About Acts chapter five, Pastor Joshua Harris did share with us today
The story and its interpretation are somewhat controversial, he did say
A Levite named Barnabas sold his property at the end of chapter four
He brought all of the money to the apostles, to share among the poor
Ananias also sold some property, per chapter five verses one and two
But he did not give it all to the apostles, unlike what Barnabas did do
Peter rebuked him for misleading the Holy Spirit and God, per verse five
Ananias immediately fell down and died, scaring those who were still alive
The closer one is to God, the harsher the consequences Josh did say
If a person's behaviour is errant or if God’s word they somehow disobey
Three hours later Ananias’ wife Sapphira lied to Peter about the price
He rebuked her and she dropped dead - unlikely headed to paradise
Great fear gripped the church and those who heard, per verse eleven
Highlighting the judgement of man pales versus the judgement of heaven
The apostles performed miraculous wonders, per verses twelve to sixteen
Many people were added to their number and many healings were seen
Josh reminded us that with ten thousand people in our life we will interact
So our life’s words and actions can make a large difference, that is a fact
By conforming to Christ’s image, we can each be carriers of God’s light
When we are most desperate and on our knees, God shows His might
Per John chapter fifteen, the Lord prunes us in order to help us grow
He gives us talents, gifts, and the Spirit to help others, friend and foe
The jealous Pharisees then arrested the apostles, per verse seventeen
Angels let them out of jail and at the temple the apostles were again seen
They were arrested again and the high priest told them not to preach
But Peter once again said that the gospel to the masses had to reach
Gamaliel urged the council not to kill the apostles, per verse thirty eight
Implying that doing so had no upside but on the downside, a bad fate
For if God was behind the apostles’ plan, nothing would thwart them
Beyond knowing God intellectually, we must know Jesus of Bethlehem
The apostles were nonetheless beaten, but this caused them to celebrate
As it showed they were worthy of suffering as Jesus’ word they did propagate
So they kept preaching and sharing the gospel, per the Great Commission
And nothing on this earth could prevent them from finishing this mission
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