The Way - Day 029 (Acts 5)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Acts 5:1-11
I'm not sure that the chapter break between Acts 4 and 5 is located in the best place because the theme of people selling their land and houses is continued in the Acts 5:1-11. At any rate, a man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sell a piece of their land and lay the money at the feet of the apostles so they could use it to help those who were in need. Ananias appears to be the one who brings the money to the apostles, but Luke points out that "he kept back part of the proceeds..." (5:2). Scripture seems to indicate that Ananias had made it appear as if he had given the entire amount of profit from selling his land because Peter gets very angry saying, "why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?" I'm certain that Peter exposing this fact caught Ananias by surprise because he did not even have a chance to respond. Instead, Luke records that when Ananias heard these words, he "fell down and breathed his last" (5:5a). Upon hearing about this, great fear came upon the church (5:5b) which is very understandable. Why did God kill Ananias for just lying? Well, Ananias made it seem as if he was giving the entire amount of his profit to the church when, in reality, he was only giving part. In essence, Ananias was lying to God and this is a serious offense (5:4). When a commitment or promise is made in the name of God, we must always fulfill it. The death of Ananias would have served as a great reminder of the seriousness of lying to God.

After Ananias had been carried out of the presence of the apostles, Sapphira comes walking in to see Peter not knowing what had just happened to her husband (5:7). Peter directly asks her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" Sapphira responds by saying, "Yes, for so much" (5:8). Peter confronts her lie saying, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out" (5:9). Sapphira "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. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things" (5:10-11).

Sin is a very serious thing and God wanted the church to know that they could not get away with hypocrisy. I really believe the specific sin here is lying, but the heart condition which caused the death of Ananias and Sapphira was hypocrisy. They desired others to see them as "spiritual" when in reality they were selfish. This couple did nothing wrong by giving the amount they gave but they wanted people to think they had sacrificed the whole profit, so they lied believing no one would find out, but God knew. The example of Ananias and Sapphira should challenge us to be honest in our hearts as well as in our actions. The church cannot be tainted by those who perform works with false motives because God will eventually bring His judgment upon them.

Dear God, keep my heart pure and free from false motives. Remind me often of the example of Ananias and Sapphira so that I may serve You with a clean conscience.

Acts 5:12-42
Luke has just detailed the generosity of the early church and their willingness to give to those who had need. It seems as if many who had houses and land were selling what they had in order to provide for the needs of those who lacked the basic necessitates of life (4:32-37). However, in the midst of this spirit of giving, there is one couple mentioned by Luke who lied about the amount they were giving to help the poor and it cost them their life (5:1-11). Peter made it clear that lying to God would not be tolerated which brought great fear upon the church.

Following this incident with Ananias and Sapphira, the apostles continued doing many signs and wonders among the people which gave them authority in speaking about the works of God (5:12). Although many unbelievers were seeing the supernatural acts of the apostles, Luke writes that "none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly" (5:13). They knew that making a commitment to Jesus Christ could possibly cost them their life, so while having respect for the followers of Christ, they also counted the cost and walked away. Even though some were rejecting the truth, "believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 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" (5:14-15). Scripture never indicates that Peter's shadow had the ability to heal, but this must have been an expression of the people who witnessed his miraculous works through the power of the Holy Spirit and had faith that they could be healed by even Peter's presence being near. When the happenings were noised throughout the region, multitudes gathered to Jerusalem bringing many who were sick and possessed by demons and they all were healed (5:16).

Of course the so-called religious crowd was not happy with Peter and the apostles (5:17) so they put them in prison (5:18). "But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 'God, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of life.' And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught" (5:19-21a). This action by the apostles took real courage. They had just been thrown into prison for speaking of the works of Jesus Christ and now the angel was asking them to go right back to what they were doing. When the religious council gathered together the next morning, they called to have the apostles brought to them from prison (5:21b) but they did not find them there (5:22-24). Someone finally came to the council and reported that the apostles were in the temple teaching the people (5:25). The apostles were brought back before the council and they said, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in His name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" The apostles respond by saying, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (5:29). The apostles had great boldness in proclaiming the truth and did not fear the ramifications which man could bring on them. They were only consumed with fulfilling God's command to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8).

The council became angry and Luke even writes that they "plotted to kill them" (5:33); however, a Pharisee named Gamaliel stands up and addresses the council. Gamaliel reminds them of several people who had risen up in rebellion against the religious system of the Pharisees but had eventually met their demise because what they did was not of God (5:34-37). Gamaliel recommends that they council "keep away from these men [apostles] and let them alone" (5:38a). Why did he advise the council in this action? He states, "for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it - lest you even be found to fight against God" (5:38b-39). The council decided to listen to Gamaliel's advice, so they beat the apostles and sent them away commanding them not to teach in the name of Jesus (5:40).

The apostles departed rejoicing that they were able to suffer for the name of Christ (5:41), but they ignored the command of the council continuing to teach and preach Jesus in the temple and in every house (5:42). There was something deep within the apostles which caused them to obey God rather than fear what men could do to them. The mission with which they were entrusted was a burning passion in their hearts that could not be extinguished. Their passion should also be our passion - preaching and teaching Christ in the churches and every house.

Dear God, give me a burning passion to preach and teach Christ to all who will listen. May I not fear what men can do to me!