How to Start & Build Jesus-following Community (and how to influence a culture) according to the Bible. April 26, 2009

How to Start & Build Jesus-following Community (and how to influence a culture) according to the Bible. Part 2

Part 2: A study of Acts 4 & 5

What I didn’t realize was how important Peter was in the early church. He denies Jesus three times, he’s total, “jello” as a friend puts it. He just cannot seem to keep it together, even when Jesus asks him specifically to love and tend to his people. But then the day of Pentecost comes, Peter is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and from there he becomes an unstoppable force.

Observing the early church you find Peter healing people. Healing, a miracle, a sign, that would point to God’s “God-ness”, became a draw for people, who would come from all over just to stand in the shadow of Peter’s presence. Many came to faith through the miracles performed through the power of God by Peter and the other apostles. (Acts 5:12-16)
Along with these healings, they would plainly preach the gospel of Jesus. They were clear to point to the Lord for all the power and all the things seen by the people. The apostles has boldness. They spoke of Jesus boldly, where they knew they would be persecuted. And they were thrown in jail—multiple times.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
It is neat to look at the intense tie between teaching and healing. Just dissect this part: “For that a notable sign has been performed through them is manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more any one in this name.” so they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”
They recognize the sign, and say, “it” may spread no longer (what really is the “it”?). They say, “no more teaching! No more speaking!” they don’t say, “no more healing!” I think that healing without teaching is useless. There are plenty of flukes and strange coincidences around us. But unless someone points a miracle or healing to the Lord, they are of no value. And here the Sadducees recognize the power of the Word.

Jesus-following community PR. (public relations):
Public Relations –noun
1. the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc.

Jesus-following community is recognized by outside communities by the following attributes:
amazing miracles
o “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it.” Acts 4:16
o The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people…they were highly regarded by the people… more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. Acts 5:12-16
being like Jesus
o “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

persuasive teaching
o “…the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead…But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.” Acts 4:2-4
o “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20
o “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name”, he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood”. Acts 5:28
o “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good new that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 5:42
the crowd/followers
o “They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.” Acts 4:21
o “…they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” Acts 5:13-14
o “…They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.” Acts 5:26
obedience/repping JC under pressure
o “They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “rulers and elders…then know this you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…” Acts 4: 7-10
o “…commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “judge for ourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20
o “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:33
o “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.” At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.” Acts 5:20-21
o …“We must obey God rather than men!” Acts 5:29

Jesus-following community Values:
Values- the ideals, customs, institutions, etc., of a society toward which the people of the group have an affective regard. These values may be positive, as cleanliness, freedom, or education, or negative, as cruelty, crime, or blasphemy.

Values of (and within) the Jesus-following community according to Acts 4-5:
News/updates from the mission field:
o Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.” Acts 4:23
Corporate Prayer:
o “When they heard this. They raised their voices together in prayer to God.” Acts 4:24
(What they prayed for)
• “…enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonder through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30
Unity:
o “All the believers were one in heart and mind.” Acts 4:32
Sharing/frugality:
o “…No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” Acts 4:32
Honesty:
o “…how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit…?” Acts 5:3
What does the impact of deception/unconfessed sin have in a witnessing community?
Here is the first recorded sin in the new Jesus-following community.
To recap the story in Acts 5, we see how everyone was sharing with one another and making great sacrifices for the good of this shamble of believers. Sometimes that meant selling land or house. One couple sold a plot of land, and they gave the money over, as a sacrifice of sorts, making a public display of I guess. They didn’t give the whole amount (but they said they did). When Peter confronts first he husband, then the wife, they both drop dead!
Love of praise for generosity and love for money led to this sin. It’s a warning to us, that God can’t be mocked.
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:7-9
The couple had a right to keep back whatever they chose, but to make it appear that they had given it all when they had not, was a sin (deceit/lying). Was dying really a proper consequence? Seems a little harsh. My Bible note says, If no dire consequences had followed this act of sin, the results among the believers would have been serious when the deceit became known. Not only would dishonesty appear profitable but the conclusion that the Spirit could be deceived would follow. It was important to set the course properly at the outset in order to leave no doubt that God will not tolerate such hypocrisy and deceit.
The deceit would have harmed the community itself. But also, I think of the impact it would have on outsiders. If its found out that the prosperity and joy and sharing that goes on within the community is contrived, false, not totally dependent on God, distrust will arise. And, most importantly, people won’t believe God. If all the believers are going around saying, “look how God is providing for us!” and turns out some people are just themselves not trusting God totally by keeping back some, its going to look like they just make the whole thing up. Not a good way to witness. Its neat actually, to see that God made a move right there to just stop nonsense in its tracks. It says next that “ Non one else dared join them”. No pretenders or half-hearted followers risked identification with the believers.
What does that mean for us today? The church is CHOCK FULL of deceit. I think that’s why so many people think it’s a scam (cause some places it IS). Why has God allowed it to happen? How come not every liar is knocked down dead on the spot? Are there any correlations to half-hearted believers then, and now?
So, in order to glorify God most, we have to trust Him better. And, call our brothers and sisters out on things that we see happening. Because by letting them go, we are hurting God’s reputation—which goes back to PR thing I suppose.