(Acts 17:2) As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people.

(Philippians 4:16) Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.

(1 Thessalonians 1:5) For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.

Dynamis: inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth

Romans 1:16 (ESV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Holy Spirit + Word = Transformation

(1 Thessalonians 1:6) So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.

(1 John 4:4b) …because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

(Galatians 2:20) My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

(1 Thessalonians 1:7) As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.

(Galatians 5:22-23) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Fruit is the evidence of a changed life

(1 Thessalonians 1:8) And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God.

(1 Thessalonians 1:9-10) We don’t need to tell them about it, 9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. 10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

*All scripture is from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.