Introduction

Good day to you all! Let us turn to the fifth chapter of the Book of Acts, with the theme: That which is of man must fail, but that which is of God cannot be overthrown. This chapter is particularly insightful, urging us to revisit our perspectives on various phenomena from God's vantage point. In recent years, many have yearned for a great Christian revival. But what exactly constitutes a great Christian revival? After studying this chapter, its content merits our deep reflection.

I have examined several documents recording instances of the Holy Spirit filling believers, beginning around 1900, with the descent of the Holy Spirit. In 1904, a young miner in South Wales, UK, named Evan Roberts, though not a pastor, sparked a significant revival. The intensity of the church's revival was such that it could only be described as fierce, with churches overflowing daily. Within two years, nightclubs went under, and law firms closed due to a lack of crime and lawsuits, as everyone was in church listening to the Word.

However, after a few years, this great revival waned, and people returned to their former ways, leaving the churches empty once more. The history of Christianity is replete with such miraculous events, which I once admired. But I have since realized that the chapter we are about to study records a great revival in the Jerusalem church during Peter's time, which similarly fizzled out. This is much like riding a rollercoaster, with its ups and downs, leaving one adrift. This phenomenon warrants our study.

The winds of this great revival in South Wales later blew to Azusa Street in California, USA, igniting another revival in 1906. Churches were packed, but before long, they emptied again. From these occurrences, I have observed that the church deeply desires such sudden, explosive revivals, a subject I have researched extensively. In theological seminaries, the study of Christian revivals would likely cover this period, highlighting the positive aspects. However, I perceive another side to the story. To each their own; some may favor this, others that. But I am not fond of such bustling scenes, and I doubt God is either.

Historians possess great wisdom. The Apostle Paul's doctoral advisor was Gamaliel. In the Israel of Paul's time, Gamaliel was akin to an academician of the social sciences. To be Gamaliel's student was a great honor, akin to having Yang Chen-Ning as one's professor. Though a Pharisee, Gamaliel made an interesting comment.

But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (Acts 5:34-39)

This scripture addresses the key issue. Gamaliel, being an academician, did not gain his historical knowledge in vain. If Paul hadn't studied hard, would Gamaliel have taken him as a disciple, and would Paul have earned his doctorate? This raises a deeper point: if a person's actions originate from themselves, they are destined to fail. As for whether our deeds are of God or of man, it is often difficult to discern. I often feel apprehensive and uneasy, fearing that my actions are of human origin.

I frequently reflect on whether my actions stem from God or from man, and I constantly remind myself not to emulate Peter. Therefore, I often pray for God's mercy and grace, that I may live according to His will throughout my life. Each time I make a decision to propel the church forward, especially when breaking new ground, I must ascertain whether our actions are of God or of man. If they are of man, they are bound to fail; but if they are of God, no one can overthrow them.

Leading our brothers and sisters forward is no easy task, for I do not wish to subject them to a rollercoaster ride, nor do I wish to discover that I have erred, resulting in either a mere spectacle or a futile endeavor. I desire to act according to God's will, which is why I have recently been in deep contemplation.

When I first wrote the 101 course, I struggled for three months, and when I began writing the 201 course, I struggled for six months, seeking God's will with great intensity. I would rather endure more hardship to avoid making mistakes in this matter. That which is of man must fail, but that which is of God cannot be overthrown—this statement is deeply ingrained in my heart. This is the discourse of Gamaliel, which the Apostle Paul surely knew. When Gamaliel spoke these words, the Apostle Paul was likely working on his doctoral dissertation under Gamaliel's guidance.

Some Things Are of Man, Some Things Are of God

Many things originate from man, and many things also originate from God. This echoes the theme presented in Luke's Gospel and the Book of Acts: many will fall, and many will rise. Many people's actions are of man, while others' are of God. Luke followed Paul and was certain of Paul's actions. Paul's actions have influenced generations of churches and Christians for nearly two millennia, and his epistles remain in the Bible.

Jesus saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 16:15-17)

Peter is a fascinating character. He had just proclaimed that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus acknowledged that Peter recognized Him as the Messiah, giving thanks that the heavenly Father had revealed this to him.

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. (Matthew 16:21-23)

Shortly thereafter, when Jesus said He must go to Jerusalem to suffer and be buried, Peter retorted, This shall never be! He immediately forgot that Jesus would rise from the dead, focusing solely on the prospect of Jesus' death. The Gospel writers of the New Testament did not harbor animosity towards Peter; they merely recorded what they witnessed. Peter was fond of grand pronouncements and the rollercoaster experience.

Earlier, Jesus had said to Peter, You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Later, Jesus said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's. Subsequent events indeed confirmed this. Therefore, we must recognize that many actions are of man, and we should not assume that Peter's actions were solely of God. Whether in Christian history or in the events unfolding before us, there are deeds of man and deeds of God, depending on the nature of one's actions.

Do not presume that I have everything figured out. I often proceed with a heart of reverence, treading on thin ice. I approach each step with caution, lest I fall into a pit. Therefore, as we move forward, I do not wish to lead you according to my own understanding. I often pray to God for mercy, grace, and remembrance! For I do not know the path ahead, and I have made many decisions with this in mind.

Each matter must be deliberated upon repeatedly, seeking God's guidance to ensure that everything is properly aligned. For instance, while praying aloud may feel powerful, it has resulted in summoning property management or even the police. Upon realizing the inappropriateness, I promptly adjusted the approach. Adjustments like this have been numerous. Never pray to God, saying, I want to do this. If it is not your will, please prevent me! Do not expect God to intervene; He did not prevent Adam and Eve from eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Do not pray in this manner. Learn to contemplate and cultivate clear understanding.

How many things are of man, and how many are of God? Do not assume that all the events recorded in the Bible are of God. Once a person inquires of God, they have often already made a decision in their heart. As when Balaam asked God if he could go; God knew that preventing him would be futile, for Balaam's heart was set on riches. Consequently, Balaam perished.

Do not expect God to stop you. If you have made a decision, proceed with it, and I can only wish you good luck! Like someone who engages in illicit affairs and then seeks my counsel after becoming pregnant. I do not know and cannot act in place of God. Brothers and sisters, reflect carefully, and do not assume that many things are right. Peter engaged in many actions that ultimately failed. That which is of man will be overthrown by God, but that which is of God, no one can overthrow.

Was the Death of Ananias and Sapphira of God?

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. (Acts 5:1-8)

Was the death of Ananias and Sapphira of God? This matter is somewhat unsettling. Does God truly care whether or not people donate? Many among us deceive God, yet we do not suffer the same fate. So, the question arises.

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. (Acts 5:9-10)

When I read this passage, I find it peculiar, and I often remind myself not to speak recklessly. If I were to question someone about deceiving the Holy Spirit and they suddenly died, I would be in serious trouble! Fortunately, the legal system in Peter's time was not as developed; death was simply accepted. Is our God such a God?Not only are you perplexed, but I am too.

We have all deceived God, yet our God is exceedingly generous and does not care about such trivial amounts of money. Peter encouraged everyone to sell their possessions and bring the money to the church, where they all ate and drank together. Someone then wondered how Peter knew that the couple had secretly withheld a portion of the proceeds, concluding that it must have been revealed by the Holy Spirit. But let us consider: would the Holy Spirit truly reveal such a thing? It is unclear whether this was revealed by Satan or by the Spirit of God.

I have received newcomers who shared that the funds collected by their church were not used for building the church but were instead spent on communal eating and drinking. Is this of God? While I cannot definitively judge, subsequent history suggests that it was not, as that which is of man will fail. Sharing all possessions and communal eating were proven to be unsustainable. Many problems arose, and God struck the Jerusalem church, leading to its dissolution. Some have recounted similar experiences in their former churches, where selling possessions for communal use resulted in the church's collapse, the pastor's arrest, and a 20-year prison sentence. Is this truly of God? If it is of man, it is overthrown by God. If it is of God, no one can overthrow it.

When I first believed and read the Bible, I struggled to understand this passage, but I eventually grasped its meaning. Communal ownership is meaningless, and using money for feasting is not shepherding. The kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking, but about the power of the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of God, and the righteousness of God, where people can continually be shaped into beings bearing God's image. Such communal feasting leads to numerous problems, with disputes arising over who receives more or less. If this were effective, Jesus would have already implemented it.

Therefore, I leave you with a question: The death of Ananias and Sapphira was likely not of God. So, how did they die? It was of man. To be mindful of the things of man is to be aligned with Satan, who disguises himself as an angel of light while urging us to fight against him. We are to be aware that during the pandemic, those who collapsed and died suddenly were victims of the devil. In the days ahead, our church must recognize that the deceiver is Satan, and to rise up, we must fully recognize God in our understanding, rejecting Satan's lies.

## Is Common Ownership from God?

Common ownership is definitely not from God. There is no such logic in the Bible. If common ownership were from God, it should have been practiced during the time of Moses. This is Peter's own invention, which comes from man. Eventually, it is discovered that nothing needs to be done. Anything that comes from man will surely be corrupted. Therefore, I am often afraid of inventing something new to add. Brothers and sisters, be absolutely sure that the truth of the Gospel, the Word of God, cannot be added to or subtracted from. Anyone who adds to or subtracts from it will be cursed. Therefore, in this generation, the Chinese Mingding Destiny has the most systematic and framework-oriented discourse on God's will, God's plan, and God's Word.

**Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. (Acts 5:11)**

Ananias and Sapphira suddenly fell to the ground and died. It was very frightening! Can we still go to such a church? Are there still such churches now? There are people among us who have come out of such terrifying churches. If you come to Chinese Mingding Church, you only need to fear God, and you don't need to be afraid of anything else. Be a normal person, do normal things, eat normal meals, there is nothing to be afraid of. If making the whole church and those who hear about it greatly fear comes from God, then we all have to be afraid.

**No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. (Acts 5:13)**

No one dared to join them. Did they grow fangs, have hair on their faces, or horns on their heads? Peter did something that was not understandable in terms of understanding. Behind this must be the meaning of man. Minding the meaning of man is Satan. In our generation, there are also many master-level figures. There was once a master who produced snakes from empty pots and took things from the air. Many people looked to him for fortune-telling and changing their destiny. The things of the spiritual realm are very real. If people do not understand the spiritual realm, they are ignorant.

## Great Fear on the Whole Church Is Not from God

The rest did not dare to join them, pretending to be gods, this is not from God. So among us, don't be afraid of me. I will lead you to be a normal person. Think about it, am I leading you to do serious things? I am neither anti-human nor anti-social. I just hope that everyone can become a blessing to many people and bring God's blessing to the earth to bless others. We are all normal people, you don't need to be afraid of me. I don't have hair on my face, and I don't have horns on my head. Not even tiger teeth, let alone fangs. What is not from God can be seen here that Peter did a lot of it. Is it from God that the whole church is afraid?

## Is the Increasing Number of Believers Out of God?

**More and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. (Acts 5:14)**

Is the increasing number of believers from God? This is really worth discussing. During the time of Jesus, thousands of people followed Jesus wherever he went, but when Jesus was crucified, only a few people were left. Later, when Jesus resurrected and ascended to heaven, only about five hundred people saw it. Finally, only one hundred and twenty people were left praying in Jerusalem. I used to stand up for Jesus, wondering what happened and why there were so few people.

I used to admire churches with 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, or even 800,000 people. I thought the more people, the better, but later I thought otherwise. Because when I went to their churches, I saw that there were people doing direct sales, insurance, business, and even introducing partners. Men should marry and women should marry when they are old enough. It seems that even if you don't want them, they will stuff a few to you. Some people said that they dreamed at night that God said that a certain sister should marry a certain brother. I thought this was a bit evil. Shouldn't you dream about who to marry? They also said who and who are a match made in heaven. I was wondering how these people knew about these things? Later, I made up my mind: our church must prevent such things from happening.

Increasing number of believers, that is not what God wants. What God wants are people who build the church, people who love God, and a group of people who are willing to give themselves up for the Lord. It doesn't matter how old you are. Some people are very love of God at the age of fifteen or sixteen. People like Joseph are really God's elect. Some people are old and finally come out of Egypt, but they die in the wilderness. What's the point?

Increasing number of believers, on the surface, there are so many people in the church! But that's not what our church pursues. In a large church with 50,000 people, you can't pick out a few people who love God as much as our church, so I won't build such a church. Because I once made a vow before God: I only want treasures, and I want to bring the treasures of God into the Kingdom of God! So I don't pursue a church with a large number of people. Some churches do this: One person makes a decision to believe in the Lord, and tomorrow ten people make a decision to believe in the Lord. As long as you believe in the Lord, you can go to heaven, as if you are giving out tickets.

Increasing number of believers, many men and women believe in the Lord, but what comes from man will be corrupted. During the time of the Apostle Paul, Paul brought many donations to the Church of Jerusalem. Because the Church of Jerusalem at that time had been corrupted. The houses and fields that should have been sold had been sold, and the food that should have been eaten had been eaten. The people in the Church of Jerusalem did nothing but knelt their knees with many calluses and were very poor in the end. The Apostle Paul brought about hundreds of millions of donations to Jerusalem and was arrested by many Pharisaic Christians.

They hated Paul very much because he wrote Galatians, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, and Romans. When he arrived in Jerusalem, these people wanted to kill him. These people were not only materially poor, but also extremely spiritually poor. Peter made a bunch of rice buckets, and now the bottom of the bucket has been knocked out. Can these things that come from man not be corrupted? But one thing is definitely from God, and that is healing the sick and casting out demons, and all were healed!

## All Were Healed Is from God

**Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed. (Acts 5:16)**

Peter did so many things, some of which were from God, and some of which were from himself. This is a true portrayal of man. In history, whether it was the Great Revival in Azusa or the Great Revival in South Wales, it was full of God's work and man's meaning. This is the tragedy of this generation. But I want to say a word to my brothers and sisters: I really don't want anything in our church to be from man.

The church must continue to run forward. In the past few years, we have begun to deal with our own bad habits one by one and work hard to walk in God's will. Later, we found that this was just the beginning, because there was a new version. In fact, our pastors have not done well in dealing with the flesh and man's meaning. When I think of this, I really feel uncomfortable.

A few days ago, I was still talking to some of our ministry leaders about how the ministry team leaders should teach and solve the problems of the students. I felt that we were far behind. How can we be qualified to be satisfied? You thought you were in a victorious church, and you wrote your testimonies very well. All the brothers and sisters were healed. This is just the beginning. Don't think that killing demons in seconds is something to boast about. That's far from it. We must continue to run forward and be filled with the knowledge of God in our understanding. Don't think that if we do some things according to our own meaning, there will be nothing of God. Peter still did a few things right, and we must give him affirmation.

**Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out. “Go,” he said, “stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” (Acts 5:17-20)**

God's will is for us to tell the people the way of life, to be able to put off all the corruption of the flesh, to strive forward to perfection, and to begin to restore the glorious image of God's creation of us.

## Suffering Shame for This Name Is God's Will

If we are persecuted or humiliated because of the name of Jesus Christ, it is normal, because it is from God. We must know that Jesus has not offended anyone, but this world hates God and Jesus for no reason. When we start to decide to walk this path, we are also worried. Because we have to choose to fight the most powerful enemy in the world, the Devil Satan, so we must clearly know in our understanding what is of man and what is of God.

## Learn a Lesson from History

We must learn a lesson from history, that is, to know what is from God and what is not from God. Don't blindly pursue the Azusa Great Revival or the South Wales Great Revival. What we pursue is down-to-earth, sustainable development, and let God's will be accomplished among us. If you take a closer look, in modern times, miracles and wonders in the church were once filled with great fanfare, but why are they gone now? Because people's understanding is not clear, and they have not learned a lesson from history. What they pursue is the same as what Peter pursued back then. At that time, Peter already thought that he was the best in the world. In fact, he added a lot of human things, but he didn't know it himself.

Everyone must start to be filled with the knowledge of God in their understanding with me and learn a lesson from history. Later, I found that the Apostle Paul did not engage in movements. After Jesus finished the movement, he sent those people away, because that was not what Jesus wanted. Stop pursuing the so-called great revival, and pursue Apostle Paul's down-to-earth building of God's glorious church and dealing with the evil deeds of the flesh in us. There are too many evil deeds of the flesh in us. If you are willing to deal with them, I will help you. If you are not willing to deal with them, you can only be the garbage in God's eyes. You will mind the flesh, be extremely selfish, and only care about yourself. If you continue to do this, then I wish you good luck.

So everyone must know that the price paid for walking this path is very different from that of the so-called revival, which comes with great fanfare and then disappears. I don't like this either. It is best for a person with a destiny to do things in a steady and step-by-step manner. Perhaps what you are pursuing is listing on the market and becoming a unicorn. What I want to do is to grow steadily and build God's glorious church step by step. I really don't like playing empty games. It is built up quickly, but it also collapses quickly. That is meaningless.

No matter which project or industry I do, it has accumulation, growing little by little, accumulating little by little, because I do it according to God's will. If I suddenly find that I have done it wrong, I will quickly dismantle it. We must all learn a lesson from history. Chinese Mingding Destiny must bring a subversive way of thinking. When many churches are pursuing 10,000 or even hundreds of thousands, or millions of people, we are pursuing one or two, or a dozen. Because one hasn't been done well yet, how can we do well tens of thousands of people? If you put on spiritual glasses and look at the church, it is full of weasels. This is similar to what Peter did.

We must be down-to-earth people and stop pursuing those illusory things. Stop engaging in movements. What we must pursue is God's name, God's will, and God's kingdom. May God's kingdom come and God's will be done on us! This is my lifelong pursuit, no matter how hard it is! Everyone must know that the path we are walking is going to cost a price, because to be a good student, you must study hard, and to be a good employee, you must work hard.

It is also very hard to be a good pastor and shepherd God's flock. I am often so tired that I grin, and sometimes tears are about to fall. When I see my brothers and sisters being corrupted, I feel sad. Although I say good luck, I can't help but feel sad for these people. So I encourage everyone to study hard to love God. The road to love God requires paying a price, because you pay a price for what you love. You must know that people are too selfish, too love of themselves, too minding the meaning of man, and unwilling to pay a price for God, so we must not be afraid of anything, but be the foolish people who are not afraid of God.

In my faith, I still choose to believe! Everyone must be a person who deals with the evil habits of the flesh in themselves and begins to constantly restore the glorious image of when God created us. I thank God in my heart every time I see each of you grow, and I give glory to God. I just hope that God's will will be accomplished, and don't just forget about it after reading the Lord's Prayer. God's will must be accomplished. This is what I ask and think!

Now give our God a round of applause. Our God will reveal his truth to us in this generation, so that we can understand the Acts of the Apostles and let us know that the real revival is a down-to-earth revival in which God's will is satisfied. Thank God! I think this may be the first time in history to investigate the fifth chapter of Acts of the Apostles in this way, maybe the second or third time, but not many people say it this way. I really thank God for revealing his word to us, so that we can understand God's will and let him be glorified among us. Amen!