5:1-11
This story presents a contrast to the story of Barnabas that ends chapter 4. Read the two together to get the maximum impact of the contrast. Notice that 5:1 starts with the word “but” to put Ananias in contrast with Barnabas and others mentioned in chapter 4.
As Barnabas did, this couple sold a piece of property they owned. But, whereas Barnabas (and others) brought all of the proceeds to the apostles, Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, decided to hold some back from themselves. The rest they brought and laid at the apostles’ feet, as Barnabas had done. By doing this the way Barnabas did, they made it look like they contributed all of the money they received. So we see that they wanted to look as generous and spiritual as Barnabas, but they did not want to be that generous or spiritual.
There is a connection here to the story of Achan in Joshua 7. After the defeat of Jericho, Achan took items that were devoted to the Lord. It caused Israel to be defeated in the next battle. When Achan was found out, he was killed according to God’s order. Then Israel resumed their progress into Canaan victoriously. The Greek word translated “kept back” in Acts 5:1 is the same word used in the Greek translation of Joshua 7:1, where it says Israel “broke faith” with God by keeping some of the devoted things.
Israel was just coming into its own, conquering Canaan in the power of the Lord, when this happened in Joshua. In Acts 5, the church is just beginning to spread across the world in the power of the Holy Spirit. In both cases, God acted to preserve the sanctity of his people.
Evidently, the Holy Spirit revealed the lie to Peter. And Peter confronted Ananias. He asked him why Satan had filled his heart, how Ananias had allowed Satan to fill his heart, to lie to the Holy Spirit. (3)
We know from the Bible that Satan lies and motivates people to lie. It is part of his nature. Jesus said Satan lies out of his own character for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44) He has nothing to do with the truth and their is no truth in him. We see this in the beginning, as Satan lied to Eve about what God said and what God would do in response to Eve’s disobedience. (Genesis 3:1-7) We also know that Satan wants to destroy believers. He is our adversary. He prowls around like a lion seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
We are to resist Satan and stay firm in our faith. (1 Peter 5:9) We know that Jesus is the truth. (John 14:6). We know that God does not want us to lie. (Leviticus 19:11; Colossians 3:9)
But Ananias and Sapphira did not resist Satan, they gave in to him. Peter said they lied to the Holy Spirit. All sins are ultimately against God. Notice that it was not the withholding of the money that was a sin. Peter pointed out that the property belonged to them, that the sales proceeds also belonged to them. The sin was the lie, the pretense of giving all of the money sacrificially when they had not.
The result of this sin was death. Both Ananias and Sapphira fell down dead when confronted with their lie. This caused a great fear to come upon the whole church. (11)
The emphasis here is on the reality that the Holy Spirit dwells in, and is present with, the church. The Holy Spirit works to protect the church, but also to sanctify it, which is what he does here. Paul taught this truth to the Corinthians. He wrote “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you If anyone destroyed God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) In that case, the Corinthians were destroying the church with their division. Annanias and Sapphira harmed the church with their hypocrisy. Ultimately, God will destroy the one who empowers all of this harm to the church, Satan.
Most of us have tried to look holier than we were at some point. We may even have lied about it. God sees that as a lying to him and he obviously takes it seriously. Fortunately, God has not struck us dead. But, that should only make us grateful for his grace. It should not make us lessen our reverence for God, his holiness, and his power.
Signs and Wonders
5:12-16
The Holy Spirit continued to work miraculously through the apostles. They gathered regularly at the Temple in Solomon’s Portico. Non-believers were afraid to join them, but held them in high esteem for their character and Godliness. (13) People continued to be saved. (14) Peter, in particular, was used by the Spirit to heal people. Since there were not many ways to cure sicknesses in those days, people came in great numbers, bring the sick for him to heal. Even people from towns outside of Jerusalem brought their sick for healing.
The power of the Holy Spirit working in Peter to heal people showed him to be a man who knew God and was approved by him. The made them listen to Peter preach and, in many cases, to believe what he said as the word of God.
The Second Arrest
5:17-42
The Sadducees were the ruling party of the Jews and the Temple at the time, and they were jealous of the attention given to the apostles. They arrested the apostles again and put them in prison, this time the public prison with criminals. This was evidently all 12 of the apostles, not just Peter and John. But God had other plans. He sent an angel to open the prison doors. He told them to go back into the temple and preach the gospel (“the words of this Life”). The apostles obeyed.
The high priest called the council, or Sanhedrin, together, plus other rulers of the people, called the Senate. This indicates they were very serious. But they found the apostles gone from prison, even thought the doors were locked and the guards present. (22-23) This caused them to be greatly perplexed, but not to believe.
When the apostles were discovered preaching, they were brought before the council. (27) We see here that the apostles did not obey the rulers when they were told not to preach. That is because God told them to preach. But they did not resist when summoned before the council. They obeyed authority when it did not conflict with God. This principle applies to us today also.
I love the charge made by the council, which turned out to be a compliment. they said the apostles had filled Jerusalem with their teaching. I would love to accused of filling my city with my teaching about Jesus.
When the council accused the apostles of violating their earlier order not to teach in Jesus’ name, they again answered that they must obey God rather than men. (29) They did not back down. They also went on to preach the gospel to their accusers. Peter used the same themes as before. He said the Jews killed Jesus, but God raised him from death and exalted him to his right hand as Leader\Prince and Savior. (31) He was again referring to Psalm 110:1-2 (“The LORD says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”) He was saying Jesus was the one the Father exalted to his right hand as foretold in the Psalm. He reiterated that the apostles were witnesses of these things.
This enraged the council to the point of murder. (33) Again God acted to protect the apostles. One of the Pharisees on the council, Gamaliel, gave them better advice. He pointed out that others had come and gone without upending the religious and political struggle. He advised them to leave the men alone because they would fail if their mission was of men. But, if it was of God, they would not prevail against them and might even be found to oppose God, which would be deadly. The council took his advice. (39)
Gamaliel was a very respected rabbi and teacher of the law. He had a great pedigree. His grandfather was Hillel, another great teacher. Gamaliel had a famous student also, a young man named Saul, who became a persecutor of the church until he was converted. (Acts 22:3)
The council did not leave the apostles alone completely. They beat them and ordered them not to speak in Jesus’ name before they let them go. (40)
How did the apostles react? They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name. And, they kept preaching and teaching both in the temple and in houses. (42)
Be bold in witness! Be truthful in all things. And rely upon the Holy Spirit.
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