Acts 2:42-47
As I read this account of the beginning of the Christian
church, it becomes painfully clear that what we call church, compared to this
first church, is vastly different. Let’s
examine what it looked like and maybe then we will understand what has been
lost. In verse 42 we have this statement
of fact; “And
they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and the prayers.” The
“they” is referring to the new Christians and we find the word devoted and it
may be wise to consider its meaning. (Devoted: “showing great love, commitment,
or loyalty to somebody or something, especially over a long period of
time.”) And who was this love,
commitment, and loyalty manifested to, none other than Jesus Christ and His
apostles. Now when it refers to teaching
and fellowship and to the breaking of bread and the prayers, what you do not
see is the church of 2013. What you do
see in this early church is young and old, rich and poor, all hanging out together
learning Scripture teaching and fellowship, and having meals together. And the church came together for instruction
in righteousness, and in fellowship, but prayer was not something they began
and ended a service with, it was the window to the Father. They did not have to be taught that prayer
was the source of power, they model what Jesus had done while living among
them.
Now it may be a wise thing for most of us to stop reading at
this point because the following has been eradicated from the American church
of 2013. “And awe came upon every soul, and many
wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed
were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their
possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had
need.
(Acts 2:43-45 ESV)
Now let me confess that for years I’ve read these verses and dismissed
them as that was just for that time, God does not expect us to work hard and be
wise in our handling of wealth and then give it to someone who refuses to
work. That is what the socialist in our
government, or progressives expected, especially if they are excluded from
giving any of their funds. But does God
require the church of 2013 to have all things in common?
My dear brothers and
sisters, it is just the facts that this is how the church began, with all
things in common, but as it grew many began to listen to what Bill Gillham
referred to as Channel One, the deception channel, the voice that sounds just
like you but is from the enemy of your soul.
And that voice said, you are working harder or you have given more than
others, so sit back and enjoy the blessing of your fellow Christians and guess
what they did. This subject is addressed
by apostle Paul in his letter to the church of the Thessalonians, “Warning Against Idleness.”
“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not
in accord with the tradition that you received from us.” Paul goes on to make clear what he
is telling them; “For
even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not
willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in
idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and
encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their
own living.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ESV) In no way is God instructing the church to
not take care of those who are not able to work, or the children or mother of
some no good, lazy man, who will not work. So we begin to see how the deception
channel began to manifest itself in the early church.
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