DIVINE OPERATIONS IN THE ASSEMBLY READING (4)
DIVINE OPERATIONS IN THE ASSEMBLY READING (4)
Acts 5: 1 - 14; Revelation 21: 21 - 27; 1 Corinthians 5: 3 - 8
SMcC I thought this afternoon we should consider further the administrative side in relation to the assembly. These passages have been read because of the profound impressions they leave upon us as to the dignity of the assembly, and the holiness of the realm where God dwells. No one, in reading these passages, can but be impressed with the dignity and holiness they emphasise. There is, too, the thought of transparency in a world where things are so beclouded, where sin has come in, and where the features of the lie continue right through. John’s ministry especially emphasises the truth over against that, the Lord in the gospel calling attention to the peculiar character of Satan as the source of the lie. All that stresses in our minds the importance of transparency in the assembly. Transparent conditions are suggested in what is excluded from the city and by the presence of God and the Lamb being there. In 1 Corinthians 5 the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth is stressed. All that bears upon the part we have in the administrative side in the assembly. In Acts 5 we see the way it comes into the primary setting of things in the assembly, and it is seen finally in Revelation. We have in Acts 5 an act of discipline, or government, which is unrepeated. It is unique in its setting and is to impress us with the greatness of the presence of God in the assembly.
FM Are you referring to verse 4, “Thou hast not lied to men, but to God”
SMcC Just so. It is first said, “Why has Satan filled thy heart that thou shouldest lie to the Holy Spirit, and put aside for thyself a part of the price of the estate”
(verse 3). We are in the presence of a direct attack of Satan upon the economy as it is seen in relation to the assembly and the way God is viewed in it. It is rather significant that we should have such an early attack, a direct, frontal attack, by Satan on the position.
WH Was this attack not through a private household matter?
SMcC Yes, it is rather humbling to see, in this man and his wife, the desire to emulate Barnabas to a certain extent, though retaining for themselves, with covetous hearts, part of the price. It shows the need for us to see carefully to our houses.
AH Would the word “his wife also being privy to it” (verse 2) have a practical bearing on us in these matters?
SMcC Yes, it brings out the serious character of collusion in evil. It seems as if God is greatly displeased with this collusion in evil, especially over against what is said previously about the assembly. It says, “and the heart and soul of the multitude of those that had believed were one” (4: 32) as if the glory of the position is set out, and now the enemy moves against it through the collusion in evil with Ananias and Sapphira.
JD (Sen). Did not the enemy’s attack in Genesis 3 come through a man and a woman? He attacks, in the same way, the spiritual system which is established in the Acts.
SMcC Just so. We see the same thing in operation here in the subtle way in which Satan works. Peter’s word, “filled thy heart”, is in great contrast to the section which brings before us persons filled with the Holy Spirit and the house being filled as we read in Acts 2: 4. Satan attempts to counteract the position by filling their heart - “Why has Satan filled thy heart?”
WMcK Do you connect this action with ecclesiastical unrighteousness?
SMcC Yes, because it is an assault on the assembly position. Satan is assailing the assembly position in all its pristine glory, marked by dignity and unity amongst the saints, as united in heart and soul. The enemy makes a direct attack on the position of the Holy Spirit who, as sent from heaven, has come into this subordinate position,
and is serving in obscurity in the economy; yet He is in a position of sovereignty and control in the assembly. The enemy moves against this in his attack on the economy in its features of grace and power seen in this section.
AJG Is he not endeavouring to introduce principles of the world in covetousness and vain-glory? I was thinking that this particular attack on the assembly was not exactly the world, but the things of the world. Ananias and Sapphira endeavoured to introduce the things of the world into the assembly.
SMcC It is very important to see that. Satan would corrupt that realm, and at the same time would assail the position divine Persons have taken in the economy. In the allusion “… that thou shouldest lie to the Holy Spirit ... Thou hast not lied to men, but to God” Peter discerns that the position of divine Persons in the economy is being assailed.
JAC Is that why this man and woman were not given space for repentance?
SMcC Yes. It is a unique case unrepeated in the history of the dispensation. It is brought forward, signally, to show us the greatness of the assembly realm and of divine Persons in it.
JAC Peter was spiritually sensitive to see that it was Satan who was moving behind this man and woman.
SMcC It is remarkable that in Acts 10 Peter gets a word about Cornelius and the coming in of the Gentiles. Peter gets a vision, and the Spirit speaks to him giving him directions, but here Peter is acting in a discerning way. We can see how clear he is in regard to the assailing of the position.
JSE Does his authority, as connected with the gift of the keys of the kingdom, show itself here?
SMcC I think it does - the power with which he meets it as well as the authority. The clearness of his statements, “Ananias, why has Satan filled thy heart that thou shouldest lie to the Holy Spirit, and put aside for thyself a part of the price of the estate?”, impresses us with the greatness of what is in this realm - divine Persons are in it and people like ourselves as representing God. Peter was an apostle and in that way unique and distinct.
RB Do we have what is parallel in Joshua 7 in connection with Achan and his dissembling?
SMcC You have the principle of the world encroaching on a person there, but there is the humbling side involving Joshua and the people, and this has to be faced. God passes Joshua through humbling exercise, but in this instance Peter is in power as meeting the thing himself, being filled with the Holy Spirit.
AJG Does 1 Corinthians 3: 17 link with this, “If any one corrupt the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy”?
SMcC Yes, the principle might enter here although Ananias and Sapphira were believers. In 1 Corinthians 3 it is an unbeliever that is in mind in the full application of the scripture. That principle of course should govern us in our concern for the realm of God.
PL Is Peter again realising the order given to him in Matthew 14: 29? Is he walking on the water with Christ in great power? Allusion is made even to his shadow in verse 15 of this chapter. Do these early chapters present him thus?
SMcC Just so. The dignity that marks Peter in the Acts is impressive - one who made so many mistakes in the gospels. He reminds us of what enters into our own histories, yet how strong he is and what dignity marks him in the opening of the Acts!
APCL Would what he says in chapter 5: 4, “While it remained did it not remain to thee? and sold, was it not in thine own power?”, show that, before these matters come to light, there is a period in which opportunity is afforded to do what is right? Would “having brought a certain part, laid it at the feet of the apostles” suggest the bringing out of things in public, and that is when discernment is called for?
SMcC What you refer to is very interesting. “While it remained did it not remain to thee? and sold, was it not in thine own power? Why is it that thou hast purposed this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.” The matter is being brought out. There is an intensification of that thought in this chapter in verse 7, “And it came to pass about three hours afterwards, that his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. And Peter answered her, Tell me if ye gave the estate for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much. And Peter said to her, Why is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter brings out the collusion; he discerns that something is wrong and he brings it out into expression.
Rem Should we be marked by zeal for God? I am impressed with the words, “Thou hast not lied to men, but to God”.
SMcC We are being helped to see the dignity of the assembly realm, and that it is God’s realm. It is not our realm exactly; it is not our assembly; it is God’s assembly. All the exercises that have arisen in recent years have borne upon this, the dignity and the holiness of the assembly as God’s realm. It is divine property.
AH Would it help to bear in mind that it is a recovered man who is standing so definitely for God, having thoroughly judged these elements in his own heart?
SMcC It shows what grace has done in Peter, and the power that marks him as used by the Spirit and as filled with the Spirit.
WS Would our knowledge of God and seeing God, as referred to in Exodus 24: 10, “and they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were work of transparent sapphire, and as it were the form of heaven for clearness”, help us to discern such features?
SMcC Yes, that is God in His own realm; God in the scene above and what marks Him there, and those that stand related to Him in the scene below. It is God in His own realm, “there was under his feet as it were”. Think of Him, as in Acts 5, down here in the assembly and the enemy assailing the position, making a direct attack on the economy. It is to be noticed that, in John’s gospel, where the Lord Jesus is referred to as the “sent one”, and where His place in the economy as “sent” is stressed, the Spirit is very careful to guard His Deity. The scriptures generally are very careful to guard His Deity. And so in Acts, where the Spirit is viewed as sent from heaven and in a subordinate position in the economy, His Deity is constantly asserted.
CMM Is there a lesson for the young men in this passage? They seem to know what should be done, and it would be a lifelong lesson to them. They would have to go through with it.
SMcC Just so, and what an impression should be left on the hearts and minds of the younger men as to the greatness of this realm and how evil is dealt with in it. It is not an ordinary realm, it is a realm where divine Persons are, and not to be entrenched upon by evil.
J Van. S. Is Peter dealing with the mystery of iniquity that has encroached on the divine realm?
SMcC The mystery of iniquity is not so much seen here, although you might get the principle of it. The principle is beginning to operate, of course, and comes into it in different ways. Paul would say, “The mystery of lawlessness already works” (2 Thessalonians 2: 7).
FBW Would the effect of this be that these matters are carried into the household? After the apostles had been released from prison it says, “And every day, in the temple and in the houses, they ceased not teaching and announcing the glad tidings that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 5: 42).
SMcC It shows the importance of our houses being kept in right relation to the things of God. What is so affecting is that, despite the enemy having found an entrance into these two, the brethren are unified (verses 11 - 13).
AR When Ananias heard the word that Peter spoke, he fell down, as though God comes in to support Peter’s word and He acts directly. It seems to be a remarkable action.
SMcC It is very notable that we have two outstanding evidences of divine intervention in relation to Peter’s speaking. We have that marvellous divine intervention in Acts 10, “While Peter was yet speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were hearing the word” (verse 44). Here it does not say having heard these words, but “Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and expired.” The government of God would enter into it.
PL Would the three hours which Sapphira was given additionally to repent be granted to her in God’s ordering circumstantially in the light of the three hours of darkness of the Lord’s abandonment who alone keeps us in the path of repentance?
SMcC That would come into our minds. It is very interesting that Peter did not go out and look for her; it says, “not knowing what had happened, came in” (Acts 5: 7). We are to notice that the matter is dealt with in the assembly realm. Peter does not go out to Sapphira and take the matter up with her. He waits until she comes in and then brings out the matter of collusion. We are in a realm where things are being dealt with in divine power, the power of the Spirit.
WSS Does this raise an issue with us as to whether, in the assembly realm, we are really living in the knowledge and love of divine Persons? We have to be sensitive as to what comes in.
SMcC Quite so. Mr. Raven said of the lake of fire that it was a necessity of God’s love. Perhaps we might not be inclined to think of it in that light. The judicial glory that appears here and the severity of the governmental act of God is a necessity of His love, because of the greatness of the realm and of His presence in it.
AR You pointed out that Peter does not go out to find Sapphira, but allows things to come to light. Have you something in mind to help us as to ferreting out evil?
SMcC That is an important principle; evil is allowed to expose itself. The Lord waited on Judas and the evil eventually came out and exposed itself. We may rest assured that if any one of us, in our links with the saints in the light of the assembly, is going on with evil secretly espoused, it will come out. We are not to ferret it out; that is not our business, but we get power and help to deal with evil when it comes out.
CMM When the matter of untruthfulness arises in a locality, should we not be careful to ascertain the actual facts? Peter asks the question.
SMcC Yes, he does not level a charge at Sapphira without bringing out the facts from her own mouth.
AH Does this link up with what Peter says in his 1st epistle? “For the time of having the judgment begin from the house of God is come; but if first from us, what shall be the end of those who obey not the glad tidings of God?” (4: 17). You were referring to things being exposed ultimately.
SMcC Yes, that would enter into it. We are reminded of the greatness of the assembly realm in that no one can interfere with or entrench upon that realm with impunity.
WMcK Is it not very striking that they think of God in His own realm? While God actually deals with the evil, He waits until Peter brings it to light.
SMcC It is interesting that, as we were saying earlier, Peter does not have a vision nor a direct word from the Spirit, but he sees what needs to be dealt with and acts accordingly, God coming in to support him in the action he takes.
GRC Is there any link with this and the word to Timothy, “Those that sin convict before all” (1 Timothy 5: 20)? This is apostolic and I wondered how far it might be extended. You were saying the other day that apostolic mandates were enshrined in the assembly. How far would that work out today?
SMcC “Rebuking before all” is seen in the assembly today as the person is dealt with. It would involve separation and withdrawal from the person. Rebuke is administered in that way.
WH Would it seem that divine Persons are pleased with the fact that evil is met? In verses 11 and 12 of Acts 5 there seems to be an increase in power and testimony.
SMcC Yes, and it should be an encouragement to us in these days that we need not be afraid of meeting evil. The enemy might suggest we shall lose everything; we shall lose persons. The weakness, so prominent in Christendom, is because of an inability to deal with evil in its midst. In the assembly, where there is the light of divine Persons, there is ability and power to deal with evil as it comes in, leading to enlargement and prosperity in relation to the work of God.
AEM Do you take it that, at this early stage, it was the custom to speak to the Holy Spirit? I was talking to a brother today who is liable to be lost on this question, and I would like to save him.
SMcC I think it is evident that Peter had to do with the Spirit in the words that are referred to in Acts 10. The voice speaks to him, “And there was a voice to him, Rise, Peter, slay and eat” (verse 13). And Peter replies saying, “In no wise, Lord; for I have never eaten anything common or unclean. And there was a voice again the second time to him, What God has cleansed, do not thou make common” (verse 15). And verse 19, “But as Peter continued pondering over the vision, the Spirit said to him ... “ It is quite apparent that the voice that came to him was the voice of the Spirit.
AEM Yes, quite so, and it says, “Ananias, why has Satan filled thy heart that thou shouldest lie to the Holy Spirit?” (Acts 5: 3).
SMcC That clearly shows the Spirit is viewed objectively as a Person thus to be regarded and addressed.
WL Is it striking in Acts 10: 21 that not only did the Spirit of God speak to Peter but the Spirit of God says “I have sent them” in referring to the men sent from Cornelius?
SMcC If this were better understood, persons would have less difficulty or no difficulty at all about this matter, “Why has Satan filled thy heart that thou shouldest lie to the Holy Spirit?”
CMM “Lied to him.” The lie would refer to what was expressed.
SMcC Just so. You made a good reference some days ago as to what had helped you. I believe it was the verse in Acts 15 where the apostles and elders say, “It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (verse 28), showing that He must have been conferred with or consulted. Generally in business if a person is with you in what you are doing, you consult or confer with him. Am I right in saying that?
CMM Yes. Unless I had conferred with a person, I would not know what he thought. It says, “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us”, suggesting that the assembly had conferred with the Holy Spirit.
SMcC Just so. Acts 5: 11 - 14 says, “And 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).” Think of the situation here! On the one hand the greatness and attractiveness of the position, yet on the other the repelling power in regard to evil.
Rem Does the way in which Sapphira answers Peter’s question in verse 8 of Acts 5 suggest a sister speaking in the assembly?
SMcC If something had to be brought out and there was no other way of doing so, there would be liberty for that. But the position as to sisters would generally be governed by Paul’s word that the women are to be silent in the assemblies.
PL Does Peter’s activity here, apostolically and judicially, in an inferential way, suggest that the assembly had not yet been set up under Paul’s ministry as a deliberative body in localities to investigate matters and arrive at a moral judgment?
SMcC Just so. Paul’s ministry comes in later to regulate things over against what we have in this section. It says, “and not one said that anything of what he possessed was his own, but all things were common to them”, but under Paul’s ministry we become regulated, holding what we have in the light of stewardship.
JSE Your allusion yesterday to what was inaugural marks this as to detail, but the principle of guarding jealously what pertains to God’s realm goes on.
SMcC Just so, and there should be with us constant concern that the greatness and holiness of the assembly realm, the vessel of praise, should be kept clean and free from all defiling influences.
TM It says here that Sapphira came in, “not knowing what had happened”.
SMcC Yes, that is interesting. They did not come in together. Sapphira came in three hours afterwards not knowing what had happened. If she had been more with her husband she would have known what had happened.
AH Would Acts 5: 11 - 16 in any way link up with Matthew 18: 18, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on the earth shall be bound in heaven”?
SMcC No doubt in the way believers were more than ever added to the Lord. Why does the Spirit of God use that expression, if it is not to impress us with the way heaven was supporting the position? Divine Persons were supporting the position and believers were more than ever added to the Lord. The passage in Revelation gives us the final side of things in the assembly, whereas in Acts we have the primary view of it in the inauguration of the dispensation. We need to understand, as we have been taught, that the assembly in principle goes right through and comes out in the millennial world. “And nothing common, nor that maketh an abomination and a lie, shall at all enter into it” (Revelation 21: 27). This helps us to see that what obtained in a primary way in the beginning of the dispensation obtains in a final way as seen here.
AH I thought that was the ratification of it.
SMcC What an attractive realm is suggested in the reference to the pearls and the twelve gates. You were referring earlier to love, and love amongst the saints is suggested in this great administrative system - twelve gates, twelve pearls; “each one of the gates respectively was one pearl; and the street of the city pure gold, as transparent glass”. That would mean unity in the working out of the administrative position. Wherever you look at the city, at whatever gate - Glasgow, Bournemouth, or Edinburgh - you see the same things among the brethren.
WSS Does it also show the assembly is the place of light? In the 5th of Acts there was light and it exposed the position.
SMcC Just so. If issues are raised as to the truth in one locality, it should not be said in another locality, Oh well, we do not take up these things. That would be a very serious matter, and an entrenchment on the greatness of the assembly realm, affecting the unity that marks it administratively.
WSS In regard to the pearl, would you say that every administrative activity would reflect the lustre of the assembly, as suggested by the pearl being at the gate, the place of administration?
SMcC I am sure it does. It is interesting to see how all these features are linked with the city in her administrative glory as the Lamb’s wife. Every feature of administrative glory appears in a perfect way in the holy city. It is important, in dealing with evil and matters related to the truth, that we should be united.
PL Is there fresh testimony as to the greatness of this vessel in the angels, unjealously (these distinguished beings) being content to be door-keepers at the gates of this glorious vessel? Would it also suggest that in all our meetings, administratively, we are assured angelic care?
SMcC Yes, it does.
EGJ Does John 20 bring us to this point when it says, “the doors being shut”? The kingdom line you have been bringing before us is so followed up that we enjoy now the greatness of these things referred to in the Revelation.
SMcC Just so. It is needful to keep out any influences that would intrude; hence the importance of unity in the teaching and in the ministry as bearing on the assembly. Unity is essential, too, in administration. We are not to be lax in one locality as to features of lawlessness and evil, but there should be unity among the brethren in the way in which matters are met.
Rem What kind of things have you in mind?
SMcC In the matter of addressing the Spirit, why should there be some who say, when things are taken up in one locality, Oh well, we do not take it up in our locality? That is a denial of the twelve gates and the twelve pearls. We should also be united in our judgment of evil, such as unions, or unholy associations, radios and wireless, or smoking. Wherever there is opposition to the truth, whether or not it is energetic, there should be unity among the brethren in dealing with it.
APCL The street of the city is said to be one street.
SMcC That would intensify our references to our moving together in things. There is only one street.
APCL And it is pure gold. Previously it is said to be as transparent glass. Would the gold suggest our moving together as united in relation to what God is as “our God”?
SMcC Very good. The gold would remind us of the divine nature, divine righteousness, and that we are in a realm where things are of God and according to His standards.
LES In 1st Corinthians Paul links the assembly of God which is in Corinth with “all that in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours”, and then he says, “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all say the same thing, and that there be not among you divisions; but that ye be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same opinion” (1 Corinthians 1: 10).
SMcC How important it is that there should be unity among us in relation to matters involving the administrative position.
CAM In the practical bearing of these matters, is it significant that they brought the sick out into the streets that the shadow of Peter might fall on them? Would that be an action of earnest care? Sometimes we say we must wait for a certain thing to become overt or reach some proportions before we actually take it up.
SMcC Yes, silent opposition is just as serious as active opposition; it is all opposition. We might say it is not active, but even if it is silent it is opposition nevertheless.
WSS Does this matter of unity involve the principle of leadership? I may not see things, but I have brethren in whom I can trust and I can move with them.
SMcC That is set out in Acts 15 in the lead that is given in dealing with the matter and how unity is preserved.
CMM Would the principle of imitation seen with the Thessalonians help us to come into uniformity? They were imitators of the assemblies and became models to all that believed in Macedonia and Achaia. If we see a meeting going on well, do we do well to take account of that?
SMcC Just so. The Thessalonians were remarkably affected by the example set by the assemblies in Judea.
JSE Would these principles of unity and leadership be seen in Nehemiah? Would unity in administration be seen when “all the people gathered together as one man in the open place that was before the water-gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe” (Nehemiah 8: 1)? It then goes on to say, “And the ears of the people were attentive to the book of the law” (verse 3).
SMcC Yes, in the type that illustrates the unity of which we are speaking.
HMcL Does this matter of localities raise the question of good elders? In Titus it says, referring among other things to their qualifications, “clinging to the faithful word according to the doctrine taught, that he may be able both to encourage with sound teaching and refute gainsayers” (Titus 1: 9).
SMcC Very good. I am sure that the principle of elderhood is important in our localities, especially the positive feature of encouraging as well as that of refuting gainsayers. We see the double feature of their service there.
ACSP In that connection it refers in Revelation 21: 27 to that which maketh a lie. Would you connect that with Acts 20, as to the propriety of things which the elders were to suggest?
SMcC No doubt, because it would represent the making. It says, “Nothing common, nor that maketh an abomination and a lie, shall at all enter into it”. The perverted things that are referred to in Acts 20 show how untruthfulness may enter into that kind of movement.
ACSP Is the truth with a twist a perverted thing and more dangerous because of that?
SMcC If the truth is turned round we might say it is in some way perverted. It is wrought upon and changed, which makes it very serious. Two things are outstandingly serious in the history of the assembly. One is collusion, and the other parties. In Acts the outstanding sin is collusion as implied in Ananias and Sapphira. In Corinth the outstanding sin is schism or party features.
GRC Does the name of our Lord Jesus Christ have a great bearing on the character of unity of which you are speaking? The apostle speaks “of all that in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1: 1) and verse 10, “I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all say the same thing”, and in chapter 5, “I, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged as present, to deliver, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 3). Would that be a very important thing to keep before us? The Lord speaks of gathering together to my name.
SMcC I think it is. It is interesting how “the name” comes in in these references to which you draw attention. We do not think sufficiently of the greatness of the Name and what is linked with it. It means that the Lord is not here, He has gone on high, but the Name is here. How great it is and what authority and power are linked with it.
JSE Does the preposition “in” in chapter 5 in relation to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ involve what you are saying?
SMcC Yes. It is a preposition involving power, “For I, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged as present, to deliver, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Of course this is an apostolic act and is unique, but the principle of the spirit being saved in the day of the Lord Jesus is important. In executive action in the assembly, involving withdrawal from persons, we never have anything less in mind than the carrying of the persons through, even to the day of the Lord Jesus. We know that this man is saved before that according to the second letter.
Rem Why is it the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and not the power of the Spirit here?
SMcC I think he is stressing the full glory and dignity of the administrative position. While the Spirit is not formally referred to, He is here in full representation of the authority and power that are at the right hand of God.
JSE Is it to emphasise the precious fulness connected with Christ our passover?
SMcC How important it is that we should be built up constitutionally in regard to the administrative side. It says in verses 6 - 8, “Your boasting is not good. Do ye not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Purge out the old leaven that ye may be a new lump, according as ye are unleavened. For also our passover, Christ, has been sacrificed; so that let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with leaven of malice and wickedness, but with unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” How important it is that we should be free from any trace of malice or wickedness and that we should feed on the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, Christ our passover having been sacrificed.
JM May I ask as to this two-fold presentation of Paul’s spirit, “I ... present in spirit”, and “ye and my spirit being gathered together”?
SMcC Verses 3 and 4 bring out the uniqueness of the apostolic position, and we must always remember the glory of the apostolic position. Delivering him, “to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus”, is clearly an allusion to the apostolic side. Paul is showing how he is with the brethren in what has to be done.
JM And by extension would it be right for us to have the spirit of this on such occasions; that is, Paul’s teaching and what he represents in these matters?
SMcC I doubt if we could carry it forward into our day, except that the principle of Paul’s ministry governs us in regard to assembly matters. Paul has the first word in regard to assembly matters, because he gives us the assembly formally and his word would govern us in regard to assembly action.
AJG Would you say that, although the apostles are no longer with us, we still have the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the power and authority connected with it?
SMcC How great that is! The Name is still here and the Spirit is still here, so that we can, in dealing with evil in a day of brokenness, as acting in the light of the assembly move according to 2 Timothy 2 and apply what is indicated to us in the teaching here.
LES Would not the matter of Christ our passover be the basis for the working out of every administrative matter and would not that enter into the matter of ecclesiastical righteousness?
SMcC Do you think it suggests dealing with things in a feeling way as having a constitution nourished and built up in this kind of food?
LES That is exactly what I am thinking and it leads to liberty.
SMcC What it cost Christ!
The whole chapter is to remind us of the dignity of the assembly as we spoke of it in relation to Acts 5 and Revelation 21. We must not minimise wickedness in stressing the glory and the grace of the dispensation. We must see to it that a full judgment of wickedness is maintained.
GRC Is it important that the word “assembly” first occurs in Exodus 12 in connection with the passover? Does it suggest that our basic setting together, assembly-wise, is on the basis of the moral judgment of evil seen in the death of Christ?
SMcC It is interesting that it is mentioned in Exodus 12.
APCL Is verse 6 humbling in that Paul has to say, “Do ye not know that a little leaven”?
SMcC It is indeed. It is remarkable how he speaks in that way, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump”.
ACPL We are prone to say, This is a small thing, but then the matter circulates and persons become disaffected by it.
SMcC Just so, and how serious the disaffection becomes. It is remarkable how Paul stresses the character of the sin here. He says, “and ye are puffed up, and ye have not rather mourned, in order that he that has done this deed might be taken away out of the midst of you” (verse 2), and again further down, “him that has so wrought this; to deliver him, I say, being such, to Satan” (verse 4).
WH Would the severity of the matter of which you spoke previously be seen in verse 13, where the person is referred to as a wicked person? While we would hold such a brother in affection in family relations, this is a public matter associated with sin.
SMcC Just so. Matthew would regulate us as to that. John’s ministry would help us as to our basic links in the family of God, and Matthew’s ministry would regulate us as to the judicial side; he is to be unto us as one of the nations (Matthew 18: 17).
AH Would you say that the apostle’s word in chapter 5, verse 8 is to encourage us to eat the sin offering in the holy place?
SMcC Just so.
AJG The effect of having to deal with evil is that we become more exercised, not simply for a particular occasion or for a short time, but we are permanently developed in the maintenance of the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. The feast of unleavened bread was for a full seven days.
SMcC That is important. It is not just for a particular occasion, but we are maintained in the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
GMS Do you think we would normally shrink from that which works an abomination or maketh a lie, but John adds, “nothing common”? It is only continual feasting on unleavened bread that prevents us from dropping down to the level of what is common.
SMcC So that we are to see the dignity of the assembly realm and how sins vary. They are not all to be classified under the same heading. The holiness of God in the assembly realm is entrenched upon by the kind of sin that we have here. The recent reference to grace and repentance and forgiveness is not in any way to minimise in our minds and souls wickedness and evil.
TM Would you say that the judgment of evil is a divine necessity in view of the service of God?
SMcC Yes. There may be cases when we cannot do other than withdraw because of the nature and character of the evil. That is not quite the normal side, as forgiveness is usually extended where repentance exists, but there may be cases where we have no other course open to us, but, in the light of 1 Corinthians 5, to clear the Lord’s name and the public position.
WH Has this not been referred to under the expression, ‘capital sin’?
SMcC Just so. I suppose every sin and the persons involved would be considered separately according to the facts which governed each case.