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Thursday, January 12, 2023

Acts 4:32-37 All Things in Common = January 12

All Things in Common
Acts 4:32-37






The Kingdom Unleashed - Part 4 from North Boulevard Church of Christ on Vimeo.





The Kingdom Unleashed - Part 2 from North Boulevard Church of Christ on Vimeo.





##Barnabas

His real name was Joseph but the Apostles called him ―Barnabas‖ as a nickname. In Aramaic that means ―Son of a Prophecy.‖ Luke, however, says it means ―Son of Encouragement‖ (Acts 4:36). Linguists are not sure how Luke came up with that definition (we apparently don‘t know as much about 1st century Aramaic as Luke did). But we do know why Joseph earned his nickname. He used his influence and finances to encourage both individuals as well as the progress of the Gospel.
We first meet him in Acts chapter 4. He was originally from the island of Cyprus but had immigrated to Jerusalem where he apparently invested in some real estate. Although in the O.T. God said Levites could own no property, Palestine was no longer under the theocratic rule of the Bible but under the hand of the Roman government. This allowed Barnabas to purchase property. After his conversion he sold the tract of land and gave the proceeds to the Apostles to distribute to the poor Christians of the city. This contributed to Barnabas‘ good name as well as the unity of the church.
The next time we run into him he is taking the newly converted Saul under his wing (Acts 9:29). Understandably, when Saul returned to Jerusalem after a 3 year hiatus, none of the Christians would touch him with a ten foot pole. It was Barnabas who risked his reputation, not to mention life and limb, to introduce Saul to the band of the Apostles (cf. Gal 1:18–19). It was a brief stay (only 15 days), but it was long enough to arouse an angry mob against Saul and long enough to impress Barnabas with Saul‘s ability and integrity.
Some years later a Gentile church erupted in Antioch. The Apostles of Jerusalem needed a delegate to go ―check things out‖ as well as encourage the new believers (Acts 11:22–24). Barnabas was the logical choice since he was from that vicinity, and because he had demonstrated such acceptance of the likes of Saul. When Barnabas got there his encouragement only added fuel to the fire of God‘s Holy Spirit and the church grew like gang-busters. He needed help. Who else but is old friend Saul? He hunted him up in Tarsus where Saul had been laying low and likely starting churches for the better part of 5 years (Acts 11:25–26).
After a couple of years of working together, Barnabas and Saul hear of a need in Jerusalem. The prophet Agabus predicted a famine in their old home. So these two take up a collection from the Gentile church of Antioch and hand-deliver it to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem (Acts 11:27–30). Again this fostered a good bit of unity in the church. When they returned from the ―mission‖ trip, they brought back young John Mark, a relative of Barnabas. And when the Holy Spirit calls them to take the Gospel to Cyprus, Barnabas‘ old stomping grounds, John tags along for support (Acts 13:2– 5). This led to a serious rift between Saul and Barnabas. John Mark left early for Jerusalem before the first missionary journey had ended (Acts 13:13). Up to that time Barnabas was the primary figure of the pair. His name is always mentioned first and he was really the leader even in the church of Antioch (although both were considered official delegates [i.e. ―Apostles‖] of that church [Acts 14:14]). But from here on out Saul is called Paul and is always mentioned before Barnabas (except in Lystra, where the natives believed Barnabas was Zeus and Paul Hermes [Acts 14:12]). Barnabas was apparently fine with the transposition of leadership. But after the Jerusalem council, where this dynamic duo defended grace, he wants to revisit the churches they started together and include John Mark on the trip (Acts 15:36–41). The ensuing debate was not a pretty sight. Although their personal affection never waned, their cooperative ministry came to an abrupt halt. They went separate ways, Barnabas with John Mark, and Paul with Silas. This is the last we hear of this magnificent man in the book of Acts. He was not perfect; Paul had to rebuke him for following Peter in his shunning of Gentile converts in the fact of Jerusalem Judaizers (Gal 2:13). Nonetheless, he is a colossus of grace and a man worth emulating.


INTERNAL SUMMARIES OF THE BOOK OF ACTS


 By Mark Moore

Passage:
Preceded by:
Characteristics
2:41–47
First Sermon: Pentecost
3,000 Added; Apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer; awe; Apostles: Wonder and Signs; Unity; Community/charity; Daily meetings; homes/meals; praise; favor with people; Added daily.
4:32–37
First Arrest
Unity; Community/charity (2X's); power/Apostles (2X's); Grace
5:12–16
First Internal Corruption: Ananias and Sapphira
Apostles: Signs and Wonders; meetings; public regard; Men and women believe — added; miracles
5:42
First Beating
Daily meeting; Temple and house to house; teaching/preaching Jesus
6:7
First Community Disunity: Hellenistic Widows
Word of God spread; Disciples increased rapidly with the conversion of the priests
8:25
First non-Jews Converted: Samaria
Preaching the Word of the Lord/Gospel
9:31
Conversion of Saul
Peace; Edification; fear of the Lord; Comfort of the Holy Spirit; Increased
12:24–25
First Civil Persecution
Word of the Lord grew/multiplied
13:49, 52
First Official Missionary Venture
Word of the Lord spread; Disciples filled with Joy and the Holy Spirit

15:33–35
First Church Council
Peace; Teaching and preaching the word of the Lord with many others 
16:5
Picking up Timothy
Churches strengthened in faith; increasing in number daily
28:30–31
Conclusion to the book
Peace; preaching the kingdom; teaching concerning the Lord Jesus; Openness, unhindered

Characteristics of the church:
a.                    Church Growth — added, grew, increased: 2:41; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5
b.                   Apostles — miracles and teaching: 2:42; 4:33, 35; 5:12.
c.                    Preaching/Teaching: 2:42; 5:42; 8:25; 15:35; 28:31.
d.                   Peace: 2:47; 5:13; 9:31; 15:33–35; 28:30–31.
e.                    Daily: 2:41, 46; 5:42; 16:5.
f.                     Unity: 2:44; 5:12.
g.                    Joy: 2:46; 13:52

Other possible summary texts: 13:42–43; 14:21–23, 27, 28; 19:8–10 
===============

                                  DEVOTIONAL SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                       Tracing the Internal Summaries
                                                                  By Mark Moore

I.             Parallels of Revelation and Acts—the Battle books.
A.         Similarity:  
1.           Both deal with the struggle and victory of the church.
2.           Both show the strategies of Satan and God in the fight. B. Differences:
1.         Acts begins at Pentecost, Revelation ends at the Parousia.
2.         Acts focuses on the victory of the H.S., Revelation focuses on the defeat of Satan.
3.         Revelation is animation, Acts is documentary.
II.          Internal Summary Passages (Scott); Pause Passages (Moore). A.        Introduce the concept of the pause passage:
1.         They usually follow firsts.
2.         They usually follow hard knocks.
3.         About the time we think the church has been beat up, Luke stops us to tell us what is really happening.
B.         This is an appropriate time for us to pause and ask where we have been and where we are. 
C.         Reflection allows us see our progress—we are usually doing better than we think.
III.       Characteristics of the church in pause passages
A.         Church Growth (6 pause passages) 1. There is a church growth frenzy.
2.         This follows the pattern of Acts — 14 Ch. growth mentions in 28 chapters
3.         120 (1); 3,000 (2); 5,000 men (4); Multitudes constantly added (5)
4.         We are liars or sluggards if we are not interested in church growth whether we are motivated by pride or the lost.
B.         Apostles (first 3 pause passages)
1.           We don't have them or miracles anymore.  (Ill. My personal miracle and tongues experience).
2.           They are not the power behind church growth after chapter 5.
3.           The leadership of the church was transferred to the Elders.
C.         Preaching/Teaching (5 Pause passages)
1.           Simplicity—Death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
2.           Laity
3.           Everywhere, anytime; (Ill. Ray Marroquin in the Taxi).
D.         Peace (5 Pause passages)
1.           We are usually not martyrs.
2.           We like a fight and if we don't have one we will make up some conspiracy.
3.           Our war is not against flesh and blood.
4.           There are antagonists out there to be sure, but most of the world is waiting to hear about an answer to their needs.
E.          Daily (3 Pause passages)
1.           The daily church, from house to house is still the greatest.
2.           Home Bible studies, fellowship groups, etc.
3.           Koinonia is more than a pot-luck dinner.
F.          Joy (2 Pause passages)
1.           We ought not to complain about the ministry.
2.           If we cut down elders, boards, etc. why are we surprised when young people don't go into ministry?
3.           Sure there are tough times in ministry, but here are some of the things I am thankful for:  Scheduling, time to study the Word of God, support, purpose, changed lives, retirement plan.

CONCLUSION:  Look beyond the present turmoil and inconveniences, the church of Jesus Christ will be victorious!




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