"Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.' And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas" (Acts 17:2-4).

"Friendship evangelism" suggests that a person will not be interested in the gospel until you make a personal connection with them. The conversion of the Thessalonians destroys this notion. It was the power of the gospel, not the power of friendship, which grabbed their attention and saved their souls. These people did not know Paul before they heard the gospel he preached. Paul was only in Thessalonica for about three weeks. While there, Paul filled his time with teaching about Christ, sin and salvation, not "cultivating friendships" so people could be reached with the gospel. He preached the gospel and it convicted good and honest hearts. We are not against friendships, but they are not a prerequisite to saving the lost. The gospel convicts the lost when their hearts are willing to listen and believe it. The question is whether we will trust its power to save.