Bible Reading from the Book of Acts Chapter 4 , from biblegateway.com for those who may not have a Bible.
New International Version (NIV) Acts Chapter Acts 4
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin - Verses 1-22
1. The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. 5. The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest�s family. 7. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: �By what power or what name did you do this?� 8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: �Rulers and elders of the people! 9. If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10. then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is ��the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.� 12. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.� 13. When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16. �What are we going to do with these men?� they asked. �Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.� 18. Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19. But Peter and John replied, �Which is right in God�s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20. As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.� After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
The Believers Pray - Verses 23-31
23. On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. �Sovereign Lord,� they said, �you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ��Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26. The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one." 27. Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.� 31. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
The Believers Share Their Possessions - Verses 32-37
32. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God�s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35. and put it at the apostles� feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means �son of encouragement�), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles� feet.
I think its really great that you type real well. What is that that you want to discuss? Like sharing things in common? I have bob living here and we share expenses, grocery shop together, but it would kind of bum me out if he started to use my toothbrush...does that help?
Nice picture of how the first century church conducted themselves and a prophetic picture of what the future church or rather body of christ will look like. Daily searching the scriptures, breaking bread from house to house and sharing/giving away possessions as they see need.
Persecution is coming to the big buildings that man have created, and Jesus is building his church.
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Michael said: ET; I think its really great that you type real well. What is that that you want to discuss? Like sharing things in common? I have bob living here and we share expenses, grocery shop together, but it would kind of bum me out if he started to use my toothbrush...does that help?
michael
Ella says: Michale I'm confused as to your comment. Please SPLAIN yourself. Thanks.
Et, its pretty simple. I see long posts. I know you are like in school, theology something...what I do not see is iny personal understanding of scripture, lots of writing..maybe, if you shorten the particular event, subject...then I could give you great feedback.....just to make sure my hunch is right, I am going to the post about the gate called beautiful and she if you 100% agreed with my statements...
I agree with you godsjude, ella is writing scripture, I believe I said that on a post...that she is a good typist....we discuss things here and I have done that as well...check out Ellas book of acts 3 post. I point out a few simple things and Ella asserts herself in response to what I write......perfectly fine, no problem. Ella, I am sure will continue to write long posts with little if no commentary...I will continue to post some added context to ellas posts. Everyone is a winner,,yeah !!!
Its not about Winning Michael..its about Fellowship...Teaching...Learning...I dont always like someone elses long post either...but just because I dont like it doesnt mean the post is not benificial to Someone...besides...Someone...One Person will read it and Get a Word that they be Needin...its All Good...:yay:...xo
Its better than a nice picture Shalom...its a Beautiful :hearts: Picture...I believe this is how God the Father always has it to be...Simply Loving and Giving...the Big Churches...oh my...here in Cali we have a Crystal Cathedral that is a HUGH Building and has gone Broke & Bankrupt...Why ?...:rolleyes:...dont really know...I hear the Catholic Church down the road wants to buy it and keep it as a Catholic Church...Its sad...I find the best Churches are Small ones...were ever 2 or 3 are gatherd...the LORD is there...xo
I would like to know, why is it that there is always somebody coming on this forum trying to shut me down from posting my Bible Readings? unbelieveable!... so this must be the work of the Lord helping sokenody who is reading these Bible Readings, otherwise, the devil wouldn't have a word to speak out against it!:yay:... I don't give a johnbrown if only one person is reading, that one person the angels rejoice over in heaven! If you dont' need to read, stop clicking onto the thread!
Others post longer posts than the BIble readings, and no one says a word to them, yet there are those who feel a NEED to speak out to me against my posting of the BIble readings saying they are too long. What's y'all's problem?
Well, I say read up to the part that is comfortable for you to read, and if the rest is too long then stop reading and keep it moving.
And If when you open the thread and see that it is a long reading then there is a click button that will gently lead you from the thread to wherever you wish to read a shorter thread on this forum.. AND If what I post is too long, then don't read it! Otherwise, shut up!
WARNING: THE VERY Next person who speaks out about my Bible Readings being too long or any of my posts being too long, you will get get an old fashion Peter cussing!:boxing: and that's not a threat, this is a PRMISE TO KEEP!:excited::peace::toomuch::boxing::rocknroll::goofball:
