ACTS  5

1 Now a man named Ananias together with his wife Sapphira also sold a piece of property.

2 With his wifes full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought thhe rest and put it at the apostles feet.

3 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 ?

4 Didnt it belong to you before it was sold ? And after it was sold, wasnt the money at your disposal ? What made9 Peter said to her you think of such a thing ? You have not lied to men but to God.

5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.

6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up the body, and carried him out and buried him.

7 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?

8 Yes she said that is the price.

 9 Peter said to her How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door and they will carry you out also.

10 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.

11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these events.

12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders, among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomons Colonade.

13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.

14 Nevertheless more nand more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

15 As a result people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peters shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.

16 Crowds gathered also from towns around Jerusalem bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

17 Then the high priest  and all his associates who were members of the party of the Sadducees were filled with jealousy.

 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

19 But during the night a angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.

20 Go stand in the temple courts he said and tell the people the full message of this new life.

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts as they had been told and began to teach the people. When the High Priest  arrived they call together the Sanhedrin, the full assembly of the elders of Israel and sent to the jail for the apostles.

22 But on arriveing at the jail the officers did not find them there.

23 So they went back and reported we found the jail securely locked with a guard standing at the doors but when we opened them we found no one inside.

24 On hearing this report the captain of the temple guard and the chief priest were puzzled wondering what would come of this.

 25 Then someone came and said look the men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.

26 At that the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force because they feared the people would stone them.

27 Having brought the apostles they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.

28 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 mans blood.

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: We must obey God  rather than man.

30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead, whom you had killed by hanging Himon a tree.

31 God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

32 We are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, Whom God has given to those who obey Him.

 33  When they heard this they were furious and wanted to put them to death.

34 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 while.

35 Then he addressed them, Men of Israel consider carefully what you intend to do these men.

36 Some time ago, Theudas  appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men ralied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

 37 After him Judas the Galilean, appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He to was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

38 Therefore in this case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.

39 But if it is from God you will not be able to stop these men; you will monly find yourselves fighting against God.

40 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.

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name.

42 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.

Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. Acts 5:20

 And if any man shall take away  from the words of the book of this prophecy. God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:19

OLD TESTAMENT JUSTICE

THOMAS J. GRACE

1 Ananias and Sapphira just as Barnabas and many others, Ananias and his wife sell some land but they both decide to deduct some of the money before the go to the apostles.  2 There was no forced giving and people acted freely to contribute whatever they could. They both choose to lie to the apostles about the money.

      3 Suddenly Peter diserns Satan has filled your heart  Ananias, Peter had not said this about anyone in the Sanhedrin that had arrested him, and crucified Christ. But this man who is making a contribution he tells you have lied to the Holy Spirit. 4 Peter explains the terms of the sale and his rightful possession of the money  belongs to Ananias and his wife to do with as he pleases, he doesnot demand the full ammount be brought in. He tells Ananias you have lied to God. Peter does not command his death. 5 Ananias without speaking a word in defence or being able to correct his mistake falls down and dies. No confession or repentance was possible while the sentence was carried out immediately.

     Satan had filled his heart we see greed instead of honesty in dealing with this money as the reason for holding back some of the money. Satan must have been active in other plans and works of this man and his wife.  A great fear has siezed all who heard of this and no one spoke to his wife. 6 He is taken out and buried very quickly, before his wife knows he is dead, he is buried without his family seeing him. This suggest that Peter already knows of the wifes fate. 

     7 Three hours later Sapphira arrives no one had spoken to her about her husbands death, Peter does not tell her your husband has died.  8 Peter asked her about the land price she now has a chance to tell the truth but she agrees with the story her husband had told, we are not told why they did not come in together to give the money to the apostles. 9 You have tested the Spirit of God this is a new term tested not sin or transgressions this shows a new sin action against the Holy Spirit which before this time may not have been possible until the day of Pentecost.  Deuteronomy 6: 15,16 For the Lord your God who is among you, is a jealous God and His anger will burn against you,  and He will destroy you from the face of the land. Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah. Peter tells her see the men who buried your husband now she knows he is dead they are back on time to bury you. 10 She falls down and dies and is taken away to be buried beside her husband.

     11 Great fear siezed the whole church but no one leaves the church. I will examine several other acts of Gods justice and quick action to punish those who have disobeyed and sinned against God. First I am reminded of the two sons of Aaron Leviticus 10:1,2 Aarons sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers put fire in them and added incense, and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. These men did not even get to speak to Moses or their father Aaron as they disobeyed God and died instantly. In the wilderness Korah led a rebellion against Moses and he and all his followers were judged by God Numbers 16:32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them with their households and all Korahs men and all their possessions . Numbers 16:48 ,49 continues He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah. Here Moses was able to intervene for the larger population to stop the plague, while Korahs family could not be spared because of their rebellion. 

      In the days of King Jehosphaphat the army of Moab was ready to attack Jerusalem they were greatly outnumbered but they sought the Lord in prayer and were answered 2 Chronicles 20: 15 For the battle is not yours but Gods. The next morning as the men of Judah went to the battlefield singing and praiseing God they saw the results of what God had done for them 2 Chronicles 20:24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground no one had escaped. Each time we see God act quickly to bring justice to the offense committed against Himself. Whether by two men or thousands, by His own priest, His own people or by foriegners Gods justice remains the same. 

     God has not acted against the members of the Sanhedrin which were responsible for the death of Christ, but sees a danger in Ananias which can not be allowed to repeat itself. Now let us return to Peters problem and remember the battle belongs to the Lord. Peter told Ananias Satan has filled your heart, we do remember what was said about Judas Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot one of the twelve. Suddenly we see the danger that is approaching as we look at both men being filled with Satan. The same greed in Judas was evident in both Ananias and Sapphira it is possible that they were already being paid by members of the Sanhedrin for information about the apostles that might convict them. Ananias might have become the false witness that testifies against the apostles in the next trial.  Why would a greedy person make a large donation to the apostles, maybe he believed this would bring him into the apostles private meetings where he could gather more important information which would be sold at a higher price to the Sanhedrin. Certainly we can understand how dangerous this would be for the apostles and the church. God could not allow Ananias and the high priest to be partners in the destruction of the church.

     We hear of great fear in and out of the church outsiders stayed away because they feared man and insiders came in because they feared God. No one is said to be leaveing the church or protesting Peter for his part in this action against Ananias and Sapphira. Lets briefly learn about the fear of God, we think of fear and punishment but Gods word explains it differently. Deuteronomy 6:3 Hear O Israel and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in the land flowing with milk and honey just as the Lord The God  of your fathers promised you. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and disipline.  Psalm 34:9 Fear the Lord you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. Revelation 14:7 He said in a loud voice. Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgement has come. Now we understand fear as a rewarder a provider and protector for those who fear God.

     12 The apostles are not afraid to teach and perform many signs and wonders in in the most public areas right outside the temple in full view of the Sanhedrin who could watch and hear all they said and did. They had nothing to hide and Gods power was greater than before. 13 No one else would join them as a non believer spy or trouble maker to act against the apostles they all understood the punishment of Ananias and Sapphira. 14 Men and women were added to the church as they believed in the Lord Jesus as their Savior.

     15 People are now staying in the streets waiting for Peter to pass by even his shadow on the sick person would cause healing. 16 People are now coming to Jerusalem from other towns with their sick family members, friends and neighbors so that God will heal them. What began as meetings from house to house and at Solomons Colonade has now filled every street in Jerusalem with people Praiseing God in the name of Jesus Christ.  Healed people would stand and testify what God has done and the word spread into every home in every town as they returned home bringing more people from every town to Jerusalem. We are not told how long this revival goes on but we know  it has spread far and fast and all who came were healed. Day and night people are out in the streets and outside the temple worshiping Jesus, believeing Him for their salvation and eternal life.

     What is happening inside the temple as the high priest and the Sanhedrin see and hear what God is doing in their city. As they hear of the miracles that God is doing and all the people God has helped they will plan to arrest those apostles who they see as the leaders of this group. 17 The High Priest and all the Sadducces were filled with jealousy no crowd like this had ever come to hear them not even on the feast or Holy days did such large crowds come to Jerusalem. Now the city was full and the temple was empty and they feared this could become permanent. They had already warned the people to stay away from the apostles or they would be thrown out of the temple and they did not obey.

     18 They arrested the apostles to find them they must have searched the city and saw and heard many people testify what God was doing. Maybe they were a block behind Peter following him and saw people rise from the streets healed of many diseases. They heard people praise God and saw signs and wonders in the streets as they rushed to arrest the apostles.

     19 A angel appears to open the jail doors and release the apostles. There might have been a plan to murder them in the jail without a trial. 20 They are told to go to the temple courts and continue to teach in the name of Jesus. They are not sent away from the trial that will soon begin and could result in a death penalty. 21 In the morning they go to the temple courts and teach about Jesus they must have been recognized as the same men arrested the night before now here they have not fled and are doing the very same thing they were arrested for. They do not mention the angel here that helped them escape the jail and will not be asked how they were released from the jail by the Sanhedrin who do not believe in angels. The High Priest the Sanhedrin and all the elders gather together for the second trial.

     22 The officers dont find the apostles in the jail. 23 The jail was locked the guard was there but no one inside. 24 The captain of the guard and the chief priest were puzzled and wondered what would come of this. Should this doubt cause them to examine all the evidence and testimony they have heard about Jesus has God planted this puzzlement in their minds to allow them to reconsider their positions and acknowledge Jesus as their Savior before this trial begins. 25 The Sanhedrin is told where the apostles are they have a chance to say leave them alone but they choose to go and arrest them and bring them to the trial. 26 The captain and some officers bring the apostles in but dont use force because they feared the crowd or was it because they were already starting to believe the apostles more than the Sanhedrin.  The captain of the guard might not be concerned about the occurances in Jerusalem  but does have knowledge about the security of his own jail. If these men could somehow escape from his jail they might have some reason to believe God is with them and not with the high priest. Although being stoned was still a common practice as we will see other apostles being stoned we do not see any groups of Christian believers stoneing anyone.The apostles go with the guard peacefully and do nothing to cause trouble or bring harm to anyone.

     27 They are brought to the High Priest to be questioned. 28 We gave you strict orders not to teach in the name of Jesus. He wants them to know this is your second offense and we intend to be more strict with you at this time for disobeying us. You have filled Jerusalem with this teaching in his thinking this is all evidence against them instead of proof that they are correct. They must have been out in the streets and seen all those who are now believers in Christ. You are determined to make us guilty of this mans blood. That is the deal you made with Pilate when he would have released Jesus and you shouted Crucify Him.You also stated Matthew 27:25 All the people answered. Let His blood be on us and on our children. We are never told of the apostles calling the death of Christ a crime that must be punished in prison or even removal from the High Priest office or from the Sanhedrin.

     29 The apostles reply they do not fear speaking even though in this court you may be testifying against yourself. We must obey God not you. We have and will defy you. This statement would make them furious as they believe they would decide what God would have man say and do and believe. 30 The God of our fathers Peter is speaking to everyone there we all believe in the same God has raised  Jesus from the dead. Of course the Sadducces dont believe in the resurrection which was the stated reason for the first arrest. Whom you killed you can not repent until you face the truth about the death and resurrection of Christ, and recognize His position now at the right hand of God.  31 Only as Prince and Savior can their be repentance and forgiveness for our sins and only by His death and resurrection are they possible.

     32 We are witnesses and so is the Holy Spirit who God has given to those who obey Him. This would seem to not include the Sanhedrin who are being told that Gods Spirit is not with them.  33 In the King James is says 33 When they heard this they were cut to their heart as in Acts 2: 37 the crowd was pricked in their heart which caused belief and repentance. Was this the same opportunity given to the Sanhedrin by the Holy Spirit to repent and believe. We see their reaction is much different as it was clear they were furious and ready to put the apostles to death. the apostles were closer to death than ever before  but soon would be rescued by a very unlikely source Gamaliel.

     34 A teacher of the law and scholar Gamaliel addresses the court and ask that the apostles be put outside while he speaks. Paul might have been present with his teacher but does not agree with him and later pursues Christians to arrest them and put them to death a program that Gamaliel would not have approved of. 35 He states consider carefully what you are about to do. He sees they are about to act out in rage and put the apostles to death. 37, 38 He tells the court of two men Theudas and Judas the Galilean who made certain claims were where not completed and their followers faded away. 39  Had the Holy Spirit touched Gamaliels heart as he heard the testimony of the apostles was he actualy speaking Gods own words as he appealed for the apostles release. I advise you. Let them go. He would ask for no punishment for those who disobeyed the Sanhedrins direct orders and returned to accuse them of Christ death. If this is from God you may find yourselves fighting against God. Without stateing his own position Gamaliel has convinced the Sanhedrin to allow the apostles to fail on their own and not create new martyrs for this cause. We must believe that Paul a student of Gamaliel would visit his former teacher and share the the story of Jesus Christ with him and lead him to believe in him as Lord and Savior. 

     40 The apostles were called back in not know what Gamaliel had said to what they believed was going to be their guilty conviction and the sentence of death. They were flogged beaten and whipped and told not to speak in the name of Jesus again which they knew would not be obeyed. 41 They left happy that they were able to be punished for Jesus name as they knew of Gods rewards for such things. 42 In the temple courts where they had not been ordered to stay away they continued to teach about Jesus. And from house to house they taught that Jesus was Lord.

CHRIST LOVES YOU. AMEN. COME LORD JESUS