1Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
‘Gospel came unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.’ Four ways the gospel should be taught or learned: In word (1:5; Matt. 28:20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; 1Cor. 1:18-24); in power (1:5; Matt. 17:20; Mark 16:16-17; Luke 24:49; John 14:12; 1Cor. 4:20); in the Holy Spirit (1:5; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; Rom. 15:18-20, 29; Heb. 2:4); in much assurance (1:5; Col. 2:2).
‘And in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.’ You know how we demonstrated the gospel in word, in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance, and how we suffered in doing so (1:6; Acts 17:1-34).
Believers who are baptized in the Spirit (Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-11, 33, 38-39) must have new outpourings of the Spirit to maintain the fullness of God (Acts 4:31; John 1:16; Php. 1:19; 2Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 3:19; 1Jn. 4:13). Christ Himself lived in prayer and received many new infillings and fresh supplies of the Spirit and power to continue in all the fullness of God. As virtue went out of Him it had to be supplied again, as proved by the scriptures above and by the many times Christ prayed – as all men must do to maintain spiritual power in life. After Pentecost, the full endowment of power and full anointing of the Holy Spirit was made possible for all believers who lived in obedience to the Word of God (Gal. 3:13-14; John 7:37-39; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8,33).
Living the Word 