I just finished reading Acts 4 & 5, and it's a story that I think is so deeply important in our Christian faith. Here we have 2 spirit filled men, Peter and John, who were preaching in the name of Christ, teaching of His death, resurrection, and salvation through His name. This was right after they healed the lame man that was begging them, giving him something worth more than money and physical food. Many people, about 5 thousand men, plus women and children, began to believe in the words they were saying, and also they began to receive opposition from people of power, namely the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees. The leaders asked Peter and John, by what name they are speaking and healing, having such power and effect on the people. Peter responded, saying that it is by Jesus, the same man that was killed by the leaders and their people, and hung on the cross. They were then told to stop talking about this man named Jesus, converting all these people into believers of a doctrine they did not personally believe in.
Peter and John responded, telling those that opposed them, whether it is right for us to listen to God, or listen to you, we will let you figure out. Back in these days, this was an incredibly bold statement to make. Going against the leaders got you imprisoned, killed, or both, period. It wasn't a case where you would get off on good behavior, or be given the benefit of the doubt. Then later, in chapter 5, comes the story of Ananias and Sapphira. There were many people selling their wealth, and giving it as an offering for the gospel to be continued. The man Ananias, sold some land, and brought only a portion of the money and gave it, but told them that it was all he got.
Peter then asked Ananias why he felt the desire to lie to the Holy Ghost, as if it wasn't of his own power, and decision that he sold his possession in the first place?! He told him that he's not lying to men, but instead he's lying to God. Immediately, Ananias dropped dead. 3 hours later, Sapphira, his wife came, and Peter asked her if the amount was all they got from selling the land. She, too, lied and said that it was, and Peter told her the same thing he told her husband, and she died just like him, instantly. This alone is enough to preach a whole sermon on. The people that saw and heard of what happened, were immediately filled with fear, as you and I would be if we saw something of this magnitude.
After, more signs and wonders were done by the two apostles, Peter, and John, including healing many sick and possessed people. This angered the high priest, and several others, so they took the apostles, and threw them in jail. The same night, the prison doors were opened and the 2 men were released by angels of God, who then commanded them to go to the temple and speak to the people. The next day, when the high priest called the council, and had sent for the two men, they were told that the prison was securely shut, with the guards standing outside, but the men were not in it. They then got word that the men were preaching in the temple, just as the angels had told them to. Then they brought them before the council, and questioned them, saying, didn't we tell you to stop teaching in the name of Jesus? Peter responded, telling them that their duty is to listen to God, rather than listening to men. The same God who raised Jesus, whom they killed and hung on the cross. Once again, they gave this bold answer.
As soon as they said this, the leaders were cut to the heart, and they wanted to kill the apostles. A well respected man named Gamaliel, who was known as a doctor of the law, stood up and spoke, telling the counsel to be careful of how they treat these apostles. He told them that if the words they speak are purely by men and not true, then it will die, but if it is true, then they would be found fighting against God, which would have much bigger repercussions. Then, the apostles were beaten, commanded again not to speak in Jesus name, and let go. One thing that gets me is that because of this, the apostles REJOICED that they were counted WORTHY to suffer shame for Christ, and then began to teach and preach the name of Christ everyday, in every house, and in the temple.
This is alot, yes, but it catches my eye for many reasons. For one, these apostles walked SO BOLDLY. As believers, we are required to be bold followers of Christ. We're responsible for upholding our integrity to Him night or day, rain or shine, joy or pain. So many times we pick and choose when we want to allow Christ to live in our situation. Sometimes, especially around church folk, we act so filled with the Holy Spirit, spitting out scriptures and saying this and that, but then this is nowhere near the person that people outside of the church walls see. When we go to our different environments, sometimes we hide our Christianity from others, not wanting to seem like a church boy or church girl, wondering what other men and women will think of us, because that lifestyle is so scrutinized. It's a shame how we actively choose to not let the light shine so that people can see it, and acknowledge that there is something greater in us, than just the average person with the average problems, and the average thoughts. I, too, have fallen to this way of living. There have been times, especially when I was younger, when I was given the PERFECT opportunity to minister to someone and tell them about Jesus, but I purposely suppressed the feeling, just so that I could be seen as "popular." In fact, this is what I think about everytime I see the scripture that says, if we deny knowing Christ in the eyes of others, He will deny knowing us in the eyes of His Father. Gut wrenching isn't it? I hope so, cuz it should be.
Ok, now the next thing that catches my eye is of course Ananias and his wife Sapphira. They flat out lied to Peter, thinking that they could get away with it, not realizing that they were really lying to God, who knew the truth anyway! Together, they pretty much came up with the scheme that they would bring only a portion of what they were supposed to, and give it as an offering under the pretense that they were giving their all, just so they can make themselves "look" good...sound familiar? I want you as a reader, and more importantly just as a person, to think about it. How many times can we say that we have acted like we did something, or said that we did something, just so we can look good to others, knowing good and well that we were presenting a false sense of truth? I'm pretty sure it's something we've all fallen victim to at some point, because as we all know, other people's perception of us has a certain degree of importance. When Ananias did it, he was exposed on the spot, and immediately killed, not by the apostles, but by God! When Sapphira came 3 hours later, not having any knowledge of what happened with her husband, she was given a chance to be truthful, but she didn't. She was exposed on the spot, and immediately killed, not by the apostles, but by God! So I ask this question. You think you got away with it, just because you're still breathing right? WRONG! All of our deeds and actions are being recorded by God, and He doesn't miss a moment. In fact, He knows what you're going to do before you do! But that doesn't mean that we're not given a chance, like Sapphira. We are all given a chance to present the lies we tell to God, and turn away from them. It's a chance we must take when we get it, because we don't know just how many chances we will end up with before we are no longer living.
Lastly, another thing that catches my attention is at the end of Chapter 5, when the apostles were beaten for preaching Christ, and let go, and they began to rejoice...REJOICE? For being beaten? Seriously?! Honestly, it is still something I have to physically wrap my mind around whenever I think of it, and remind myself of the deeper reasons why they rejoiced. I can't honestly say that this is something I automatically fall into as I did the previous 2 topics, but I want to so badly. It takes such a sense of closeness to God, and an understanding of what it means to suffer shame for the name of Christ, in order to be able to rejoice at something like this. I know that I'm going to have people who turn their back on me because I choose to follow Christ. It has already happened to me, but I can't really say it was by a person that I was ever close to. I've been made fun of because I've always been a "church boy," which is something I battled with, especially during middle school, which is mainly where the first topic I spoke of came into play, but eventually, I always brushed it off and kept moving, because people are not most important, and like I said, these people were never really close to me. I know it's coming though. I know the ridicule is coming. I may have to give up some friends. I know the pain and the storms are coming, and I'm going to have to stop associating with certain people if they do not respect certain aspects of my being. It's going to be hard, but I want to be able to suffer for Christ sake, and then turn around and rejoice just like the apostles did, for the simple fact that my perfect God, sent His son, my savior, Jesus, down to endured pain, heartache, and suffering, just to claim me as His own...just so He could have a close relationship with me. If I was to turn my back on Him, I wouldn't be able to live with myself, and more importantly, I wouldn't be able to live...
I'm just sharing my heart with you. Thank you for reading this far. I know it is alot, and I commend you for sticking with me this far. Most people would look at the size of this, and go to the next thing. I am ver appreciative of your time and patience...Love God. Love people. Follow Christ.
Feel free to comment and tell me your thoughts. I'd love to read them.
No comments:
Post a Comment