tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post2730503919461037789..comments2024-03-17T10:13:20.234-04:00Comments on Common Denominator: Early Christian Complications 1Ken Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-55733150254806345002013-08-03T12:59:27.554-04:002013-08-03T12:59:27.554-04:00If I am following this example correctly, it sound...If I am following this example correctly, it sounds as if temptation may be used to draw people into positive environments. Desire and pride may lead me to act but if I do not have the right motive the results may never be fulfilling (James 4:3). Unfortunately, the initial euphoria from success fades. When it does, one begins to look elsewhere for the next “high”. Thus, the endless search for personal fulfillment that seems so apparent in our society ensues. Clearly, how people think and react has really changed very little through the ages. The numbers that were following Jesus grew as He performed miracles and quickly declined as the going got difficult. Sometimes it is difficult to remember that more exists beyond the now as Jude reminds (Jude 21).<br />Thanks for the continued thought provoking blog!<br />Jake SchellJakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14008996375335772819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-63323392866089281322013-08-03T11:33:55.942-04:002013-08-03T11:33:55.942-04:00It seems there is a disconnect between views of th...It seems there is a disconnect between views of the early church and the works of God through the early church. By works of God I'm referring to miracles. <br />So here we have Ananias and Sapphira caught in their lie to the Holy Spirit, and who then drop dead on the spot, "Great fear (of God) seized the whole church...The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders...and more and more (people) were added to their number daily... as a result (of the expressed holiness of God through His people) people brought the sick on mats so that Peter's shadow might fall on them as He passed by (and they be healed)...and all of them were healed.<br />In regards to the suffering of others, there seems to be a direct connection between responding to that suffering from one's heart in the loving nature of God, and being used by God to love other's through miraculous works. <br />What if the church nowadays responded like that, in love, with the fear of God in their hearts? I don't mean, 'respect' of God, that so many Christians believe the word 'fear' means nowadays. Having been one who has first hand lived through the divine nature and eternal power of God effecting a divine healing in my life, I would like everyone to know this: The word 'fear' means this -FEAR! Fear enough to be obedient, but not cowardly.<br />Ok, so, if every Christian was obedient to God, but not cowardly towards Him, and loved Him above all else, and loved everybody else just the same. The Church could be highly regarded by the people, and more and more (people) would be added to our numbers daily (Acts 5:13-15). And all could see evidence of God's miraculous works through us, though there would still be those that deny they come from God. Just as today there are those who deny the power of God to miraculously heal.<br /> Susan Moorehttp://thecommonlanguage.comnoreply@blogger.com