Read: Acts 4:31-5:11
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Here in Acts is a bit of a picture of what we have in Ephesians 4. We see the body growing as each part works properly and yet also we see the threat to the health of the body when people don’t.
Reflect on the first section of reading from Acts 4.
When have you been a part of a church experience like this? What made it so dynamic and healthy? What role did you play in that?
Reflect on the section from Acts 5.
When have you been a part of a church experience that was less healthy, more like this? What pretenses did people bring that made this the dynamic? What role did you play in the negativity?
Scripture shows us time and again that God gives us what we need to experience a healthy body of Christ. Within that we each have roles.
What are your spiritual gifts? If you have never prayed over this and maybe even taken a survey try this one as a starting point (http://spiritualgiftstest.com/).
How are you currently using your gifts to build up the body of Christ? What opportunities might you have to utilize them more?
How do you feel Salem is doing in regards to growing as a healthy body of Christ? Is each part working properly? Are we a place where truth is spoken in love?
Are there ways you need to take more advantage of God’s grace in putting you in this local body, ways to allow them to equip you more?
Spend some time praying for our church: the leaders, the members, our impact in the community, salvations and growth. Ask God to reveal things to you that would benefit our local body as we try to grow healthy under our head, Jesus Christ.