Which group are you in?

And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.
Acts 5:14-18

There are three reactions to the mighty works of God, whether they be miraculous healings or miraculous salvations.

Some are anxious to get to Christ. Granted, some may have had ulterior motives, wanting only God’s blessing but not Him. God is so kind that He even blesses those who want His blessings but have no interest in Him. The good news is that we can be sure than some (many? or most?) came to saving faith in the Lord. It was true then, and it is true today.

Others “were filled with indignation” and wanted to get rid of Christ. These were religious, but they did not know the Lord so they hated even the good the Lord was doing for people. Sadly, it was true then, and it is true today.

There is a third group that isn’t mentioned in the passage: the disinterested. There are always those who are disinterested. They are neither for nor against Christ and the gospel. They just don’t care. It was true then, and it is true today. While we can understand that those who opposed the Lord were lost, let us not forget that the disinterested are no less lost.

May we be humbly grateful if the Lord has granted us a desire for Him. May we never cease to pray for those who are either indignantly or disinterestedly lost without Him.

A counter-intuitive way in which Christ grows His church!

So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women…
Acts 5:11-14

There have always been those who want to create formulas of how to grow Christ’s church. That, in and of itself, is a problem because Jesus said the Church is His, that He will build it, and that the gates of Hades cannot prevail against it! (Matthew 16:18). So anytime anyone other than Jesus has an idea about how to grow the church, reject it.

What we are to do is simple: (1) Preach Christ and the Gospel (2 Timothy 4:1-5) even if that appears to not be working. (2) Abide in Christ and love one another (John 15). Beyond that, gimmicks imagined and implemented by humans are almost always surely to be misguided.

There are some rather strange and counter-intuitive ways in which the Lord has been pleased to build His Church. He killed Ananias and Sapphira. People were terrified. The Church grew. What does this tell us? Not that we have to see some people killed, but that the fear of God (and His hatred of sin) often has much to do with revival. God often does His greatest work not by entertaining us, but by terrifying us. (Remember Israel as the foot of Mt. Sinai when God gave the Ten Commandments—Exodus 20?)

Let us seek the Lord in holy reverence of His authoritative righteousness. Let us fear Him, and pray for revival in our day, in our land, and in this world!

All were not Apostles then, and there are no Apostles now.

So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
Acts 5:11-13

Note the words, “through the hands of the Apostles.” God did miracles “through the hands of the Apostles” to validate their words as they preached Christ and the gospel. Let us understand the following:

• There are no more Apostles. The apostles were a special group of first century men who ministered with Christ when He was here, and who then ministered in His name afterward. Don’t miss (v.13) that even then, “none of the rest [of the believers] dared join them [the Apostles], but the people esteemed them highly. All believers were not Apostles then, and there are no Apostles now. We do well to be wary of any who call themselves apostles today.

• While God can perform miracles to accomplish His own purposes: (1) We dare not presume that miracles are common place (or they would not be miracles!). (2) We dare not think we can cause miracles by our faith (think of how many Jesus healed in the Bible who had no faith or even gratitude!) (3) We dare not think that the people who claim to perform miracles have any such power.

Note also in (v.12) who were in “one accord in Solomon’s Porch.” This is speaking of the Apostles. Though they ended up going in different directions geographically—they were in “one accord” regarding Christ and the gospel. Thank the Lord that though none of us are Apostles, true believers have differences, but we are united in Christ and the Gospel.

Learn from the example God made of Ananias and Sapphira.

So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
Acts 5:11-13

Verse 11 begins with the word, “So.” That connects verse 11 with what happened in verses 1-10. Which was the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira. What is the connection? God made an example out of Ananias and Sapphira. The example God made of Ananias and Sapphira caused people to fear.

Ananias and Sapphira were an example of what would happen if God dealt with all our sins with perfect justice: we would all be dead! Thank the Lord that He deals with us according to mercy more often than according to justice!

The example is a sobering reminder that God’s mercy postpones His justice. His mercies, which are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), postpone justice until one of two things take place:

Either God’s mercies postpone His justice until the day of our deaths. Once we die, God’s judgment is sure (Hebrews 9:27), and it will be according to His perfect justice. His perfect justice regarding our sin is death (Romans 6:23). And that death is not mere physical death, but the eternal death we read about in Revelation 20:13-15. Justice will be served, severely.

Or God’s mercies postpone His justice until one receives Jesus Christ by faith and repents. Those who belong to Christ will never taste of God’s perfect justice. Why? Because on the cross, Jesus received the justice His people deserve, so He can give us the reward for righteousness that He alone deserves. If you are His, that is your reality.

If you are not one of His, you are in a holding pattern, awaiting either God’s perfect justice when you die, or your surrender to Christ.

Learn from the example God made of Ananias and Sapphira. Fear God and receive Christ by faith.

We must never agree with, or be a party to our spouses’ sins

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much." Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. Acts 5:7-10

This passage isn’t specifically about what I am about to write. It is about what we said a couple of posts earlier (Aug.18) when writing about Ananias. But I do believe Ananias and Sapphira provide an important example about the relationship between husbands and wives when it comes to sin.

We must assume from Peter’s words in (v.9) that Sapphira not only knew her husband had lied, but that she was in agreement with it. We can also assume that if she had not known about the lie and had not agreed to the lie, she would have been spared.

What is the lesson? Husbands and wives need to speak with one voice on a lot of things, indeed about most things, and ideally about all things. This is especially true when dealing with children. However, there are some things about which husbands and wives must not speak with one voice. Husbands and wives must never agree with, or be a party to their spouses’ sins—including lies.

We do our spouses no favors for agreeing with anything they do that is sinful. When a spouse is acting sinfully, we may not be able to stop them (though we must try), but we must never join them.

A spouse cannot be forced to testify against a spouse in a court of law (The Marital Spousal Privilege; Calif Evidence Code 970 & 971). And I would say that we need not necessarily feel compelled to reveal our spouses’ sins. God will bring everything into the light eventually. But we must never agree to or support our spouses’ sins.

As a footnote: Any teaching that says a wife must support her husband in sin, as part of following her husband as a spiritual leader, is false. We are to follow God-ordained leaders, but never when it means disobeying God.

The Holy Spirit is a He, not an it!

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
Acts 5:1-6

Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, are classic examples of how not to be charitable.

In addition to that, however, their story provides helpful instruction regarding the “Person” and “Diety” of the Holy Spirit. Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Apostles about their giving. But Peter rebuked them for lying to the Holy Spirit (v.3). Then in (v.4), he rebuked them for lying to God. What lessons about the Holy Spirit can we take away from this?

First, the Holy Spirit is a Person. He is not an impersonal force (as most cults believe and teach). He is a Person. People cannot lie to an impersonal force, but they can lie to a person. Let’s remember always to refer to the Holy Spirit as a Person—He, or Him—never “it”!

Second, the Holy Spirit is God. He is one of the three members of our Triune God: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. All three Persons are ONE God and each is 100% God. They share all of the attributes of God completely and perfectly.

The doctrine of the Trinity is an essential doctrine of the Christian faith. Denying the Trinity, or redefining the Trinity is a mark of those people and of certain groups who are not Christian—no matter how they may insist they are.

Bonus Question: Were Ananias and Sapphira saved, or lost? I don’t know and neither does anyone else. Their sin was great enough that God made an example of them by taking their lives. The example had an impact, as (v.5) records that “great fear came upon all who heard these things.” They may have been saved people who made a monumental error at the worst possible time. Or they may have not been believers at all. Let us be content that God knows. And let us be sure not follow in their footsteps!

The only correct motives to give charitably

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
Acts 5:1-6

Having written a few times before about Christian charity, Acts 5 opens with a dramatic account of a couple who wanted to appear to be more charitable than they genuinely were. They saw others selling properties and giving the proceeds of those sales to help the needy. They wanted to be thought of as being that generous, though they were actually not. So they sold a piece of property, gave some of the money, and kept back the rest.

That would have been perfectly fine.

But they said they sold a property and were giving all of the proceeds, when they had not. Big mistake! God killed the man (v.5), and later his wife (v.7-10). Why? For not giving all the money? NO. For lying, saying they were giving all the money when they were not.

Giving, whether a little or a lot, to impress people is just plain wrong. (Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:1-4.) The only correct motives to give charitably are: (1) As an act of thanksgiving to God who has given you enough to give to another; and (2) to help people in need.

Do you give charitably to help people? What motivates you to do so?

Giving charitably, and how

Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
Acts 4:34-35

We have previously pointed out that the early church voluntarily shared their possessions to help those in need. This is a biblical practice that is as important today as it was then.

One of the simplest ways of doing this is to donate to the church’s benevolence fund. Simply add whatever you wish to your regular tithe or offering and designate it to “Benevolence.” The deacons try to stay aware of those in need and are able to help with those needs. We can help the deacons do this, not only by contributing, but also by letting them know when there is a need they might not otherwise know of.

Another way to do this is to share more personally with those in need. When the gift is more personal, it can be easier for people to have a hard time receiving.

Tax law says that individuals cannot give money, asking that it be given to an individual, and receive the tax deduction. If one doesn’t care about the tax deduction, but wants the gift to be anonymous, this is perfectly acceptable.

Another way to help those in need is to give them gifts that are not monetary. We recently heard of a couple of families doing a grocery shopping spree for another family. Nowadays you can even do that online and have it delivered!

The point is not how to give help. The point is that we are following the biblical pattern of Christian charity in helping one another.

Why the rioting and looting?

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
Matthew 25:14-15 (Please read through to v.30 for the whole story.)

As a follow up to yesterday’s post (I encourage you to read it if you haven’t yet), what does the Bible say about wealth and responsibility? In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), note the following:

The Lord (pictured by the master) entrusts resources to His servants. All the resources in our possession are His, not ours. We are stewards of what is His.

The Lord does not give the same amount to everyone. So much for the unbiblical idea that wealth must be distributed equally (as though God doesn’t know what He is doing!).

Each of us is responsible to “invest” what the Lord has entrusted to our care—and we will all answer to Him for how we managed His resources.

We will answer to Him, not for how much we have, but for how wisely we managed what He entrusted to our care. Though those who were wise didn’t all end up with the same amount, they all received the same commendation: “Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

The one who did not truly know the Lord, and therefore did not understand what was required of servants, was condemned. We are not saved by wise stewardship, but those who are saved must be wise stewards.

And while the parable does not address covetousness, the sin of covetousness is simply wanting what others have. In our culture’s current situation, this is blatantly seen in those who hate the rich and demand that what the wealthy have be taken from them and given to the covetous crowd. They want the government to administrate this redistribution. But when the government doesn’t (according to the mob’s liking), the covetous take it for themselves (looting), insisting that looting is justified as a form of “reparations.” (I am not making this up!)

What is the answer? Besides the fact that the government will answer to God for allowing this lawlessness, we need a spiritual revival because all of the mess our nation is in is due to not knowing God and therefore not understanding His ways.

Christian Charity v. Socialism

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common… Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. Acts 4:32, 34-37

There have been those throughout church history who have insisted that Christianity began communally and is supposed to be communal. Or to use a more current term, “socialistic,” or even “communistic.” Is this so?

No.

The believers in the early Church honestly and generously cared for one another, including assisting one another financially and materially. While that may sound like socialism, it most certainly is not. Here is how they are not the same.

Christian charity is about people voluntarily sharing with one another what God has given them. The key word: voluntarily. Christian charity happens as believers esteem others as better than themselves (Philippians 2:3-4), sacrificing for the sake of others. Voluntarily. Christian charity begins in the hearts of individuals.

Socialism is a political/economic system in which governing authorities take from many to give to some. Those from whom resources are taken have no say in the matter. There is no Christian charity, and no volunteerism involved in socialism. It is, rather, the government stealing from some to redistribute wealth to others.(1)

It is popular among socialists in our country to insist, “We’re not talking about that kind of socialism, we’re talking about democratic socialism,” as though that makes it somehow different. Democratic socialism simply means: if we can get enough dissatisfied, covetous people to “vote” to take things from people who have more, that makes it okay.

That is the same as saying, “I’m not a thief,” but it is okay if I elect people who will steal for me.” Stealing is still stealing.

Christian charity is something that all believers do well to engage more in. Why? Not because otherwise the government will take what we are unwilling to give, but because God will judge the hearts of those who are less than generous with HIS possessions that HE has placed in our hands to manage.

Let us remember how much the Lord has blessed us with—and freely give as He has given to us.

Footnote:
(1) One of the political mantras of socialists is that inequality of wealth is bad. Everyone should have the same. Besides the fact that that will never happen, Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-39) clearly reveals that God does not intend for everyone to have the same amount of wealth. He intends for everyone to be a good steward of their God-given wealth.

For there to be any effect, there must first be prayer.

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:31

This is a favorite memory verse! It speaks about the effect of prayer.

For there to be any effect, there must first be prayer. God help me to pray more that I may see what You will do!

The effect was that the place where they were assembled together was shaken! I pray you dear ones do not become weary with me constantly telling our church family that we need to pray more. We need to pray more not only in our prayer closets, but also when we are assembled. Why? Because when we pray together, God might “shake” our church. Every church needs revival, but Grace Bible Church is the church of which I am a member. I so long to see God “shake” our church with a visitation of the Holy Spirit. If it is to ever happen, it will likely happen when we are praying together.

The effect was that the people were all filled with the Holy Spirit. I know that all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit from the time we are born again. But God’s people sometimes experience fresh and powerful re-fillings when we pray together. Lord Jesus fill us all anew with Your power!

The effect was that the people, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke the Word of God with boldness. I have only known a few people in my forty-four years as a Christian who spoke the gospel boldly without fear. The rest of us, to varying degrees, not so much. Oh Lord, grant us boldness to speak Your name and the gospel of Your Son, that we may see people saved and baptized and added to Your Church!

The miracle that every Christian can play a part in

“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."
Acts 4:29-30

Peter and James, along with the church, were comforted regarding the persecution they encountered because (a) God is sovereign, (b) God ordained the death of Jesus at the hands of persecutors, and (c) Jesus said as the world hated Him, it will likewise hate us.

They then prayed the following:

Lord, look on their threats. They entrusted justice and vengeance to the Lord. May we love the lost and leave final judgment to God!

Grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word. They wanted to proclaim Christ and the gospel. They knew that in the face of persecution it would be difficult, so they petitioned the Lord for holy boldness. We are weak and frail, and like Peter while Jesus was on trial, we can easily succumb to the fear man and deny the Lord. We must not trust in our strength (as though we had any!), but solely in His. And let us speak His Word since there is power in His Word (Hebrews 4:12), and the gospel (Romans 1:16). There is no power in our words.

And that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.  God worked miracles through the Apostles (Acts 2:43, 5:12, 2 Corinthians 12:12), but there is no promise that He would do those same kinds of miracles by the hands of every ordinary believer. The one miracle that we do get to play a part in, however, is the miracle of salvation. As we are bold to proclaim the gospel, though many or even most will not respond—the elect of the Lord will respond! So let us faithfully and boldly speak the name of Jesus and trust that as His Word is declared, we shall witness the miracle of salvation.

Why are we shocked by persecution?

So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’ For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.”
Acts 4:24-28

When Peter and John were persecuted for the Lord’s sake, they reported what happened to the church. The church praised God for His sovereignty over the situation (v.24). They continued to pray, rehearsing from Psalm 2:1-2 that God had specifically ordained opposition to Jesus. In other words, they reminded themselves not to be shocked at the persecution they encountered. Why? Because the Father ordained and prophesied that Jesus would be persecuted. And because Jesus told the disciples that because the world hated Him, it would hate those who follow Him as well (John 15:18).

This does not make persecution any more pleasant. It does, however, prepare us not to be shocked by it.

It is interesting that believers in much of the world to this day live under persecution. They do not like it, but they are not shocked by it. Meanwhile, persecution is so foreign to American Christians that we are shocked by it! Are we shocked because our US Constitution promises freedom of religion—even though the Word of God says persecution is part and parcel of following Jesus? The Constitution is important, but it is not the Word of God. And the Word of God is—well, it is the Word of God!

Maybe we we need the following biblical reality check regarding persecution: (a) God’s Word says that the world hated and persecuted and even killed Jesus (humanly speaking). (b) God’s Word says disciples are not above their masters, so if the world hated and persecuted our Lord, we should not be surprised if the world persecutes us.

I do not want to be persecuted. But I pray that by God’s grace, especially since the mood of many Americans is increasingly less tolerant of Christianity, we might do well to not only not be shocked by persecution, but expect it.

Praise God in the face of opposition

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them…
Acts 4:23-24

Peter and John suffered real persecution for preaching Christ. What did they do? They said “we can do nothing but preach Christ!” (Acts 4:19-20).

The enemies of Christ did not know what to do with them, so they threatened them and let them go (v.21). Peter and John went back to the church and reported all that had happened (v.23). What did the believers do?

Did they protest? Plan a rally? Bad mouth their persecutors? Feel sorry for themselves? No. No. No. And No.

They praised God—specifically for His sovereignty over all things. The sovereignty of God over all things is a great solace when circumstances are not what we desire. I am reminded of Paul’s words in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us who can be against us?” Paul wrote those words in light of the good news of the gospel, but wouldn’t remembering them, when people (or circumstances) are against us, be a source of comfort? This does not minimize the reality or the pain of persecution. But it does remind us that ultimately, we have nothing to fear. Remember the words of Psalm 124:

(v.1-4)  "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side," Let Israel now say—  2  "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us,  3  Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us;  4  Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have gone over our soul…

Opposition is real. But remember verses 6-8:

(v.6-8)  Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.  7  Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped.  8  Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

Regardless of who or what opposes Christ and His people, let us praise God for His sovereignty over all things—including opposition.

I do not bring this up to bash the individual...

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

Individually as believers, and collectively as the Church of Jesus Christ, we have but one message to proclaim. That message is Christ and the gospel. Seems like a “no-brainer,” huh? Except not for everybody.

I was in my car for a little while the other day and KDAR (the local Christian radio station) was on the radio. The preacher took one word out of one verse in Jeremiah and proceeded to explain how we can overcome feelings of inadequacy based on his explanation of that one word. The problem was that the man’s explanation of that one word is not what the word means. It is not what the context of the verse means. It was not even compatible with the message of the Bible—much less the message of Christ and the gospel! It was rather a sloppy pop psychology talk about how we can overcome feelings of inadequacy. Utter nonsense and a classic example of what Michael Horton calls “Christ-less Christianity.”

I do not bring this up to bash the individual, but to:

• Warn the flock of God not to fall for this kind of thing as though it is biblical preaching.

• Remind myself that I must never deviate from preaching Christ and the gospel.

• And to charge the members of Grace Bible Church not to allow our church to fail to preach Christ and the gospel—not now, and not ever!

Not every sermon is exclusively evangelistic. But all instruction about living as Christians must be tied to Christ and the gospel. It is only as we are “in Christ” by God’s sovereign grace, received exclusively through faith in Jesus, that we can and want to follow Christ. Without Christ and the gospel, the commands and instruction found in God’s Word are nothing but legalism and moralism.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Let us be Christlike in what we do and in how we do it

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:18-20

Last time we said that the disagreements we Christians may have over the virus and the government’s handling of it must not be allowed to divide the body of Christ. We also warned that there are issues so clearly defined in Scripture that we not only must disobey the government but separate from alleged “Christians” who oppose scripture. One such matter is the LGBTQ agenda—specifically if the government were to demand the Church and/or ministers to perform homosexual marriages.

If or when that happens, a key question will be, “how” do we disobey and/or separate from those who claim to be Christians but embrace a clearly unbiblical position on the matter? I think Peter and John’s example is instructive. They were respectful. They pointed to the fact that every party must answer ultimately to God.

They were respectful. They didn’t resort to name-calling, much less calling for violence. Even when the authorities are dead wrong, let us be respectful. And when believers are wrong to the degree that we must separate, let us remember Jesus telling us to treat them as non-believers (Matthew 18:15-17). We are not to hate non-believers. We are, rather, to love them and long for their conversion. Go back and read how Jesus acted when on trial, before both the religious and civil leaders, prior to His crucifixion. He was right and they were wrong; yet He was respectful.

They pointed to the fact that every party must answer ultimately to God. Peter and John stated the facts of the case and allowed their opponents to decide for themselves, since they would answer to God (not to Peter and John) in the matter.

Wow! Five blog posts on the matter of civil disobedience in light of two crucial matters: The virus and the LGBTQ agenda. Was that overkill? I do not think so. Christian civil disobedience is an important matter for believers to consider—before we must decide. And regardless of what we decide, how we do what we do is equally important. Let us be Christlike in what we do and in how we do it.

LGBTQ issues may well be next

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:18-20

Last time we said we must not let differences between believers regarding the virus, or the government’s handling of it, divide the body of Christ, We must resist the temptation to accuse believers of being less spiritual that those on “our side.”

There are issues over which that kind of division is not only justified, but necessary! There are issues about which we must not only say “No” to the government, but insist that Christians be united in doing so. One such issue that is clearly on the horizon is the LGBTQ agenda. The Church cannot insist, much less force, the unbelieving world to think biblically on this matter. But if or when the government demands Christian churches and/or ministers to perform homosexual marriages, or hire people—or even accept into membership those who live in, or even support these anti-biblical positions—we will have to say “No.” No matter what the cost.

And because this matter is not one of personal conviction, but a matter of clearly revealed biblical doctrine, we will have to separate from those who call themselves Christians who oppose scripture.

How? The last bit next time…

Believers dare not turn on each other over disagreement about this

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:18-20

Last time we said that while believers and churches may have the right to disagree over the matter of obeying or disobeying the current regulations regarding corporate worship during this time of COVID-19, another serious matter arises. That matter involves believers and/or churches insisting that other believers and churches have the same convictions. That tension heightens when either side of the debate charges the other side with being less committed to Christ.

This can cut both ways. Those who believe they are to obey the government must be careful not to charge those who believe they are to disobey with being less committed to the Lord. Conversely, those who believe they are to disobey the government must be careful not to charge those who believe they are to obey with being less committed to the Lord.

We may disagree. Even strongly! But we dare not make accusation regarding the faith of our brothers and sisters because we disagree over “doubtful matters” about which true believers believe differently (Romans 14:1-15:3).

Believers dare not turn on each other over disagreement about this virus or the government’s handling of it. Let us have our convictions and be willing to act on them without making accusation against other believers with whom we differ in our convictions.

The virus and the government’s handling of it is is not a matter that should be allowed to rise to a level that divides the Church. As Jonathan Leeman pointed out in a recent article(1), there are matters on the horizon about which Scripture is clear that likely will force us to take such a stand. Like what? More next time…

(1) Two important articles by Jonathan Leeman: First Second

Are the current regulations religiously motivated?

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:18-20

Last time we said that we are to obey the God-ordained civil authorities except when they command us to do what God forbids or forbid us to do what God commands. We pointed out that we must be wise in discerning whether the civil authorities are actually commanding us to disobey God, or if there are ways to abide by government regulation and obey God. If we can do both, then I believe we must. Why? Because if we can, we are not being commanded to disobey God.

In the case recorded in Acts 4, the command the Apostles could not obey was clearly religiously motivated (v.17-18). In the case of the current virus, the government is telling us to worship outdoors for health purposes. This does not mean we cannot worship together. It means we must be flexible and creative. It means we may have to do some things differently from the way we are accustomed. It means we may have to set aside our traditions, but it does not mean we must disobey God by not worshiping together.

Some sincerely believe that the current requirement for churches to meet outside is a command to disobey God and is therefore a form of religious persecution. I respectfully disagree. Here are two reasons:

1. These regulations are not aimed exclusively at churches, but also to many other establishments (e.g., restaurants, theaters, etc.)

2. These regulations are not permanent. We have already seen the state’s willingness to ease restrictions when the virus seemed to be waning. They were reinstated when the virus began spiking again.

If or when churches were targeted exclusively, or if the regulations became permanent (not tied to the pandemic), we must and would have cause to say “No.”

Whether we agree with the way the government is handling this pandemic (many of us do not), does not give us the right to disobey their regulations. Would we be at liberty to disobey the speed limits if we did not believe that driving the speed limit is necessary?

Ask Christians in countries in which believers are expressly persecuted for their faith, if they would be happy to meet outside unmolested by the authorities. They would be delighted!

While individuals and churches may choose to defy the current regulations, another serious matter arises when believers disagree over these matters. More on that next time…

The grand exception

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:18-20

What is civil disobedience? It is when, based on conscience, a person believes he cannot obey the civil magistrates (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14). This is a rather serious matter since God ordained all civil magistrates, whether they be good or bad.

Are there ever times when civil disobedience is justified? Yes, there are. We are to obey the God-ordained civil authorities because God ordained them. We are to obey them, not because they are always right (they are not), but because God says to, and He is always right. That we disagree with them or because their rulings are wrong does not automatically give us green light to disobey them.

Except…

Except when God-ordained authorities command us to do what God forbids, or forbid us to do what God commands. Why is this the exception? Because no earthly authority can overrule or countermand God.

This gets tricky when there is a question as to whether the authority is actually countermanding God or we merely think this is happening. A current example is the state telling churches not to worship indoors and to wear face masks, because of the current virus problem.

I do not believe that the state is telling us we cannot worship or even to meet for worship. If that were the case, we would have to join Peter and John in refusing to obey the civil authorities, because God clearly commands us to worship, with other Christians. I believe the state is telling us we can not meet for worship in the manner in which we are accustomed. I believe we are able to meet and worship, but that we must be creative to find ways to obey both the civil authorities and God. As long as we can do both, I believe we should.

More on this next time…