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| Chapter 5 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession 2 and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 While 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." 5 And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and gave up the ghost. And great fear came on all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, and carried him out and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours later when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter said unto her, "Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?" And she said, "Yea, for so much." 9 Then Peter said unto her, "How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried thy husband are at the door and shall carry thee out." 10 Then she fell 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. 11 And great fear came upon all the church and upon as many as heard these things. 12 ¶ And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. 13 But of the rest, no man dared join himself to them, but the people magnified them. 14 And more believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, 15 insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks and those who were vexed with unclean spirits; and they were healed, every one. 17 ¶ Then the high priest rose up and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees); and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth and said, 20 "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life." 21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together with all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came and found them not in the prison, they returned and reported, saying, 23 "The prison truly found we shut with all safety and the keepers standing outside before the doors; but when we had opened them, we found no man within." 24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they were in doubt about them as to where this would grow. 25 Then there came one and told them, saying, "Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people." 26 ¶ Then the captain went with his officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, "Did not we strictly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us." 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, "We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to those who obey Him." 33 When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them. 34 Then there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law held in high repute among all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside a little while. 35 And he said unto them, "Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do concerning these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, boasting himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and brought to nought. 37 After this man, rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 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; 39 but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest it may happen ye be found even to fight against God." 40 And with him they agreed. And when they had called the apostles back and had beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. |
The free and selfless giving of Barnabas in Chapter 4 now turns to the selfishness, pretending or hypocrisy of the giving of Ananias and Sapphira. Luke does not record why the couple wanted to sell their property but from the events of the record we can guess that they were envious, desired the churches thanks to the giving by Barnabas. They may have felt that they should also get "a pat on the back," pride was involved. Was it wrong for them to sell their property and only give part of the money to the church? No, but they lied about what they were giving, saying that it was all the money, they pretended to be very generous, open handed in their giving by saying that it was all the money. Let us examine the events as recorded by Luke. v1,2 Both Ananias and Sapphire were together and in agreement in what they were doing. Ananias brings the gift and lays it at the feet of the apostle Peter’s feet. Luke does not record the actual words of Ananias but from Peter’s response it must have been something like "we sold this land and here is all the money." v3,4 God had revealed to Peter the truth. Ananias has the appearance of a selfless giver, but this is a lie and false behaviour in front of the church. Peter challenges Ananias, "why has Satan led you away? you had the land, it was yours to do with what ever you wanted, when you sold the land you were still able to use the money as you wanted. You did not lie only to the church but to the Holy Spirit, to God." v5,6 The judgement of God is swift, death for Ananias is immediate. He is buried. v7 Three hours later Sapphira enters the building, possibly looking for her husband. v8-11 Peter questions her, she has a chance to tell the truth but does not do so. Repeating the lie Peter tells her that she has lied to God and your punishment awaits you. Death follows immediately. Why was God so severe in His actions? The lie was planned , premeditated, not an innocent mistake. The aim of Ananias, with Sapphira was to get glory for themselves and once they were found out were not willing to tell the truth. Pride was the desire of their heart. God has taught the church of those days and the church today how serious He considers hypocrisy, pretending to be something you are not. Rom 12:1-9. We should all examine our reasons for doing something, our motives. Is pride and self glory involved in your work for your church? Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23,24. v11-14 The result. Believers were added to the Lord, many were healed showing that the Holy Spirit was very present and active. As a result the message spreads out from Jerusalem to the area. The High priest and supporters were angry and jealous as the people accepted the new teachings, so they again arrested the apostles, putting them in prison. But God was in control, and sends an angel to release them. The angel tells them to go and preach in the temple, not hide but spread the Words of Life. Going by the following verses the apostles must have been taken out of the prison in a supernatural way, the guards were still present and did not see anything. v21-25 The next morning the High Priest officers went to get the prisoners for the trial, surprised they found the guards still on duty but the prison empty. How? The High Priest and others, on hearing of this event, were wondering what was going to happen. Then they are told that the apostles were openly preaching in the temple. The disciples must have been preaching with even more authority, they had just felt the authority and power of God working through Christ not even prison bars can hold the message up or block God’s power. v26 Quietly, to prevent problems with the people, the captain of the temple brings the apostles before the Council. v27,28 Possibly with some fear the High Priest challenges the apostles, "We gave orders for you not to preach in the name of Jesus, you have filled Jerusalem with the teaching and now accuse us of His death." v29-32 Peter and the others now respond, "We must obey God rather than men. " Determined to obey God allowed the Spirit to work through them. The Council were challenged that they killed God’s Son Jesus, but God raised Him again and is now sitting at the right hand of God. v33-40 The Council members are very hurt by this accusation, they plan to kill the apostles. But God overrules in an interesting way, He uses one of the council, Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, an unbeliever, to speak His message to the Council. He lists some previous uprisings, which being of man soon faded away. He then tells them to leave these men alone, if it is of man then it will fail as the others, if it is of God then you will never win and it will mean that you will be fighting God. v40 Unwillingly they accept his point. The disciples are then beaten and told once again not to preach in the name of Jesus. v41,42 They depart with joy, giving praise to God for being worthy of suffering for their Saviour. The message of Life continued to spread, Jesus is Lord of all situations. If we are in God’s will then we may suffer for Him, but God will always turn your suffering into glory for Him and a triumph for us. |
Easy English Translation
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