Acts 5: 1-11 Lessons about Holy Fear - Lying to the Holy Spirit
Many of the believers had been sharing their possession with all the believers so that no one went without (Acts 2: 44/45; Acts 4:36)
Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property but held back part of the proceeds. They were not admonished for keeping any of the money but for misrepresenting their gift to the community of believers in order to make themselves look good. Sometimes the church becomes a place for people like Ananias and Sapphira to see the assembly as an opportunity to attract applause for their good deeds and benevolence.
I thought it was fitting that Peter asked Ananias "how is it that Satan has so filled you heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit...." We are called to be "filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5) which we can only be through humbled submission to Him and through our obedience. If we are not obedient to the Holy Spirit that means we are not filled with Him but filled with self and the things of the flesh.
God would not tolerate such opportunists in the fledgling early Church. Vs 11 "Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events". We should not be afraid of God but we should have reverential fear knowing that He IS God! We are to serve Him and the Church; not manipulate the Church to meet our needs. Acts 5:11 is the first time the word "church' appears.
Acts 5:12-16 The Apostles Heal Many
vs 12 "The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people.
- vs 14 more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number
- vs 15-16 "as a result" people brought their sick so "at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by". Crowds gathered from the towns around Jerusalem bringing their sick and tormented and all of them were healed.
These "miracles and signs" confirmed the truth of the apostles teaching and demonstrated that the power of the messiah who had been crucified and risen was now with his followers.
Acts 5:17- Apostles released from jail - God's in control not man
The apostles were jailed because of the jealousy of the Sadducees. During the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out and were instructed to "tell the people the full message of this new life."
The authorities were shocked to find the jail securely locked with the guards standing at the doors and no one inside. The Apostles were called to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest and to give an account of why they ignored their "strict orders not to teach in this name". Here's the real accusation: "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." [The actions by the religious leaders were driven out of guilt and arrogance!]
Their response: "We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."
[The Holy Spirit is a witness to Christ and to His resurrection which is what He testifies and witnesses to our hearts!]
The religious leaders were ready to put them to death but a Pharisee named Gammaliel came to their defense. After giving several examples of men who were killed in leading a revolt and their followers scattered and their cause came to nothing; he said this "Therefore, in the present case I advise you leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or 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.
The apostles were flogged and let go and ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus.
The apostles didn't leave discouraged or with their tails between their legs. We are told they left "rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." As a result, they were infused with boldness and "day after day" they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. They met in the Temple courts and from house to house! [They were the first street preachers and door to door witnesses]
Many of the believers had been sharing their possession with all the believers so that no one went without (Acts 2: 44/45; Acts 4:36)
Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property but held back part of the proceeds. They were not admonished for keeping any of the money but for misrepresenting their gift to the community of believers in order to make themselves look good. Sometimes the church becomes a place for people like Ananias and Sapphira to see the assembly as an opportunity to attract applause for their good deeds and benevolence.
I thought it was fitting that Peter asked Ananias "how is it that Satan has so filled you heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit...." We are called to be "filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5) which we can only be through humbled submission to Him and through our obedience. If we are not obedient to the Holy Spirit that means we are not filled with Him but filled with self and the things of the flesh.
God would not tolerate such opportunists in the fledgling early Church. Vs 11 "Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events". We should not be afraid of God but we should have reverential fear knowing that He IS God! We are to serve Him and the Church; not manipulate the Church to meet our needs. Acts 5:11 is the first time the word "church' appears.
Acts 5:12-16 The Apostles Heal Many
vs 12 "The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people.
- vs 14 more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number
- vs 15-16 "as a result" people brought their sick so "at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by". Crowds gathered from the towns around Jerusalem bringing their sick and tormented and all of them were healed.
These "miracles and signs" confirmed the truth of the apostles teaching and demonstrated that the power of the messiah who had been crucified and risen was now with his followers.
Acts 5:17- Apostles released from jail - God's in control not man
The apostles were jailed because of the jealousy of the Sadducees. During the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out and were instructed to "tell the people the full message of this new life."
The authorities were shocked to find the jail securely locked with the guards standing at the doors and no one inside. The Apostles were called to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest and to give an account of why they ignored their "strict orders not to teach in this name". Here's the real accusation: "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." [The actions by the religious leaders were driven out of guilt and arrogance!]
Their response: "We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."
[The Holy Spirit is a witness to Christ and to His resurrection which is what He testifies and witnesses to our hearts!]
The religious leaders were ready to put them to death but a Pharisee named Gammaliel came to their defense. After giving several examples of men who were killed in leading a revolt and their followers scattered and their cause came to nothing; he said this "Therefore, in the present case I advise you leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or 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.
The apostles were flogged and let go and ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus.
The apostles didn't leave discouraged or with their tails between their legs. We are told they left "rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." As a result, they were infused with boldness and "day after day" they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. They met in the Temple courts and from house to house! [They were the first street preachers and door to door witnesses]