What did the Thessalonians turn from and what was the purpose of their turning to God?
Scripture states that the Thessalonians turned to God from idols. The purpose of their turning was that they might serve the living God. This is recorded in 1 Thessalonians 1:9 as the result of genuine ministry, not flippant statements, silly ideas, gimmickry, or Fifth Avenue advertising.
Les explains that Paul did not come to Corinth with flippant statements, silly ideas, gimmickry, or what today might be called Fifth Avenue advertising. Instead, he came with sincerity and the desire of his heart to see pagan people come out of pagan darkness and step into the light of the glorious gospel. Turning to 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, verse 9, Les points out that the Thessalonians themselves showed how they turned to God from idols, and the purpose was that they might serve the living God. He emphasizes, "Don't lose that."
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
More Questions
What does it mean that the Thessalonians turned to God from idols?
The Thessalonians' conversion is described as turning to God from idols in order to serve the true and living God, and their own testimony showed what kind of entry Paul's team had among them.
What happened when Paul preached the gospel in Thessalonica?
When Paul preached the gospel to pagans in Thessalonica, they believed and turned from idols to the true and living God, as 1 Thessalonians 1:9 describes.