Meeting the Needs of the Family

Meeting the Needs of the Family

Posted by Rachel on July 17, 2018 in Collegiate Quarterly,

 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

Let's break down this passage. What did they do?

 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to breaking of bread and to prayer. 

The believers weren't just following a trend of religion.They were true, loyal and sincere to what they believed in. They were diligent in learning more about the Word of God. They devoted time in fellowship and communion. In the breaking of bread, they celebrated the memorial of Jesus' death. They expressed their love and need for Him through steadfast prayer. 

The apostles performed many wonders and signs.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the apostles were able to perform many wonders and signs such as healing, raising of the dead, casting out of the demons. This fulfills what Jesus preached in Mark 16:17-18.

They were together and had everything in common.

Because of their love for one another, each of their possessions were used for the common good of the believers.

They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

Materials and possessions no longer held a priority in their hearts that they were willing to sell them and give to anyone who was in need. "This was not to destroy property, but selfishness." (Matthew Henry Bible Commentary)

 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. 

They met together in the temple courts to teach.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

They met in homes for fellowship.

Alexis Brown

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Let Your Light Shine

Let Your Light Shine

Posted by Rachel on July 16, 2018 in Collegiate Quarterly,

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

We need Jesus' light within us in order to shine. Our hearts should be open to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

"Christ has made provision that His church shall be a transformed body, illumined with the light of heaven, possessing the glory of Immanuel. It is His purpose that every Christian shall be surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace. There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God."

- Ellen G. White (Counsels for the Church, p. 99) 

"Christ does not bid His followers strive to shine. He says, Let your light shine. If you have received the grace of God, the light is in you. Remove the obstructions, and the Lord's glory will be revealed. The light will shine forth to penetrate and dispel the darkness. You cannot help shining within the range of your influence."

- Ellen G. White (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 420)  

REACT

1. How do we receive the grace of God so that His light will be in us?

• Surrender to God.
• Die to self daily.
• Pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
• Study the Word of God.
• Acknowledge that our light comes from Jesus.

As White says, we don't have to strive. If we are spending time with Jesus, His light will flow freely and naturally through us. It will evidently show we love and serve Him.

2. What kind of  things can we do in the campus and workplace to let our light shine before others?Share your thoughts in the comments below and let's discuss!

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Tried and Tested

Tried and Tested

Posted by Rachel on July 15, 2018 in Collegiate Quarterly,

Key points:

ACTS 2

• Participation is essential for growth.
• It is the preaching of the gospel and presence of the Spirit that unite everyone in fellowship.
• Fellowship is not just limited to contact or intimacy; fellowship implies equality.
• Fellowship is hard work, and it is a work that the Spirit alone can do.

ACTS 5

• Barnabas vs. Ananias and Sapphira
• Barnabas owned a land, sold it and gave the money to the apostles (Acts 4:37) while Ananias and Sapphira did the same but kept a portion for themselves. 
• Why did they die? Because they lied to the Holy Spirit. It can be inferred from the passage that they had promised to give the entire portion  of the sale to the church but they did not keep their promise and kept a portion for themselves.
• The people were not forced to commit the entire proceeds to the church the choice was solely theirs.

"Deceit and dishonesty threaten the foundation of fellowship. It was Satan's deceit and dishonesty in heaven that resulted in a third of the angels rebelling against God."

REACT 
1. What could authentic fellowship look like in the twenty-first century?

Authentic fellowship can mean honesty and transparency among the members. In the twenty-first century it can be the reality of people coming together to study the Word of God, share what they have, pray together and confess struggles with one another. Today, fellowship usually means having a potluck session. Each contributes what he has for the benefit of all.

2. Why is integrity so important to the fellowship of believers?

Integrity is vital to the health, growth and sustainability of the church. We said that true fellowship brings equality. Equality can be sustained only by integrity. The Holy Spirit that brings us together in fellowship must take hold of our lives and hold us accountable. We submit everything to the Holy Spirit, including our will and our integrity.

3. What are some ways the church could authentically represent itself to the world?

Luke  decided to remain true to the events of history instead of just omitting the story of Ananias and Sapphira. He shows us what it's like to be led by the Holy Spirit and also how it is when the Spirit is forgone and own interests are pursued. The church can authentically represent itself to the world by being transparent. It starts with a church member admitting faults, acknowledging struggles, telling their testimony even if it's messy. The church would be able to showcase that God can still use and redeem people and institutions that mess up. By admitting we are not perfect, we send a message across the world that it is only by God's grace and love that we can be made whole and pure.

This blog post is based on Mark Anthony Reid's article on Collegiate Quarterly.

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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The Too Little, Too Late Complex

The Too Little, Too Late Complex

Posted by Rachel on July 14, 2018 in Collegiate Quarterly,

Matthew 28:16-20

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In this lesson we are greeted with an idiom, "A day late and a dollar short," which means an action was taken too late and it is of no use anymore since the opportunity is lost. How does this relate to our lesson? 

We as Christians, are presented with everyday opportunities to share the gospel with those around us. We must readily take this advantage before it's too late. After all, tomorrow is never promised. 

The Christians of the early church sold their possessions and gave to those in need, they preached the gospel wherever they went and the Bible says they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news  despite of the persecution going on around them. (Acts 5:42)

In our hearts, there must be a sense of urgency to proclaim Christ's death, resurrection, and soon coming. Do we feel that? I must admit my mind can be preoccupied with a lot of things that I forget what's truly important: Jesus. 

This week is a beautiful opportunity for us to immerse ourselves to the early church's experience. Let us also do a heart check of what produces a sense of urgency in our hearts. We will explore opportunities for us to share Jesus, so that we aren't a day late and a dollar short. 

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