One hundred and twenty were present in the upper room on the day of Pentecost when the Father poured out the Holy Spirit. Jesus now had the beginnings of His living body. The body started to do what it was designed to do - obey Jesus the Head. We read Peter’s first sermon in Acts 2:14-39. The result was about three thousand came to a personal relationship with Jesus and were born again and plugged in to the Body.
Acts 2:41-42: "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
The Church (the Body) was off to a good start as it grew rapidly. Each new member fit in exactly where God designed him or her to be. We know this and see the evidence as we read on.
Acts 2:44-47: "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
Shortly after Peter’s first message five thousand more were added to the Church. The Body began to grow in size.
In Acts 4:32 we note this initial trend continues: "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." Believers directed by Jesus (the Head) even sold their possessions and brought the proceeds to the Apostles who distributed the funds to those in need.
However, in Acts 5:1-5 we read of a lethal scenario: "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things." We know his wife also joined him in this deadly deception and shared his destiny. The bottom line is exposed in Acts 5:11: "And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things." Fear gripped the Body of Christ.
The word fear used in this verse is not the reverential fear or respect of the Lord. It is of a demonic nature. Strong’s Dictionary defines it this way: 5401. phobos, fob'-os; from a prim. phebomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:--be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror."
Then by the time Acts 6:2 occurred there was a multitude of disciples. But something was amiss for we read in the following verses that the Apostles called a meeting and appointed people to service. In Acts 6:1 we read there were those murmuring about neglecting service to the widows. This indicates that unity and being on one accord was no longer fully active. Unity was one of the primary characteristics of the early believers. There was murmuring because needs were not met. Why did the early church experience lack and division among themselves? The people became afraid. When demonic fear enters then faith flees. The people once absolutely committed to being an obedient, fully functional part of the body were now following their carnal nature. Simply stated they were in the flesh.
Paul hits the nail right on the head when he writes in Gal. 3:3: "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" Remember who he was writing to: Gal.1: 6: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel". Then he states the problem in Gal. 3:1a: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?" The Church became less dependent on revelation from God and followed their understanding; thus the foundation transitioned from Rock to sand.
The church today does not walk in Agape love even to the degree it did in the infant stage 2,000 years ago. However, there are thousands of churches and ministries that enjoy a very large following. Are we any closer to that unity of the faith and walking in the fullness of Christ? No! What, then must we do? Repent. We must change our thinking to include what the Bible makes clear.
The church currently operates on the basis of fear. Faith means calling those things that are not revealed to the senses as though they were revealed to the senses. This is almost non-existent today. We must use faith not to advance our kingdom but to experience intimate fellowship with the Father. By faith we must walk in the divine nature and in the fullness of the Kingdom of God. When we use God given faith we will then know by His revelation that we are a vital member in the Body of Christ and have a purpose. Then the things we read about in Acts chapters 2 – 4:32 will be a reality and the fruit of our relationship with the Lord.
The world and most churched people don’t really believe the Bible. They think the things God has given and made us to be are ethereal and unattainable. This is untrue. We are the Children of God. We are His family. We are not servants. It is time we take our Blood-bought position in the Kingdom of God and be all He has made us. As with all of our articles don’t just accept it or reject it without personally asking the Lord, "Are these things so? What do I do?"