1 Thessalonians 1 ~ gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit

This is the house of Peter, the rock upon whom the church was built. It is located in Capernaum, Israel. We know Jesus was in Peter's house (in many ways) because the bible records the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law in Peter’s house in: Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 1:29-39 & Luke 4:38-44. Peter’s house still has the church people and pilgrims writing their joy to the Lord on the walls. After Peter left to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission to share the gospel all over the world, Peter’s house grew to become the church in Capernaum.

1 Thessalonians 1

[1] Paul, Silva'nus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalo'nians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.
[2]
We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,

[3] remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
[4] For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you;
[5] for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
[6] And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit;
[7] so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedo'nia and in Acha'ia.
[8] For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedo'nia and Acha'ia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
[9] For they themselves report concerning us what a welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,
[10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

This photo is of Osios David, a Greek Chuch built in 400 A. D. The front porch and yard have been continually used and enjoyed by the Church family for over 1,600 years.

Last night, our church remembered Jesus & Lent by having a time of fellowship, a meal and prayer for healing in a church member’s home. This is a beautiful, full of love tradition in the church for 2 millenniums:

Acts 20:20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.

James 5: 13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

I Corinthians 16: 19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.

Romans 16: 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

Colossians 4: 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

Philemon 1:1 To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home

Father God, bless our Churches to be families. Please bless our homes to be places of worship. And help us to live each day as a dwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.



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