“If perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22)

The heart is deceitful above all things says the scripture and to be corrupt comes in various forms. But to be corrupt in the field of Christ and His Church it is a serious thing we should be mindful of. Mostly the corrupt minds seek or are found to be: money conscious, pride, self-ambitious, glory from men and fame. And becoming famous or poplar, some self seeking ministers are caught in the triangle of who is more poplar than the other, have more followers than the other and who has the best edifice. Remember that being poplar does not mean spirituality.

The Holy Ghost was as yet fallen upon none of these coverts, in the extraordinary powers conveyed by the descent of the Spirit upon the day of Pentecost. We may take encouragement from this example, in praying to God to give the renewing graces of the Holy Ghost to all for whose spiritual welfare we are concerned; for that includes all blessings. No man can give the Holy Spirit by the laying on of his hands; but we should use our best endeavours to instruct those for whom we pray. Simon Magus was ambitious to have the honour of an apostle, but cared not at all to have the spirit and disposition of a Christian. He was more desirous to gain honour to himself, than to do good to others. Peter shows him his crime. He esteemed the wealth of this world, as if it would answer for things relating to the other life, and would purchase the pardon of sin, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. This was such a condemning error as could by no means consist with a state of grace. Our hearts are what they are in the sight of God, who cannot be deceived. And if they are not right in his sight, our religion is vain, and will stand us in no stead. A proud and covetous heart cannot be right with God. It is possible for a man to continue under the power of sin, yet to put on a form of godliness. When tempted with money to do evil, see what perishing thing money is, and scorn it. Think not that Christianity is a trade to live by in this world. There is much wickedness in the thought of the heart, its false notions, and corrupt affections, and wicked projects, which must be repented of, or we are undone. But it shall be forgiven, upon our repentance. The doubt here is of the sincerity of Simon's repentance, not of his pardon, if his repentance was sincere. Grant us, Lord, another sort of faith than that which made Simon wonder only, and did not sanctify his heart. May we abhor all thoughts of making religion serve the purposes of pride or ambition. And keep us from that subtle poison of spiritual pride, which seeks glory to itself even from humility. May we seek only the honour which comes from God.

By seeking an approval from men, many have fallen under the spell of pleasing men at the expense of destroying even what their beliefs stand for. I have seen people whose heart are against leadership of God’s Assembly and would not go to any church, but would accept invitation to chair functions which raises money. You see, we mistake our giving as our acceptance to His kingdom. The whole idea of seeking fame or dishonoring God’s leaders has no place in Christ’ Kingdom and the man or woman of God must be careful not to be entrapped whatsoever. It is very sad to discern what is going on in the Church of Christ. Again the table is turning around as ministers of the gospel are being forced to speak and act like their leader; once their leader uses half sheet in preparing their sermons, the one who uses the same formula is deemed as the leader’s choice of appointing him or her to perform in his stead. When did it become a law for people to be the same when they preach? Let’s stop uniformity and allow the Holy Spirit the elbow room to work. Amen.

“We must obey God rather than any human authority” (Acts 5:29)

When there are two different opinions on review, the view that best represent the flesh always becomes violent and inconsiderate, but the one from the spirit is always calm and bold. Just as God gives unto every man His Holy Spirit, He purposely gives only unto those who obey Him, viz., His grace. Stubbornness is not boldness, but boldness is the decimating of fear. It is not sufficient for us that there is a proper goal, but we must also according to our calling go forward until we come to it; thus boldness.

The dispute that the high priest and his associates were trying to clarify was not about whether we are saved IN sin or saved FROM sin which would have been legitimate argument. But they were trying to curb down their frustrations through their jealousy of those they had declared unlearned to challenge their views. Many will do an evil thing with daring, yet cannot bear to hear of it afterward, or to have it charged upon them. We cannot expect to be redeemed and healed by Christ, unless we give up ourselves to be ruled by him. Faith takes the Savior in all his offices, who came, not to save us in our sins, but to save us from our sins. Had Christ been exalted to give dominion to Israel, the chief priests would have welcomed him. But repentance and remission of sins are blessings they neither valued nor saw their need of; therefore they, by no means, admitted his doctrine. Wherever repentance is wrought, remission is granted without fail. None are freed from the guilt and punishment of sin, but those who are freed from the power and dominion of sin; who are turned from it, and turned against it. Christ gives repentance, by his Spirit working with the word, to awaken the conscience, to work sorrow for sin, and an effectual change in the heart and life. The giving of the Holy Ghost, is plain evidence that it is the will of God that Christ should be obeyed. And He will surely destroy those who will not have Him to reign over them. The boldness of these two unlearned men by the standard of the Sadducees paved way for the confidence now demonstrated.

The apostles by the standard of the world would have been called cowards although there was some zealot among them. They saw that the calling was not about being the best debater or fighter by which their boldness could have been identified easily. Some people have resolved to debate well in public domain and the sad news is that such people are not bold enough when it comes to gospel propagating. Folks it is not sufficient for us that there is proper goal, but we must also according to our calling ‘GO’ forward until we come to it. Amen.

“And when they had called in the apostles, they beat them” (Acts 5:40)

We mostly fight fire with fire and when John saw they had nothing in common with the Samaritans he asked Jesus to command fire to come and devour them. Some youths who jeered Elisha because he was baldheaded had to face their death after the man of God cursed them, forty-two of the youths were mauled by two bears. Although some people deserved to be punished immediately, Christianity doesn’t call for retribution, it is a life of forgiveness.

Instead of the disciples growing bitter and resentful, they rather behave as if nothing had taken place; it was a pure flogging. The Lord still has all hearts in his hands, and sometimes directs the prudence of the worldly wise, so as to restrain the persecutors. Common sense tells us to be cautious, while experience and observation show that the success of frauds in matters of religion has been very short. Reproach for Christ is true preferment, as it makes us conformable to his pattern, and serviceable to his interest. They rejoiced in it. If we suffer ill for doing well, provided we suffer it well, and as we should, we ought to rejoice in that grace which enabled us so to do. The apostles did not preach themselves, but Christ. This was the preaching that most offended the priests. But it ought to be the constant business of gospel ministers to preach Christ: Christ, and him crucified; Christ, and him glorified; nothing beside this, but what has reference to it. And whatever is our station or rank in life, we should seek to make Him known, and to glorify his name. Beating them mercilessly was the order of the day to all that disobey the rules of Synagogue. Modern day men would have fainted, withdrawn and protested, but they rush home to their own and launch their joy for being counted worthy for suffering shame.

As long as we would not any protest and keep things within us should make us remain pure within; for it is not the one who shouts that is unforgiving, it is sometimes those who choose to be quiet. Unforgiving heart is dangerous virtue in the Christian walk. It is a spiritual law that those who forgive will be forgiving by their Father Who is in heaven. Is there anyone you got to forgive that your prayer could be effective? Forgiveness will make you fulfill the demands of spirit. Amen.

“When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God” (Acts 4:24)

It is not our will to be vindictive but certain things can play into us becoming vindictive. Being vindictive means; disposed to seek revenge or marked by or resulting from a desire to hurt. The second we become vindictive, we loose the touch of Him and we visit hell. Vindication is rooted in bitterness when not managed. Jesus said it was easy to say, Come, see our zeal for the Lord! and to think we are very faithful in his cause, when we are seeking our own objects, and even doing harm instead of good to others.

Some people don’t see anything wrong in taking revenge as long as they use the Psalms; their reason being that the words were the words of the Bible. Christ's followers do best in company, provided it is their own company. It encourages God's servants, both in doing work, and suffering work, that they serve the God who made all things, and therefore has the disposal of all events; and the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Jesus was anointed to be a Saviour, therefore it was determined he should be a sacrifice, to make atonement for sin. But sin is not the less evil for God's bringing good out of it. In threatening times, our care should not be so much that troubles may be prevented, as that we may go on with cheerfulness and courage in our work and duty. They do not pray, Lord let us go away from our work, now that it is become dangerous, but, Lord, give us thy grace to go on steadfastly in our work, and not to fear the face of man. Those who desire Divine aid and encouragement, may depend upon having them, and they ought to go forth, and go on, in the strength of the Lord God. God gave a sign of acceptance of their prayers. The place was shaken, that their faith might be established and unshaken. God gave them greater degrees of his Spirit; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than ever; by which they were not only encouraged, but enabled to speak the word of God with boldness. When they find the Lord God help them by his Spirit, they know they shall not be confounded, Isa 1.7.

Jesus Christ had to rebuke His own disciples because they had considered revenge in their heart against the Samaritans. The disciples did not consider that the conduct of the Samaritans was rather the effect of national prejudices and bigotry, than of the enmity to the word and worship of God; and although they refused to receive Christ and his disciples, they did not ill use or injure them, so that the case was widely different from that of Ahaziah and Elijah. Nor were they aware that the gospel dispensation was to be marked by miracles and mercy. But above all, they were ignorant of the prevailing motives of their own hearts, which was pride and carnal ambition, viz., Vindictive. Amen

“And perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled” (Acts 4:13)

There is nothing more incriminating, more humiliating and more damaging than when you are taking serious by way of your education standard or those you associate with. Jesus said a man’s worth doesn’t consist of what he has or do. But when that happens don’t take offense and become bitter because someone is sizing you with your education standard or calling you stupid.

The case study reveals that it was not as polished as it has been described by English edition. The word used here is idiot, which signifies a private man when it is used in reference to a magistrate: but with reference to sciences and studies, it signifies one that is unlearned, and with regard to honor and estimation, it implies one of base degree, and of no estimation. Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost, would have all to understand, that the miracle had been wrought by the name, or power, of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, whom they had crucified; and this confirmed their testimony to his resurrection from the dead, which proved him to be the Messiah. These rulers must either be saved by that Jesus whom they had crucified, or they must perish for ever. The name of Jesus is given to men of every age and nation, as that whereby alone believers are saved from the wrath to come. But when covetousness, pride, or any corrupt passion, rules within, men shut their eyes, and close their hearts, in enmity against the light; considering all as ignorant and unlearned, who desire to know nothing in comparison with Christ crucified. And the followers of Christ should act so that all who converse with them, may take knowledge that they have been with Jesus. That makes them holy, heavenly, spiritual, and cheerful, and raises them above this world. ‘Perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men-that is, uninstructed in the learning of the Jewish schools, and of the common sort; men in private life, untrained to teaching. Because someone did not see on your resume the kind of Irving League School you attended may make some think you are not a scholar but an unintelligent being.

Calling them stupid before a magistrate judge could have made them resentful and bitter but they remained constructive to their composure. It is not about what we preach but about our behavior that would override everything we say or do. Eschewing bitterness in this taunting world is the best solution to our break-through in being effective. Bitterness could hold the key to our indulgence and it has power to block our effectiveness. Amen.