The Provision of Pentecost
Calling the Church to Order
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| And the congregation of those who believed were of one
heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to
him was his own; but all things were common property to them. And with
great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the
Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a
needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would
sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales, and lay them at the
apostles' feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need.
Acts 4:32-35.
THE PROVISION Those who believed were of one heart and soul, all things being common property, given by God. The Apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them. They distributed to all as any had need. HOW DOES ONE BE OF ONE HEART AND SOUL? 1. Love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy Soul, and with all thy Mind. 2. Believe with all thy heart that God Is All. That there is a God, and in the beginning, He created ALL. FELLOWSHIP And when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all the things that God had done with them and how He had opened a DOOR OF FAITH to the gentiles. Acts 14:27 DISCIPLESHIP They were given a wide door for effective service. 1 Cor.16:9 The DOOR OF FAITH is the only way into the kingdom of heaven. Gods' children must firmly believe in Christ and obey Gods' Word or we have no part in Him. John 13:8. Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him," If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of mine." John 8:31 POWER OF GOD (FAITH) God wants His people to have/possess "FAITH and OBEDIENCE". Faith is the principle grace, while prayer and obedience are the principle duty of each and every Christian. Faith is the soul and prayer is the body. Faith is the mechanism that causes the growth and movement of the body. Obedience is growth and movement, for faith is power. Faith is the mechanism that produces prayer. For faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word. Prayer through the word enhances faith which is growth and movement of the body. The soul and the body of the church is to pulsate and fluctuate. There is to be a continual moving out / pouring through of Gods' people, in the church. They are poured out while at a given body and may move on, to the call and calling of God. God desires for all to see His signs and wonders through the principle Grace: FAITH and principle Duty: PRAYER AND OBEDIENCE. THE LAW OF FAITH Romans 3:27 tells us that faith is a law, it is a working grace. The act of faith is the obedience of the understanding to God revealing, and the product of that, is obedience of the will to God commanding. See also, 1 Kings 17:9 whereby commanding denoted that God makes one willing and able. 2 Corinthians 5:19 reveals the law of faith that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed (makes willing and able) to us the word of reconciliation. We could not have the doctrine of Justification by Faith without the works of the Law (of Faith). The law of Faith is the way of Justification by Faith. For faith is a depending, self-emptying, self-denying grace, and casts every crown before the throne. Saints and only saints, are beloved of God with a special and peculiar love. For the duty of Christians is to be Holy, for in this way, are they called to be saints. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Entry into the kingdom of heaven is by a Narrow Gate. Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it." "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it." And someone said to Him," Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And he said to them, "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." Luke 13:23-24. God Is Calling His Church To Order |