Acts Chapter 5

SUMMARY (ACTS 5)

Ananias and Sapphira lie, and God kills them. The apostles heal many people. They are arrested, but an angel frees them. Again they are arrested and again ordered not to speak about Jesus. But they keep preaching, and the church keeps growing.

I. PURITY IN THE EARLY CHURCH (Acts 5:1 -11): Ananias and Sapphira are judged for their sin.

A. The deception by Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1 -2): This couple lies about the amount of a gift they donate to the church.

B. The discovery of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:3-4): Peter finds out what they did and severely rebukes them.

C. The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:5-11)

1. Ananias's death (Acts 5:5-6): He falls to the floor dead and is carried out.

2. Sapphira's death (Acts 5:7-11): She dies the same way as her husband.

II. The Power of the Early Church (Acts 5:12-16)

A. As seen by the signs the apostles do (Acts 5:12-14): They do miraculous signs and wonders.

B. As seen by the sick the apostles deliver (Acts 5:15-16): Many sick and demon-possessed people are healed.

III. The Persecution against the Early Church (Acts 5:17-42)

A. The anger of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17-18): Filled with envy, they order the arrest of the apostles.

B. The angel of the Lord (Acts 5:19-21): A heavenly messenger appears and releases the apostles.

C. The astonishment of the jailers (Acts 5:22-26)

1. The prisoners are gone (Acts 5:22-24): The gates are still locked and guarded, but the prisoners are gone.

2. The preachers are back (Acts 5:25-26): They find the apostles in the Temple courtyard proclaiming Jesus.

D. The accusation by the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:27-28): "Didn't we tell you never again to teach in this man's name?"

E. The answer by the apostles (Acts 5:29-32)

1. They explain their mission (Acts 5:29, 32): "We must obey God rather than human authority."

2. They explain their Messiah (Acts 5:30-31).

a. "You killed him" (Acts 5:30b).

b. "God ... raised Jesus from the dead" (Acts 5:30a, 31).

F. The advice of a lawyer (Acts 5:33-42)

1. The counsel (Acts 5:33-37)

a. The identity of the lawyer (Acts 5:33-34): He is a highly respected Pharisee named Gamaliel.

b. The illustrations by this lawyer (Acts 5:35-37): He offers examples of two unsuccessful spiritual revolts in past days.

(1) That of Theudas (Acts 5:35-36): Theudas pretended to be great, and 400 people followed him. After he was killed, his followers scattered.

(2) That of Judas of Galilee (Acts 5:37): He was killed, and his followers also scattered.

2. The conclusion (Acts 5:38-39): Gamaliel says, "Leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them."

3. The consensus (Acts 5:40): Gamaliel's advice is accepted. The apostles are flogged, warned, and set free.

4. The commitment (Acts 5:41 -42): The apostles rejoice that Cod has counted them worthy to suffer for Jesus, and they continue their witness for him!