Wierwille, V.P.-The First Century Church in the Twentieth

The First Century Church in the Twentieth

Another Study in Abundant Living by VICTOR PAUL WIERWILLE This book is in the public domain. For more teachings by V. P. Wierwille, E. W. Bullinger and others, go to: www.eternallyblessed.org The Scripture used throughout this study is quoted from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. Any explanatory insertions by the author within a Scripture verse are enclosed in brackets [ ]. The First Century Church had tremendous power because Christians believed that when they were saved they received the power from the Holy Spirit and thus could operate the nine manifestations of the spirit: speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith, miracles and healing.

I do not understand why men who say they love The Word do not study it. It is because men do not know The Word that we have different opinions. People come into The Way Fellowship loaded with opinions. Then I read the Word of God and they say, "Well, that is a new religion." No, it is not. It is the Word of God. The Word of God is the Will of God and The Word means what it says and says what it means. Sincerity is no guarantee for truth. Men may be as sincere as the devil himself and also be as wrong as he is. Truth is truth, and where can we go but to the Word of God if we are going to have truth? When I say, "Go back to the Word of God," I do not mean read a verse out of the context of Scripture, but, I mean that the verse must stand various tests. When we have finally put all these tests to The Word then we can again say that we have "rightly divided" it. Truth can not have two opinions. Truth is truth and there can be no opinions regarding it. There may be dozens of reactions to truth, but truth is still truth. The society in which we live, basically contradicts the accuracy of God’s Word. When we as believers come to The Word to find God’s Will, we must align ourselves with God’s wonderful Word. The first century Church, as the record in the Book of Acts indicates, made tremendous progress. It moved with an anointing the like of which we have not seen in manifestation. This should not be, because God has not changed. When some people talk about God pouring out a special anointing in these last days, it simply is not true. The Word says that He sent His gift on the Day of Pentecost. It is here. Men’s hearts failing them because of fear have in some instances turned their believing to God and thus they wrongly speak of a "special outpouring."

According to Acts Chapter 4 Peter and John had just performed the miracle of healing on the man who was more than forty years of age, for which they were imprisoned and "charged not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, (the chief priests and elders that had done this unto them and then had reported back to their people) they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word. Acts 4:23-30.

Isn’t that a wonderful prayer? This is the first listed prayer of the early Church. The apostles had been incarcerated, humiliated, hurt and threatened for their teaching and for the way in which they ministered healing. Yet, when Peter and John returned to the group of believers, instead of asking for a vacation, instead of asking for an easier place to serve, they prayed, "Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word." Sense knowledge wise what would we have expected them to pray? "We had a big fight, Lord, we have been out here wrestling for you, teaching The Word, but now it is time we take it a little easier. If you don’t mind, we’ll go fishing for a week." But that is not what they prayed. They prayed to God saying, "...grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness we may speak thy word." Speaking The Word got them in trouble to begin with. The early Church always preached The Word and nothing but The Word; no private opinions. They spoke The Word with boldness and when they spoke The Word they got into trouble. It is not a question of whether we get into trouble; the question is, are we teaching The Word? When we really present the Word of God and walk in the light of the Word of God, we are going to get persecution here and there. This should not deter us. We should simply say, "Well, if Satan is trying so hard to obstruct this thing, it must be worth something, because if it wasn’t worth anything Satan wouldn’t obstruct it. He fights it because we are battling him."

I want you to notice that they prayed, "...grant unto thy servants,..." They were sons of God "vertically;" but, "horizontally" they ministered the Word of God as servants. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost (pneuma hagion), and they spake the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:31. The early Church presented the Word of God. And the multitude (The text is "every one of them") of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:... Acts 4:32a.

Isn’t that something! Think of this in the early Church! Think of it in The Way Ministry! Every one born again of God’s Spirit, and filled with the power from the Holy Spirit, being of one heart and of one soul. Isn’t that wonderful! This is what gave the early Church power. They had The Word and they agreed on The Word.

...neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Acts 4:32b.

There are three words used in the critical Greek texts for the word "common." The word that is used here is "they had all things common," to the end that in their believing and in their action they were commonly united. None of the things (the plurality) which he possessed really were his own, but that the things (the plurality) that he possessed were common as far as need was concerned. When the early Church, which was of one heart and of one soul, began to move they had all the things (the plurality) that they possessed common among them, which meant that without asking for it, if they had a need, the plurality would be used to meet that need. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace (divine favor) was upon them all. Acts 4:33.

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors (plural) of lands (plural) or houses (plural) sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 4:34,35.

Notice it does not say "greed." In II Thessalonians 3:10 it indicates that the lazy man who does not work is not supposed to eat. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. II Thessalonians 3:10.

Perhaps we should apply this law of God in the United States today. This early Church did not give hand-outs, like a government aid program, haphazardly and irrespectively, just because somebody was sitting around twiddling his thumbs.

There were people in the Church who had more than their need of food, clothing, shelter, etc., therefore, they sold their plurality, that which they did not need, to help someone else in the Church who had a need. In the Christian Church not everybody can teach, or be an apostle; some have to be farmers, others business men or workers in a shop or factory, etc. Suppose there is a young couple in the Church dedicated to the Lord, who love His Word and want to start farming, that is a need. The Church helps that couple to get started.

Note the words "as many as were possessors" in verse 34 carefully. When they were born again, and if they were possessors of lands (plural), houses (plural), what did they do? They sold their plurality. They sold that which they did not need. Plurality is in the GREED category, not NEED. If we want the Church to move under the anointing of the power from the Holy Spirit as the early Church moved we must be obedient to the Word of God and conquer our greed.

God never asks a man at any place in the Bible to sell or dispose of that which he needs for his livelihood. They sold that which they did not need, their plurality, and brought the money to the apostles who were in charge of the distribution according to the need of the individual believer.

I know what you are going to say, "Well, who would you trust with it?" Who did they trust with it? The apostles! If you as a Christian do not have believing faith in the person or the group or organization to use your gift properly, you ought to give it somewhere else. That is right, somewhere and to someone in whom you do have believing faith, who will use it as it is supposed to be used. The apostles distributed it. The Way ministry, or any ministry for that matter if it is to be blessed and to be a blessing, must stay on The Word and live accordingly.

But, do we know the principles behind The Way ministry which will make it an outreaching power? The ministry of the early Church did not ask the believers to sell that which they NEEDED. A man has a farm as his livelihood. This is his "bread and butter." The farm is where he, his wife and children derive their income for their physical and material well being. God would not ask this farmer to sell his farm and give the money to missions etc. But if he owned a "second" farm, God would expect him to get rid of it and keep only what he would need. Need will vary. One man’s need may be more than another. Every person must determine his NEED within himself, according to the renewing of his own mind, after he is born again. And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 4:35. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, (singular) sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36, 37.

People have said that I do not know what I am talking about, because I just finished saying they sold their plurality only. Yet, here is a man who sold his land, singular. Why? He was a Levite. According to the Old Testament a Levite should not own any property. Joseph whose name was Barnabas from Cyprus, understanding and believing the teaching, was converted and saved. Therefore he sold his "singular" property, which he never should have owned, and brought the money thereof and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (People laid gifts at the feet when the gift was of man’s making, but when the gift was fruit or flowers they considered it God’s creation and, therefore, would place it in the hand.) But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, (singular) And kept back part of the price, (that it brought) his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:1,2. His wife knew what was going on. She was right in on the deal.

What is developing in this whole biblical situation? First of all, when believers were possessors in the early Church, they sold their plurality, that which they did not NEED. Secondly, there was a Levite, who had no business owning property, born again of God’s Spirit, sold his singular property. Then Ananias and Sapphira saw what was going on, and wanting to impress everybody in the early Church with their dedication sold their single possession, something God did not ask them to do, and endeavored to make the apostles believe they were bringing in all the money for distribution by the apostles. Yet, they only "brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet." But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Acts 5:3.

How do you think Peter knew that Ananias and his wife had arranged to "pull" this deal? God revealed this to Peter by word of knowledge, a revelation manifestation. I can picture the day that Ananias walked into the place where Peter was, and then laid the money "on the line" saying, "Peter, we sold our possession and we are so grateful for the privilege of giving it ALL to you for distribution among the more needy ones." By revelation Peter knew it was a lie so he said, "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost,..."

While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men but unto God. Acts 5:4.

It was Ananias’ only possession, singular, he had a perfect right to it. Then what was the sin in it?

After Ananias sold it, he could have used that money and bought himself another farm, another property, or used it in any way he saw fit. What happened? Peter said, "Why did you bring part?" They said they brought it all when they only brought part and Peter pointed out to them that they were lying to God, not to men. This teaches exactly that the singular, the things we need, God never expects us to give away. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: (He just dropped dead) and great fear (reverence, awe,) came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, "Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;... Acts 5:5-12.

Now do you see how the early Church operated? The believers sold their plurality and gave it to the Church and the Church used the money for the care of their needs.

I believe that Christian parents should not leave their children any appreciable amount of material things in their last will and testament. If you and I raise our children as the Bible says, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and we supply their need; get them through school and started in their vocations, from there on they should have the ability to make their own way. If they then should fail to have sufficient believing and working ability to make a success of what they are doing, it is only a trick of Satan. Isn’t God just as big for your child as He was for you? The more material things we leave to the children the more we smother them. In the early Church they kept what they needed and then they had everything in common as a need was presented. This method helped to move the early Church. This is the Word of God regarding our Christian responsibility and obligation regarding material things.

Tithing was under the law. The Church is not under the law but grace. Will grace do less than law? Certainly not! Therefore, when it comes to giving on what is called a donation basis, we never give as little as we can get away with, we give everything beyond our need. If we desire the Twentieth Century Church to move with power as did the First Century Church, every believer must get rid of his plurality and use the proceeds thereof for the need of the believer.