Daily Bible Reading Program

Greetings Brethren,

Today we are at Acts chapter 5 and the excitement and associated intrigue are at a fever pitch.

In yesterday's blog, I deliberately didn't speak to the substantive issue of unity and the resulting brotherly love that was on full display in the Church because  I wanted to connect it with the actions taken by  Ananias and Sapphira here in chapter 5. 

Look at pure Christian unity, "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" - Acts 4:32.  Note, they were "of one heart and soul" and the possessions that were owned by each individual was now pooled together to minister to each member's need so that no one lacked. The power of God was on full display resulting in many mighty miracles. Landowners sold their lands and homes and brought all the proceeds to the apostles for the benefit of all believers.  Isn't this what true revival looks like? Conversion of sinners, the demonstration of the supernatural, and the manifestation of brotherly kindness, and brotherly love? It is clearly seen that these brethren love God, believed in His mission and understood that if the mission is to be realized then they had to do it TOGETHER. When this mindset is established then no resource will be too costly to give into this cause. 

Friends, this is APOSTOLIC. This is our DNA. This is what the original apostolic manual looked like. We have drifted so far from this but if we are going to have an impact on this world we must become apostolic not just in the doctrine of salvation but also in the doctrine of Christian fellowship and general Christian living.  In the words of one of my dearest friends and fellow laborer, let me drop this one verse here for free, " ³⁴ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. ³⁵ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" - St. John 13:34-35.

Read those verses again.

"³⁴ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. ³⁵ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" - St. John 13:34-35.

Our preaching of the Oneness of God and water and Spirit baptisms becomes merely rhetoric if we refuse to love each other.  We can preach with the greatest eloquence but we will remain powerless until we genuinely love people - God's people.

This infant Church was now faced with its greatest threat yet, that was, the deceptive couple - Ananias and Sapphira. The Church was faced with great persecution from the institutionalized religious order of the day but I consider the Ananias and Sapphira situation to be the greatest threat yet because this was an inside attack. The most lethal enemy is usually the one from inside because around these supposedly friends we relax our defense mechanics and are most vulnerable. 

What was the issue here with Ananias and Sapphira? They were fakes. Pretenders. Liars. Selfish and self-centered. They were not just these on the day when they concocted this scheme - this was who they were. This was not a mistake on their part... this was a conspiracy, they were laborers together with their father - satan. "⁴⁴ Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" - St. John 8:44. Ananias and Sapphira were evil in their hearts and God deal with them as such.

Here me, not every "brother" is a brother. Many double agents are operating in the church today when the saints come together. " ¹⁸ (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: ¹⁹ Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)" - Philippians 3:18-19. UAC Family please keep me prayed up. Pray that our Lord Jesus Christ will give unto me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. That the eyes of my understanding would be enlightened, that the Spirit of discernment would rest on me as I seek to serve God in serving you.

The issue with Ananias and Sapphira was not the size of their contribution, it was because they lied to the Holy Ghost. How? By giving a part of the proceeds of the sale of their land under the pretense that they had given all. "³ 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? ⁴ 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" - Acts 5:3-4.

Ananias' sins found him out resulting in his death. Sapphira met with Peter 3 hours later and when asked explicitly how much the proceeds from the sale she did what was natural for her - she lied.  I believe that it was an opportunity for her to confess her sins and seek forgiveness but that was too much for her to do so she joined her husband in death. It did not have to end this way. The Holy Ghost was dealing with them long before this incident happened but refused to hear His voice and in so doing caused their deceitful hearts to be hardened. 

What a lesson for the Church on that day and what a powerful lesson for the Church in our day.

Revival continued despite the enemy's inside attack. Many were added to the Church, many great miracles were recorded, and all the sick folks who came or were brought were healed.

The Apostles were arrested and incarcerated again by the angry Sadducees but in the night God sent His angel to open the doors of the prison and lead His servants out to preach the message of salvation. The Sadducees sought to kill the Apostles because of the impact they were having, they had filled Jerusalem with the doctrine.  When they realized that they couldn't kill them they threatened and beat them but the disciples went away rejoicing and continued to fulfill their ministry. They were beaten but they were rejoicing - think about that. 

 I find Gamaliel's guidance very instructive, "And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: ³⁹ But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God" - verse 38-39. 

Much to digest in today's reading. What are your thoughts?

 

Maranatha