Written ~ 06-07-2024
Read Acts Chapter Five
Acts 5
For our study today we are going to back up to verses 4:32-37 to set the scene for the first story in chapter five.
Acts 4:32-37…
32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
As a community of new believers they sold everything they had so everyone could live without need. When they sold property, homes and other possessions, the people brought the money to the Apostles and it was distributed amongst everyone.
You might ask yourself what you can do today? What can you rid yourself of today to help further the Kingdom of God? Today’s society is so material focused, you are deemed successful by the number of possessions you have. But according to the Scriptures our treasures are stored in Heaven, we are to build up the Kingdom of God.
Ok… let’s look at the first story in today’s chapter. One of the lessons we need to understand is that we cannot fool God! He knows everything, He knows our hearts, He knows our thoughts…
Acts 5:1-11
1 “But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”
“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”
9 And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”
10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.”
Because of the severity of the punishment that came upon Ananias and Sapphira, I decided to consult the “Expositor’s Bible Commentary” to get a better understanding as to why it was necessary for this husband and wife to die for what they did…
- Ananias and Sapphira were severely dealt with because their act of pretended devotion was done voluntarily. In addition, the way Ananias and Sapphira attempted to reach their goals was so contradictorily opposed to the whole thrust of the Gospel that to allow it to go unchallenged would have set the entire mission of the church off course.
- Deceit is spiritually disastrous—a sin, whatever its supposed justification, that sours every personal relationship. Where there is even the suspicion of conscious misrepresentation and deception, trust is completely violated.
- “About three hours later” the tragic episode was repeated with Sapphira. Just as Ananias and his wife were united in their conspiracy, so they were united in the judgment that came upon them.
- While we may be thankful that judgment on deceit in the church is not now so swift and drastic, this incident stands as an indelible warning regarding the heinousness in God’s sight of deception in spiritual and personal matters.
Look at what verse 5:3 says…
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.”
We need to have a clear understanding that what Ananias and Sapphira did was a conscious decision and a deceitful action. Verse 5:4b says, “…How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!…” They did not have a healthy fear of the Lord when making their decision to lie about the money they made with the sell of their property. The price they paid was the ultimate judgement, God would not allow that kind of deceit to remain in the church, otherwise Satan’s foothold could deceive others into lying to the Lord.
- Note that Peter did not view the action of Ananias and Sapphira as merely incidental. He spoke of it as inspired by Satan and as a lie to both the Holy Spirit and God. (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
Should this story be an example for us today? I believe, yes. God cannot stand for deliberate sin. He will need to issue consequences to those kinds of actions. Ananias and Sapphira did not fear the Lord, they did not consider the consequence of their selfish decision. God’s judgement was swift in this case, it will be the same for us if we don’t adhere to the Word of God. I am not saying, do not misunderstand, I am not saying God will strike us dead when we sin, although He most certainly could… what I am saying is that there is a price we will pay for deliberately sinning against God. Having a healthy fear of the Lord keeps our hearts and minds in check! None of us like discipline, but if we are going to continue living in sin when we know it is going against what God wants for us, He will step in and deliver consequences. The following verses are just a few that talk about the fear of the Lord…
Psalm 34:9… “Fear the Lord, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need.”
Psalm 111:10… “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom.”
Proverbs 28:14… “Blessed are those who fear the Lord (or fear to do wrong), but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.”
Examine your heart today. What do you find yourself trying to hide from God? Are you living with deliberate sin? If you’re really not sure, ask God to reveal those things to you so they can be purged, then repent, turn away from that sinful behavior and allow God to fill you with His love and compassion.
In closing let’s go over the remaining part of Acts 5.
Verses 5:12-16 show the apostles teaching, preaching, performing many miraculous signs and wonders. Verse 5:14 says that crowds of both men and women believed and were coming to the Lord. But then we see the opposition the apostles come up against in verses 5:17-42.
Read that section carefully… there are so many wonderful things tucked away in these verses, look what happens after the apostles were arrested and thrown into jail…
Here are a few highlights…
- The Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out
- The apostles immediately began teaching – preaching the message of life!
- The Temple guard and leading priests were perplexed
- The high council reiterated their orders that the apostles were never again to teach in the Name of Jesus
- Peter responded, “We must obey God rather than any human authority…”
- The advice was given to leave the apostles alone
- If what they are doing is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. Instead you may find yourselves fighting against God!
- The apostles left the high council rejoicing (even after being flogged and told never to speak the Name of Jesus)
- The apostles continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”
It is the apostles example that we must follow. No matter the opposition, we are to carry on the message that Jesus is the Messiah. With the help of the Holy Spirit within us, we are to have this kind of boldness and confidence to stand before those who want to do us harm and continue to speak the Name of Jesus.
We have learned in this chapter what happens when we blatantly disobey God. We have also learned that when we obey the Word of God, powerful, wonderful things will happen!
Stand up for the Word of God. Rise up and take sin captive and get rid of it, throw it far from you. Turn your eyes to the One who saves. No matter the chains, no matter the “jail” you find yourself in, the Lord can release you!
Acts 5:41-42…
41 “The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name of Jesus. 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”
Let this be our prayer… that each day we lay down those things that are not pleasing to the Lord and lift up the Name of Jesus. Everywhere we go the message that Jesus is the Messiah should be on our tongues. Through our obedience to the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will do powerful things through us. Let’s go out into the world with the boldness the apostles had, let’s bring revival wherever we go.
Lord God don’t allow the fear of man be what governs our hearts. Father, by Your Holy Spirit help us fear You so we can better adhere to Your Word. Thank You for Your Son – Jesus. Thank You Jesus for saving me. Not my will but Your will be done…
~AMEN~