If one part is hurt, all parts are hurt with it. If one part is given special honour, all parts enjoy it.
Now you together are Christ's body; but each of you is a different part of it. In the Church, God has given the first place to apostles, the second to prophets, the third to teachers; after them miracles, and after them the gift of healing; helpers, good leaders, those with many languages. - 1Cor. 12:26-28 -
And to some, his gift was that they should be apostles; to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; so that the saints together make a unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself. - Eph. 4:11-13 -
The spirit of true unity in Jesus Christ requires voluntary practise, for example, made their possessions and God's gifts available to all believers. This does not necessarily mean that every Christian sold the real estate he owned. The tragic story of Ananias and Sapphira shows that the selling of land and other possessions by these early Christians was partial and voluntary. However, there is a profound truth that must not be missed. 'Neither did anyone say that they had all things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common'. The emphasis should be placed not on their selling of possessions but on the unselfish attitude of the believers. This is the spirit of true unity in Jesus Christ.
The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed.
They went as a body to the Temple everyday but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved. - Acts 2:44-47 -
The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ with great power and they were all given great respect.
None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need. - Acts 4:32-35 -
There was another man, however, called Ananias. He and his wife, Sapphira, agreed to sell a property; but with his wife's connivance he kept back part of the proceeds and brought the rest and presented it to the apostles. 'Ananias', Peter said, how can Satan have so possessed you that you should lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the money from the land? While you still owned the land, wasn't it yours to keep and after you had sold it wasn't the money yours to do with as you liked? What put this scheme into your mind? it is not to men that you have lied but to God. When he heard this Ananias fell down dead. This made a profound impression on everyone present. The younger men got up wrapped the body in a sheet carried it out and buried it.
About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had taken place. Peter challenged her. 'Tell me, was this the price you sold the land for?' 'Yes', she said 'that was the price'. Peter then said, 'So you and your husband have agreed to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test! What made you do it? You hear those footsteps? They have just been to bury your husband; they will carry you out, too'. Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in they found she was dead and they carried her out and buried her by the side of her husband. This made a profound impression on the whole Church and on all who heard it. They all used to meet by common consent in the Portico of Solomon. - Acts 5:1-12 -
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Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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