THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE IN THE ACTS
[p. 25] THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE IN THE ACTS
Acts 4: 23 - 30; Acts 5: 1 - 10; Acts 6: 1 - 7
JT What is in mind is to look at the service of God as seen in the twelve. It is important to have a clear view of the service of the twelve, because they appear in the foundations of the heavenly city; so that although we are already in the presence of the heavenly system of things, it is only the foundational side. We have already dwelt on chapter 2 (see Volume 92, page 403), calling attention to the variety of persons upon whom the Spirit should come according to the prophet Joel. It says, “And it shall be in the last days, saith God, that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your elders shall dream with dreams; yea, even upon my bondmen and upon my bondwomen in those days will I pour out of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy”, Acts 2: 17, 18. We dwelt on these verses as having a great bearing on the subject before us and reminding us of the idea that the service of God includes all of us who are christians. Then we saw how the levitical principle came in in the recognition of gift, specific gift, in the twelve and how questions were directed to them, to the twelve, as people were convicted by the gospel. And then we noted the quality and the number; the quality of the result of their ministry at the end of chapter 2. We just mentioned chapter 3, it occupies us with two of them, so as to bring out special quality in the twelve, and the result in one man, also special quality, the peculiar result in the lame man lending itself to the testimony. Then in chapter 4 we have how they merge, how servants merge with their brethren generally, no matter how distinguished they are.
[p. 26] They unite in prayer so that all the apostles again come into view. It is said, “And with great power did the apostles give witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all”. Not simply Peter and John now, but the apostles as such. Then in chapter 5 the service of discipline is taken on by Peter and in chapter 6 the deacon service is introduced wisely. I thought this would give an outline of what is before us now.
Ques Is the thought of their own company the idea of merging together?
JT That is the thought. Chapter 3 is the first consideration as to quality in the ministry, particular quality, and then how those who are distinguished in that way merge in their own company.
AHP Do you regard this man of chapter 3 as a product of the work of the apostles at that time in that he is seen finally standing with them?
JT Quite so. The opposers could say nothing because of his presence. How real the healing was!
SMcC In the earlier part of the Acts the brethren are all together. It is important, as in chapter 3, that the ministers should know how to move together and work together, do you think?
JT Yes, these peculiar circumstances are alluded to so that we are affected by the right sentiment. Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, which is the ninth hour. It would call attention to the crucifixion of Christ. It was the hour of prayer and they went up together.
JWD Peter and John stand for what was special, as against the other apostles?
JT That is what I understand by the passage, God is putting forth quality. He makes much of quality and graded quality. These two would represent the best at that time. One the leader, “first, Simon, who was called Peter”, and John the second representing the idea of a second in the ministry,
[p. 27] without the slightest shade of rivalry in him. He says little or nothing in all that transpires. Peter does the things.
RA Would you say the service in this part of the Acts is marked by oneness, “all together in one place”, the servants and the brethren as well?
JT Do you mean chapter 2?
RA It is mentioned three times in the commencement of the Acts.
JT They were together with one accord and the Spirit came. Now we are engaged with two persons, two of them singled out by the Spirit, going up this time. “Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer”. It is a special testimony rendered to the Jews. That is one leading thought in these earlier chapters, God is apparently waiting on the Jews and presenting a palpable thing to them. There is formation, these two men would represent that, for God would present to the Jews the result of the work of Christ, so that Peter says, “Look on us”.
CB Going up at the ninth hour would mean the death of Christ should greatly colour our prayer meetings and requests.
JT I think we should be capable of spiritual sentiment. The first day of the week carries that thought; and the ninth hour, it was only a short time before that the Lord had cried “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” at that hour. These two men would remember that.
CAM At the ninth hour the darkness would be over, He was heard at the ninth hour.
JT Quite so. It ought to affect our hearts.
CAM It gives a great meaning to Psalm 22, at a certain moment He was heard, and the service of God comes into view. Would you say that?
JT Quite so. He immediately proceeds to say, “Yea, from the horns of the buffaloes hast thou [p. 28] answered me. I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee” (verses 21, 22). The product is so in keeping with these words. The gate of the temple, called Beautiful, is called attention to: “And Peter, looking stedfastly upon him with John, said, Look on us”. John looked at him, too, but particularly Peter the man of the service of God. They want him to see them first. “Look on us”. That is what God has in mind to effect. These two men represent what all servants ought to represent, what God is effecting; not simply what I say, but what I am in saying it.
WL Is that the importance of what you mentioned, the twelve apostles of the Lamb?
JT Quite so, suffering ones; here it is the formation. They looked at him together and say, “Look on us”. Think of yourself, and think of us, we represent what God is doing through Christ.
JWD Would this help us to make room for that which is special in the way of gift? Accompanied by spiritual formation it would produce results like this.
JT The thought is the ministers beget children; so that you get the great leaders Paul and John alluding to their children, the children of God, of course, but they are also the children of the ministers.
And you have to consider whether you think yourself a right model for a family.
CAM The man would have the desire to be like them.
JWD There is an attitude sometimes towards a servant, ‘We like what you say, but we would not want to be like you’. That is the antithesis of this.
JT It is mentioned here, and mentioned for a purpose. It runs down the dispensation, “Look on us”. Are we worth looking at? As the work of God, John enlarges on it, “Come and see”. It is true [p. 29] divine work; not the doctrine, but what is formed by it.
WR Paul was so free in bringing forward Timothy, a young man with him, “he works the work of the Lord, even as I”, 1 Corinthians 16: 10.
JT He was Paul’s child. It is usually child because it is a question of family formation, not dignity.
EP Is there a certain meaning in the apostles going up to the temple: they were not embarking on public service, but drawing near to God in His temple?
JT That is the idea, “they ... were continually in the temple”. They were God’s contribution in the way of testimony to Israel at that time in the temple. The temple never had such persons really, as these men. “Continually in the temple praising and blessing God”, Luke 24: 53.
EP I was wondering if the questions asked in Psalm 24, “Who shall ascend into the mount of Jehovah? and who shall stand in his holy place?” would come into view in these two men.
JT They were quite worthy. You find throughout Luke this thought of persons in the temple who are suitable. First of all we have as over against this Zacharias, who is an official priest “of the course of Abia”, the eighth of the twenty-four courses. He is thoroughly in order outwardly and he is where he should be, offering incense; but he is unbelieving in his heart, hence Gabriel stands at the right side of the altar of incense, that is over against what follows. He is stricken dumb for a season because he does not believe. He is an unbelieving priest, but he is capable of recovery, capable of being reconstituted. Then Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon and Anna, really priests, and finally the Lord Himself in the temple. Now here in the end of the book of Luke they are led as far as to Bethany, and they return to the city praising [p. 30] and blessing God. God is presenting His very best to the Jews, waiting on them for the moment. It is a question of God’s patience, He presents the very best. It is not what we say, but what we are.
JST In going up to serve God we should stand in the pathway to serve men on the way.
JT They say, “Look on us”. Think of what we are and what you are. Moses says, “We will do thee good”. You are conscious of being representative of God. “And he gave heed to them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, Silver and gold I have not; but what I have, this give I to thee: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaraean rise up and walk. And having taken hold of him by the right hand he raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God”. They are going into the temple now. They are carrying along the fruit of their work to praise God. That fits in particularly just now because God is stressing service toward Himself, and that requires priests.
WL That is really the object in view in preaching the gospel.
JT Quite so; to secure people for God, to make priests for God’s service. He was lame “from his mother’s womb”, and was being carried. The man in chapter 14: 8 had never walked. This man may have walked, hobbled it may be, as the Jews under the law.
RWS The work was well done. It says in verse 16, “And, by faith in his name, his name has made this man strong whom ye behold and know; and the faith which is by him has given him this complete soundness in the presence of you all”. And then in chapter 4: 10, “Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaraean, whom ye have crucified,
[p. 31] whom God has raised from among the dead, by him this man stands here before you sound in body”. Is that the kind of material that is for God?
JT Exactly; so that he is qualified to offer the bread of his God, not only to partake of it but offer it. In the book of Leviticus persons, because of certain constitutional blemishes or infirmities, were not allowed to offer the bread of their God, but they might partake of it. The teaching of today results in imperfect constitutions; so that people are able to partake of what is for the saints, but are not able to worship God. This man is, he is sound and perfect.
JWD I was thinking in that connection that ministry without formation will produce constitutional weakness, will it not?
JT Quite so.
JWD This man is a wonderful spiritual product, in vitality and life and vigour.
JT Much is made in the prophets of formation, not only the general thought of recovery but formation. It began with Adam really.
TH Would you say it is only those who can worship who are qualified to take their place in connection with the testimony?
JT You might allow them to take their place as partaking of the bread of their God, to partake of what is ministered. They have a place in the fellowship but not a place in the active service in worship, to offer the bread of their God.
TH I was thinking of this man; in the next chapter he is seen standing with the apostles.
JT The fact that he entered with them into the temple is specially to be noticed, and we are told moreover that he held Peter and John; he was thoroughly with them, not only outwardly but he held them. As much as to say, These two men are my ideal. It is a great thing to be representative of God. Paul says, “Ye became our imitators, and of the Lord”, 1 Thessalonians 1: 6. He was worth following.
CB Would you say a word as to holding Peter and John. How would you apply that to us?
JT You thoroughly accept the thing that God is accrediting, you do not question it. You do not say, I go with John to a certain extent and Peter, too, but I have my own thoughts also. The point here is he has thrown all aside. These two men represent what is right, what I believe, that is what it means.
WR Would the two suggest balance in the service?
JT You mean Peter and John? That is right. John represents the family side, the love side, and Peter order and authority.
EP Would the walking, leaping and praising God mean that the ministry is filled out in spontaneity of life? He is not using certain phrases.
JT Just so. They do not have to help him along, he holds them. With most of the young people we have to keep holding on to them, and we should, too; but this man does not need this kind of care, he holds on to them.
CAM He must have been very flexible. He was forty years old. If a man is over forty years old there is a deadening influence spiritually, an age that has got set, he really needs to be remade or else he is no good in the service.
JT Quite so.
EP It is remarkable, is it not, that in Leviticus 11:21 it speaks of animals “Which have legs above their feet with which to leap upon the earth”. Leaping seems to have a certain place in relation to the service of God.
JT Quite so; leaping is spiritual power. Of Dan in Deuteronomy 33: 22, it says “he shall leap from Bashan”, to get out of a false position. God would give you strength yourself to do it.
[p. 33] RWS If we have lost some of this spring, how do we recover it?
JT You come back to where you turned aside in self-will. It is a question of self-judgment; you have to discern where you turned aside. Why have I lost spring? Why have I lost power? I think God would come in for anyone who looks at it in that way, settling things with God.
APT John Mark evidently lost his spring. You feel there is that element amongst us at times, those who lose their spring through mistakes made. John Mark recovers himself and holds on to Peter and John in that way. There are no reservations in regard of the Lord’s service.
JT Quite so. Paul himself said “for he is serviceable to me for ministry”, 2 Timothy 4: 11.
JWD Do you think constitutional weaknesses can be rectified, however long standing they may be?
JT Yes, thank God! They generally refer to man’s influence and teaching religiously. There is hope because there is power in the Spirit to rectify all malformations.
WL It is important that the Spirit of God did not ignore this man.
JT I think it is important that the Spirit of God did not ignore you and me. It is a question of God taking account of us, as the Lord did the blind man as He went on. He saw him, and He had him in His mind; otherwise the man would not have been there at all. In the case of blind Bartimaeus, the Lord did not pay attention to him, he paid attention to Christ. The Lord was passing on, and he heard of Him, “O Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me”, Mark 10:47. That is another side, my taking account of the Lord and the testimony.
EP Do you think it is possible to come to meetings like this looking for alms?
JT I suppose so. A good many live on alms; a good many of the Lord’s people are a public charge, and, of course, there is plenty to support them. To use a figure, a nation is bound to support the needy.
There is much of that going on. How much better to be contributory! I think this man represents that.
LK What would be implied in the thought of Peter taking him by the hand, not only speaking but also putting forth his hand and taking him by the right hand?
JT That is right, “having taken hold of him by the right hand”, Acts 3: 7. You give the man every possible advantage — whatever may be in him; make much of that. He was not lame in his hands but lame on his feet.
LK We get much in the way of speaking, but this would be something further, taking him by the hand.
JT It is a magnanimous feature in the ministry, that gives the man every possible advantage.
JWD I think what you suggest is most important. He did not find fault with his feet.
APT Do you think it is helpful not to magnify constitutional defects, but to bring in what is positive to help in these cases?
JT Quite so. David took on Mephibosheth, and he was lame in both his feet. No doubt he looked very well at table.
Ques What is the difference in the man in John 5? He did not stand by the Lord like this man.
JT He is like many, he brought the Lord into trouble. There are many like that. They get a certain benefit, but do not go on. The Lord said, “Sin no more, that something worse do not happen to thee”, John 5: 14. A man like that is in great danger.
WR Would this man learn that it is not for monetary returns?
JT Peter makes it known to him that there is [p. 35] nothing of that to be expected from them. Many come along for temporary advantages.
CAM Those who are outstanding in that way should be free from such motives.
JT Quite so.
CAM You cannot really make them any poorer. What Peter gave him did not make Peter poorer, but richer.
HB It says that the people ran together to them in the portico; is that how we are to be affected by the exemplification of the thing?
JT “All the people ran together”, that is the thought in these signs or miracles, to call attention to what is of God, not only the power that was there, but the kind of persons that were there. “All the people ran together to them in the portico which is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering”, chapter 3: 11. It was a very real testimony, not only to the power but to formation, the kind of persons that were there, and how God is before them. They were going up to God at the hour of prayer and now this man is brought with them praising God.
TH Is there any significance in that it was the ‘Beautiful’ gate of the temple?
JT I suppose so; it was the best side of the religious system, it was called Beautiful. People come to think of it in that way.
AHP Silver and gold would have entered largely into the construction of that temple. What God was aiming at now was another kind of temple as set out in this man.
JT Just so. All this enters into the precious stones of the foundations of the city. It is the pentecostal church that is in mind in Revelation 21, and all this enters into that. It is the quality that is in mind in the twelve.
EP “Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion”, Psalm 48: 2. I was thinking of [p. 36] the beautiful gate of the temple, the attractiveness of it, then the opposition in the next chapter.
JT Quite so. I think what you see here is that the thing is gradually displacing what was there materially. It is displaced morally before it is thrown down. Every stone is being thrown down; displacement is the divine thought, working here in these persons, so that you have the true mount Zion.
JWD Would you say gift conveys light, and spiritual formation begets life in the power of the Spirit?
JT You cannot have the assembly without spiritual formation that runs along with light. This man is a living stone. We do not get the teaching governing all that but we get it later in Peter’s own ministry and also in Paul’s.
AHP I think what you say is very important that nothing is allowed to lapse in God’s ways; before there is the actual setting aside of the material temple there is brought into evidence this great work that had its foundation in the apostles.
JT Yes.
Ques Prayer and praise would be a nice combination, would it not?
JT Yes. What is said of the man here is, “And leaping up he stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God”. So that it is praise really going beyond the sense of need. There is what is for God immediately, that is very striking in the man.
WW Would you say that is in contrast to the beautiful gate? Here is a living stone able to praise God.
JT Quite so. Look at that stone; there were three thousand before, but now here is one that is special. God delights in that. His work is marked by that. Now the next thing is these great servants, so successful in their work, are brought into suffering [p. 37] but having been let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. It is the idea of merging, which makes for good relations amongst us — whatever is done is a common matter affecting us all. Because after all, the most gifted amongst us, the most able, is one of us, as Paul says, “ourselves your servants”, 2 Corinthians 4: 5. We belong to the community, all is of God, and what God had there! It says, “And they, having heard it, lifted up their voice with one accord to God, and said, Lord, thou art the God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea”. There is not an atom of rivalry, of feeling: it is all one whether it is Peter or John; they belong to the company and all merge together beautifully in prayer. Then the whole place is shaken where they prayed, so that the apostles themselves as such come into view again, not simply Peter and John, but the apostles.
Ques Do you think the Spirit is working to that end in these days?
JT Yes, I am sure He is. It is the opposite to clericalism. What is of God in that company will be capable of grading everything, giving credit to whom credit is due. We shall find that in the apostles. Paul speaks of “things that are more excellent”,
Philippians 1: 10. We are to grade everything: not to be communists, not dragging down to our level, but recognising the grace in others to come down to be with us. “Let the brother of low degree glory in his elevation, and the rich in his humiliation”,
James 1: 9, 10. “The rich and poor meet together; Jehovah is the maker of them all”, Proverbs 22: 2.
APT This man would be with them, he would observe their conduct as they merged.
JT Quite so. He would look around at the other apostles, too, as we have already. They spoke “to Peter and the other apostles”, Acts 2: 37. You will never become Peter’s man or Paul’s man in the spiritual realm. It speaks of Joab’s men, that is partisan feelings. This man would look around in the company at the other apostles. That Matthew is a wonderful man! Look around Zion and see what God has. He has got more than just Peter and John.
WL They shine together. They would never be more beautiful than in their brotherly setting.
RWS You called attention to the word ‘despot’, I was wondering whether there is scope for that in our meetings. You are not addressing the Father in the liberty of sonship, but addressing the Lord as despot. Where does that fit in?
JT We will have to make that clear. “And they, having heard it, lifted up their voice with one accord to God, and said, Lord, thou art the God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them; who hast said by the mouth of thy servant David, Why have the nations raged haughtily and the peoples meditated vain things? The kings of the earth were there, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ. For in truth against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou hadst anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the nations, and peoples of Israel, have been gathered together in this city to do whatever thy hand and thy counsel had determined before should come to pass. And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings, and give to thy bondmen with all boldness to speak thy word, in that thou stretchest out thy hand to heal, and that signs and wonders take place through the name of thy holy servant Jesus”,
Acts 4: 24 - 30. That word “Lord” in verse 24, is ‘despot’ as the note shows. That is, the setting is not that they speak to God as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, themselves as sons, but they speak to Him as a despot, as One in supreme authority and having power to enforce it, and they themselves His bondmen. That is a [p. 39] very wholesome attitude.
RWS How might it work out now?
JT It is very remarkable that they addressed Him in that way. The position is most urgent. They are beset all round and they are most urgent for help and they got it immediately.
JST They know His authority and power in the past in relation to creation. They desire power now in regard to speaking and healing. Would you say something in regard of that?
JT They are not very far removed from Old Testament ground here in their language. They were possessed of the Spirit of adoption, but they are holding it in check. We are in the most urgent need and we are calling upon Jehovah. It is Jehovah, I suppose, now, with the distinction of Master or Despot.
RWS Would it be normal for this kind of prayer to be offered up in countries where there is persecution?
JT Yes, the more urgent the matter is the more you would resort to this. It is taking the most abject place before God.
CAM I am glad that came up because in addressing divine Persons sometimes you find that there will be a desire in a brother to bind you down to address Them in a certain way. It seems if you inquire and search into what they have in mind, there is some difficulty in them in regard to the greatness of divine Persons. They are refusing something that has to do with the greatness of the Lord personally, and hence they are not free in such a range of things.
JT Quite so.
JRH Do you think they were in the full sense of having received a kingdom which could not be shaken?
JT You are taking a place at the footstool. It is one thing to worship at the golden altar or the holiest, but it is another thing to worship at the footstool of God in the abject attitude which God respects. He does not want us to be in a servile position always,
[p. 40] but it is wholesome to take it in view of the urgency of the need. See the array of power against them, “in this city”, too, not at a distance. What is current today is at a distance from us. It is in this city, in the very place where they are that this is going on. They are most urgent, God answers them at once (verse 31). The answer was immediate, the result of taking an abject place. We have, in the types, persons rending their garments and taking off their shoes. “But David went up by the ascent of the Olives, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot”, 2 Samuel 15: 30. All these things refer to emotions and suitable feelings in us in having to do with God. I should not say despot to God in the assembly in worship, but when in urgent need, get down as low as possible.
JRH Do you think in the shaking of the house that He was showing Himself as One able to shake all things?
JT Yes, they refer to His power in creation.
JWD You get in 1 Peter 4: 17, “For the time of having the judgment begin from the house of God is come”, and then in verse 19, “Wherefore also let them who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing to a faithful Creator”.
JT “Faithful Creator”, just so; the everlasting gospel presently will relate to the creation, too.
AHP “The Lord God Almighty”, would that correspond?
JT Yes, quite so.
Ques In urgent need one notices the prayers are always short and to the point.
JT Quite so. “This kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting”, Matthew 17: 21. It should always be, but especially in urgent matters. I think what we are talking about shows how we merge in the community. What there is belongs to us all. The great servants came to their own company and told [p. 41] them what had happened. Then there is prayer. Thus the apostles are all again in evidence. But the Spirit of God is using His own vessels, as we get lower down.
SMcC Someone must have given utterance to this, but it says, “they said”.
JT Quite so.
APT Do you not think that God heard the prayers of the saints recently?
JT I am sure He did. They were most urgent.
The brethren in England would get down to any depth to get relief, but why do we not apply it more often?
EP They said, “Lord ... God ... who hast said by the mouth of thy servant David” (verse 25). Would it imply an inward knowledge of God?
JT Quite so. That brings up another thing, the recurrence of the word ‘servant’ throughout this chapter, applying it to the Lord Himself. The idea of service in its varied features is appearing in the twelve apostles. It is set here as a precedent for us so that we should answer to that in some little way.
SMcC “Thy holy servant”; Luke makes much of holiness; that would be important in relation to service, would it not?
JT Quite so. The next thing is a very critical question of discipline and would occasion much thought, preserving the assembly from defilement.
It is to bring out that in apostolic times there was power to meet any attack of the devil, even if it were inside. In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, the lesson is how to meet attacks of the devil to defile us in our localities.
APT Would chapter 4 indicate that the external thing is met by God, whereas chapter 5 shows dangers that are met by the inward side?
JT Peter meets it, he knows what to do. There are those who say, The Lord will do it, the Lord will see to it, and things are allowed to drag on and the saints are defiled and the Spirit grieved. We are [p. 42] saying the Lord will come in; the Lord would say, It is your matter, I will be with you. Hence chapter 5: 1 - 5, it is a marvellous thing done by a man. Of course God caused Ananias to die. God did that but Peter put the thing before him in an orderly way. It is a great principle in discipline. Let the actual guilt be stated concisely in the assembly; God will act for us.
CB Is this really the setting of an assembly meeting for discipline?
JT The actual guilt is stated. Peter is an apostle and knows what happened, I suppose, by the Spirit. There are no witnesses called to prove it. It is manifestly so, and he stated the guilt precisely. In our case we would have to bring evidence that there is guilt; but do not forget to state the guilt and prove it otherwise it should not be brought into the assembly.
CAM The man not only had reservations but was deceptive about it.
JT He was selfish, pretending to be what he was not in a sacrificial way. We were talking yesterday of pillars of smoke. John says, “Behold the Lamb of God”. We are to be sacrificial and wholehearted, and he was not that; he was deceiving, trying to put on a good front with his heart not in it and his wife was with him.
JRH There is an affectionate appeal, something like Joshua speaking to Achan.
JT Quite so.
RA Does the Spirit reveal the guilt? I was thinking of Ezekiel 11, where the Spirit reveals the guilt and shows the twenty-five men in the east gate.
JT Yes, the guilt is here clearly manifest, known. What Peter says is true and God acted in regard of it.
RWS Would it be right to say the local assembly maintains an emergency service for alarms in the night, so that things are dealt with and not allowed to run on for months and years?
[p. 43] JT There is secret service and emergency service. Our position is secret in this respect. We are with God and get God’s mind. God gives us means, and what little information we can get carries its own assurance. God clothes it and makes it clear.
WL Would you say that even outside information has weight?
JT Not much.
WL “A good report of them which are without”, 1 Timothy 3: 7.
JT That is a question of how they look at us. That does not mean we are to bring it into the assembly. I should not accept their report. I should not base much on it in the assembly. Nor do I think God would bring it in much.
WW If we are cast on God He will come in for us.
JT Secret service, you know, is for finding things out. If we are with God He will make them known. This is an assembly matter. God has concealed the assembly for centuries, but it is the honour of kings to search things out. There is no need to be in the dark, because the Lord will help. There is secret service as in connection with David, and then the emergency service, Peter is ready for this matter. He is not behind.
GM Say a word on the fact this is made so much of by the Spirit at this time.
JT There is no one exempt from it. It is very solemn and it really means, as we see in Judas and as we see here, that a place is given to the devil. Peter says, “Why has Satan filled thy heart that thou shouldest lie to the Holy Spirit” (verse 3). What a great advantage he had, in that he was a man in Jerusalem in the assembly; and yet he was capable of this thing, to decide secretly with his wife: ‘We will make a show and give so much. It was a good deal, but it is not all. More could be offered but we will pretend that is all’. They are opening the door to the devil, to lie to the Holy Spirit in the assembly. It is a challenge to the presence of God in the assembly. That is what the enemy was after. How serious that I should lend myself to anything like that!
WW Why should natural relationships be brought in? That should speak to us.
JT The husband and wife are in collusion in this serious matter. It is a military matter. Satan is aiming at the great position that God has set up in Jerusalem in the assembly to discredit it, and these two persons are used.
APT Peter was showing that the foundations of the city were secure. It says, “the street of the city pure gold, as transparent glass”, Revelation 21: 21. What is needed in our local assemblies is transparency. So you can see right through a brother, no dark spots.
JT Quite so.
SMcC “Who is she that looketh forth as the dawn, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, terrible as troops with banners?” Song of Songs 6: 10. It is important in the assembly, is it not, that in judgment things should be so stated in clearness that there is the dispersion of every element of darkness from the minds of the saints?
JT Just so. If the thing is there, there is power to deal with it. “Terrible as troops with banners”.
SMcC Sometimes when the assembly has been together in a judicial way, the brethren do not know what has transpired, issues are not clear. It is important that things should be stated clearly.
JT Clearly and concisely as here, a few words; see how simple this speech of Peter’s is. That is how it should be stated in the assembly.
EP Is there any importance in the thought that Ananias died and was buried before his wife knew [p. 45] about it? One thing is being dealt with at a time. Our minds are not confused.
JT Very good.
JWD Do you think that the power is left in the system so that anything of this nature in a locality can be brought to light? There is faith in the functioning power of the Spirit to bring rebellion to light.
JT Quite so. The indictment of the sister when she comes in is equally clear. “And it came to pass about three hours afterwards, that his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in” (verse 7). She must have been very dull, hardly characteristic of the assembly as the body, or she would have known some sorrowful thing had happened. “And Peter answered her, Tell me if ye gave the estate for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much”. He makes her convict herself, he does not make the man do that. “And Peter said to her, Why is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Lo, the feet of those that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out. And she fell down immediately at his feet and expired” (verses 9, 10). God acted again, acted in connection with the plain concise statement of the guilt. Conviction is there.
APT In these church difficulties, if I have part in a leading way and have caused the saints to be led into error, I should admit it. This woman had an opportunity to admit it. How much did you get? She had an opportunity to speak the truth and clear herself. I believe one of the great difficulties amongst us is that the brethren who have had part in church errors have not confessed the errors humbly before God and the brethren. That is why there is not the same confidence in the brethren who have done these things.
JT Nor is there the full result in testimony, because we have the sequel to all this; it might [p. 46] appear that the work would be more limited now in such severe discipline but, “great fear came upon all the assembly, and upon all who heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders done among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch, but of the rest durst no man join them, but the people magnified them; and believers were more than ever added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women;)”, Acts 5: 11 - 14. So that we need not be afraid of dealing with evil, stating it clearly and concisely because the assembly must be brought into it. God will work with us and honours that.
WW You need to judge the root of the thing; if you are on party lines you must judge the root of the thing. The woman had a chance to judge it.
JT You mean this was really a party matter. They were in collusion (verse 2).
WL I was wondering why Peter acted alone in this.
JT It was to bring out Peter’s distinction. We began with that in regard to the twelve, “first, Simon, who was called Peter”. He has the leading place and God is recognising that. You can see how well he did it. The point is he did it properly and God supported him. That is what we need in our meetings: a proper and spiritual lead so that things are done right.
DG Should discipleship be confined to the masculine side or is there the feminine side also as in Esther?
JT Both.
DG I was thinking of what you were saying earlier, how that Mary anointed Jesus, how she was used in that particular service.
JT Quite so; it says in chapter 2: 17, “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy”. We see some of this in the secret service in 2 Samuel 17. There was [p. 47] Hushai the friend of David and two old priests, Zadok and Abiathar; their two sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan, and then two sisters, two women, one a maid, who had a lowly place in some house, but who served well in the secret service. There were seven persons, two of them women in this important secret service.
RAL Is it not important to see that whilst Ananias and Sapphira are mentioned first as husband and wife they are not dealt with as such, they are dealt with as brethren?
JT He is dealt with first, and she after. It is remarkable they are not dealt with together, to bring them in together would confuse the matter. It was ordered of God that he should come in by himself. They are not dealt with together.
JH-t Would you say it is important to see what Satan is trying to get at in the way of evil amongst the saints? To Ananias Peter says it is lying to the Holy Spirit, but to Sapphira it is tempting the Spirit of the Lord.
JT The three divine Persons are brought into this matter.
EP Is there a kind of root evil in this first thing that occurred in the early church, putting aside a part of the price for themselves?
JT It reminds you of the sin of Adam and Eve, the same sort of thing. It is root error; pride must have entered into it. Husband and wife taking counsel together with selfishness to have a show, not really to sacrifice.
AHP The same kind of thing might be seen in a number of brethren, not necessarily related naturally, but agreeing together regarding matters in connection with the house of God, the idea of collusion, tending to darken the fellowship.
JT Yes, especially with parents trying to hide things about their children; transparency [p. 48] is the thing.
RWS In an assembly meeting for discipline, is it generally known who will present the evidence or do we come together just waiting for help as we come? Is it decided in the care meeting who will present things?
JT That is a matter of confidence. The brethren have taken the matter up and reached a certain conclusion and present it to the assembly by one or two of their number. Confidence in the assembly would accept that. We must always make allowance for God in the assembly. If a brother is stating a thing, you say That is of God, the Spirit of God confirms what has been said. I look for it in all matters of that kind.
CB Why is it in matters of this sort you hear some saying, Peter moved without affection, or he was lacking in affection?
JT Well, I do not think he was. He was meeting terrible evil. You can see how God wrought with him. When we have to deal in judgment it is according to the sin; we have to put on judicial garments. You may see the Lord changes His garments when dealing with the assemblies as to sin, putting on His judge’s robes, and being girt about the paps with a golden girdle. It is not the time of love, conditions forbad it. It is there but bound up. It is remarkable how Peter is honoured, because in a subsequent passage the shadow of Peter is not the shadow of the judge. The whole history shows he was a feeling man.
JAT The experience of Peter with the Lord in John 21 prepared him for this.
JT No doubt he had been dealt with himself, the Lord looked at him.
APT Is this judicial side connected with the forsaking?
JT Yes; exactly, it is dealing with sin. Why should we spare a christian when he is guilty? God [p. 49] did not spare His Son, Jesus, when He took on sin as the sin-offering.
The next point is the care for the poor, for the needy, a very important service amongst us. Chapter 6 shows how the neglect of that may bring in dissension and murmuring in the assembly. So that we have to watch this matter of need amongst us: it should be met. We have seven men here. It is put on the brethren themselves, all this, not to appoint them but to seek them out. “And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to them, said, It is not right that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables. Look out therefore, brethren, from among yourselves seven men, well reported of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we will establish over this business”, chapter 6: 2, 3. The seven men are selected and the murmuring ceases, cleavage is averted and love is active in wisdom in qualified persons.
RWS The trend of the world toward trade unionism makes this matter of the brethren not being able to get employment more urgent as the time grows shorter.
JT I think if we challenge this question of trade unionism in our meetings we should be prepared to help our brethren that have to suffer. They cannot take on the mark of the beast; God takes definite issue with it in the book of Revelation. If they cannot take it on they are bound to suffer. It is for the brethren to stand by them. This chapter is to teach us this.
SMcC I heard of a young man tested as to trade unionism in another part of the country. He came to the brethren after the meeting one night and put the matter before them for help and counsel as to his position. It was said to him, This is your matter, it is according to your faith, you must not expect us to [p. 50] support you if you get out of work. You will have to stand to it. Do you think that is right?
JT That is altogether wrong, there is no love in it, no sympathy at all.
SMcC That was actually done and the young brother went and joined the union.
JT He should not have done it, but the brethren helped him to do it.
Rem It says here they had all things in common.
JT It does.
CAM I can see that would be giving Satan an opportunity, if you force the thing on someone.
JT Quite so. A man becomes depressed; he says, What can I do? I knew a young man who was discharged last May because the workers were on strike and he was forced out. He could not join the union, and he had great sorrow in his family, too, at that time. He had been only nine months in fellowship. The brethren stood by him and helped him financially. I heard a few months later his employers sent for him and reinstated him. God helped him and the brethren in that way. It is our matter, this chapter shows we are in a community. All are brought into this matter, like Abraham looking for the three-year-old cattle. It is really a wholesome thing to look around. Look around for seven men who can be trusted with money matters, who know how to serve in love. It is peculiarly an administrative matter of love. They care for the needy, they settle the matter and the crisis is past. From this point on we get very little about the twelve. We get a great deal about these persons, and how they purchased to themselves a good degree.
WL Why are these not business-men?
JT Look at the qualifications required; it does not say anything about business-men. “Seven men, well reported of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom”.
[p. 51] Why should we look for business-men; they are apt to be very calculating and looking for profits.
APT They become business-men of a different kind.
CAM An accountant or a lawyer would be the worst man in the place!
JT Quite so.