The church no one dared to join

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more believers than ever were added to the Lord........ (Acts of the Apostles 5: 12-14 - around AD 33, Jerusalem, Israel)

Can you believe this? Only a few months after Jesus Christ had been executed by crucifixion and had been raised from the dead his followers numbered several thousand in Jerusalem. On one day - exactly 50 days after Jesus rose - 3,000 people changed their self-focussed minds and sin-tolerant way of life, made a public declaration of that change, were forgiven and received Jesus’ new life inside to enable them to live differently – and to be seen to do so in His name. A few days after that, following an astounding healing of a lame-from-birth beggar in Solomon’s Portico and the subsequent proclamation of Jesus’ good news, the total number of followers was around 10,000 (Acts 4:4). All following a new way of life – and following Jesus of Nazareth although he was no longer on earth. Given that the Jerusalem population at that time was reckoned by some to have been about 100,000 residents, it’s like 10,000 folk being actively changed today in Jersey - roughly every member of the Portuguese-speaking community in Jersey.;. But, yes, most of can believe that with regard to Jerusalem AD 33. After all, it’s in the Report that Luke (a doctor) wrote for his friend Theophilus following close and detailed investigation. That book of the Bible has now been given the name “Acts of the Apostles”.
Having got that over with, can you believe this: on that day in Jerusalem (see above) no-one “dared join them”. No one dared to join that large group. Can you believe that?	‘It is better that the heavens fall than that one crumb of truth perish.’ (Martin Luther, German Professor of Theology, 1483-1546)
What stopped folk from joining this very first church of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth? Well, to join could be far too risky – potentially it could mean their death if they joined. Dr Luke recorded two suddden deaths in this first church a few days earlier. A man (Ananias) and his wife (Sapphira) had both died suddenly although in good health. The early believers responded to every kind of need in all the other believers in Jerusalem. They gave and gave and gave again to support each other. As is the case in Jersey, some had land (others did'nt). Some of those with land sold it and passed on the proceeds to be distributed to meet the dire needs of other followers of Jesus.
Ananias and Sapphira sold a field and conspired secretly to give away only part of the proceeds of sale but to say that they were giving the whole amount. After all, who would know? No one would find out. They would be well esteemed – and simultaneously retain money for themselves. Ananias lied to Peter about the sale price.	‘Truth fears no trial.’ (Thomas Fuller, Author and historian, 1608-1661)
But no. Oh, no. Peter, the fisherman changed into a disciple of Jesus, spoke to Ananias, “Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” On hearing those words Ananias fell down dead. And Sapphira? Peter saw her an hour or two later, “How is is that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord Jesus?” She fell down dead also. That explains it. No messing with this following of Jesus Christ. It’s got to be real, really real, no pretence. But look what happened simultaneously – “more believers than ever were added to the Lord”. Added to the Lord? Yes, for real. Not added to the “church” but added to the Lord. There is a difference. The Lord is furious when I lie to him. Including when I lie to his followers down here.

Sinner Syvret

Email this newsletter to a friend
*All mandatory fields must be filled in
Friend`s name
Friend`s email address *
Your name
Your email address *
Message

Send comment
*All mandatory fields must be filled in
Your name *
Your email address *
Your comment *