Description
In Session 2, 7 Basic Calls to a Believer, Dr. Randall Smith expounds upon the Early “Prophetic” Writings of Paul namely 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Both of these epistles open with simple reminders of the authors and their intended recipients: “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
It is worth recalling that this wasn’t a tiny country village off the beaten track, but rather the capital and largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia. Located on the Egnatian Way, a major road from Rome to the eastern provinces, the city served as centre of trade and commerce.
The problems these brethren were facing, was PERSECUTION, CONFUSION and DISCOURAGEMENT. In encouraging these believers Paul explains the “seven basic calls” of a believer, including a call to purity, a distinctive focus, a view of death, an appreciative spirit, hopefulness, discernment and a disciplined life.
In summary the call of the believer is to cling to Jesus while His Spirit transforms us to a distinctiveness we cannot achieve on our own.
