What other man (also for the sake of money) allowed Satan to put an evil purpose in his heart? (John 13:2). After this man had given place to that evil Purpose, what followed next? (John 13:27). Did the same thing happen here? See therefore the importance of Prov. 4:23.

      5. What slew Ananias? (Heb. 4:12). Did this sword do that as effectively as a sword of steel could? Will this sword be used again to slay? Rev. 19:21. [91]

      The fact that once there was a whole multitude of Christians who were "of one heart and soul," shows the feasibility of such a unity. But the Lord has provided no other bonds than the common faith and the common love to hold his people together. Theirs is "the unity of the Spirit." Where the Spirit of God is not, where the fruit of the Spirit is not manifest, there can be no such unity. Even perfect agreement in views can not hold a selfish people together. But because of different stages of spiritual growth, differing abilities and temperaments, there is likely to be no absolutely perfect agreement on many points, even among those who stand together on the great fundamentals. Without true love therefore there can be no unity. There are so many things to fall out about that people who do not love one another will soon split up among themselves over some matter or another, and part company. And this is God's will, too. For he has no interest in preserving the unity of a body of people, bearing His name, who do not love one another.

      The brotherly love in the first church was not in word only, but in deed and truth. John says that such a love gives us boldness and assurance. (1 John 3:14-23). There is an important principle laid down in 2 Cor. 8:12-16, which may throw light on the use and distribution of the goods among the Christians at Jerusalem.

      The beauty of the picture is marred by the fraud of Ananias and Sapphira. They sold their property and brought only part of the proceeds to the apostles, while pretending that they were bringing the full amount. Either they simply wanted praise and credit which did not belong to them, or they even thought to cheat the church by drawing on the church-fund for their support, while yet they secretly had money of their own. Now shortly after the Tabernacle had been set up, Nadab and Abihu trifled with God's worship and sanctuary. God made an example of them. (Lev. 10). So also when the Ark was being moved to Jerusalem, He made an example of Uzzah who laid unhallowed hands on it. "Ye shall reverence my sanctuary" was a prime lesson impressed in the Old Dispensation. No less so now. Here is a man and his wife who thought to defraud God, and who showed contempt of the church, and attempted to lie to the omniscient Spirit who indwelt the church and wrought through the apostles. God made an example of them by swift retribution, that all might hear and fear, and do not again such like. The effect of this judgment was as profound as it was wholesome; and "familiarity that breeds contempt" was abolished. Reverence and godly fear is a essential to the true service and worship of God. (Heb. 12:28). We need it badly in these days. The development of the sin of Ananias and his wife is as follows: They conceived of the evil purpose in their hearts. (Verse 4). Secondly, they agreed together to carry it out (v. 9) and thus (whether they understood it or not) they undertook to "try the Spirit of the Lord;" and, thirdly, Satan filled their heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. Thus, as in Judas Iscariot's case, Satan gained an entrance and entered. How we should watch our hearts, and commit them daily to the keeping of God. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!" "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sin." "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Ps. 19:13, 14; 139:23, 24).

      The rest of the lesson, not printed here, includes verses 12-16. It is better to enclose the latter half of verse 12, and all of verse 13 and 14, in a parenthesis. By the newly awakened respect of the people, the company of the apostles were left to stand separate from the rest, and they were magnified by all. And God multiplied wonders and signs by their hands exceedingly. It is to be noted that these "signs" were convincing. There were no failures or partial successes, such as distinguishes the counterfeit miracles of these latter days: but "they were healed every one." [92]

["The Lord's Day Lesson 8: The Christian Brotherhood at Jerusalem." Word and Work 9 (February 1916): 91-92.]

      The electronic version of R. H. Boll's "The Lord's Day Lesson 8: The Christian Brotherhood at Jerusalem" has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1916.

      Unless otherwise noted, R. H. Boll's quotations of Scripture are from the American Standard Version (ASV), published in 1901. Since this version is not yet available at Bible Gateway, the hyperlinks to Scripture references in Boll's text are to the New American Standard Bible (ASV), which, like the ASV, attempts to preserve the literal text of the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. The footnotes and cross-references of the ASV have been toggled off to improve the readability of the text; however, the reader may consult these by clicking on the ASV link at the top of the Bible Gateway page on which the verses are displayed. Thanks to John Verbrugge, programmer at Gospelcom, for his kind assistance.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
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 p. 92:     ((Ps. 19:13, 14; 139:23, 24). [ (Ps. 19:13, 14; 139:23, 24).
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 7 February 2002.
Updated 22 June 2003.