• The Jerusalem Church
  • It was characterized by great unity – Act 4:32
    • They were of one heart (spirit level)
    • They were of one soul (experience level)
      • Cannot be organized
      • Cannot be programmed
      • It is the gift of God
    • They belonged to each other
    • They belonged to the same family
    • They had everything in common
      • Same depravity
      • Same Saviour
      • Same indwelling Spirit
      • Same church (body)
  • It was characterized by great generosity – Act 4:34-36
    • Everything belongs to God
    • Everything is available to those who need it
    • Nothing is mine exclusively
    • They shared their possessions generously
    • Instead of clinging - they were giving
    • Christian living is not just to stop doing wrong - but to love one another
    • This is not communism
      • The Government was not involved
      • This is voluntary love
        • It is during a time of persecution
        • It is evidently restricted to the Jerusalem Church
  • It was characterized by great power – Act 4:33
    • Christ was made visible through the Body
    • The witnessing power
      • Through the Apostles
      • About the resurrection
  • It was characterized by great Grace
    • The grace produced generous sharing
    • The grace produced the exercise of gifts
      • The Apostles
      • Barnabas
        • A man of some wealth
        • Became poor for Christ
        • The gift of giving
• The Danger of Spiritual Hypocrisy – Act 5:1-11
  • The sin of Ananias and Sapphira
    • They wanted to give
    • They wanted recognition
    • They lied
    • They pretended
    • The mutual agreement
    • The one should have restrained the other

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