The biggest problem with the 21st century church is a lack of unity. Churches for the last few centuries have been divided on the basis of denomination, race, color, and language. This is not what God intended. In fact, two of the first meetings of new believers fellowshipping was made up of different nationalities of people, who were all baptized in the name of Jesus. Proof of this is written in Acts 13, which states: 1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. During the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit fell upon believers of various cultures from various parts of the world. Sadly many people in the Body of Christ would not or do not worship in brotherhood with a person of another race or color anywhere.
This brings to mind another problem within the modern church: a lack of love and forgiveness. It is normal not to equate murder with adultery, but both are sins. In the Bible, there are only one of two places where we will end up: Heaven and Hell. In Acts 9, Saul (or Paul) was converted. He has been forgiven of being responsible for the deaths of many believers.
Many people would not forgive one who has done such horrible acts. We can’t forgive one and then forgive someone else. Nor should we expect to be forgiven by God if we can’t forgive someone. There is so much hatred and hyprocrisy in the church, it is no wonder that most non-believers see Christians as hypocrites. We need to follow the example of Ananias in verses 10-16: “10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” Many today would either hesitate or wouldn’t even obey Jesus’ word to Ananias. It is natural that he would have a concern about Saul because of the crimes he committed. However, God also commanded us to love our enemies.
However, in Acts 10, Peter realizes how wrong he is to keep the law about Jews and non-Jews meeting together: “28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?” Even though it was written into law during the Old Testament, even God’s law has been misinterpreted. It was not intended to justify prejudice, but to keep the Jewish people holy, from the influence of nearby pagan cultures. However, people today use God’s law to justify all types of evil, just as the Pharisees did 2000 years ago.
First Century Church…examination of the Book of ActsWe in the 21st century ought to follow the examples of the church of the First Century. This is not to criticize or lump together the entire modern church, but after 21 centuries, there need to be some changes made if the church wants to be the True Church God intended us to be. This is not to say that the church was perfect back then nor did I say that we today are all hypocrites. This is to say, however, that there are many things that stand out in the Book of Acts that we could do today. The biggest problem with the 21st century church is a lack of unity. Churches for the last few centuries have been divided on the basis of denomination, race, color, and language. This is not what God intended. In fact, two of the first meetings of new believers fellowshipping was made up of different nationalities of people, who were all baptized in the name of Jesus. Proof of this is written in Acts 13, which states: 1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. During the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit fell upon believers of various cultures from various parts of the world. Sadly many people in the Body of Christ would not or do not worship in brotherhood with a person of another race or color anywhere. This brings to mind another problem within the modern church: a lack of love and forgiveness. It is normal not to equate murder with adultery, but both are sins. In the Bible, there are only one of two places where we will end up: Heaven and Hell. In Acts 9, Saul (or Paul) was converted. He has been forgiven of being responsible for the deaths of many believers. Many people would not forgive one who has done such horrible acts. We can’t forgive one and then forgive someone else. Nor should we expect to be forgiven by God if we can’t forgive someone. There is so much hatred and hyprocrisy in the church, it is no wonder that most non-believers see Christians as hypocrites. We need to follow the example of Ananias in verses 10-16: “10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” Many today would either hesitate or wouldn’t even obey Jesus’ word to Ananias. It is natural that he would have a concern about Saul because of the crimes he committed. However, God also commanded us to love our enemies. However, in Acts 10, Peter realizes how wrong he is to keep the law about Jews and non-Jews meeting together: “28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?” Even though it was written into law during the Old Testament, even God’s law has been misinterpreted. It was not intended to justify prejudice, but to keep the Jewish people holy, from the influence of nearby pagan cultures. However, people today use God’s law to justify all types of evil, just as the Pharisees did 2000 years ago. Keeping that in mind. We have too many manmade traditions that are of ill effect. These manmade traditions do nothing to edify the believer or the Body the Christ. All they do is further divide the Body of Christ. Much of this comes from either misinterpreting the law or unconfessed sins.
One example of this is miracles. Many people question if miracles still happen today. This should not happen, especially in the Church. Jesus said He is the same for all time, so that means that miracles do happen. In fact, salvation itself is a miracle. In Acts, there are countless accounts of miracles taking place. Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
Acts 12:21-13:7 Acts 12:21 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 22 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 23 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 24 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 25 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 26 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. Acts 13 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
Miracles justify to the fact that God is real. They testify that he sovereign and all-knowing. God does have all the answers. That is why need not to be ashamed of Jesus. We need to confess that He died on the cross and rose from the dead. There is so much going on in the world for us to just keep it to ourselves. Don’t be afraid!
There is sin out there. The Bible says when sin abound, grace abounds even more. Psychics, New Age, Wicca, homosexuality, lying, theft, and pornography are not of God. It is not okay to do these things! They are all sins! Jesus did not die for us in vain! There are is no “it is okay for each individual”. There is no such thing as individual morality. Consider these verses from Acts 24:25-27: 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. …and from Acts 26:18 “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Paul’s journey’s throughout the known world at that time was not in vain. God had a job for Paul to do and Paul did not hesitate to do it. His job was to preach the Gospel and to have people saved by Jesus and baptised in His name.
Agrippa’s words should be convincing enough that you can believe in God or be logically convinced in His Word and not be saved. To be saved, you have to believe on the name of Jesus Christ. You have to admit that you are a sinner. You also have to believe that Jesus died and rose on the third day. You have to believe this with all your heart and to be willing to pay the price for your beliefs, just as Paul and other believers have. Throughout chapters 12-28, Paul and fellow believers have suffered much persecution and have learned a lot of lessons along the way.
If you just believe in God, or are a backslider, or never believed in God, I ask that you pray this prayer. Just believing is not enough: “Lord Jesus Christ, I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and be my Savior and Lord. I believe that you died on the cross and rose on the third day. I ask that my name be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I thank you for saving me, In Jesus’s name, amen.”
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