Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

Acts 5

Lying to the Holy Spirit

 Acts 5:¹ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.

• “Ananias” Hebrew meaning = “whom Jehovah has graciously given”
• “Sapphira” Hebrew meaning = “sapir, meaning gem or jewel (English: sapphire)”

Acts 5:² And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

• What are you holding back from God?
  • If He wanted all your money would you give it to Him?
  • If He wanted your life would you give it to Him?
  • If He wanted your family, like Abraham’s son, would you give them to Him?
  • If He wanted all your time, would you give it to Him?
  • If He wanted your addictions, would you give them to Him?
  • If He wanted your reputation, would you give it to Him?

• Remember Peter’s words: John 6:68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom (else) shall we go? You (alone) have the words of eternal life.”

Acts 5:³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?

Acts 5:⁴ While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Acts 5:⁵ Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.

Acts 5:⁶ And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

Acts 5:⁷ Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

Acts 5:⁸ And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”

She said, “Yes, for so much.”

Acts 5:⁹ Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

He lied. She lied. They died. Now he is lying and she is lying. They lie together in their grave.

The “Spirit of the Lord” is a “Spear and a Sword”
Exposing the Conscience to the “Fear of God’s Word”.

Acts 5:¹⁰ Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.

Acts 5:¹¹ So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Continuing Power in the Church

Acts 5:¹² And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.

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• Humor:
  
  The apostles steered unbelievers to the gospel; driving a convert-ible; all being in one Accord, just as they auto.

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Acts 5:¹³ Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

• The fear of the leaders.

Acts 5:¹⁴ And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

Acts 5:¹⁵ so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.

Acts 5:¹⁶ Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

Acts 5:¹⁷ 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 (jealousy),

• The sect of the Sadducees did not believe in life after death. This belief separated the Sadducees from the Pharisees and caused enmity between the two divisions. Similar to the Republications and Democrats in the American government.
• The apostles were preaching about a man who rose from the dead; in His Name people were healed.

Acts 5:¹⁸ and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.

• The High Priest and Sadducees laid their hands on the apostles to imprison them.
• The apostles laid their hands on the people to free them from their imprisonment of disease.
• The former is Satan’s death. The latter is God’s life.

Acts 5:¹⁹ But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,

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

Acts 5:²¹ And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council (Sanhedrin) together, with all the (council of elders, Senate) elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Apostles on Trial Again

• To be “on trial” means the presence of an accuser and a prosecutor – both of which are Satan. “Satan” means “The Accuser”.

Acts 5:²² But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported,

Acts 5:²³ saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”

Acts 5:²⁴ Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.

Acts 5:²⁵ So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

Acts 5:²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

• Fear of the people.

Acts 5:²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,

Acts 5:²⁸ saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

• The apostles boldly taught that it was the leaders who crucified their Messiah. The irony is that they themselves brought “This Man’s blood” on them.

Acts 5:²⁹ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.

Acts 5:³¹ Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 5:³² And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Advice

Acts 5:³³ When they heard this, they were furious (cut to the quick) and plotted to kill them.

• They had a choice. They could have become believers instead of continuing to be conspirators of murder.

Acts 5:³⁴ Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.

• The Gamaliel Principle: Wait to see if this is from God so that you are not fighting against God.
• Or, give them time to hang themselves if given enough rope.
• But is this policy the wisest one to follow, whether in religion or in political life?
  • “Every lover of truth will promptly investigate its claims if it has any worthy of attention, and decide without reference to public opinion or probable success.” J. W. McGarvey (1892)
• The Pharisees were the politicians, lawyers, and leaders of their day. All decisions were made by the public opinions of power.

• SEE TOPIC: WHAT IS A CULT?
  • Cults are not just religions. A “Cult” is a mind set in an individual who fears rejection.
    These are prey for false teachers who put them in danger of physical and spiritual death.

Acts 5:³⁵ And he said to them: “Men of Israel, (be careful) take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.

Acts 5:³⁶ For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, (followed) joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.

• The Hebrew meaning of the name of Theudas is “God-given”

Acts 5:³⁷ After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census (~6 AD), and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.

• This is not the census at the birth of Jesus. Herod Archelaus was disposed by Rome and replaced by governor Coponius who ordered the census resulting in a large rebellion.
• According to Matthew 2:²² Herod Archelaus was reigning in Judea when Joseph and Mary returned from Egypt causing Joseph to turn aside and go into the region of Galilee.

Acts 5:³⁸ And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;

Acts 5:³⁹ but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

Acts 5:⁴⁰ And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Acts 5:⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name (HIS name; the name of Jesus).

Acts 5:⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

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• Humor:
  
  T-each-ing and Pr-each-ing is for -each- of us.

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