2 Chronicles 30:12

for it is God who is at work in you, both to motivate the desire and to carry out what pleases Him.

But we ought to thank God for you always, brothers [who are] dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [Note: Some manuscripts use the Greek word for "firstfruits" instead of "beginning" here, but it is difficult to know in what sense the Thessalonian Christians were "first"], in order to be saved through being set apart by the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth [of the Gospel].

For you know [i.e., are aware of] the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

But Peter and John replied, "You decide whether it is right before God to listen to you men or to Him;