For centuries the church has read the Book of Acts as a good history book of the early church. However, and regretfully, the church has missed the mark along the way. In fact there is two lessons to be learned and it may have costed many a soul from reaching the grandest prize of all.
What does the book of Acts tell todays church and professing Christians today. Mind you the lesson is so simple its unbelievable that its been missed and or overlooked.
Once Jesus was up into heaven everything was about the start of the church. Then, its the story of Gods people, or early Christians. A lesson that's been overlooked for ages.
Type number one
Listen to what is spoken;
"Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."
"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."
Acts 2:44-47, 4:32-35
As to ponder this over allow me to simplify this: the first church, the first Christians were unselfish.
So much so they were willing to sell all they had, including house and home, just so those in need were helped.
I seen this in action in part in Lindale Texas. A group of Christians outgrew their meeting place. One man give up three million dollars and a church was built and it grew even while I was there. Point two: while in Texas I seen various people in the church helped with food, clothing and so forth. In fact I was in need of a study Bible and a Christian stepped forth to be sure one was furnished, later I learned the person spent close to $200 in total to be sure I had everything needed before I departed Texas in July of 1988.
Yes, these things can and do the above transpire in todays gospel society. But so does type number two below.
Type number two
Listen to the following and you will see the second type quit clearly.
"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things."
Acts 5:1-11
In short we see what transpired in the early church to those who had greed and doubt in their heart. First they choose to hold back not only from giving to God but also to those in need as well as the church. In short they deliberately lied not only to the church but to the Holy Sprirt. The punishment was, as we see was certain death to demonstrate to others that such will not be tolerated by the throne of God. "And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things." Acts 5:11
Okay, so we see what Gods people did back in the early day church. We also see the lesson learned by the early church about holding back and lying to the Holy Spirit. But does the latter transpire today? Answer, in truth?
Yes and no. The end result may not be so severe but it transpires in the death of churches throughout the United States. You say your church has not nor is dying? Look at your numbers compared to what your seating capacity might be. If you have 150 to 200 in your church but you can handle 500-1000 then you have a problem.
Lets look at it at a one on one level:
Is there people in your church going hungry but others drive nice cars and live in $250000 plus homes? Then there may be a problem. How about your community? Are there many homeless? Many ex-felons? Many disabled?
Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew
"Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me."
Matthew 25:45
what to proper and be in good health?
Treat EVERY person just as if you were giving Jesus a simple glass of water.
You can NOT walk the fence of lukewarmness when your own brother or sister has needs in their life. God speaks clearly about lukewarm Christians in the book of Revelation
YOU, as a professing "Christian" have a choice, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Revelation 3:15-18
Many of societies issues can an could be resolved IF Gods people who are called by His name would...obey.
Now...look amounts those in your church and see who you can help. Look in your community and see who you can help. Got a million dollars profit? Invest it in a homeless center.
Think about this: the next person you help might just be an angel of the Lord whom you are entertaining. Or it could be the Lord Jesus Himself. You just never know.
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