It is quite puzzling why there is a wide chasm between the historical and archaeologically verified facts of the history of the early church as chronicled in Acts of the Apostles and today’s realities in the 21st century church. I remain in the quest for rediscovery of the secrets that unlocks the effectiveness of the evangelistic mission of the early church. Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians unveil secrets that are replicable today if we seek the face of God and look more diligently into the Word of God.

‘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.’
1 Thessalonians 1:5 NKJV.

The first key to an effective Mission is to preach the gospel. It didn’t come in Word only to the Thessalonians but it also came in power. The Word is the power of God (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18). Any method that ignores the preaching and teaching of the gospel removes the foundation of all ministry. The gospel is the preaching of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in which, as our substitute, He paid the price of death for our sins and rose in proof of victory over sin and death, over the forces of darkness, and in proof of our justification before God as a result of His sacrifice. We must never underestimate the place of the incorruptible and life-transforming seed of the Word (1 Peter 1:23).

However, apart from the Word of God, it is vital to preach the gospel under the supernatural influence of the personality of the Holy Spirit. He anoints and, by inspiration and revelation, assists us to transform lives. By the power of God in demonstration through healings and miracles, the kingdom of God is demonstrated and the gospel is authenticated (Mark 16:17, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5). The supernatural is a means of approval for the preacher of the gospel (Acts 2:22). The anointing of the Holy Spirit makes the difference. It is our responsibility to seek God till we encounter Him and learn to flow with the Holy Spirit like surfers do when surfing the waves of the ocean. The Holy Spirit is the Executive Administrator of God’s Work on the earth. He, however, uses available human vessels.

Much Assurance is another vital key in the text. It is preaching with deep conviction. Such conviction is a product of a personal encounter with God. Beyond the ability to speak in tongues, the encounter of power in the baptism in the Holy Spirit is intended to be a deep powerful and personal experience with the Holy Spirit. TL Osborn was transformed by an experience of the Lord Jesus. The same is true for various patriarchs like Kenneth Hagin, Oral Roberts, Benny Hinn, Kathryn Kuhlman and many others. As the Apostle Paul who has had a deep powerful encounter with the Lord Jesus in Acts 9 preached in Lystra with much assurance, a crippled listener received the assurance of the finished work of Christ. With healing being an integral part of the message and communicated with full assistance, the IMPARTATION of faith through the Word of God led to an unhindered access to the Grace of God (1 Peter 2:24, Acts 7:10).

Just three weeks of encountering God through the ministry of the Apostle Paul, a church was born with a solid foundation and unquestionable stability. Several characteristics demonstrated their spiritual buoyancy. The works of faith, labour of love, patience of hope, joy in tribulations and a focus on the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ testified of their spiritual health, and it was all because the gospel was preached with the Holy Spirit, with power, and much assistance.

Victor Adeyemi