Outline - Hope of the Glory

courage to endure it! They asked for power and for boldness to speak. That early church wassomething different, friend, from the church of our day.G. More of this wonderful prayerAct 4:30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of yourholy servant Jesus."Act 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with theHoly Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.Act 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was hisown, but they shared everything they had.Act 4:33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and muchgrace was upon them all.H. They had a commune maintained by the Holy SpiritAct 4:34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or housessold them, brought the money from the salesAct 4:35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.Act 4:36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son ofEncouragement),Act 4:37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.I. Act 4:34-37 J Vernon McGee – misses the point here!J. So many do not understand the focus of the Jewish church (not the Body of Christ) inthe book of Acts(J Vernon McGee) This kind of living could be carried out for a short while because of the spiritual condition ofthe church. It is nonsense to say that we should put this into effect today. If we tried it, we would have utterchaos. Why? Because there must first be the same high spiritual level, and we don't have that today. Let us behonest and face up to it. We need to come into a closer relationship to the person of Jesus Christ.We have been introduced to Barnabas. We will hear more of him later.K. Actually, this was done in accordance with the Kingdom church where the center isJerusalem. This will disappear with the beginning of the present dispensation throughthe apostle PaulL. Paul actually collected money for the poor folks at Jerusalem. Their commune wasno longer viable.Rom 15:25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.Rom 15:26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints inJerusalem.Rom 15:27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in theJews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.Rom 15:28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will goto Spain and visit you on the way.Rom 15:29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.Rom 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in mystruggle by praying to God for me.Rom 15:31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem maybe acceptable to the saints there,Rom 15:32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.Rom 15:33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.