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The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 5
Biblical Suffering Meaning
Christian Suffering for God Purpose
Good day to you! We've been discovering some of the different
experiences that the Apostles went through in their commission to
spread the Good News of Christ, and relating it to our own
discipleship, so let's continue with our study of the book of Acts
and see what else happened.
Let's start off with a little Daily Bread Crumb. We've talked about
this once before briefly, but this time, I'll expound a little more
about the subject of commonwealth. Commonwealth is having all
things ... In common. In other words, when the Christian movement
started everyone shared everything. Those who would become Christian
would oft times do as Jesus said and sell all Worldly possessions and
follow the Christian movement. They would then each contribute their
gifts and talents and possessions as their part of the commonwealth.
I know this may sound a little strange, having been raised in the
selfish generation we live in today. But, it was an excellent idea
because the poor and rich Christians became of one calling and shared
all whether it be financial or skills for a common goal. Let
me give you an example. You may be a good sandal-maker, so your job
in the commonwealth would be to make sandals for all the people who
belonged. to the Christian group.
Biblical Suffering for the Cause
Christian Suffering for God as He Did for You
Your neighbor may be a good hunter, so your neighbor could provide
you with the leather that you need to make the sandals, and meat to
feed the commonwealth. Somebody else may have a green thumb and they
would grow fruits and vegetables and herbs for everyone. Nobody has
more or less than anyone else, and everyone's job is just as
important as the next person's.
Now ... There was a man that wanted to join the Christian movement
named Ananias. He and his wife Sapphira wanted to be part of the
commonwealth, so they sold their land. However, Ananias and wife
Sapphira decided to deceive the Christian group and keep part of the
money back for themselves. Ananias then took the specified amount
that he and his wife secretly plotted to contribute and laid it at
the Apostles' feet. In doing this, Ananias was saying, in essence,
that he wanted more than the others and the BIG problem was. His
gesture was showing a lack of Faith and that He thought he was
fooling ... God.
Now, Peter, being clued in by the Holy Spirit as to the plot said,
Ananias, why has satan controlled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost
and keep part of the price of the land for yourself? Before you sold
it, wasn't it your own? And after it was sold, wasn't all the money
yours?
Biblical Suffering Truth
Christian Suffering for God in Faith
Why have you thought this thing in your heart? You haven't lied to
men, but to God. Peter was saying, it would have been better for
Ananias to keep it all to himself and not be a part of the
commonwealth, than to keep part and give part so that he could have
more than the others. When Ananias heard these words, he fell down,
and died. They wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
It was about three hours later that Sapphira, not knowing what
happened, came in. Peter asked her, Tell me if you sold the land for
this much (the amount that Ananias gave him)? And she said, Yes, for
that much. Then Peter said to her, Why did you agree together to
tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who buried your
husband are at the door, and will carry you out too. She fell down
immediately at his feet and died, and they came in and carried her
out, and buried her by her husband. Great fear came upon all the
Church, and on anyone who heard these things.
Biblical Suffering is Worthy
Endure Christian Suffering for God
Now ... with all the scams going on these days I want to be sure that
you do not believe this message to mean that you should run out and
give your life savings to some Church, group or man claiming to be
something. It would be best for you to check the fruits well and be
certain that it is God's will before making such a rash decision. In
addition ... I am not saying Tithes is not a righteous deed either,
so all you Pharisees can sit back down and lower that brow. If you
feel led or called to put forth monies to some worthy cause, that's
great. Just be careful ... The main purpose of commonwealth was to
Love and care for one another as family. It is best for one to
sacrifice whatever they can to the Christian cause, but it may not be
financial ... Some of your time, talent, devotion and love shared for
the Christian cause would be deemed as putting your part into the
commonwealth.
Many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the
Apostles. They were all united in Solomon's Porch (at the Temple),
and of the rest dared no man join himself to them, but the people
respected them. Sounds like Jesus Freak was a term even back then
huh? I am proud to be a Jesus freak. More and more believers,
both men and women, were added to the Lord. So much so, that they
brought sick people into the streets, and laid them on beds and
couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might
overshadow some of them. Did you hear that? Even just the shadow of
Peter passing by and overshadowing people, healed them! That's Holy
Spirit power! People came from all the cities round about to
Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were possessed with
unclean spirits, and every single one of them was healed.
Biblical Suffering is Normal
Christian Suffering for God and His Cause
The high priest got up, and all those who were with him, (they were
Sadducees,) and were filled with anger, and they put the Apostles
into the prison. But the Angel of the Lord opened the prison doors
and night and brought them out and said, Go, stand and speak in the
Temple to the people, all the words of this (everlasting) life. This
is rather comical if you think about it. God's sense of humor is
wonderful. The Sadducees, as we learned before, don't believe in the
after life or Angels,
so God sent an Angel to free the Apostles and told them to go back
into the Temple and talk about Jesus some more!
So early in the morning, the Apostles went into the Temple and
taught. Unbeknownst to the high priest, he called his council and all
the senate together to get ready for another wanna be judgment and
then sent to the prison to have the Apostles brought to him. When the
officers didn't find them in the prison, they returned and told the
high priest, We found the prison locked up tight, and the guards
standing outside the doors, but when we opened them up, nobody was
inside.
When the high priest, the captain of the Temple and the chief priests
heard these things, they were uncertain of what would happen. Then
someone came and told them, Look, the men who you put in prison are
standing in the Temple, and teaching the people of Jesus. The captain
and the officers went and got them peaceably because they feared they
might be stoned by the people if they used violence. When they
brought them and set them before the council, the high priest asked
them, Didn't we strictly command you not to teach in this name? And
look, you've filled Jerusalem with your teachings, and intend to
bring this man's blood upon us. (To bring someone's blood upon
another means to make them responsible for their death.)
Biblical Suffering for You
Christian Suffering for God Blessing
Peter and the other Apostles answered, We have to obey God, not man.
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a
tree (the cross was made of wood which comes from a tree). God has
exalted Him with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give
repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we're His witnesses
of these things, and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them
that obey Him.
When they heard that, they were furious, and they discussed slaying
them. Then a man in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel,
who was a lawyer, and well known among all the people, and said to
the others, You men of Israel, be careful of what you intend to do
concerning these men. In times past there rose a man named Theudas,
who claimed to be somebody important, and had about 400 followers.
Theudas was slain, and his followers were scattered and came to
nothing. After that, rose up a man named Judas of Galilee, in the
days of the taxing, and many people followed him. He also perished,
and all who followed him were also dispersed. Now, I say to you, Keep
away from these men, and leave them alone, because if their message
is from men, it will come to nothing, but if it comes from God, you
can't overthrow it, or else you'll be found to be fighting against
God. The Apostle's message must have been from God because it's still
alive and kicking today.
They agreed with Gamaliel, yet they beat the Apostles and they
commanded that they shouldn't speak in the name of Jesus, and they
let them go.
Biblical Suffering Facts
Christian Suffering for God as Others Did
The Apostles left the council, rejoicing that they were counted
worthy to suffer shame for Jesus' name, and daily in the Temple and
in every house, they didn't stop teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.
If anyone ever tries to make you feel ashamed because you're a
Christian, because you believe in Christ, and His teachings, and
because you reflect that in your lifestyle, rejoice, because your
unworthiness in man's eyes, is worthiness in God's. People find it
offensive when you speak about your Christian beliefs? Hot Dog!
You're more of a disciple than you know! Rejoice, and again I say,
Rejoice!
What would have happened if the Apostles remained silent? When you
decide to be a disciple, be careful not to be like Ananias and
Sapphira, and hold back anything because you're afraid to jump in
with both feet or because you won't feel secure about how society
feels about you as a Christian.
Biblical Suffering Conclusion
Christian Suffering for God Summary
Jesus is counting on you to speak boldly, and to rejoice at the
consequences. Deep inside you know, and that little voice inside that
says, You should have said something, or, Show them the light, it is
the Holy Spirit moving you in the right direction. Listen. You'll
sleep better. You'll feel better. You'll live better.
Can't wait for next time when we share more Daily Bread. Until then,
God Bless!
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