All the believers were united in heart and mind

Biblical Stewardship

Acts 4:23–37 NLT

23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— 25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? 26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ 27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. 32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. 36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

Acts 5:1–11 KJV

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, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles 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 them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered 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 them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she 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.

New Testament Model: Devoted to the Apostles Teaching, Devoted to fellowship, Devoted to sharing Meals including Communion & Devoted to Prayer

New Living Translation Chapter 2

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper*), and to prayer.

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

Results of this Model: A deep sense of holy awed swept over everyone

Or “Fear [of God] came upon every person.”

The Passion Translation Chapter 2

the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders

Acts 2:44 TPT

44 All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had.

Chapter 3 Has A Turn, A crippled man is healed And Peter gets to preach to unbelievers

Chapter 4 Peter and John are arrested for healing the crippled man

The Passion Translation Chapter 4

The Church Prays

23 As soon as they were released from custody, Peter and John went to the other believers and explained all that had happened with the high priest and the elders. 24 When the believers heard their report, they raised their voices in unity and prayed, “Lord Yahweh,d you are the Lord of all! You created the universe—the earth, the sky, the sea, and everything that is in them.e 25 And you spoke by the Holy Spirit through your servant David, our forefather, saying:

So now The Church has expanded and is experiencing growth & momentum. And that brings us to Chapter 5

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 5

5:1–11 The account of Ananias and Sapphira is full of ironic and sad twists. The story demonstrates how seriously people should take their commitments before God.

Questions To Answer As A Group:

In detail what was the Sin Ananias And Sapphira committed?

2. In your opinion how did Satan fill their hart, and what advice would you give a believer today concerning this type of temptation? (below is helpful information)

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 1

being tempted by Satan Satan is called the devil in the other Gospel accounts of this event (Matt 4:1; Luke 4:2). In the OT, Satan is portrayed as an accuser and as a figure who is part of God’s council operating in a limited role (see Job 1:6 and note; Zech 3:2). By the time of Mark’s Gospel, Satan is understood as a renegade spiritual figure who is openly opposing God’s will and has considerable evil power in the present age (2 Cor 4:4)

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 6

stratagems of the devil Refers to the devil’s efforts to disrupt the Church. Paul may have in mind the divisions and false teachings he mentions earlier in the letter (e.g., Eph 4:14, 22, 31; 5:6; compare 2 Cor 2:11). Paul’s use of the Greek word methodeia suggests that the devil is cunning and uses deception to advance his evil purposes (2 Cor 11:3).

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 5)

5:8 Your adversary the devil The NT uses both “Satan” and “devil” as terms for the chief figure of evil in the Bible. The Hebrew term satan used in the OT means “adversary” (e.g., Job 1:6, 12; 2:1; Zech 3:1–2).Satan in the Old Testament and the Serpent of Genesis 3 a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour Peter alerts his audience to the devil’s constant threat to the people of God (compare 2 Cor 2:11).

3.) How Does the Holy Spirit fit into this Story?

4. ) In reading what Peter said to Ananias, What would have been the biblical solution to what the couple should have done concerning blessing the Ministry?

5.) How does this story relate to Stewardship?

6.) What made the Church fearful back then? & What makes today’s church less fearful?