Heralds Digest

“And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:38-39‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.5.38-39.nkjv The flamboyancy, affluence, and competition arising from human activities and achievements often drive away the concentration on the ultimate purpose for human existence - the engagement in things that are of God. Whereas, life’s engagements in things that are of men will quickly fade away. In Gamaliel’s words of wisdom to his fellow priests, engagements of life in things that are of men are self-disruptive. These engagements do not worth the ultimate attention of those who are focused on the things that are of God. Unfortunately, many believers and disciples are devoted to life, professional, and career paths against the revealed will of God, driving in circles until they are driven out of c...

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:27-29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.5.27-29.nkjv The wrath of the council is permitted as a rod of correction against civil disobedience. Even when the law of the land and the rule of law are supreme, the consequences of civil disobedience are often blind to righteous reasonings and innocent intentions. Without the possibility of conflict of interest between the commandments of God and the instruction from men, blindness to human intention in every case will be acceptable. Unfortunately, real life affairs in family, fellowship, field and firms are interwoven with myriads of conflicts in the interest of partie...

“But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:19-20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.5.19-20.nkjv Although prison experiences are expectedly designed for correction of bad habits and dangerous disposition, offensive leaders often use the common facility to dwarf the productivity of good people. The scriptures declare that when the high priests became offended by the signs and wonders in the ministry of the Apostles, coupled with the increasing pulling of crowd, they put the Apostles in a common prison. “But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out”. It implies that while dwarfed days attract discouragement and despair, delightful disciples can always hope in divine deliverance after a supposed expiration of the day’s activities. After all, either within the closed prison doors or without the open field, freedo...

“And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:14-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.5.14-15.nkjv Reflecting on the account of healing through the shadow of Peter and probably without his consent shows the divine power of God rather than the strength of the shade. The combined presence and power of God in the life of the Apostle, the reflection of God’s sun power on Peter’s body in the shade, and the people’s reverence of the power of God in the life and ministry of the Apostle with the accompanying faith all resulted in the miracles by the shadow’s shade. It does implies that wherever the presence of God is freely cultivated, God’s power will be freely manifested. Obviously, the reverend reference in divine manifestation is not the shadow’s shade nor the presence of a...

“But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:3-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.5.3-4.nkjv The greed game in earthly politics is expected to be the major cause of concern for heavenly-minded believers. Imaginary achievements and exaggerated sacrifices are painted and projected for the singular purpose of human manipulation and the extortion of the people’s goodwill, trust, and confidence. While many disciples were catching in unto the canopy of great grace through the adoption of common commodity, Ananias and Sapphira greedily preferred the dividends from common sense. Unfortunately, this dimension of the greed game was gravely underestimated: “You have not lied to men but to God”. While...

'Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.' Acts 4:32‭-‬33 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/act.4.32-33.NKJV The significant difference between the practice of socialism in the world and the promotion of selfless love in the early church is (either the derivative in the latter or the deprivation in the former) the measure of great power upon the Apostles and great grace upon the whole church. Unfortunately in today's assembly of God's people, the concept of a common commodity is not often compatible with common sense. Believers are easily distracted by the pursuit of their personal progress and development, even at the expense of the assembly's commonwealth. Whereas, whether through the assembly of family mem...

“So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them...Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:24, 29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.4.24,29.nkjv Without absolute confidence in God, it is extremely impossible for anyone or group of people to speak with one voice in moments of threats. Threats promote instability and the tendencies of speaking with many mouths. Unfortunately, many words from many mouths promote manifold confusions with little or no comfort. But when the assembled disciples heard the story of threatening of the chief priests, the elders and scribes from Peter and John, they “raised their voice to God with one accord...”. It is obvious that their miracle and victory started with the coordination of many mouths to speak with one voice and in one accord. The aim of crisi...