The Dangerous Kind of Christian!
Acts 5
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 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. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The apostles begin to pick up traction in their new mission. In the first part of chapter 5, Ananias and Sapphira sell their possessions and keep part of it for themselves. Not only did they lie to the apostles about it, but more importantly they lied to the Holy Spirit/God about it. Though they had literally lied to the apostles, figuratively they had lied to God. Jesus had given the apostles power to lead the church, and all authority had been given to them to go and make disciples. So even though technically they were deceiving the community of believers, in spirit they were lying to God.
However with that behind them, the apostles began to perform many signs and wonders in the power of the newly acquired Holy Spirit. They were so filled with the power of God that the text says, "no one else dared to join them." Though they were highly regarded by the people, they also became "dangerous". They were dangerous to the established leadership, who had for a long time had control over those they led to keep their own position of power and pride. They were dangerous to the ruling government, the Romans, because they had a fear of any uprising that would threaten their political power. And finally, they were dangerous to the evil one, the devil, because they were bringing the kingdom of God to earth and overcoming the kingdom of darkness.
Peter became so powerful that people believed that if even his shadow fell on them, they could be healed. The people brought all those who were sick and ALL of them were healed. Wow! You talk about being dangerous. Dangerous for the kingdom of darkness, but advancing powerfully the kingdom of light. I know I am using the word "dangerous" in a new way, but would you be described as a "dangerous" Christian? Meaning do you pose a threat to the kingdom of this world. I don't think a lot of Christians understand is the authority and power to do these same things the apostles did.
As my friend Mike Bradley title his book the church should be a, "Safe Place for the Dangerous Kind." It is a great book for how we can apply the principles of Acts 5 today!
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 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. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The apostles begin to pick up traction in their new mission. In the first part of chapter 5, Ananias and Sapphira sell their possessions and keep part of it for themselves. Not only did they lie to the apostles about it, but more importantly they lied to the Holy Spirit/God about it. Though they had literally lied to the apostles, figuratively they had lied to God. Jesus had given the apostles power to lead the church, and all authority had been given to them to go and make disciples. So even though technically they were deceiving the community of believers, in spirit they were lying to God.
However with that behind them, the apostles began to perform many signs and wonders in the power of the newly acquired Holy Spirit. They were so filled with the power of God that the text says, "no one else dared to join them." Though they were highly regarded by the people, they also became "dangerous". They were dangerous to the established leadership, who had for a long time had control over those they led to keep their own position of power and pride. They were dangerous to the ruling government, the Romans, because they had a fear of any uprising that would threaten their political power. And finally, they were dangerous to the evil one, the devil, because they were bringing the kingdom of God to earth and overcoming the kingdom of darkness.
Peter became so powerful that people believed that if even his shadow fell on them, they could be healed. The people brought all those who were sick and ALL of them were healed. Wow! You talk about being dangerous. Dangerous for the kingdom of darkness, but advancing powerfully the kingdom of light. I know I am using the word "dangerous" in a new way, but would you be described as a "dangerous" Christian? Meaning do you pose a threat to the kingdom of this world. I don't think a lot of Christians understand is the authority and power to do these same things the apostles did.
As my friend Mike Bradley title his book the church should be a, "Safe Place for the Dangerous Kind." It is a great book for how we can apply the principles of Acts 5 today!
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