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Chapter 5
(Acts 5 KJV) "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira
his wife, sold a possession, {2} And kept back part of the price, his
wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it,
at the apostles' feet.
Now there was nothing wrong with what they did. It was there land, and
they didn’t have to sell it at all. Or they could have sold it and kept
part of the price, openly saying that they needed to keep part of it. The
problem was that they were looking for the honor that came to Barnabas as
a result of his gift and they came here pretending that they had done the
same thing.
{3} But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to
lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
{4} Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold,
was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in
thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. {5} And
Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and
great fear came on all them that heard these things. {6} And the young
men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
I do not believe for a moment that either Peter or God killed this man.
But he was in the presence of the enormous power of the Holy Spirit, and
when he lied in the presence of that power, it was just too much conflict
for his human body to bear. No one should ever assume from this that to
lie to church authority is of the same consequences. Lying is a sin, no
matter who you lie to. It is as much a sin to lie to your wife as it is to
your minister. But lying in the face of an enormous outpouring of the
power of God can be fatal.
{7} And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife,
not knowing what was done, came in. {8} And Peter answered unto her,
Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for
so much. {9} Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed
together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them
which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee
out. {10} Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up
the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and,
carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
I do not believe that what happened to Annanias and Sapphira happened
as a matter of church discipline. I believe it was a natural result of
human wickedness in the immediate presence of the power of God. You can’t
take that kind of wickedness into the presence of God and survive.
In the days that followed there were many signs and wonders worked
among the people and the church was gathering on a regular basis on
Solomon’s porch, next to the temple. This suggests that may be where some
of the initial things, even the outpouring of the Spirit of God took
place. In spite of all the good things that were happening there were a
lot of people that were afraid to join them. That’s not terribly
surprising when the story of Annanias and Sapphira went around. Depending
on my spirit and mind I don’t know if I’d have wanted to be too close to
it. But the people over all were very impressed by what was happening and
believers were the more added to the Lord.
Probably, some of them were afraid of Peter, but they need not have
been. Peter always had to remember that he had denied Christ. He was fully
cognizant of his own weakness and need for compassion.
{11} And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as
heard these things. {12} And by the hands of the apostles were many
signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with
one accord in Solomon's porch. {13} And of the rest durst no man join
himself to them: but the people magnified them. {14} And believers
were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
{15} Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and
laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter
passing by might overshadow some of them.
What an exciting time to be a Christian. Scary in a lot of ways, but
very exciting.
{16} There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto
Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean
spirits: and they were healed every one. {17} Then the high priest
rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the
Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, {18} And laid their
hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. {19} But the
angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them
forth, and said, {20} Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people
all the words of this life. {21} And when they heard that, they
entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high
priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council
together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to
the prison to have them brought. {22} But when the officers came, and
found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, {23} Saying,
The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers
standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no
man within. {24} Now when the high priest and the captain of the
temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them
whereunto this would grow. {25} Then came one and told them, saying,
Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and
teaching the people. {26} Then went the captain with the officers, and
brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they
should have been stoned. {27} And when they had brought them, they set
them before the council: and the high priest asked them, {28} Saying,
Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?
and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend
to bring this man's blood upon us. {29} Then 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 ye slew and hanged on a
tree. {31} Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and
a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
{32} And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy
Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. {33} When they heard
that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. {34}
Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a
doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and
commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; {35} And said unto
them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do
as touching these men. {36} For before these days rose up Theudas,
boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four
hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed
him, were scattered, and brought to nought. {37} After this man rose
up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much
people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed
him, were dispersed. {38} And now I say unto you, Refrain from these
men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men,
it will come to nought: {39} But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow
it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. {40} And to him
they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them,
they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and
let them go. {41} And 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 ceased not to
teach and preach Jesus Christ."
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