Turning the Next Corner

Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. Acts 6:1

Intro: There are insights in this chapter I do not want us to miss

So I am going to spend more time than usually in providing a perspective on it
– if we can see the key issues, it will help to clarify who we are at Reflexion

Paul Hiebert, a missionary in India, later became a renown cultural anthropologist
– his interest in folk religion led him to research in the process of institutionalization

Hiebert observed that “Institutions, like people, go through cycles of growth, maturation and ‘hardening of the categories.’ The result is often a loss of vitality and life they once had. We must balance stress on church growth with church renewal or we will plant many churches which in a few decades will be dead.” [italics added]

Hiebert also identified stages of institutionalization:

• “The founding parents of an institution often pay a high price to join it, and take personal risk. They join together in a fellowship of high intensity, personal in nature and caring. The result is a feeling of warmth and tremendous purpose and fellowship.”
• “The second generation is raised inside the organization, and this makes them radically different. . . . To stay is the easiest course with little sacrifice.”
• “The third generation is more removed from the founders and has less of their vision. Nominalism enters, and many stay in because it is the course of least resistance.”
• “The fourth generation and on are well entrenched and the institution for them is a way of life. They have much invested in it in terms of their own identity and so want to maintain it not for what it does in ministry for the world, but what it does for them as persons.”

We begin here, because in chapter 6 we find two organizations in conflict
– first, the community of disciples that is on the crest of a spiritual movement
• its leaders are discovering that growth does not come without a cost
– secondly, the established religious institution
• its leaders and some of its devoted followers feel threatened by the community
◦ the community is finding its way forward,
the institution has arrived
◦ the community is learning how to function
the institution’s functions are fixed in place

V. 1, The community’s growing pains

We learned of generous donations to the community
– now we see one of ways those donations were used to help the needy
• cultural tensions in the larger society surfaced within the community
• “Hellenists” were Jews who had absorbed Greek culture
◦ this gave locals the impression they had been compromised
– Hebrew widows knew the language and local customs
• they would be familiar with the system and who to contact for relief
• I doubt that those in charge were conscious of their bias and unfairness

Something good happening — while the disciples were increasing 
– but that was exactly the situation that created the internal problems
• new challenges surface with growth
◦ especially in a group made up of people from diverse backgrounds
• these challenges require the loosely formed communities to organize
◦ Israel’s complaints in the wilderness required organization
(that one book of the law is entitled “Numbers” indicates the need to count and order the twelve tribes)
◦ Jesus organized the multitude to avoid a chaotic situation when he fed them
(he told the disciples, Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each — Lk. 9:14)

There are certainly positive outcomes as a result of having organization and structure: Continue reading →

Problems, Progress and Persecution

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.
And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.
And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. Acts 5:1-11

Intro: As we go through this chapter, keep asking yourself two questions:

“Who got it right?”– that is, who was doing God’s work in God’s way?
– the apostles, who knew Jesus and his teaching?
– the priests and religious Council that followed the law of Moses?

“How can this new community prevent itself from becoming the old institution?”
– the apostles did not consider their life in Christ as separate from Judaism
– but could they avoid pouring old wine into the new wineskins? (Lk. 5:37-39)
• could its unique form resist the influence of their roots in institutional religion?

An upsetting story with a subtle sub-theme

Beginning in the previous chapter (vv. 35 & 37), feet are referenced

1. Property was sold and its proceeds were laid “at the apostles’ feet”
   • donations made for those in need were placed at apostles’ disposal
   ◦ at their feet symbolizes control
   • the figure of speech is repeated in chapter 5
   ◦ only there was a serious malfunction in Ananias and Sapphira’s case
   ◦ Luke indicates their scheme with terms like
   kept back, for himself, and with his wife’s full knowledge 
2. “Feet” have a different connotation in v. 9 regarding Ananias’ pallbearers
   • in this instance, feet are used as a synecdoche
   ◦ that is, where something is referred to by one of its parts
   ◦ in this case, feet refer to those to whom they belong and their assigned mission
   How lovely on the mountains
   Are the feet of him who brings good news,
   Who announces peace
   And brings good news of happiness . . . . (Is. 52:7)
3. A third reference to feet brings us back to the apostles (v. 10)
   • but now it is not donations laid at their feet
   ◦ rather, Sapphira “fell at his feet” and died
   • the reference this time is to proximity
   ◦ Sapphira dropped dead at the scene of the crime, so to speak

“Truth” has been strangely warped in our culture

We are no longer surprised by deceit in business, politics or law courts
– for many people, truth doesn’t mean what is real, but what is believable
• advertisers “spin” products and campaign consultants “puff” a politician’s image
• Jesus addressed this issue in the Sermon On the Mount

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with you Father who is in heaven. [Hypocrites] love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. (Mt. 6:1 & 5)

◦ it is the difference between appearance and reality

For a long time, Calvary Chapel pastor’s mantra was, “Teach the Word”
– Bible studies were considered the foundation of a successful church ministry
• after awhile, the repetitions sounding of this single note began to concern me
• without a corresponding emphasis on character, it was flawed
◦ I ran into a lot of people who knew the Bible and could look seriously devout
◦ but they were also unloving, argumentative, hateful and abusive
– I don’t feel that I have it in me to deal with any more deceit
• I’m worn out with people who cannot be straight forward with me
◦ I am fine if a person will just tell me what he or she is after
◦ ask them a simple question and all you get a lot of double-talk
• it’s understandable why God would want to nip duplicity in the bud

There is another layer of potential sin and compromise in this episode Continue reading →

Our Off-Road Faith

On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high priestly descent. When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead–by this name this man stands here before you in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. And there is no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:5-12

Intro: I want to tell you a story about a friend of mine

He’s a good person – very perceptive and compassionate
– he is a man of God – and someone who needs order in his life
• he likes things neat and tidy and for day to be arranged
– for awhile, he was responsible for grandson one day a week
• he found arranging a schedule for a three-year-old a difficult project
◦ when he asked his wife for help, she told him, “Just take him out and go have an adventure”
• this isn’t babysitting – it is entering the world of a grandchild
◦ seeing through his or her eyes
◦ it is remembering how to have fun and how to be amazed

God doesn’t babysit us – he enters our circumstances
– he says, “Let’s have ourselves an adventure. Let’s find out where this road takes us”
• a highly structured, tightly controlled Christianity isn’t an adventure
◦ a Christianity consisting of cliches isn’t an adventure
◦ an excessively emotional Christianity isn’t the adventure we’re after
– an adventure is entering and exploring the unknown
• it is risk and challenge, hardship and danger,
◦ it thrill and accomplishment (at least the accomplishment of overcoming our fear)
• Christianity was meant to be an adventure
◦ why do you think Paul told us to put on armor?

The Christians in Jerusalem, directed and moved by the Spirit, were discovering the adventure
– they were willing to learn where the road they were on would lead them by taking it
– as to God’s will, they were learning it by living it

The road they were on led them into trouble

Trouble with the authorities isn’t adventure we hope to have
– v. 2, the “Sadducees” had a vested interest in the message of resurrection (v. 1 & cf. 23:8)
• they also had a majority position of influence in Israel’s religion and political structure
– the opposition of the Council (or Sanhedrin, v. 15) posed a significant danger
• they were the end of Jesus’ ministry

There are significant parallels between the interrogation and Luke 20

First, in Jerusalem Jesus’ authority was also questioned by priests, scribes and elders

Tell us, by what authority You are doing these things, or who gave You this authority? (Lk. 20:2) Continue reading →

Old Dogs and New Tricks

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.
But Peter along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene–walk!” And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up, and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were all filled with wonder and amazement. Acts 3:1-10

Intro: Acts chapter 3 follows the pattern of chapter 2

It begins with a miracle and the miracle draws public attention
– the general reaction is wonder and amazement
• then Peter delivers a speech that provides a context for the miracle
◦ his central theme is Jesus Christ — and the name of Jesus
• the point of all this is that God calls the crowd to himself through Jesus
– but unlike chapter 2, in this episode there’s a complication
• after the speech, Peter and John are taken into custody
• and this complication is carried over into the next chapter

Let’s move in for a closer look

Archaeologists have excavated stairs leading to the temple mount
– this was the southern entrance and the primary approach for most people
• the stairway is broad enough to accommodate hundreds of people coming and going
◦ nearby shops provided items needed for worship
◦ and a number of small pools served for ritual cleansing
• there’s no doubt Jesus and his disciples walked these steps
◦ this is where I imagine Peter and John encountering the beggar
◦ it is easy to see why invalids would come here to beg
– Peter and John were not going to the temple to preach or make a scene
• it is likely that “the hour of prayer” was becoming a routine in their new life
• I would assume that they had seen this man before, since he was a regular there
◦ it is also possible that they seldom noticed him or the many other beggars
◦ they all blended into the background scenery one passed to get to the temple

Luke’s phrase “from his mother’s womb” prohibits clinical detachment
– it is more intimate than “congenital” or “from birth”
• it triggers different sentiments, combining hope and heartache,
◦ maternal nurture and a cruel fate, a loving biological bond and a systems failure
• that every day he was “carried” and “set down” there casts him in an infant-like state
◦ still dependent on others — though he was more than forty years old (4:22)
– I wonder if as a child, this beggar ever envied the kids who could run and jump

Going on with Peter and John, the story becomes uncomfortable

Seasoned beggars can pick out compassionate, empathetic people
– perhaps he recognized these qualities in Peter and John and called to them
• when Peter heard him, he “fixed his gaze on him”
• this is something you never do
◦ first, disabled do not like to be stared at — they want normal treatment
◦ second, it’s harder to look a needy person in the eye and say no
– for a moment, the air is electric with nervous tension Continue reading →

The Church Catches Fire

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we we were born?” Acts 2:1-8

Intro: In 1965 Harvey Cox published The Secular City

As if reporting confirmed facts, he declared the end of religion
– explored possibilities for theology in a godless world
• in the not to distant future, churches would no longer exist
– in 1995, Cox published Fire From Heaven
• in this work he reported the vitality of Pentecostal religion
◦ his research included visiting churches, “revival” meetings and interviews
• it is a warm, thoughtful and insightful work
◦ in the preface, Cox reflects on his earlier sociological and theological influences

“Perhaps I was too young and impressionable when the scholars made those sobering projections. In any case I had swallowed them all too easily and had tried to think about what their theological consequences might be. But it had now become clear that the predictions themselves had been wrong.”

◦ the vitality of Pentecostal faith was evidence of how wrong they were

Pentecostal religion doesn’t prove God exists
– it proves that religious beliefs and fervent devotion are still alive for some people
• but to me it makes sense God’s light would radiate from this corner of Christendom
– the modern Pentecostal movement was all about fire and and heat
• it grew out of a strong belief that Acts 2:
◦ is a record of literal history
◦ and the phenomena reported still occurs in the lives of believers

The Event

We’re not told where this occurred, but it was a large enough space for celebration
– it was also large enough to accommodate onlookers
• though it’s likely that the crowd spilled out into the streets

(Notice how the repeated use of “and” links each statement in the first four verses, speeding up the action and intensifying the drama. The text does not slow down until the crowd really begins to wonder what is happening and then moves very slowly when they list the various regions associated with the “dialects” they heard.)

it began with the sound of a violent storm
• there was no gale force wind, just the sound
• the sound was followed by fire–or what looked like fire
• then whatever was happening hit the apostles and others who were there

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit

◦ that is when they started speaking in tongues
◦ and this has been the hallmark of Pentecostal religion

I don’t want to get distracted by speaking in tongues (it’s been a big distraction)
– either they spoke languages they had never learned
• or they spoke gibberish that was (miraculously) understood by bystanders
– an act of God, like tower of Babel, but reversal of it
• instead of many languages resulting in confusion, they communicated one message
• “the magnificent things of God”

The Effect

Luke leaves no room for guess-work regarding the response of onlookers
– they were “bewildered” (v. 6), “amazed & astonished” (v. 7)
• and “continued in amazement and great perplexity” (v. 12) Continue reading →

At Peace With Waiting

The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up into heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:1-8 (chapter 1)

Intro: We have in the New Testament four Gospels that tell the story of Jesus

But his story does not end with the gospels
– this point is made explicit in last verses of Matthew and Luke (Mark leaves us in suspense)
• John devotes several chapters to Jesus’ conversations with the disciples to get them ready
– the book of Acts is the continuation of the gospel story
• and when we get to final chapter of Acts, we’ll see there is room to add more chapters

If like the Gospels Acts is a story, what is the plot?
– as I see it, the tension that runs through the book is this:
• will this venture that grew out of the ministry of Jesus succeed or be derailed by humans?
• we’ll see that the movement is threatened by
◦ conflicts instigated by enemies on the outside
◦ poor decisions or wrong actions initiated by believers from within
– chapters 1 and 2 narrate the transition from Jesus’ ministry to the Spirit’s ministry

Let’s walk through the first chapter

Like the gospel of Luke, Acts is addressed to Theolphilus
– I don’t doubt Theophilus was a real person
• yet I also suspect that Luke played on the meaning of his name: friend (or lover) of God
◦ both volumes were written to inform and inspire people who are inwardly drawn to God
• Luke’s first work is summarized as “all that Jesus began to do and teach”
◦ and from there he immediately jumps to the end if volume 1
– God’s Spirit was actively involved in the final days of Jesus’ physical presence on earth
• it was “by the Spirit” that Jesus “gave orders to the apostles”

An important piece in the Lord’s parting conversation was his response to a question
– the disciples had devoted their lives to following Jesus because of an assumption
• namely, that Jesus was the Messiah who would bring God’s kingdom into the world
◦ Israel, having been oppressed by other nations for centuries, would rise to the top
◦ God’s direct rule of the world through Israel would bring an ultimate state of peace
• but when the disciples asked whether Jesus was finally fulfill his mission,
◦ his response was, “That’s none of your business” – God keeps his calendar private
◦ that information wasn’t given to them, but what would be given is God’s Spirit (vv. 7 & 8)
– we can read verse 8 as a loosely structured table of contents 

But seeing that the Spirit was already present, what’s this talk about mean?
– I’ll try to give a full explanation next week, but for now power and upon are key words
• the Spirit would create the road ahead and energize them to walk in it
◦ now this is much better than getting a “design for church”
◦ then having to hammer it out on our own Continue reading →

What Do You See?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.
Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. Genesis 1:1-5

Intro: I want you to do something for me

Please–think what this phrase might mean: And God saw that the light was good
– what first comes to mind is probably wrong
• for example, that God suddenly perceived or realized something
◦ that he made a surprising discovery
◦ or that an insight occurred to him that hand not already been in his mind
• if we maintain theological credibility, these are not real options
– so give it some thought and we’ll circle back to this phrase later

The Bible begins at the beginning

In verse 1, the clock starts ticking
– the universe appears like an infant fresh from womb
– and there is God, its Creator — Architect, Artisan and Sculptor
• he begins by creating the raw elements for his project
◦ energy and matter and the space to accommodate its formation

Reading these verses, I find myself drawn to the words that depict God at work:
– God said, God saw, God separated, God called
• compact, succinct, profound
• this is a description of the way God organized the chaotic stew
◦ by speaking, separating and calling, God gave the elements order, form and beauty

“God said” – the speech or word of God is essential
– it turns a mass of atoms into something specific
• it gives a thing an identity–e.g., after creating light, God named it
◦ in a sense, naming a thing gives it existence
– God soon shared this responsibility of labeling things with humankind
• he had Adam give names to animals, while Eve named her children

Darkness is one of the primal facts of our universe

Unlike us, however, God is not affected by darkness
– God is more than the universe – he is within it and beyond it at the same time
• the universe does not contain him, God contains it
• darkness does not exist for God

If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”
Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You. (Ps. 139:11-12)

– but since God was making the universe for us, he switched on the light Continue reading →

Following Jesus Christ
Into Whatever Comes Next

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11

Intro: I’ve enjoyed reading in the Gospel of Mark this past week

It has been like sitting in a garden or wandering through a forest
– something rustles in one of the verses and I have to take a closer look
• there is much in Mark that inspires and much to savor
– it seemed like something here could provide a good theme for my last talk of 2015
• I want to share with you some of my impressions of Jesus
• since I’ve been reading two chapters at a time, that’s how we’ll go through this

Chapters 1-2: Jesus is always composed and unruffled

For example, his baptism was marked by several supernatural phenomena
– the heavens opening, the Spirit descending and the voice speaking from the sky
• but there is no indication at all that any of this surprised Jesus
– then later, he is not shocked that people would come to him for healing
• nor is he disturbed by a demon’s screaming as he taught in a synagogue (v. 24)
• Jesus acts as if all this is perfectly normal, exactly what he expected
◦ nothing knocks him off balance — it is as if the extraordinary were his daily routine
◦ it seems that around Jesus, miracles cease to be miraculous

Now let’s take a look at the people who came into contact with Jesus
– here we see a sharp blatant contrast: Jesus’ equanimity and their excitement
• two words come up in response to Jesus (vv. 22 & 27)
◦ they were amazed at his teaching and actions
◦ they perceived that Jesus exercised an unique authority
• immediately it became obvious that he was extraordinary
◦ he knew and interacted with a world that was closed off to them

It is always of critical importance that we acknowledge the humanness of Jesus
– he is among us as one of us — he hungers, tires out, cries, loves and so on
• yet he is of a higher human order — one that we are incapable of duplicating
◦ in other words, Jesus is a type of being we cannot grow into
• Jesus is a one-of-a-kind human — flesh and blood like us, yet more
◦ this does not make him less susceptible to pain and sorrow (Heb. 2:14-18)
◦ rather, it enables him to help us at the same time he is able to identify with us Continue reading →