The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 268

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262 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES deference due to those who had been chosen to occupy positions of authority in the church. In his anxiety that the believers at Thessalonica should walk in the fear of God, the apostle pleaded with them to reveal practical godliness in the daily life. ''We beseech you, brethren," he wrote, ''and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication." "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." ^ The apostle felt that he was to a large extent responsible for the spiritual welfare of those converted under his labors. His desire for them was that they might increase in a knowledge of the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He had sent. Often in his ministry he would meet with little companies of men and women who loved Jesus, and bow with them in prayer, asking God to teach them how to maintain a living connection with Him. Often he took counsel with them as to the best methods of giving to others the light of gospel truth. And often, when separated from those for whom he had thus labored, he pleaded with God to keep them from evil, and help them to be earnest, active missionaries. One of the strongest evidences of true conversion is love to God and m.an. Those who accept Jesus as their Redeem^er, have a deep, sincere love for others of like precious faith. Thus it was with the believers at Thessalonica. "As touching broth-