Acts 5

Acts 5:1-11

In this chapter we have, 1. The sin and punishment of Ananias and Sapphira, ver. 1—11. 2. The flourishing state of the church, in the power that went along with the preaching of the gospel, ver. 12—16. 3. The imprisonment of the apostles, and their miraculous discharge out of prison, with fresh orders to go on to preach the gospel, which they did, to the great vexation of their perplexness, ver. 17—26. 4. Their arraignment before the great Sanhedrim, and their justification of themselves in what they did, ver. 27—33. 5. Gamaliel’s counsel concerning them, that they should not persecute them, but let them alone, and see what would come of it; and their concurrence for the present with this advice, in the disheartenance of the apostles with no more but a fearing, ver. 34—40. 6. The apostles cheerful progress in their work, notwithstanding the profession and upon them, and the indignity done them, ver. 41, 42.

1. BUT a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, fold a possession. 2. And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy as it, and brought a certain part, and ’laid it at the apostles’ feet. 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. Whilst it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was fold, was it not in thine own power? why hath 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. 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 fold 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. 11. And ‘great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

The purest societies on this side heaven have some hypocrites, as we see here:

1. Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, willing to appear among the foremost of the disinterested disciples of Jesus, fold a possession, and publicly brought a part of the money, which they would infirmate was the whole, and laid it at the apostles’ feet, whilst their courteous hearts secretly referred a part, and still halted between God and Mammon; though they desired to make a fair show in the flesh, and thought to impose upon the apostles. Now, Hypocrites may go far in appearance, and even, through pangs of zeal, forego for a while some temporal advantage, or endure lids; but their heart is not right with God, and therefore there is still a reserve made, which serves to make them more eminently miserable, parting with many of the comforts of this world, and yet having no sure portion in a better.

2. Peter, who knew by divine revelation the falsehood of this pretended disloyal, said unto him, Why hath Satan filled thy heart with such or tooofness and falsehood, to lie to the Holy Ghost; either to think thus to impose upon the apostles, who were endued with the discernment of spirits by the Holy Ghost; or by pretending to act under his impulse and influence, when in fact he was under the spirit of the devil; and to keep back part of the price, though intimating that the land was parted with for pious purposes, and devoted to the service of the church. While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was fold, was it not thine own? both the false and surrender of the price being a voluntary act, and none were compelled to do either, but were left to their own pious zeal. Why hath thou conceived this thing in thine heart? and harboured the suggestion of Satan to contrive so false a deed; thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God, to that eternal Spirit which resided in the apostles, who searched the hearts of all men, and from whom nothing is hid, nothing is secret. Now, (1.) Nothing betrays persons more frequently into the sin of lying than the affectation of appearing high in others. (2.) They who conceive falsehood in their hearts are filled with Satan; a lying spirit is his strongest resemblance. (3.) The Holy Ghost is God omniscient. Let those whom pride, worldly-mindedness, or a maintenance, drives into the ministry, take heed how they presume to declare they are inwardly moved by him, left, like Ananias and Sapphira, their lie be

described, if not bare, yet hereafter to their everlasting confusion.

3. Behold a fearful example of divine vengeance! No sooner had Peter spoken than Ananias fell down and gave up the ghost, struck by an invisible hand, as the just punishment of his wickedness, and to make one example to deter others from such impious hypocrisy. And great fear came on all them that heard these things: it impressed an awe upon the minds of those who had joined themselves to the church, and served to keep off from the society of the apostles those who would have been spots in their assembly.

4. The young men present removed the corpse, wrapped it in grave-clothes, and buried it.

5. Sapphira, the wife of Ananias, who was privy to his falsehood, ignorant of what had passed, about three hours after joined the assembly; and, being required of Peter to answer if they had fold the land for so much, without hesitation she affirmed the sin, foolishly prefunding none could disprove it. Her doom therefore is pronounced; being the partner of her husband’s sin, she shares his punishment. Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? how astonishing is your stupidity, as well as mostinous your wickedness, to attempt imposing upon the omniscient God? behold the fear of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Inthately, death-thruck, she fell at his feet, and they carried her out and buried her with her husband; whilst all the church were filled with reverence and guilty fear at that jealous God, who thus appeared the avenger of falsehood and hypocrisy; and all others, that heard these judgments, were afraid of provoking or tempting the apostles, whose very word formed cloached with death. Now, (1.) It is truly grievous when near relations serve to encourage each other to iniquity. (2.) God, though patient under numberless provocations, is pleased to make some sinners monuments of his vengeance, that men may hear and fear, and do no more wickedly.

6. ¶ And ‘by the hands of the apostles were many fights and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13. And ‘of the reft durft 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. Infomuch 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. 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.

Acts 5:12-16

We are here told, 1. Of the many and great miracles performed by the apostles, in proof of their divine mission; and so much were the people in general convinced of the mighty powers they possessed, that they brought forth the sick in beds and couches and laid them in the streets, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them, persuaded that thus would be effectual to work a cure: and from the country vast multitudes of patients, sick and vexed with unclean spirits, were brought to them, and they were healed every one: none being rejected who made application to them.

2. Of the vast veneration in which the apostles were held. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch, appearing and teaching publicly in the temple with the greatest unanimity among themselves: and of the vast durft no man join himself unto them; either none of the disciples presumed to set themselves on a level with the apostles, or rather none durft make a hypocritical profession of Christianity, who were not conscious of the simplicity of their hearts, being terrified with the doom of Ananias and Sapphira: but the people magnified them, held them in the highest veneration, and spoke of them with the highest esteem, beholding the wonders which they wrought, and the presence and power of God evident in the midst of them.

3. Of the vast accession of converts made to the church. Believers were the more added to the Lord, and made open profession of their faith in Christ, multitudes both of men and women, so mightily grew the word of God and increased.

4. ¶ 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. So, stand and speak in the temple to the people, ‘all the words of this life. 21. And when they heard that they entred into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But ’the high priest came, and they that were

Acts 5:17-25

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 priest 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.

It cannot be supposed that the inveterate enemies of the gospel would long be quiet, or Satan rest when his kingdom was falling to ruins before the gospel word.

1. The apostles are seized and imprisoned. The hand of the high-priest was first in this transgression, supported by the Saddam and the other men, who could not endure the testimony born to the resurrection of Jesus, which radically struck at all their trusts: exasperated to fury, they could contain no longer, and with lawful violence laid hands on them; and, to put the greater disgrace upon them, dragged them to the common prison among the vilest malefactors. Note, (1.) The facets of the gospel is a vexation to wicked men, and, when they have power in their hands, the disciples of Jesus shall feel their oppression. (2.) It is Satan’s artifice, by endeavouring to make the ministers of Christ despicable, to prejudice the people against them.

2. The Lord miraculously delivers his servants, by the hand of an angel, from their confinement. The commitment was illegal; therefore the great Judge of all lands his messenger to discharge them honourably; and, by his power opening the prison-doors, he said, Go, stand and speak in the temple, to the people, all the words of this life; not the least intimidated by all the malice of their inveterate sons, but in their very rate, in the temple, the most public place, must they declare the life-giving truths of the gospel word, and the offensive doctrines of a risen Redeemer. Note, (1.) God can make the most unselfish prison a paradise of delights, when he manifests his presence there. (2.) They who are put in truth with the gospel must not, in the most public manner, shun to declare the whole council of God, however offensive it may prove, and whatever may be the consequence to themselves.

3. Without delay they obey the heavenly command, and early, as soon as the temple doors were open, they went thither, and boldly taught as before, fearless of any consequences. Note, When duty calls, no danger must be done.

4. An extraordinary council was assembled by the high-priest and his abettors, consisting not only of the Sanhedrism, but of all the power of the children of Israel. And now, ready to proceed to trial, the prisoners are commanded to be brought forth; when, by with expectations of their appearing in chains before them, they are allothed with the report of their officers, that the prison was safe as they left it, and the guards upon duty, but none of the prisoners, whom they had committed thither, were to be found. Such an account threw them into the greatest perplexity; they know not what courts to take, and began to be under terrible apprehensions whereunto this would grow: when, to their greater confusion, tidings are brought them, that the men whom they fought, and had the evening before committed to prison, were preaching openly in the temple, in defiance of all their men, and, before committed to the people, were preaching openly in the temple, in defiance of all their men, and, before committed to the people, were preaching openly in the temple, in defiance of all their men, and, before committed to the people, were preaching openly in the temple, in defiance of all their men, and, before committed to the people, were preaching openly in the temple, in defiance of all their men, and, before committed to the people, were preaching openly in the temple, in defiance of all their men, and, before committed to the people, were preaching openly in the temple, in defiance of all their men.

5. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: (for they feared the people, left 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 greatly command you, that you should not reach 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 man. 30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye flew 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 ‘ja 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

council to lay them. 34. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of Chay, had 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 flun, 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.

Acts 5:26-42

We have here,

1. The peaceable submission of the apostles to the officers, who came to feast them a second time in the temple. They dared not use violence, for fear left the people should have rose upon them, who held in just veneration the character of the apostles. The captain of the temple therefore, with his attendants, spoke them fair; and they, not unwilling nor afraid to appear before the council, combined to go with them.

2. The insolent reprimand given them by the high-priest, for daring to disobey the charge given them. Did not we greatly command you, that you should not teach in this name? and ye have treated our orders with contempt; and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, most describable and pernicious as it is; and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us, both to expose us to the people, and lay the guilt of it at our doors, as if we had murdered an innocent man, and one whom you cry up so highly. But had not the apostles told them before, they must obey God rather than man? and had they not themselves invoked the blood of Jesus upon them, when Pilate would have let him go? Why then should they be angry?

3. The apostles boldly replied, We ought to obey God rather than man; and, far from softening any of the truths they declared, or the accusations they brought against them as the murderers of the Son of God, to their faces they dare declare it, and charge this atrocious deed on their conscience. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, testifying his highest approbation of him, whom ye have and hanged on a tree, with the most impious cruelty and injustice; him hath God exalted with his right hand to a throne of glory in the heavens, to be a Prince and a Saviour to his redeemed people, or give repentance to his Israel, and remission of sins, freely and fully pardoning the transgressions of all who by true faith turn unto him, and working that conversion and faith in these hearts by the power of his grace. And we are his witnesses of these things, appointed by him, and speaking with the greatest assurance the truths we must certainly know; and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to these that obey him, who in all his miraculous gifts, as well as by the mighty energy of his gospel on our own hearts and the hearts of others, attests the truths which we declare. Note, (1.) Christ, as a Saviour, offers the free and full remission of their sins, be they never so many, great, or aggravated, to those who fly to him as their refuge. (2.) The promises of pardon are the great motives and causes of evangelical repentance. (3.) All who embrace Jesus as their Saviour, submit to him as their Prince; they who would reign unto him, must be ruled by him. (4.) Besides all the great and glorious external evidences of Christianity, every obedient believer hath the internal witness of the Spirit in his heart, which is to him instead of a thousand arguments; and, without this divine conviction of the truth, though we may silence and confound good-bye, we never can convert them.

4. When they heard this, far from submitting to the Saviour, and seeking the remission of sins which he is exalted to give, they were cut to the heart; and, in the presence of the Lord, and in infancy they took comfort to say them, resolving to rid themselves as once of their troublers, and murder them together. Note, The bosom of the wicked, when triumphant in iniquity, is a profane hell; whistly, even in their sufferings for righteousness take, the faithful feel their heaven began.

5. To check the fury of these zealots, Gamaliel, a man of more moderate counsels, made. He was a Pharisee, a doctor of the law by profession; and his high reputation among the people

gave him weight and influence in the assembly: and he is said to have been now the president of the Sanhedrim. He commanded to put the apostles forth a little space, that he might speak more freely. Whereupon, addressing his brethren, (1.) He advises them not to act too rashly. To men of Israel, take bond to yourselves when ye intend to do as reaching these men, left by some hasty retribution ye bring guilt upon your souls, and provoke God’s displeasure. (2.) He instances the ruin of some late impositions, who soon came to nothing, which would now be the call with these men, if the matter was a mere human contrivance. Theudas and Judas, two late pretenders, had arisen and collected a number of followers; but both were quickly destroyed, their followers dispersed, and their attempts abortive: and they might reasonably expect the same would be the issue of the present disturbance, if the thing was a mere artifice of deceivers, without embracing themselves, and taking the matter out of God’s hand. Therefore, (3.) His advice is for the present to refermen from these men, and let them alone, and wait a while in the what courts-martens may take; for if this counsel or this work be of men, a mere invention of the crafty, or the folly of deduced enthusiasts, it will now be might, the deceit will be I can directed, and their attempts end in their own confusion, without our interfering; but if it be of God, though you oppose it with never to much violence, ye cannot overthrow it, and resistance would be as vain as impious. Therefore wait quietly the event, left happy ye be found now to fight against God; the modesty of which is evident, and the consequence cannot but be your own confusion and ruin. Note, (4.) Perfection for confidence take is as abduct as it is wicked. (2.) They who oppose Christ’s ministers and gospel fight against God, and the issue of that conflict must needs be fatal to his enemies.

6. Gamalist’s counsel so far prevailed as to rescue the apostles from immediate death; but their enemies could not so entirely abstain from them as to discharge them unhurt; their rage must be vented on their backs, though refrained from their blood: they called in the apostles, and, having ignominiously and severely scourged them as malefactors, dismissed them, with the most express impunctions of never more speaking in the name of Jesus, at the peril of all the pains and penalties which would attend their disobedience.

7. With admirable constancy the apostles bore their sufferings, and boldly perished in their glorious work. They deported from the presence of the council, without a word of reproach or reviling, patiently submitting to their indignities, and, so far from being ashamed or intimidated, repairing that they were counted merely to suffer shame for his name. This reproach was their highest honour, their stripes their glory; and, so far from desisting and being silent, as they were commanded, daily in the temple, in defiance of their persecutors, and in every house, where they referred, they stayed not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. He was the great theme of all their discourse, and the complete redemption which was in him they explained and enforced, inviting all to come and share their mercy, and believe to the saving of their souls. Note, (1.) When for the sake of Jesus and his truth we are called to suffer, we should take pleasure in reproaches, and rejoice at the insults we meet with: they shall issue to our more abundant glory. (2.) A crucified Jesus must be the constant subject of our ministrations; and publickly when called into the pulpit, and privately, when visiting from house to house, him should we ceaseless teach and preach.