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Post by tits on Feb 8, 2007 10:25:31 GMT -8
12The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.
This occurs right after Ananias and Sapphira tried to lie about the amount of money they wanted to give. As you know, they sold some land and decided to withhold a portion for their needs. They went forward to give they gift and were struck dead. What was their sin? Was it a fear of being struck dead like Ananias if they attempted to get into the core group? The verses following 14 - 15 indicate that many were being added to their number.
No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.
I see this as a reference to the core of apostles and disciples that met daily at the Colonnade and not the general population. I also see the sin as the lie and not the wanting to give just a portion.
Titus.
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Post by cataracts on Feb 22, 2007 0:47:54 GMT -8
Tittus, I see this as the Apostles having "real" power and not something as pretended. This real power scared the people. C.
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Post by gibran on Feb 25, 2007 14:31:43 GMT -8
Could be two things, the Apostles were going through tough persecution and I doubt few would want to join them and as already pointed out the thing with Ananias and Sapphira might have worried a few to say the least.
Passages like that, in my opinion, only add validity to the Word of God. If a man were to write such a thing they would write of the Apostles in glowing terms.
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Post by tits on Feb 26, 2007 11:39:15 GMT -8
I personally believe that people like Ananias and Sophias are with us today. We all know them. Those are the people who put forth airs of being Christian and seek to be part of the inner circle. Successful ministries seem to be surround by wealthy who want to buy their way into the perceived power.
The "join them" is as you suggest, the Apostles and inner circle disciples.
Question, who were the disciples? Acts 1 tells us that the Apostles gathered together and drew lots to see who of the disciples who were with Christ "from the beginning" should replace Judas. Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us of the "70" disciples who were given the same authority as the Apostles were sent out. Matt 17 tells us of their return and inability to cast our a demon.
I personally believe that the disciples included John's disciples from John 2. John Mark was a teen tag-along for many of the activities around his mother's home. Some readings suggest that his mother was one of the Marys and that he was the young man who fled naked after the guard grabbed his cloak.
Barnabas may have been another.
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Post by gibran on Feb 28, 2007 19:27:34 GMT -8
If ever there were a story that does not fit the NT it is the story of Ananias and Sapphira. I understand what message as being expressed but I really think the story to be out of place. Again this just adds validity to the Bible, in my opinion.
As for the disciples, can't help you, never thought about it before. Might be worth some reseach, if I do I'll get back to you.
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