Tuesday, August 18, 2015

A Call For Unity



Acts 4:31  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:32  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 4:33  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 4:34  Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

Acts 4:35  And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Acts 4:36  And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

Acts 4:37  Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Unity is being together or at one with someone or something. It's the opposite of being divided.

What Is Unity

This is a word for togetherness or oneness. When a group of people act as one and are, as we would say today, “on the same page”, they're displaying unity. Unity and love are two entities of a spiritual nature that defines the moral high ground of humanity.  Yet, they are often spoken of in a cavalier manner as if they are easily obtained and maintained.   The opposite is often true.  When people are bickering and disorganized, there's no unity.   In many  families, group settings or causes, unity can be hard to find and maintain. 

The war between the states was supposed to be a means of bringing about unity between the states.   As we know this was far from the truth.  In ideology and concept, the United States might have become a unified body, but a deeper and darker hatred was born.  In today's society, unity is suffering on the altar of political correctness, our leaders have chosen a path of division.  In the name of good our churches, communities, the nation and the world is suffering an expanding divide that is terminal in nature.   Jesus addressed this problem in Matthew 12:25, he said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:”


What Is The First Step Of Obtaining Unity?

Verse 31. And when they had prayed. The event which followed their prayer was regarded by them as an evidence that God heard their prayer.  We must conclude that prayer was the first step to obtaining unity  among the brethren.  Thus, without prayer and God's intervention, even war cannot bring about unity.  The place was shaken. The word which is translated "was shaken," commonly denotes violent agitation, as the raging of the sea, the convulsion of an earthquake, or trees shaken by the wind, Matthews 11:7; Acts 16:26; Hebrew 12:26. The language here is fitted to express the idea of an earthquake. Whether the motion was confined to the house where they were, is not said. They regarded this as an answer to their prayer, or as an evidence that God would be with them,

Verse 32. And the multitude. The number of believers at this time had become huge. In Acts 4:4, it is said that it was five thousand; and the number was constantly increasing.  They existed with one heart. This expression denotes a tender union. They felt alike or were attached to the same things, and this preserved them from dissensions.

One soul. This phrase also denotes close and tender union. No expression could denote it more striking than to say of friends, they have one soul. Plutarch cites an ancient verse in his life of Cato of Utica, with this very expression, "Two friends, one soul." (Grotius.) Thus Diogenes Laertius also (5 i. 11) says respecting Aristotle, that "being asked what was a friend, answered, that it was one soul dwelling in two bodies." (Kuin”el.) The Hebrews spoke of two friends as being "one man." There can be no more striking demonstration of union and love than to say of more than five thousand suddenly drawn together, that they had one soul! And this union they evinced in every way possible; in their conduct, in their prayers, and in their property. How different would have been the aspect of the church if the union had continued to the present time!

Verse 33. And with great power. See Ac 1:8. The word power here denotes efficacy and means that they had ability given them to bear witness of the resurrection of the Saviour. It refers, therefore, rather to their preaching than to their miracles. 


Gave the apostles witness, etc. The apostles bore testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. This was the main point to be established. If it was proved that the Lord Jesus came to life again after having been put to death, it established all that he taught and was a demonstration that he was sent from God. They exerted, therefore, all their powers to prove this; and their success was such as might have been expected. Multitudes were converted to the Christian faith.

And great grace, etc. The word grace means favor. And the expression here may mean either that the favor of God was remarkably shown to them, or that they had great favor in the sight of the people. It does not refer, as the expression now commonly used, to the internal blessings of religion on a man's own soul; to their personal advancement in the Christian graces of humility, etc.; but to the favor or success that attended their preaching. The meaning probably is, that the favor of the people towards them was great; or that great success attended their ministry among them. Thus the same word grace (Greek) is used in Acts 2:47. If this is its meaning, then here is an instance of the power of the testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus to impress the minds of men. But this is not all, nor probably is it the main idea. It is that their union, their benevolence, their liberality in supplying the wants of the needy, was a means of opening the hearts of the people, and of winning them to the Saviour. If we wish to include others to our opinions or to bring them to be Christians, nothing is better adapted to it than to show them kindness, and even to minister to their temporal wants. Benevolence towards them softens the heart and inclines them to listen to us. It disarms their prejudices and disposes them to the exercise of the mild and amiable feelings of religion.

Hence our Saviour was engaged in healing the diseases, and supplying the wants of the people. He drew around him the poor, the needy, and the diseased, and supplied their necessities, and thus prepared them to receive his message of truth. Thus God is love and is constantly doing good, that his goodness may lead men to repentance, Romans 2:4. And hence no persons have better opportunities to spread the true sentiments of religion or are clothed with higher responsibilities, than those who have it in their power to do better; or than those who are habitually engaged in bestowing favors. Thus, physicians have access to the hearts of men, which other persons have not. Thus, parents have an easy access to the minds of children, for they are constantly doing them good. And thus, Sunday-school teachers, whose whole work is a work of benevolence, have direct and most efficient access to the hearts of the men women and children committed to their care.

Verse 34. That lacked. That was in want; or whose wants were not supplied by the others. As many as, etc. The word used here is employed in a large, indefinite sense; but it would be improper to press it so as to suppose that every individual that became a Christian sold at once all his property. The sense, doubtless is, that this was done when it was necessary; they parted with whatever property was needful to supply the wants of their poor brethren. That it was by no means considered a matter of obligation, or enjoined by the apostles, is apparent from the case of Ananias, Acts 5:4. The fact that Joses is particularly mentioned, Acts 4:36, shows that it was by no means a universal practice thus to part with all their possessions. He was one instance in which it was done. Perhaps there were many other similar instances; but all that the passage requires us to believe is, that they parted with whatever was needful to supply the wants of the poor. This was an eminent and an instructive instance of Christian liberality, and of the power of the gospel in overcoming one of the strongest passions that ever exist in the human bosom--the love of money. Many of the early Christians were poor. They were collected from the lower orders of the people. But all were not so. Some of them, it seems, were men of affluence. The effect of religion was to bring them all, in regard to feeling at least, on a level. They felt that they were members of one family; belonging to the same Redeemer, and they, therefore, imparted their property cheerfully to their brethren. Besides this, they were about to go to other lands to preach the gospel. They were to leave their native country; and they cheerfully parted with their lands, that they might go and proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Verse 35. And laid them down, etc. That is, they committed the money received for their property to the disposal of the apostles, to distribute it as was necessary among the poor. This soon became a burdensome and inconvenient office, and they, therefore, appointed men who had especial charge of it, Acts 6:1-2,

Verse 36. And Joses. Many manuscripts, instead of Joses, here read Joseph. The reasons why this individual is selected and specified particularly were, doubtless, because he was a foreigner; because it was a remarkable instance of liberality; and because he subsequently distinguished himself in the work of the ministry. He gave himself, his property, his all, for the service of the Lord Jesus, and went forth to the self-denying labors of the gospel. He is elsewhere mentioned with honor in the New Testament, Acts 11:24,30; and usually as the companion of the apostle Paul. The occasion on which he became connected with Paul in the ministry was when he himself was sent forth by the church at Jerusalem to Antioch. There, it seems, he heard of the fame of Paul, and went to Tarsus to seek him, and brought him with him to Antioch, Acts 11:22-26. Before this, he had been acquainted with him, and had introduced him to the other apostles at a time when they were afraid of Paul and unwilling to acknowledge him as an apostle, Acts 9:26-27. At Antioch, Barnabas was led into dissimulation, by Peter in regard to the Gentiles, and was reproved by his friend and companion Paul, Ga 2:13. He and Paul continued to travel in fellowship until a dispute arose at Antioch about Mark; and they separated, Paul goes with Silas through Syria and Cilicia, and Barnabas with Mark sailing for his native place, Cyprus, Acts 15:35-41.

v32-37 The disciples loved one another. This was the blessed fruit of Christ's dying precept to his disciples and his dying prayer for them. Thus, it was then, and it will be so again when the Spirit shall be poured upon us from on high. The doctrine preached was the resurrection of Christ; a matter of fact, which being duly explained, was a summary of all the duties, privileges, and comforts of Christians. There were evident fruits of Christ's grace in everything they said and did. They were dead to this world. This was a great evidence of the grace of God in them. They did not take away others' property, but they were indifferent to it. They did not call it their own; because they had, in love, forsaken all for Christ, and were expecting to be stripped of all for cleaving to him. No marvel that they were of one heart and soul when they sat so close to the wealth of this world. In effect, they had all things common; for there was not any among them who lacked, care was taken for their supply. The money was laid at the apostles' feet. Great care should be taken in the distribution of public charity, that it is given to such as have need, such as are not able to procure a maintenance for themselves; those who are reduced to want for well-doing, and for the testimony of a good conscience, ought to be provided for. Here is one in particular mentioned, remarkable for this generous charity; it was Barnabas. As one designed to be a preacher of the gospel, he disentangled himself from the affairs of this life. When such dispositions prevail and are exercised according to the circumstances of the times, the testimony will have very great power upon others.


Sunday, August 9, 2015

Return To God's Word

Return To God's Word
To fully understand the background of this lesson it is necessary to read and understand the entire book of Nehemiah.   Nehemiah was the Persian king's cup-bearer.  When Nehemiah lived at ease, and in honor in the King’s house, but he did not forget that he was an Israelite and that his brethren was in distress.   This was an attribute of his training.  Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
The scripture tells us that Nehemiah inquired of the condition of his brethren.  Nehemiah 1:3-4  And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,  Not only did he inquire of the condition of his people, he was willing to leave his comfort zone.

The interesting aspect of Nehemiah’s plan that was put into motion was that it required the blessings of the heathen King.  The exiled Israelites returning to Jerusalem needed God’s word to prepare them for the re-establishment of their nation. Led by Nehemiah, their first task was to rebuild the city wall.  This plan, although it was approved by God and the ruling king, it was not readily accepted by all of the people.  Nehemiah 2:19  But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? Will ye rebel against the king?   Persevering through tremendous conflict and ridicule, the people were encouraged to work, they completed the wall in only 52 days. After that, Nehemiah organized the allocation of the dwelling places back to the returning exiles based on genealogical records. They resettled their towns and then looked forward to rebuilding their culture.

What Really Caused The Downward Spiral?
The scripture background highlights a subdued nation or community  in distress.   Their suffering was attributed to the fact they had turned away from the Word of God, the people had become complacent  as pertaining to the worship and  observance of  the laws of God.   This self-righteous attitude of many was was because of their lack of understanding of God’s word  which created a lack of fear of God.   Ezra, the priest, knew that leading the people to return to the priority of God’s word in their lives was essential to the Israelites’ regaining their identity as God’s chosen ones.  He put out the call and all the people gathered in the square in front of the Water Gate to hear the Law of Moses read.   This was something that had long been cast aside. The reading of the law of Moses was to restore the fear of God within  the heart of the people.  Deuteronomy 5:29  O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!  The fear of God is a phrase that modern society tends to shy away from.  The reason being is that if the fear of God is taught, people would run from God.  This statement is merely a diversion of the truth.

The elimination of the fear of God in this country is symbolized by the Supreme court ruling in 1963, as pertaining to prayer in our schools.  This ruling, although denied by many led to a dramatic increase in crime, venereal disease, premarital sex, illiteracy, suicide, drug use, public corruption, and other social ills. This is documented by Specialty Research Associates, under the direction of David Barton, that has released a report entitled America: To Pray or Not to Pray.  

It is not hard to see the benefits that a nation, a society, or a person would derive if they chose to live by the Word of God.  In our modernist and pessimist society, Statistics indicates that our kids are more sexualized now than ever and that 70% of kids will have sex before graduating high school!   A new report says that 45% of Americans think that God wants them to be happy more than anything else.  A pew poll report shows that church attendance is at the lowest mark in twenty years.  Studies now indicate that the current presidential administration is the most anti-Christian administration of the modern era! 

George Orwell said, “The further a society drifts away from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”.

When we hear these kinds of reports and stats, our gut instinct can be to throw our hands up in despair, panic, or disgust. We are shocked at the behavior of young people these days. Shocked at the levels of immorality at universities. Shocked at the apathy of people toward spiritual things. Shocked at the spike in gay marriages. Shocked at the smut being produced by Hollywood. Shocked at the increase in sexual promiscuity in our culture. What is this world coming to?!?

The definition of God and his Word has been redefined and trivialized in such a manner that the believability of God is suffering.  Cute clichés and emotionalized expressions have become the standard of a new age worship.  The mission of Christianity, the mission of the church, the mission of the individual should be to go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to return to the word of God.  The scoffers and doubters will ask why when science and humanity have ruled that God and the Bible are irrelevant in world affairs.

Returning to God
Return to Me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 1:3). 

The children of Israel were blessed as a nation when they obeyed the laws of God. There is always blessing in store for those who follows the teaching of the Bible. This statement in itself often leads the church, a spiritual body, to promise earthly blessing in exchange for one returning to God. With God in our lives, we are able to live a more bountiful life because of the hope we have in our Heart. God promised the Children of Israel the blessings of Abraham. In Matthew 5, Jesus promised his followers blessings of a different nature. When we attempt to entice people to God by making promises, that God has not sanctioned, we are guilty of being false teachers. It is this hope that burns within our heart that give us a type of peace that is of a spiritual nature. It is that peace that John exhibited while he languished in Jail. His only request was “are you the Christ or shall we look for another?” In a situation of that type, what would our request be?

 Titus 1:2  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;


Sunday, August 2, 2015

Revealing The Antichrist?

Is The Antichrist A Biblical Fact?

We are living in unprecedented times. The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation are converging and many of the signs are being ignored because of our vast increase of knowledge or simply because we are being distracted.  The cauldron of hate is constantly being stirred, setting the stage for the fulfillment of Revelation 13.  Biblical symbology define beast as a nation and the sea signify a multitude of confused people.  This new nation “beast”, an ungodly beast “nation”, rising up out a “sea” of confused people, will it be ruled by the antichrist?  Will the antichrist be revealed soon?  Is “the antichrist” a biblical fact or are we being distracted?

The divisions of most major religions who holds different views on the subject are being amplified as they await and anticipating the appearance of their “savior”, called, “Messiah,” “Jesus Christ,” “the Twelfth Mahdi,” “the Fifth Buddha,” or “the Tenth Avatar.”  There is a growing awareness among religions that one single man might actually fulfill all these religions’ expectations. The ecumenical concept promotes the ideology that a one-size-fits-all messiah would bring the entire world’s religions and governments together forming a New World Order.  World leaders and religious leaders seem to be auditioning for the part. Is the antichrist a person or is it just a word meaning false teachers?

One of the most commonly held positions by many premillennial Christians today concerning the interpretation of the prophecy pertaining to the antichrist is as follows:  2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 tells us that the Day of Christ will not come until “the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.”  This person is said to be identified in 1st John 2:18-19 as “the antichrist”.  The Temple of God will be rebuilt and the antichrist will sit in the Temple in Jerusalem and demand to be worshipped as God. In Revelation 13:1 the antichrist is called “the beast,” which will rise up and rule the world.  In Daniel 9, he will establish a peace pact with many nations, but after three and one-half years this peace pack will fail.  This tyrannical world dictator, empowered by Satan and the embodiment of all that is evil, will be defeated by Christ at His Second Coming (II Thessalonians 2:8).  All of this sound fine, but are we guilty of ignoring Bible symbology?  Where is the solid Biblical basis for this view?  Maybe we are guilty of creative interpretative assumptions.

The story of the antichrist has inflamed and influenced Christian theology and indoctrination, for as long as most can remember.  As a child, I was introduced to the ideology that “the antichrist” was coming, and like many, my indoctrinated responses were, “I don’t want to be here when he come.”  The antichrist is coming created the same level of fear as being told, judgment day is coming.  Yet, for me to subconsciously acknowledge that I would rather be dead than face the “the antichrist”.  This created a sense of dread as I contemplated the frailty of my mortal existence.  The antichrist was the bogeyman of Christianity and the crowning point of many speakers elucidations was to place a face on this godless wonder.  For some reason unknown to many, without a face the antichrist was scarier than the devil.  

Studying the scripture and researching the antichrist, I came across a lot of speculations about the antichrist, who he is or who he might be.  The most popular names to come up were Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and the Pope.  Since the antichrist has long been used as a label for everything from presidents to movies; it is only natural to ask: Who is the antichrist?  Does this term have anything to do with us today? The logical place to begin when searching for the identity of the antichrist is in the Bible.  Do Revelation 13:18 identify the beast as the antichrist as a man whose number is 6-6-6?   Again, we must be careful that we do not become guilty of creative interpretations filled with assumptions.  As I studied the scripture and other postings I became acutely aware of the attempt to put a face on the antichrist, yet the scripture did not speak of “the antichrist” as a person. 

The fault that stood out in our creative interpretative assumptions is that we change the word from “antichrist” to “the antichrist”, doing so we changed it from an adjective to a noun, thereby changing its meaning.  The terminology used in the scripture is “antichrist" not "the antichrist" and it is only found in 1st John 2:18, 2:22, 4:3, and 2nd John 7.  The term “antichrist” appears five times in the writing of John.  The antichrist is primarily a concept based on interpretation of passages in the New Testament, in which the term "antichrist" occurs five times in 1st John and 2nd John, once in plural form and four times in the singular.  If the Apostle John was the only Bible writer to use the word antichrist; we must look to John, not Paul or Revelation to tell us its meaning.  If we study the writing of Apostle John carefully, we will learn what antichrist is, not who is the antichrist.

1st John 2:18-19, little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 

There is no need to engage in a long and confusing discussion, John is not talking about one person who will come in the name of Jesus, sit in the temple and declare himself God as many have proposed. John is speaking of the spiritual embodiment of Satan that invades the heart of many men.  The key points of John’s elucidation are;   ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now there are  many antichrists.  They went out from us, but they were not of us.  Antichrist is best defined as an adjective that describes the condition of humanity’s heart.  Adding the word “The” to antichrist changes the word to a noun that signifies a person. There are many today even as it was in John’s day that is filled with the antichrist spirit.  As the word "anti" infers it is the opposite of being filled with God's spirit.  Simply put, John said, “He is antichrist (against Christ) that denieth the Father and the Son.” He further stated in 2nd John 1:7, for many deceivers, are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  He is an antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son.   Isn’t it true John is speaking of false teachers?


A common fault of creative interpretation is scriptures from different segment of the Bible are mixed together without regard to who is talking, what is being talked about and who is being spoken to.  We dump this into the pot of our personal opinion; add a touch of emotionalism and what emerges is a polluted mess that is neither supported by the Word of God or even common sense.  It is justified as secondary doctrines the same as Christian denominations.  Now, if we read the following verses without a preconceive notion that Paul is talking about “the antichrist” rather than “antichrist” it is possible that our views of the entire subject will be different.  2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4, Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.  If we use this scripture to draw the face of the antichrist, we have been distracted.  Paul began his elucidations to the Thessalonians by warning them not to be deceived by false teachers.   In the final days of Paul’s ministry, he warned the church of these people who would come among then, distract them and led them astray.   Jesus and John among others warned the sheep of those who preached not the Gospel of the Kingdom.  The came in some other way and their intent was and is to lead the sheep astray.  Jesus said you are for me or you are against me, the Apostle John said, those who were antichrist were against Christ.