In theological circles, it has long been debated what the purpose, place, effect, etc. of the gospel is. This has translated down through the ages as either too much or too little emphasis for the gospel in Christian circles and denominational churches. Scripturally, the gospel is fairly easy to define. Using the parallel passages of Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 4:18-19, Jesus uses the word “gospel” while the prophecy uses the word “good tidings.” The Bible neatly defines the gospel as good tidings, and like the “news” in the world, the declaration of a thing is admitting what is already a reality. So, what does the gospel declare that is a present reality? Paul uses 3 monikers to give us insight into what the gospel testifies in I Thessalonians 1:5. It is not just simply spoken words, but it is attended by power, the Holy Ghost, and much assurance. Even though these elements “attend” the gospel’s declaration, their attendance testifies to certain things.
Power: The power that attends the gospel testifies to a risen Lord. If Christ was dead in the grave, Paul says our preaching would be in vain. (I Corinthians 15) The power in attendance declares the resurrection of Christ by the manifest power and glory of the occasion. Consider the preaching the apostles did in the book of Acts. There was fire and tongues in attendance in both Acts 2 and Acts 10. There was the face of an angel with Stephen in Acts 6-7. These powerful displays declared Christ’s resurrection, and the apostles’ deportment was so different than in the gospel accounts because they had been with Jesus post-resurrection. (Acts 4:13) Even though some of the outward display today may not match exactly what they had then in the early days of the church, the power is still present to take an ignorant and unlearned man and bless him to declare things new and old simply from being with Jesus and having that power present on the occasion.
Holy Ghost: Peter declares that preaching is done with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. (I Peter 1:12) This comforting work of the Holy Ghost was declared by Christ in John 14-15 before He went away. The purpose of the Holy Ghost’s work is to comfort the hearts of the saints since Christ’s physical presence would not be on the earth as it was in those days. What is interesting about this testimony and promise of the Holy Ghost’s work is how it would come. Jesus said that the Spirit would testify concerning Him. (John 15:26) Some people today say things like, “The Holy Ghost told me.” or “I was filled with the Holy Ghost and did ____.” How do they know? If asked what the testimony is, the Holy Ghost’s witness is, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” So likewise, the gospel’s testimony is, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” through the witness of the Holy Ghost present declaring those things that He knows and has seen. While we haven’t seen the resurrected Lord in physical form, we have a witness who has, comes in His name, and attends the power of the gospel’s display.
Much Assurance: Assurance can be an interesting subject as some people put too much thought into it, while others put too little. Sadly, the assurance that people seek today, they go about in all the wrong places, leaving the fertile pastures and green fields where the highest assurance is given in this world to God’s weary people. False theology teaches that assurance is a “have to have” for salvation, while modern secularists teach that assurance is a myth and false narrative. As in other subjects, the answer lies between the two extremes. Assurance never makes anything a reality, it simply declares what is already reality. Assurance is not something chased and never gained. It is a real and tangible thing that the gospel brings to bear most profoundly. This is not some assurance or meager assurance. Paul calls it much assurance. It is something that is most surely believed, and very poignantly felt. What is this testimony? You are His! Someone that doesn’t belong to God feels nothing for the gospel. When Stephen preached in Acts 7, he got a different reaction than Peter from Acts 2. Both groups were told the same thing (you are guilty of the Lord’s death), but God’s children in Acts 2 were pricked “in” their hearts, while the others were cut “to” the heart. The gospel gets down to where we live, reminds us of our relationship to our Lord, and causes our hearts to cry out. Unregenerate men will simply have the message cut them to their stony heart and make them mad. So, the gospel testifies that we are saved in Him, by Him, and to Him.
As long as time stands, the subject of the gospel will be debated in religious circles and castigated in worldly circles. However, thinking of what it brings – proof of a risen Lord with an attending witness and the result of our place with Him – it should be much set by in our hearts, minds, and lives. Sometimes we think of the gospel and restrict its power, attendance, and much assurance to outward factors. We think of those “big” times when the Spirit was so thick you could cut it with a knife. However, in those quieter, “normal” times when the gospel is going forth from a broken vessel to a little band who have come out from the world for a little while, it is the same power, witness, and assurance as at other times. In Ezekiel 47, an angel brings the prophet through the waters that flowed out from the temple. Some of those waters were to the ankles, the knees, the loins, and some were so deep you could swim and not ever pass over. Whether your day was an ankle wetter or a swimming day, it is the same water from the same place. Point being, the testimony is the same regardless of the outward factors. May we rejoice evermore at this great blessing that God has left us here.