Acts 4 Notes joseph-As

Acts 4:36

Joseph of Cyprus, a Levite, sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles feet.

Acts 5:1

Ananias and Sapphira also sold a piece of property but withheld a portion of it back. They had the appearance of giving it all.

The sin wasn’t because of the holding back it was the appearance of Giving it all to God. (vs. 4,7)

They both loved money, and loved praises from people but they wasn’t as concerned about praise from God.

A mutual love and sacrifice were common amongst them all no one was in need

The wealthy helped provide for the urgent and unexpected needs through their sale of the excess homes and lands. It is a safe assumption that Annanias and Sapphira were wealthy or at least upper middle class and they decided that they too would sell their land but somewhere along the way the husband decided to not give it all to him but they appeared as is if there were.

No doubt the church was praising God for the generous offering that Barnabas had brought when Satan whispered to the couple, “You can also bask in this kind of glory! You can make others think that you are as spiritual as Barnabas!” Instead of resisting Satan’s approaches, they yielded to him and planned their strategy.[1]

The Hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11)

George MacDonald wrote, “Half of the misery in the world comes from trying to look,instead of trying to be,what one is not.” The name that Jesus gave to this practice is “hypocrisy,” which simply means “wearing a mask, playing the actor.” We must not think that failure to reach our ideals is hypocrisy, because no believer lives up to all that he or she knows or has in the Lord. Hypocrisy is deliberate deception, trying to make people think we are more spiritual than we really are.[2]

Luke wishes to state a positive example before the negative one (5:1–11) and to introduce an important character here (9:27). Contrasting positive and negative examples was a recommended technique of ancient writing.[3]

Comparison of Joseph of Cyprus with An./Sap.

Joseph was also known as the Son of Encouragement (Giving and Serving Heart)

Later be part of Paul’s ministry team
Very important in 1st century church
Acts 11:22

Good man
Faith
Full of holy spirit
Representative of the church of Jerusalem leader
Preached “remain true to Lord with all your heart”

Imposing stature called Zeus Acts 14:12
Acts 9:27 validated Saul’s ministry and conversion before the Church
Called an apostle Acts 14:14
Cousin of Mark Col 4:10

Ananias and Sapphira

Wanted the cake and eat it too
Fell victim to selfishness and praise of man, love of money

Proverbs 29:25 “Fear of Man is a Snare”

Notice Peter says land & money was yours until you pretended to hand it ALL to God

Application

Hypocrisy
Warning against half-hearted religious worship
Beware the fear of Man it is a deadly snare
Seek to live for the audience of one as Joseph whom we know as Barnabas lived

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[1]Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt., Ac 5:1. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989.

[2]Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt., Ac 5:1. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989.

[3]Keener, Craig S., and InterVarsity Press. The IVP Bible Background Commentary : New Testament, Ac 4:37. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1993.