 2:7, 11). The Christian strives to be like Christ. And if we were all like Christ, we’d get along with no problems.

The church in Thessalonica was devoted to Christlikeness. As a result, love reigned: “Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 1:3). Also, “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more” (1 Thess 4:9-10).

A Suffering Church
The believing Thessalonians didn’t have it easy. Every church that is redeemed and committed to Christ will go through trials: “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess 1:6).
 
Immediately after it was formed, the church was persecuted: “But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, ‘These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also…’” (Acts 17:5-6; cf. 1 Thess 2:14-16).

The church that is redeemed and committed to Christ will arouse the world’s opposition: “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake” (Luke 21:12-17).

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:18-20).

A church that convicts the world will undergo suffering. Tradition says that eleven of the twelve Apostles died as martyrs. The biblical, Christ-centered Church faces opposition and persecution.

A Mission-Minded Church
The Thessalonians were mission-minded in two ways: through their exemplary lives, and through their spoken testimony.

Paul addresses their exemplary life in 1 Thessalonians 1:7: “So that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” It’s amazing how God’s Spirit worked in them and transformed them. In a short time, the Thessalonians developed a lifestyle that was committed to Christ. They became like Jesus and were role models. They testified to their conversion with their lives. “For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess 1:9).

In 1 Thessalonians 1:8, Paul refers to the Thessalonians’ spoken testimony and proclamation of God’s Word: “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you … but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere…”
 
The Greek root for “sounded” that Paul uses in the original text, also conveys the idea of an echo. They echoed God’s Word. They passed it on! A Christian’s testimony should never be independent of God’s Word. We are to simply relay an echo of God’s truth. God has placed His voice within us: the Holy Spirit. He wants us to echo His truth.

A Waiting Church
The Thessalonians were a church awaiting Jesus’ return: “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess 1:10).

This was a crucial part of the Gospel that Paul preached. Christ Himself has promised that He will return, so that those who belong to Him will be with Him forever: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3).

The living Church awaits His return. Any church that is committed to obedience to God’s will, must be consciously anticipating Christ’s return. Jesus’ last words in the Bible are, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done” (Rev 22:12).

When we remain aware of Jesus’ return, it compels us to proclaim salvation. A church that doesn’t believe in Jesus’ return, typically isn’t moved by the coming reward or the urgency of rescuing unbelievers from judgment. The Lord wants us to bear His return in mind.

A Steadfast Church
Paul exclaims to the Thessalonians, “For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord” (1 Thess 3:8).

Standing fast in the Lord means two things: being steadfast in doctrine and in conduct. The Apostle testifies, “For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith” (1 Thess 3:7).

What a testimony it is when a church does not falter, either in its doctrine or in its resolve to love!

A Faithful Church
Paul did not need to correct the Thessalonians or convince them of anything. Nor did he have to defend his commission or authority. He didn’t need to explain his instructions in detail, because the Thessalonians were faithful to the Word of God.

By comparison, Paul had to prove everything to the Corinthians. Why was that? Because they didn’t want to submit to God’s Word. But the Thessalonians didn’t need this, because they were obedient to His Word. “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (1 Thess 2:13). 

That’s the key: complete obedience to God’s Word.

Midnight Call - 05/2025