#248 - A Tale of Two Temples: The Church as God's True Dwelling - Acts 4.32-37

02/12/25 • 17 min

PLEASE NOTE! In the podcast I referenced Deuteronomy 14... but it is Chapter 15. Thank you

In this episode of Al Pastor, Pastor Brian, joined by Noah, explores the final verses of Acts 4 (verses 32-37). He emphasizes that this passage is crucial for understanding Acts 5, particularly the contrast between Barnabas and Ananias and Sapphira.

Key themes discussed:

The Early Church as the True Temple:
- Pastor Brian explains how Luke contrasts two temples—the old physical temple, which had failed to meet people’s needs, and the new temple, the Church, where the Holy Spirit dwells among believers.
- He highlights how the early Church fulfilled what the temple failed to do: meeting the needs of the poor and caring for one another.
Unity and Generosity in the Early Church:
- The believers were of one heart and soul, freely sharing their possessions so that no one lacked (a key word connecting back to Deuteronomy 14).
- The apostles gave witness with great power, and God’s grace was upon them all.
- The selflessness of believers reflected God’s provision and faithfulness, aligning with Old Testament covenant promises.
The Role of Barnabas (Joseph, the Son of Encouragement):
- Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sold his land and gave the proceeds to the apostles.
- His generosity and integrity made him a model disciple, foreshadowing his future role in the Church.
- This sets up a stark contrast with Ananias and Sapphira, who in Acts 5 lied to God about their offering.
The Bigger Picture:
- The passage highlights a major transition from the old system to the new covenant in Christ.
- Just as God’s presence once dwelled in the temple, now He dwells in His people.
- The Church is now the sacred place where God meets His people, fulfilling the original purpose of the temple.
A Lighthearted Closing:
- Pastor Brian jokes about preaching a sermon on Barnabas titled "Be a Barney" and teases Noah about dressing as the purple dinosaur for it.
- He shares excitement about diving into Acts 5 in the next episode and encourages listeners to subscribe for updates.

PLEASE NOTE! In the podcast I referenced Deuteronomy 14... but it is Chapter 15. Thank you

Key themes discussed:

The Early Church as the True Temple:
- Pastor Brian explains how Luke contrasts two temples—the old physical temple, which had failed to meet people’s needs, and the new temple, the Church, where the Holy Spirit dwells among believers.
- He highlights how the early Church fulfilled what the temple failed to do: meeting the needs of the poor and caring for one another.
Unity and Generosity in the Early Church:
- The believers were of one heart and soul, freely sharing their possessions so that no one lacked (a key word connecting back to Deuteronomy 14).
- The apostles gave witness with great power, and God’s grace was upon them all.
- The selflessness of believers reflected God’s provision and faithfulness, aligning with Old Testament covenant promises.
The Role of Barnabas (Joseph, the Son of Encouragement):
- Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sold his land and gave the proceeds to the apostles.
- His generosity and integrity made him a model disciple, foreshadowing his future role in the Church.
- This sets up a stark contrast with Ananias and Sapphira, who in Acts 5 lied to God about their offering.
The Bigger Picture:
- The passage highlights a major transition from the old system to the new covenant in Christ.
- Just as God’s presence once dwelled in the temple, now He dwells in His people.
- The Church is now the sacred place where God meets His people, fulfilling the original purpose of the temple.
A Lighthearted Closing:
- Pastor Brian jokes about preaching a sermon on Barnabas titled "Be a Barney" and teases Noah about dressing as the purple dinosaur for it.
- He shares excitement about diving into Acts 5 in the next episode and encourages listeners to subscribe for updates.

Previous Episode

#247 - When the Church Prays: Boldness, Power, and the Holy Spirit - Acts 4.23-31

n this episode of Al Pastor, Pastor Brian continues the series on the Book of Acts, focusing on Acts 4:23-31. He is joined by Noah in the studio for discussion.

Pastor Brian begins by acknowledging that he is behind in the community reading plan due to taking extra time to study the passage deeply. He provides a recap of Peter and John’s release from prison after being threatened by the Sanhedrin and emphasizes that their release was by God’s sovereignty, not human decision. He then unpacks the believers’ response to persecution, highlighting how they prayed together in unity, acknowledged God’s sovereignty, and prayed for boldness rather than safety.

Key points from the discussion:

Community & Fellowship: Peter and John immediately returned to their companions, showing the importance of running to the people of God in times of trouble.
Prayer and Worship: The believers started their prayer by exalting God, declaring His sovereignty over creation.
Spirit-Filled Prayer: They quoted Psalm 2, recognizing that opposition to Christ was foreseen in Scripture.
God’s Sovereignty Over Opposition: The rulers thought they were acting against Jesus, but God had predestined their actions for His purpose.
Prayer for Boldness: Instead of asking for protection, the believers prayed for boldness to speak God’s Wordamid persecution.
God’s Answer: The place where they prayed was shaken, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they boldly proclaimed the gospel.
Being Continuously Filled with the Spirit: Pastor Brian explains the biblical command to "be filled and keep on being filled" with the Holy Spirit, drawing from Ephesians 5:18.
Not by Might, Nor by Power: He closes with Zechariah 4:6, emphasizing that ministry and courage come by God's Spirit, not human effort.

The episode ends with encouragement to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit, trust in God's sovereignty, and boldly proclaim His Word despite challenges.

Next Episode

#249 - The Price of Pretending- Ananias and Sapphira’s Tragic End - Acts 5.1-10

In this episode, we explore Acts 5:1-10, the sobering account of Ananias and Sapphira, who lied about their offering and faced immediate judgment from God. Their deception wasn’t about the amount they gave but about pretending to be more generous than they truly were. Peter, through the Holy Spirit, exposed their lie, revealing that they had not only deceived the church but had lied to God Himself.

Ananias fell dead instantly, and a few hours later, Sapphira, given a chance to confess, upheld the lie and also died on the spot. This severe judgment emphasized the holiness of God and the seriousness of hypocrisy in the early church.

The key lessons from this passage include:

God’s holiness demands sincerity and integrity.
We cannot deceive God—He sees the heart.
The fear of the Lord should lead us to genuine worship and obedience.
Our giving and service should come from a heart of faith, not a desire for human recognition.

The episode challenges listeners to examine their own hearts: Are we living for God’s approval or just trying to impress others? True worship is not about appearances but about full surrender to Christ.