Don’t Put Out the Spirit’s Fire
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From this we see that Acts, even with as much attention as it gives to the Holy Spirit, does not always mention things made clear elsewhere. Acts tells of the opposition at Thessalonica, but does not mention the Holy Spirit’s work there. The nearest it comes is to quote the Jewish opposition: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here” (Acts 17:6). But from what Paul says it is clear that the signs that followed the other apostles (2:43) were present. Joy as well as the Holy Spirit filled the believers here also, just as in every other church.
Paul, however, had to go on and urge these Gentile converts to abstain from sexual sins (1 Thessalonians 4:3). They had come from a Greek culture which had no idea of moral purity or of what the Bible teaches about marriage (Matthew 19:4–6). Paul reminded them that “God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects [does not recognize] this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 4:7, 8). The call to a holy life dedicated to God’s will and way is in line with the nature of God as well as the holy nature of the Spirit. He is the Holy Spirit.
Probably with this in view, Paul goes on to say, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire” (5:19). The joy they had in the Spirit as they served God and waited for Jesus (1:9, 10) could be lost if the Spirit was stifled or suppressed by sin.
The Holy Spirit’s fire may be put out, too, by a wrong attitude, as Paul’s next appeal indicates. “Do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good” (5:20, 21). They were rejecting prophecies and treating them as if they were worthless. An arrogant, disdainful attitude is implied. Possibly some of those who claimed this gift did not measure up to biblical standards of holiness. Or, perhaps some spoke out of their own desires or enthusiasm rather than from the Spirit. Such prophecies would indeed be without meaning and might predict things that were not fulfilled.
Contempt and arrogance, however, are not the work of the Spirit either.1 The answer is not to reject all prophecies for fear some might be false. Instead, they should be put to the test, the bad rejected, and what is good held fast. (See Deuteronomy 13:1–4; 18:21, 22; 1 Corinthians 14:29.)
That there were prophecies in the church which needed to be put to the test is shown in 2 Thessalonians. Some had come in upsetting the believers by teaching them they could not make the meeting with the Lord in the air their hope (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). Their claim was that Paul had changed his mind and was now teaching that they were already in the Day of the Lord. This would imply they could expect nothing but to remain on earth during the judgments that were coming. To reinforce their ideas they not only brought reports and forged letters supposedly from Paul, but claimed support “by some prophecy” (2 Thessalonians 2:2).
Paul definitely had not changed his mind. He was proclaiming the truth given him by Christ himself (Galatians 1:8, 11). They could test these reported prophecies, testimonies, and letters by the Word of God that he had already given them (2 Thessalonians 2:5).
Actually, they could still look ahead to salvation, not to the wrath that was coming on the earth (1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; compare Revelation 16:1). God’s purpose for believers has always been salvation (including our full inheritance in Christ and in the new heavens and new earth). Two things are necessary for us to continue on the way toward the fulfillment of this salvation, however. They are “sanctifying work [dedication, consecration to God and His work and will] of the Spirit and through belief in the truth [the gospel]” (2 Thessalonians 2:13). Actually, both are made effective in our lives by the work of the Spirit. Both also call for our response.2
Horton, S. M. (2005). What the Bible Says about the Holy Spirit (pp. 168–170). Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House.
