Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 5:1-11
Ananias and Sapphira were husband and wife. In the Bible as in social etiquette today, the man’s name always come first. There is an exception in the several scriptures when Priscilla’s name comes before her husband’s name. (See Acts 18:18, Romans 16:4, and 2 Timothy 4:19).
In Acts 4:36-37, Barnabas sold a field and put the money at the apostles’ feet. In Acts 5:1, Ananias and Sapphira also sold a piece of property. However, they kept back part of the money and did not put all of it at the apostles’ feet as Barnabas had done.
Peter asked three rhetorical. Notice Ananias didn’t answer Peter. Instead, he fell down dead. Afterward, Sapphira was brought in and given a chance to come clean. After admitting the price of the property, she fell dead just like her husband.
This was the first sin in the early church. They were punished as an example so the sin would not continue. The couple tried to do what Barnabus had done. Barnabus was anointed to do what he did, but the couple was not. Barnabus gave all the money from the sale of his field, but the couple kept some of the money for themselves. The sin was not for selling the field and keeping the money for themselves as such. The sin was lying to the Holy Spirit. (See Verses 3 and 5).
Keep in mind that the church was first beginning, and God did not want other to follow Ananias and Sapphira’s example. The couple tried to follow Barnabus’ example with wrong motives. In other words, other than the sin of lying to God, they were hypocrites.
Questions
1. Compare what Barnabus did with what Ananias and Sapphira did?
2. Why did Ananias and Sapphira die for lying to God, but God doesn’t kill people today for doing the same thing?
3. A “rhetorical question” is a question where the answer is already known. It is a question that is asked without expecting an answer. It is also a question that might be one that has an obvious answer. It is asked to make a point. What four rhetorical questions did Peter ask Ananias?
4. Think back to the Ten Commandments. Because the couple tried to do what Barnabus did, which commandment did they break?
The Apostles Heal Many
Acts 5:12-16
Miraculous signs and wonders were seen among the people. More and more people believed and were added to the early church. People went to the apostles for healing. Crowds gathered in the streets with their sick so at least Peter’s shadow would fall on them so they could be healed from their sickness and delivered from evil spirits.
The Apostles Persecuted
Acts 5:17-42
The Sadducees were jealous of what the apostles were doing. Therefore, they arrested the apostles. During the night, an angel of the Lord opened the door and told the apostles to go and stand in the temple courts and tell the full message of having a new life in Jesus Christ. The apostles did as they were told and stood in the temple courts and taught the people. Members of the Sanhedrin sent for the apostles but were told they were not in the jail. This was puzzling because the jail was securely locked, and the guards were standing at the doors.
The apostles were brought back inside because members of the Sanhedrin feared that the people would stone them if they had done anything to the apostles. When questioned by the supreme judicial council, the apostles said, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) The rest of what the apostles said is recorded in Verses 29-32.
When the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and wanted to put the apostles to death. Instead a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Since Gamaliel was respected by all the people, they did what he suggested. Gamaliel also suggested that the apostles be left alone because if what they were doing was not of God, it would fail. However, if it is from God, no one would be able to stop these men. Instead, they will only find themselves fighting against God (Acts 5:33-39).
The apostles were flogged and ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they were released. They rejoiced because they had suffered for Jesus. They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Questions
1. Why did the Sadducees have the apostles arrested?
2. How did the apostles get out of jail while the doors were securely locked and guards standing at the doors?
3. How did the apostles respond in Acts 5:29-32?
4. Who was Gamaliel? Remember him because Paul will speak highly of him later in the Book of Acts.
5. Summarize in your own words what Gamaliel concluded in Verses 38 and 39.
6. Define “flog.”
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