Not in word only

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. - I Thessalonians 1.5

Of course we are to preach the word. Faith comes by hearing, and by hearing the word of God. Every time we preach or share our faith we use words to do it. No one could ever say that words are not important.

But Paul says here that when he shared the gospel it was not just in words alone.

The gospel came with power

The gospel came in the Holy Spirit

The gospel came in much assurance

When we share the gospel we need to be careful about depending too much on our best words or notions or methods. We can take all the courses we want and learn all the ‘A-B-Cs’ and the Romans Road and all the other methods and they are all well and good, but we are just parroting words we are really not doing much good.

If the words are not empowered by the Holy Spirit and done with the assurance of God’s word they are just words. Words, words, words.

Even the best words, presented in the most skilful manner, are powerless without the power and working of the Holy Spirit.