Acts The Unhindered Harvest Acts 4 32 35

Acts: The Unhindered Harvest

Acts 4: 32 -35 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 testimony 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. New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. La. Habra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995

Remember… • Important, not primary • What is primary – Work of the enemy – Accountability – God’s holiness

Two Questions • • The question of giving The question of buildings Source – vintage desires A return to the early church

The question of giving • Historical Precedent – Abraham & Melchizedek – The Law – The Monarchy – Exile • Primary Principle (Proverbs 3: 7 -10)

“The aim of all tithing was to acknowledge that all man had belonged to God. ” (Feinberg, Pictorial Encyclopedia, vol. 5, pg. 757)

The question of giving • Issue in Acts – Incidental – Only a part, not the whole – Need the full picture

The question of giving • What’s in view – Need based – Voluntary response – Sacrificial response • What’s behind the scenes – Temple – Jewish obligation

The question of giving • Acts 4 was not the whole, but only a part, of their giving • Post-temple principle – Voluntary – Open-handed

The question of buildings • Temple still primary • Temple was not antithetical • Homes and public gatherings were additional

The question of buildings • Movement away was persecution based • Temple destruction was judgement • Continued to use large structures

The question of buildings • Historical Precedent – Thematic – Tabernacle – Temple • Practical Purposes – Identity – Community

The question of buildings • Keep in mind – No directive either way – Latitude for freedom – No right way

A giving and gathered community of believers has always been the focal point of God’s people, not merely one choice out of many.

• • • Attend Participate Serve Give Be a witness In the name of Jesus Reaping the Harvest

Hebrews 10: 23 -25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. La. Habra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995