Are People Dropping Dead in Your "Acts" Church?

In short, the Covenants are for Israel (Ex 19, Jer 31, Rom 9, the New Covenant yet still future and the Old still passing away in that age, Heb 8:13) and the plan for the kingdom and the land were what the Apostles were anticipating (and promising) if Israel repented (Acts 1 , Acts 3). Try preaching that today. 

Gentile believers in the Acts Age (after being grafted into the blessings of Israel to make unbelieving Israel jealous, Rom 10, Rom 11) were put under the Levitical law for Gentiles living among Israel (Lev 17, Acts 15, Acts 21). Under the Law, a Gentile could live peaceably among Israel, but could not participate in the Feasts unless a proselyte (circumcised). So, the Law has instructions for Israel and for Gentiles living among Israel. It is no guide for today in that way.

In the Acts Age, believing Jews were still circumcising their boys and Paul was obeying the Law (Acts 21). So, the quick death of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) is in keeping with that economy and not our current economy. We do not see people dropping dead from lying to the Holy Spirit or holding back pledged money to a "church."

In that Age, Paul was still keeping part of the non-sacrificial Law and he was accused of not following the Law.

“You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 

-Acts 21:20-21  

But Paul certainly was keeping the Law. He was upset that anyone thought differently. The accusations were "nothing" (false), he pleads. And he was clear to tell Gentiles that they did not have to keep the Law, just the "necessary things" gleaned from Leviticus as noted.

Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

 -Acts 21:24-25

One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you. 

-Ex 12:49

When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus. 

-Acts 18

But neither the twelve nor Paul required Gentile believers to keep any feasts. just the "necessary things" in Acts 15 and 21 gleaned from the Law for Gentiles. The Lord's Supper was the Passover (the Lord said so) and those who took it unworthily got sick or died. Is that happening today? I don't think so. And in the Law, Gentiles could not partake unless circumcised (Ex 12:48). 

As we see in the Book of Hebrews, the Law (apart from the sacrificial Law) and the Old Covenant were still recognized by the churches of the Acts age (Heb 8, Heb 10). When Paul is given his revelation (unknown to the sons of men before that, Eph 3), the middle wall between Jew and Gentile came down and the law seen in the ordinances which separated Jew from Gentile was done away (Eph 2).  

When we understand these conditions, the swift punishment of Acts 5 (even before the grafting in of Gentiles into Israel's blessings), with the hope of the restored kingdom in view (Acts 1), and the future rulers ready to take their places on the twelve thrones (Matt 19), while facing a cleansing and winnowing coming for Israel, and the reward of the New Jerusalem and the implementation of the New Covenant (prophets and Rev)... we can see Ananias and Sapphira suffering under those conditions (conditions we do not see today). 

Looking at Acts 5:3, the Geneva Bible makes a rather stunning argument:

 For when they had appointed that farm or possession for the Church, they were foolish to keep away a part of the price, as though they were dealing with men, and not with God, and therefore he says afterwards that they tempted God.

I don't see a lot of people dropping dead these days for not honoring promises to the "Church." When we understand that not everything called a "church" is the same gathering, we can start to see God's different dealings with different called-out groups for different purposes.

Pentecost was anticipating the Millennium and the conditions of that age to come, but it was not the start of that age. And the plan in sight was the earthly plan for the nation of Israel in the land of promise under the restored Kingdom (Acts 1, Rom 9, etc.).

`He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within My house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in My sight. I will early (morning by morning or every day) destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD'. 

-Psalm 101:7-8

The Lord warned at His return in Luke 21 that after Israel's time of testing and cleansing, the wicked will we dealt with swiftly. But Israel mist go through that winnowing period before a Virgin Israel (New Covenant, Jeremiah 31) can realize the fullness of God's plan.

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

-Luke 21:26-27 

There will be direct judgment for sin each day in the Millennium so that God's kingdom standards can be maintained. In this age of grace such judgment is suspended. If this were not so, the undertakers would have a real problem. The death judgment of Ananias and Sapphira is not the only judgment in the Acts. Later on is recorded the judgment of blindness that fell upon Elymas [Acts 13 by Paul].

-Stuart Allen on the Acts Age and Afterwards (excerpt)

For he who eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and unhealthy among you, and many die.

-1 Corinthians 11:29-30

So, some in the Acts age dropped dead for taking the Lord's supper "unworthily" and some dropped dead for lying to the Holy Spirit and holding back. All believers in that age either obeyed the non-sacrificial Law (Jews) or the Law for Gentiles living among Israel (the "necessary things"). None of those conditions exist in this current present age. No one is dropping dead (or getting sick) for taking the Lord's Supper unworthily, and no one is dropping dead for not keeping a pledge to the church. 

Satan, Devils, and the Revelation of Such in Scripture (Person or Office?)

Several years ago we addressed Dr. Michael Heiser's rejection of the Gap in Genesis 1. We noted than as we do now that we have great respect for the late Doctor's work and can recommend him in many ways. However, as with all teachers, we must compare his teachings against the Word of Truth rightly divided for ourselves (2 Tim 2:15).

In his talk on "ha Satan" (Hebrew), Dr. Heiser argues that "the Satan" (English) is an office and title more than a name. Something surely worth considering. He applies this position to the Book of Job and states that God sent "the Satan" to observe Job because that was his job (no pun intended).

"The Satan" was questioning God's assessment of Job and this was a great sin. He had become the "Adversary." No creature has a right to question the Creator (let alone his character). So, the Lord gives "the Satan" the authority to do anything to Job short of taking his life.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Adversary also came among them. And the Lord said to the Adversary, “From where have you come?” Then the Adversary answered the Lord, saying, “From roaming on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to the Adversary, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and an upright man, who fears God, and avoids evil?” Then the Adversary answered the Lord, saying, “Has Job feared God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your face.” The Lord said to the Adversary, “Look, all that he has is in your power; only do not stretch out your hand against his person.” So the Adversary departed from the presence of the Lord.

-Job 1:6-12

The use of "ha Satan" in the Hebrew is interesting. But if it was an office, wouldn't that office still exist? Maybe he taught that it does. Again, I'm just starting to examine his position

In another video Dr Heiser says that nowhere in the Old Testament does it connect Satan and the serpent of Genesis. He says that it's only in the New Testament. We note here, and assume Heiser would have agreed, that the Greek texts are just as inspired as the Hebrew texts.

In making his argument he seems to be arguing the Greek texts are somehow less inspired than the Hebrew texts? The Lord revealed things in his earthly ministry and revelation was given to the Apostles (especially to John and Paul) that was not fully known to or understood by to the Hebrew writers. John's vision was accurate and his account inspired. There are truths we understand about which Adam would have no concept.

Paul teaches that the fullness of Christ, while in the Law and prophets, was not fully understood. This is the Mystery of Christ Paul refers to in Romans. This is why even the Lord's chosen Apostles were confused when he said he was to go to Jerusalem to die (Matt 16:21, Luke 18:31-34) . Peter objects, the Lord calls him "Satan" (an adversary). Judas is called a "devil."  The Lord suffering and dying is in the Hebrew texts (notably in Isaiah and in the Psalms), but just not fully understood.

Beyond that, Paul was given a revelation referenced in Ephesians that was not know to the sons of men before it was revealed to him. The blessings in the far above the heavens (as opposed to any earthly blessings or hope) was hidden from the prophets from "before" the overthrow and the start of the ages. Peter speaks of the restoration of the Kingdom and the earth in Acts three as a revelation "since" the ages began.

No Hebrew writer was aware of Paul's revelation.

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the incomprehensible riches of Christ, 9 and to reveal for all people what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ, 10 so that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places 

-Eph 3:8-10

 

I have been made a servant of it according to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you, to fulfill [complete] the word of God, 26 even the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but now is revealed to His saints. 27 To them God would make known what is the glorious riches of this mystery among the nations. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory, 

-Col 1:25-27


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the ages, to be holy and blameless before Him in love 

-Eph 1:3-4

vs

Therefore repent and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send the One who previously was preached to you, Jesus Christ, 21 whom the heavens must receive until the time of restoring what God spoke through all His holy prophets since the world [ages] began. 22 For Moses indeed said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall hear whatever He may say to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be utterly eliminated from the people.’ 24 “Indeed, all the prophets since Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold these days. 

-Acts 3:19-24


The beast, which you saw, was, and is not, and is to ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to destruction. Those who dwell on the earth whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world [ages] will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and is to come. 

-Rev 17:8

The distinction is God's plan for the earth and the restoration of the Kingdom in Israel, on earth (Acts 1:1-7, Matthew 8:11-12; Luke 22:29-30; Acts 3, etc.), and the restoration of Paradise (Rev 2:7; Rev 22:2; Rev 22:14) which was all known/revealed since the ages began through the prophets against the hope in the far above the heavens, that God has determined before the ages, which was hidden from the prophets and revealed only to Paul.

Again, Peter is called "Satan" (Matt 16:23) and Judas "a devil" (John 6:70). I believe both have life in Christ, but that's another matter for another time. For this discussion, I think (for now) "Satan" and "devil" are both descriptors and titles.

Lastly, Heiser needs to address (maybe he does in a video I haven't seen yet) the inclusion or exclusion of a Definite Article in the Greek. I don't know that "the" is in the Greek with every use of Satan as it is Hebrew. But when it comes over English, "the devil" is used many times and is specific to an adversary, not just to an office-holder. The seeking continues. 

The Use of the Word "Christian," The Creeds, and Anti-Semitism

And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
-Acts 11:26

 

And Agrippa unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.

-Acts 26:28


But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.

-1 Peter 4:16

These 3 instances are the only use of the word "Christian" (Greek: Christianós) in scripture. 

I generally use "believers" when possible. It is only used 6 times (by my count), but it is used by Paul as late as 1 Timothy 4:12. "Brethren" ("Brothers") is also good. It is used extensively in many different contexts (of Jew in the first part of Acts) including those in Christ. 

The word "church" is also problematic as it is rendered in the Greek can be used of any company. Scripture uses it of a mob in Acts 19:32 and of Israel as in Acts 7:38. I do use "Christians" and "Church" (with caveats) when speaking as most people are familiar with the terms. I then try to work in a clarification. 

I mostly use "Christendom" to mean anything that is supposed to be representative of followers of Christ while very few are true believers (IMO). The vast majority of what calls itself Christian denies the gospel of the free grace of God. Not only do they deny it, they condemn it.

Personally, I say that I follow Paul as Paul follows Christ.

Be [Become] ye followers [imitators] of me [Paul], even as I also am of Christ. -

1 Cor 11:1


Therefore I urge you to imitate me [Paul]. 

-1 Cor 4:16

Part of the poisoning of what we define as "Christian" or the "church," etc. comes from what men call the "Early Church Fathers" (ECF). While we should be following Paul, just as all in Asia had abandoned Paul by the end of his ministry (2 Tim 1:15), the early creatures that represented Christendom abandoned Paul's Post-Acts ministry and claimed authority they never had. Worse than that, literally billions of professed believers today assign these men an authority they never had.

The self-described Red-Letter Christians have abandoned Paul's revelation from the Spirit as revealed in Ephesians and the other Post-Acts epistles and have sought to claim the Lord's earthly ministry to Israel for themselves. They do not know who are the "brothers" for this age. Some even carry a visceral hatred for Paul. These who claim to put love above all, who preach ecumenism, have no place for the Bible-Alone believer and readily steal from Israel's earthly promises and claim them as their own.

We've covered this topic previously, but just for the sake of this short study, I will note a few things. 

Many of these grace-denying (thus Christ-denying) faith systems openly acknowledge that many of their teachings trace back to the so-called "Fathers." These men become "authorities" and are placed above Paul in so many ways. 

The ECF have poisoned more of the faith than almost anything else. And the poisoning is not limited to the sacramentalist groups. Even among the Reformed there is a puzzling reverence for the ECF. RC Sproul has called Aquinas (I know he's not from the earlier centuries, but he's still revered among Reformed theologians for some reason), "one of the greatest Christian minds." Aquinas taught the Christ denying doctrine of Purgatory is the place where the fires of "hell" lick out and torture believers to make them pure, etc. How he could reverence such a man is troubling. 

Those who listen to my podcast this season will know that I declare in the opening, "We believe in the Bible alone here, and we believe in Christ alone here, and we don't compromise on that no matter what some 'Early Church Father' said!" 

Sin and error were rampant among believers in the first century. "The enemies of the cross of Christ" (Phil 3:18) were believers. The ones jealous of Paul who sought to make his chains harsher (Phil 1:15-16) were believers. The ones involved in sexual sins and other sins in 1 Corinthians were believers.

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles... I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 

-1 Corinthians 5:1,9-11

Being among the few literate and mostly from the rich upper class does not make writers of the second or third centuries any more authoritative than I am. In fact, it probably means they were still influenced by the errors of the Asian church that had abandoned Paul. I think it's important to note again that Paul makes his revelation about the apostasy of the believers in Asia in his final epistle. What claimed to be authoritative after Paul should, therefore, be treated as the mere opinions of men.  

While we're there, the Creed's opening lines are in error. So many of today's churches (of all stripes) claim these creeds. They don't seem to be protecting the true faith from error. If Paul's revelation hasn't prevented the vast majority of Christendom from denying Christ, creeds that open with an error are hardly to be expected to accomplish that end.

Men:

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible. 

-Nicene Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth. 

-Apostle's Creed

Scripture:

[The Son] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 

-Col 1:15-17

Anti-Semitism was a foundational canker in the RCC, EOC, and in many of the Reformed traditions. Even today, the Catechism of the Catholic Church lists Islam as the "first" among the Abrahamic faiths (having spent centuries putting Jews in ghettos and making them wear yellow markers on their clothes as they were condemned to "eternal slavery" by Paul IV and his successors).

"The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day." 

-Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994)

Luther was initially called to repent by the Pope after his debate with Eck in which he disagreed with the "Church Fathers" as upon whom the "church" is founded. They argued it was upon Peter and the Papacy, Luther stated it is upon Christ alone. 

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."  

-1 Cor 3:11

We must acknowledge firstly that all called companies today are founded on the perfect sacrificial work of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. But if we are to be faithful to the calling to which we have been called in this age, we must follow Paul and his revelation foe the current age revealed Post-Acts to Paul alone in the Book of Ephesians, as he follows Christ. 

The believers of the Acts age were to follow Paul's teaching to that company in that age and we must follow Paul's teaching to our company in our age.