The Church of the Thessalonians

"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 1:1-2; NKJV).

1 Thessalonians was written around 52 AD to a church in Thessalonica. An ekklesia is a group of called out people. The church in Thessalonica had been called out of the world by the gospel of Jesus Christ: "...to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 2:14; NKJV). Paul, Silas, and Timothy "reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ'" (Acts 17:2-3; NKJV). Those who comprised the church in Thessalonica heard Christ preached, they believed, and they obeyed the gospel. They came "out of the darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9; NKJV).

The Christians in Thessalonica received grace and peace from their Father in Heaven and their Lord Jesus through this epistle that was written to them. Those who answer the call and come out of the darkness into His light will receive the same. Let us be His church and receive His blessings!

Jason Cicero