Opening: Have you ever attended a public event in support of
a cause or group? Why did you go? Did you have a feeling that you wanted others
to know your stance on the issue?
Scripture: Read Acts 5:12-16.
Insights:
- Here is another “Progress Report.”
- The Church met at Solomon's colonnade, one of the two great colonnades which surrounded the Temple area. They were constant in their attendance at the House of God, desiring ever to know God better and to draw upon His strength for life and living.
- The early Christians assembled where everyone could see them. They knew what had happened to the apostles and what might well happen to them; but they were determined to show everyone whose they were and where they stood.
- The early Church was supremely effective. Things happened! There were miraculous signs and wonders, people were being healed, and possessed people were being freed.
- The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira had an impact not only on the church (verse 11) but the community as well (verse13). Luke does not mean that no one joined the Christian community (see verse 14), but that pretenders and halfhearted followers did not join the movement. There was still a great deal of regard and admiration by the community for these Jesus followers.
- The believers’ prayer in Acts 4:30 is answered here. If people were being healed by Peter’s shadow, it’s clear it was happening not through Peter’s power, but by God’s.
Life Questions:
- Regular attendance in worship is critical for the obedient disciple and for the witness of Christ. How are you doing?
- Can you imagine people coming from all points of the compass to find healing at church? It could be physical, spiritual, mental, family, relational – whatever someone’s need is. How about you? Are you in need of healing?
Prayer Focus: That our community would see our faith and
experience healing.
No comments:
Post a Comment