SCRIPTURE: ACTS 5
ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA (vs. 1-11)
Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property with his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostle’s feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?” Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to god.” (v. 3-4)/ When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” (v. 7) “Yes, that is the price”, she said. Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirt of the Lord? ‘Look’, The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” (v. 9). At that moment, she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church who heard about these events.
THE APOSTLES HEAL MANY (VS. 12-16)
The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.
THE APOSTLES PERSECUTED (vs. 17-42)
The high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees were jealous. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. He said, “Go, stand in the temple courts, and tell the people the full message of this new life.” (v. 20). At daybreak they entered the temple courts and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin – the full assembly of the elders of Israel – and sent the apostles to jail. But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this.
Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” (v. 25) At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”: (v. 28). Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead – whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him” (vs. 29-32)
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. TheN he addressed them. “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt . He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose of activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men;; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (vs. 35-39)
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”
THOUGHTS:
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was lying to God and God’s people, saying they gave the whole amount but holding back some for themselves and trying to make themselves appear more generous than they really were. This act was judged harshly because dishonesty, greed and covetousness are destructive in a church. When we try to deceive God and his people about our relationship with him, we destroy our testimony for Christ.
The apostles had the power to do miracles, great boldness in preaching and God’s presence in their lives. But they were not free from hatred and persecution. They were arrested, put in jail, beaten and slandered by community leaders. Do not expect everyone to react favorably when you share your faith in Christ. Some will be jealous, afraid or threatened. Expect some negative reactions and remember that it is more important to serve God than about the reactions of people.
After the apostles were arrested, jailed and miraculously released, they went back to preach with God’s power working through them. We may not be beaten or thrown in jail, but we may be ridiculed, ostracized or slandered. To what extent are you willing to suffer for the sake of sharing the Good news with others?
The apostle chose to obey God rather than men. When you are in a situation where you cannot obey both God and people, what will you choose?
The apostles continued to teach and proclaim the good news day after day in the temple courts and from house to house. Today, we can use Home Bible studies to introduce new people to the Christian faith. This is a good approach to pass on Bible knowledge and build up believers in Christ.