Acts 5

Power of the Spirit

Thank you guys, and thank you Kristi & Eloise for that wonderful music, but before we continue in our studies of the book of Acts tonight, please if you would:

“Join me in a word of prayer.”

Last week in our study of the book of Acts, we talked about Peter and John’s first arrest by the Jewish religious leaders, their explanation and defense of healing a man that was born lame, and how the Sanhedrin let them go after being unable to charge them with any kind of crime. We also discussed how the young Hebrew church reacted, and their prayer for boldness to proclaim the good news that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah of the Jewish people, and the introduction of Barnabas in the Bible. Tonight, we’re going to explore the supernatural power and ability Peter displayed, which was by the way given to him by the Holy Spirit, a second arrest of Peter and others, a miraculous escape from jail by the apostles, and yet another explanation they presented to the Jewish Sanhedrin. Tonight we’ll start by reading the first 11 verses of chapter 5 in Acts.

Read text:

As you recall, at the end of chapter 4, all the members of the young Hebrew church united together and helped each other in every way that seemed possible. From praying together constantly, sharing food and personal possessions with each other, and even selling their homes and land and contributing and sharing the proceeds with all the people in their group that were in need.

The account of Ananias and Sapphira is one of the most difficult biblical passages for Bible scholars and the layperson alike, to deal with in the book of Acts. The offense of the couple seems insignificant in contrast to other sins in which Jesus had quickly forgiven back in the four gospels. From all appearances, Barnabas and Ananias had done the same thing. Both sold a piece of property, and both brought the proceeds of the sale and delivered them to the apostles. The only difference might appear to be that Barnabas brought all he received from the sale, while Ananias held back some of the money for himself. What’s the big deal, right? But after reading the text, we see it was a huge deal at that particular point and time when God was changing dispensations. It’s definitely worth mentioning here, how much power the Holy Spirit had given Peter at this point in the founding of the new Hebrew church. The Spirit had given Peter the supernatural ability to know what was in a man’s mind and heart without knowing all the circumstances surrounding any particular event. And as we already know from John chapter 20 verse 23, Jesus had given the disciples the temporary power to forgive sins or to bring judgement on people. Verse 23 of John 20: (“23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”). This power was given to the apostles temporarily, until God had established this current age of grace we live in today. (This is the verse the Roman Catholic Church uses today for a Catholic Priest to be able to forgive sins through the confession of a believer.). And with that power of bringing judgement, Peter also had the power, through the Holy Spirit, to instill that judgement, which he showed by the of death Ananias and his wife Sapphira. Notice verses 3-6. (“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? 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.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.”) And the same thing happened to his wife Sapphira just three hours later.

Ananias was guilty of the double sins of dishonesty and deceit. He and his wife agreed to misrepresent the selling price of their property when reporting it to the church. It’s understandable to us today, that they might have wanted a good reputation and the respect of their friends, but instead of appearing to look good in the church, they were both put to death by the Holy Spirit immediately after Peter’s explanation that they had lied. They weren’t killed because they held out some of the money for themselves; that was their right. Instead, what they thought was a subtle attempt to make themselves look better than they were, was actually a lie to God.

Perhaps, the severity of the punishment of Ananias and Sapphira was the result of their being the first to break the unity within the early church. We really don’t know and God doesn’t choose to tell us in scripture. But throughout scripture, as God leads His people into new opportunities and a closer relationship with Him, those who are first to disobey are treated more harshly. This is just mere speculation however, like I said, the Bible doesn’t give us a reason for God’s action. A few examples of this speculation include:

• Na-dab and Abi-hu, two sons of Aaron who tried to make an offering of incense in a different manner than God had prescribed in Leviticus 10:1–2 ( “1 Then Na-dab and Abi-hu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.”)

• And Uz-zah, who touched the Ark of the Covenant against God’s instructions, even though he had the best of intentions as described in 2 Samuel 6:6–7 (“6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uz-zah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uz-zah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.”)

• Or A-chan, who stole and hid plunder after the fall of Jericho in Joshua chapter 7.

The church members became very fearful after hearing about what had happened. Look at verse 11, (“11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”) The situation was a classic example of what Paul would later teach us in Galatians chapter 6 verse 7. (“7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”) This story is a graphic reminder that there are no “little” sins. Sin is sin in the eyes of God. The apostle Paul says in Romans 6:23. (“23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”) Obviously Ananias and Sapphira didn’t have the gift of God. They weren’t true believers in Jesus.

As the story of Ananias and Sapphira spread throughout Jerusalem, the result, however tragic, was very beneficial. Although verse 13 says that no one else dared join the apostles and believers, the reference appears to be talking about those who might be joining merely out of curiosity or with less-than-total commitment. Because the very next verse clarifies that additional men and women continued to be added to their number. Notice verse 14. (“14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,”).

All of those in Jerusalem, and especially those who chose to believe that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah, were witnesses to incredible things. Numerous signs and wonders were performed by the apostles. Look at verse 12. (“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 Colunade.”) Many miracles, such as healing of the sick, and the casting out of evil spirits were performed. Notice verse 15. (“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.”) All of the healings that were being performed by the apostles, was just one of the clues of the great things God was working among His young Hebrew church. Many sick and tormented People began to flock in droves to Jerusalem as news spread of the many wonderful things taking place. And notice what scripture says, “they were all healed”. Look at verse 16. (“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.”)

The Sadducees weren’t happy that the apostles had ignored their warnings to quit talking about Jesus as stated back in chapter 4, so they had them arrested and jailed again. Notice verses 17 and 18. (“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, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.”) Clearly, God was at work among the apostles.

The apostles were supposed to be in jail overnight, but their sentence was cut short by an angel who released them. Notice verses 19 and 20. (“19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”) Rather than take the opportunity to hide or run away, the apostles followed the angel’s orders to go teach in the temple courts about Jesus and the gospel of the kingdom.

The truly miraculous aspect of the apostles’ prison break was that no one knew they were gone. The cells were still locked and the guards still at their posts. It wasn’t until the Sanhedrin had assembled the next morning and sent for the apostles that they were discovered missing. Someone finally had to tell the council that the apostles were teaching in the temple courts—one of the most public places in Jerusalem. Look at verse 25. (“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!”)

To avoid a potential riot by the people, the temple officers decided to use tact this time instead of force to summon the apostles before the Sanhedrin. Notice verse 26. (“26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.”) The high priest interrogated the apostles, wanting to know why they had ignored the previous warnings they received concerning the teaching about Jesus. Their answer was short and clear, and they followed it with a mini-sermon about the significance of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and how the Jewish leaders had contributed to Jesus’ death. Lets read verses 29-32 together. (“29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him, God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 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.”)

The apostle’s response angered the Sanhedrin to the point where its members wanted to kill the apostles. Notice verse 33. (“33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.”) But a cooler head prevailed. Ga-mal-iel, a highly respected rabbi, whom we’ll later find out, that Saul, later to be called the apostle Paul,studied under. He used logic, reason, and historical precedent to justify the release of the apostles once again, only this time after they had them flogged. The apostles claimed to be obeying God in verse 29, (“29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”), but Gamaliel advised his peers to wait and see if God really was behind all this. After all, two previous movements in Jerusalem had collapsed as quickly as they had gotten started as verses 35-39 tell us. (“35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago The-u-das rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 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; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”).

Gamaliel appears for the first time in the book of Acts without any introduction, but he was a significant person on the council. He was a Pharisee with a reputation for scholarship, wisdom, and moderation. And he wasn’t just scholarly; the people had a high regard for his opinion. He was a welcome model of reason and sanity in this emotionally charged situation.

Gamaliel’s words swayed the Sanhedrin, and though spoken by a non-believer in Jesus, the council proved to be prophetic for the whole book of Acts. He points out that if God is behind this movement, no one will be able to stop it. Sure enough, throughout the book of Acts no one, nor nothing, can stop the progress of the gospel, proving that this is indeed God’s work. Yet, though it was swayed, the council didn’t simply release the apostles this time.

Before letting them go—with additional orders not to talk about Jesus any more—the council had them flogged. See verse 40. (“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.”) But rather than being discouraged from pain and shame, the apostles rejoiced that they had been deemed worthy of suffering in the same way that Jesus had, other than having to die. Kind of like the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:10. Take a look at it. (“10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”) The apostles had the honor of being dishonored, and the grace to be disgraced and the mercy of not having to die.

As for the orders of the Sanhedrin, silence was not an option for the apostles. If anything, their fervor only intensified as they spread the good news about Jesus. Notice the last 2 verses of chapter 5. (“41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”)

Closing:

Can we as believers today, relate to the joy of the apostles? Can we even entertain rejoicing in times of trouble? Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16, (“16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”) and in 1 Timothy 2 verses 3 and 4, Paul tells us: (“3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”). If this is God’s will for our lives, I would say we should want to heed the call out of love for Jesus. Just let other people look at you and notice the joy of Jesus in your heart. We should want to share the gospel of the grace of God every opportunity we get. I don’t mean bombard everyone you meet or see with the gospel, but there is always somebody, somewhere, willing to listen. We just need to take advantage of those opportunities when we realize we have them.

Lets pray together: ..........................

Invitation:

As Kristi and Eloise are getting us ready to sing our last hymn tonight, and as we’re considering all the things we’ve learned together, about the beginning of the church in the book of Acts, and if you have never honored God before by asking His Son Jesus, to save you from what we all deserve, which is spiritual death, this would be the perfect time to do just that. God has made that so easy for us to do. The Bible says that anyone, and I do mean anyone, who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus SHALL BE SAVED. It doesn’t matter what your past may look like. The Lord just cares about your future. And He wants everyone to spend that future with Him in eternity, in that place He calls heaven. Don’t wait another second. If you have any doubt at all about your eternal security, or what’s going to happen to you when you die physically, I beg you to get it settled right now. Don’t wait another second. Get it taken care of right this minute, right here,----- just quietly, ----- with your eyes closed, ----- with your heads bowed, ----- and with your heart’s toward God, ----- just pray a little prayer like this......just pray......Lord, thank you that you love me. I am a sinner, in need of a savior. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins and for the sins of the whole world. I also believe that after three days He was raised from the dead by Your power, so that I also may live in newness of life. Save me Lord, so I may live the rest of my life for You.----- The Bible says if you prayed a simple little prayer like this “you will be saved”.

Please, as we’re singing our last hymn tonight, and if you still need too, just pray that little prayer I mentioned as we sing. And God will save you !! Lets sing together.