Reason for Church Services

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by J.A. Perez

Below is a perfect example of what I have been trying to say.

Acts 5:1-11 (KJV)

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (notice he brought this money to Peter not God) But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. (notice she spoke to Peter not to the Holy Ghost.)9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

It is very clear, the God anointed man of God has authority when he speaks for God, whether speaking to a married Man or Woman. A priest never had this authority but a prophet did or in this case the Apostle Peter. Clearly a perfect example of the authority of the 5- fold ministry in the church or out. Notice it was not, and is not, a biblical command for us to sell all we have and give it to the ministry, but the standard had been set and God Backed his man.

No disrespect intended,
J.A. Perez

Several points to mention...

1. Notice it was not, and is not, a biblical command for us to sell all we have and give it to the ministry, but the standard had been set and God Backed his man. This was interpreted by you as "giving to the ministry". Really? So the disciples took all the funds that came in and went on vacation with it? Seriously. The funds that came in were being used to distribute to the needs of the congregation - not just the ministry, although I am sure the ministry was taken care of. The part you missed - and it is a big part - is that the funds went to the needs of the believers and church, and were distributed as a necessity to the body of believers, which would include the ministry.

2. Peter dealt with this situation severely because it was to set a precedent among the churches that committing the sin of lying to achieve status in the church would never be accepted by God. This was what brought fear into the hearts of those observing. God will never accept our sacrifices for him if they are done under any illusion to benefit our flesh nature and pride. This spirit was dealt with so severely by the Lord in the very beginning to teach the church just how seriously God hates giving under the illusion of sacrifice, yet tinged with rebellion and deceit. A huge word of caution for all of us. Just because we sacrifice, and give unto the Lord, if it is to receive status, or to attain a place of leadership, authority, or position within the body - it is not accepted by God if it is tainted with deception in any way.

3. The word of authority that Peter spoke was directly from the Lord. Peter didn't "kill" Ananias and Sapphira, the Lord did. It was the authority of the Lord that spoke and revealed their hidden deceitful deeds.