Opposite Extremes

It's interesting that God has given us some accounts in the early chapters of the book of Acts that are in striking contrast to one another. He seems to know that we would not be able to understand all of this without some real life examples.

Acts 3 begins with Peter & John heading toward a prayer meeting and bumping into a crippled beggar. Without hesitation and full of the Holy Spirit, they give this man life again through miraculous healing in Jesus' name. He is overjoyed and the crowed is in awe. How did Peter know to step out in this radical way? Did he hear the Spirit whisper? It's not likely that he knew ahead of time how this scene would unfold (although he does get such an honor in Acts 10). It seems that Peter and John were so surrendered to God and emptied of self that their every word and action were controlled by the Holy Spirit. Is that possible for us? This is how I long to live (in step with the Spirit - Gal 5:25).

Peter sees the gathered audience as another opportunity to share this Good News. His version of it is quite similar in multiple accounts throughout Acts. He gives credit to Jesus and reminds them that they killed Jesus but God raised Him from the dead and that they are witnesses of this (partial fulfillment of Acts 1:8). Peter encourages them to turn to God. Soon, Peter and John find themselves before the religious leaders, and full of the Holy Spirit, Peter shares the same Good News again.

Following this, we find out that the believers were united as one and shared everything in common such that there was not a needy person among them. We hear specifically at the end of Acts 4 of Barnabas, who both spiritually and financially had surrendered everything of himself to God. Barnabas is a living picture of a follower of Jesus emptying himself of everything (kenosis) in response to God's love for him in Christ. The Spirit prompted him to sell all he owned and share it with the other believers.

In contrast, Acts 5 begins with the surprising account of Ananias and Sapphira who wanted to look as good as Barnabas but did not really surrender all as he and others had done. In fact, they conspired to lie to everyone but actually lied to the Holy Spirit. God was not fooled, and they both dropped dead. (On a side note, what would the response be if this happened in one of our churches today?) Were they merely trying to show off? Did they hear from the Holy Spirit but not truly obey? Did they do this only for attention without any prompting from the Holy Spirit? Either way, the result was not good for them and the believers were overwhelmed with awe (fear) toward God.

This all mirrors Paul's letter to the Philippians where he describes Jesus' kenosis and illustrates how to follow Jesus' example by pointing at Timothy, Epaphroditus, and even himself. Often we learn to imitate Christ Jesus by watching others who are imitating Christ well. I am grateful for those models to follow who have shown me how to imitate Jesus. I only long to be that same kind of Jesus imitator for my sons and others to follow. I empty myself before you now, Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit that I might imitate You as You have called me to do - for Your sake and theirs and all for Your glory!