THESSALONICA, or Salonica, still retains some of its old importance, but though its walls crumble and its buildings decay, its name lies graven in the imperishable Word of God. The Jews of the city were not like the noble Bereans, who searched the scriptures daily to see if the things preached by the apostle and his companions were so, but the church of the Thessalonians was one of the most devout and earnest of the early churches of Christ. To them the Word of God was most precious; it came to them “in power, and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance," and they “received “it “in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." The hand of God was seen unmistakably in Thessalonica.
These Christians became "ensamples" to their fellow believers in the districts of Macedonia and Achaia, and from them "the Word of the Lord sounded out," so that their "work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope" became such a testimony for God, that the heathen all round witnessed in this church the reality of being "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven."
We may say the apostle's character and service was thus written upon this church of Christ; and when we ask in our day for a remedy for the ills in the Church over which so many grieve, we may find one in the excellence of example. The apostle and his companions had been an example and a witness for Christ in the midst of the Thessalonians, and that church became an example and a witness for Christ both to the churches and to the heathen.
In their preaching, the apostle, and those with him, spoke "not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts." They sought not "glory"; they would not be "burdensome" to the church. No, but as was Christ, so were they, "gentle among" them.
They were as the "nurse," who cherishes her children. And with such yearning love did these holy men speak, that not only would they impart the gospel of God to their beloved hearers, but their "own souls" also, had that been possible. Further, they toiled with their hands "night and day" for their own support, lest by being chargeable to the church, the gospel of God might seem to suffer.
Such examples were the outcome of the gospel of God, and we do well to remember, that the gospel of God is not conveyed to men merely in an exposition of doctrine; it is often brought to their heart-doors by the earnestness and the manner of life of those who proclaim it.
The holy care exercised by the apostle and his companions over each member of the church in Thessalonica is most affecting, not only as evidencing the kind of man of God he was, but also as a lesson to ourselves. Their individual behavior, which was a pattern to the converts, was holy, just, unblameable; and their personal care for them is thus expressed, "We exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory." We can understand, as we consider such facts, how it was that Christianity flourished in early days.