Action/Reaction

We have wondered out loud often loudly why God seems to be so silent in a world that so desperately needs his voice. This need has increased exponentially because of events in the past several days that have put the world on edge in a way not experienced in decades.

Perhaps we should begin our weekend of searching for our place in this world by returning to a time when God spoke loudly and often. I think it was Sir Isaac Newton who said that every action results in an equal and opposite reaction. I don’t know about opposite, but our texts from the book of Acts are full of actions and reactions.

What was it about the church that caused them to see such mighty acts of God?

Exactly what kind of divine activity did the church see?

Wonders and signs gave testimony to God’s presence.

He increased the church daily.

There was power in the apostle’s witness.

Not all was happy since there was also judgement.

This is a hard story.

“Take it away and paint me warts and all. (Cromwell in Barclay)

Polhill says the judgement was so severe because Ananias had “falsified” the Spirit and Sapphira had “tested” the Spirit as if to see what she would tolerate.

God made the church a place of physical healing.

The church experienced God’s grace.

But we must take note of the kind of church that saw such divine activity.

There was devotion to the word.

There was devotion to one another.

They were continually in prayer but what they were praying?

They were obsessed with giving, not getting.

Lots of people use these passages from Acts to justify capitalism and private property because the people sold and gave voluntarily.

But was it voluntary?

They were continually meeting and worshipping.

There was joy.

The church was characterized by unity, not uniformity.

Luke said there was no neediness among them.

Real Christians cannot bear to have too much when others have too little. (Barclay)

They trusted one another. [Acts 4.36-37]

But there was accountability.

Ananias Sapphira had one foot in the Kingdom and one foot in the world.

Polhill makes the point the judgement came as a result of their deception, and makes no statement as to their eternal destiny.

The word “held back” contains the idea of embezzlement, taking what belongs to another.

These folks hadn’t lost their sense of awe.

They were recognizable to people outside. [5.13]

There was conflict and resolution.

The synagogue took a weekly contribution of money and a daily collection of food for long-term and short-term needs.

The church apparently continued these collections.

There was prejudice by the Palestinian Jews against Greek-speaking Jews, a prejudice that carried over into the church.

At least some of the names of the early deacons were Greek.

This may seem minor, but they were likable to those outside.

I know we can’t reckon this as tit for tat, but we can’t dismiss the connection between the two. Maybe we can’t hear the voice of God because, unlike that early church, we have stopped speaking his language.