Progress through divine purging (1)

The believers in the early church were epitomes of consecration, unity, fellowship,spirituality, piety, love, and heavenly-mindedness. They surrendered their hearts to Christ wholeheartedly and were willing to give up their possessions to provide for the needs of others. Their lives and possessions belonged to the Lord, and so belonged to His body, the Church.

Each believer recognised divine ownership and, so, was readily available — body, soul and spirit, time, talent and treasure, mind, will and skill, house, household and heritage — for His glory and service.

Although a particular man, Barnabas, was specifically mentioned, many others demonstrated the same single and sacrificial love towards God and the Church. “And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need,” (Acts 2:44,45). “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 in common. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need,” (Acts 4:32,34,35).

Yet, no one was compelled to sell or surrender his/her property. The Apostles did not lay down any rule or make a new doctrine out of such spontaneous acts of love and devotion. “Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?’’ (Acts 5:4). The practice did not continue for long in the early church. Later, when needs arose in the Jerusalem church, special offerings were collected and sent (Acts 11:28-30; Romans 15:25-27; 1 Corinthians 16:1,3; Galatians 2:10).

During this period of the spontaneous, extraordinary experience, all things were done without compulsion, hypocrisy, praise seeking, lying, carnal competition or self-centred comparison. There was true revival, heaven-sent revival, spirit-inspired revival. Yet, like Achan in the early days of Israel’s entry into the land of promise, a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, came with subtlety, hypocrisy and iniquity to introduce sin and evil into the spirit-filled church. God immediately arrested the situation and the supernatural, soul-winning, soul-saving revival continued. “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ,” (Acts 5:42).

The chapter opens with the shocking exposure of a member’s hypocrisy, insincerity, deception and hellish iniquity. Ananias’ hypocrisy consisted of imitating godly people, lying and deception to win the praise of men, having a form of godliness, appearing to be righteous, while hiding a terrible sin in the heart. His sin of pretence was to present himself to men that he was righteous and gained position and recognition in the church as a consecrated, devoted, spiritual and faithful disciple.

While professing to give all to God, he secretly kept back a part of what he professed to have given. His heart was filled with Satan-inspired deception, while his mouth proclaimed exceptional devotion to God. And his wife agreed with him in secret to keep their sin against God and against the church. They were in soul-damning covenant to hide Satan in their hearts and cover up sin in their home.

The Holy Spirit revealed the secret to Apostle Peter, because the word of knowledge, the discerning of spirits, the word of wisdom and the gifts of the Spirit were in operation. Sinners could not hide before Spirit-filled Apostles in the early church.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is present, prominent and preeminent, there will be revelation, inspiration and power. Swift judgment came on these unrepentant sinners who were determined to stop the soul-saving revival in the early church. God quickly purged His church to preserve her in purity and power. “And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness,” (Malachi 3:3).

• Further reading (King James Version): Acts 5:1-42; Acts 5:1-11; Joshua 7:10-13,16-25; 2 Kings 5:20-27; 6:11,12; 1 Kings 14:6-14; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Deuteronomy 13:6-8; Psalm 50:16-22; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Hebrews 12:15, 28; 1Peter 1:16, 17; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11.