Acts 4
OGCTHE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM
All the events of the first seven Chapter s can be summed up under the heading: The Church in Jerusalem. In the picture of the preceding page you can observe an artist’s conception of Jerusalem as it appeared in the time of the events recorded in the book. Within the walls are designated four buildings. These are lettered and named as follows:
A.
The Upper Room,
B.
The Temple,
C.
The Public Ward or Jail,
D.
The Synagogue of the Libertines.
In and around these buildings, (which, with the exception of the Temple, are conjecturally located) all the events recorded in the first seven Chapter s took place. These events can be counted as eighteen in number and are so designated on the preceding page. You can follow these events, one by one, as to where they took place and as to what happened by following the numbers on the chart from one through eighteen and reading the scripture references given. The pages following are simply an enlargement upon the points or numbers you found upon the foregoing picture. The scripture is printed under the heading of the points and the comment following is intended to make the events recorded in the text a living reality to your mind and heart.
EXAMINATION OVER Chapter S THREE THROUGH SEVEN True or False
We see the power of Pentecost in action at the gate beautiful.
The lame man was healed at the third hour.
This healing took place at the temple beautiful.
The lame man spoke to Peter and John before they spoke to him.
The lame man had no feet before he was healed.
The lame man was healed instantaneously.
Peter told him to arise and walk.
The people of the temple recognized the beggar after he was healed.
The people immediately began to praise God for that which was done.
The theme of Peter’s sermon was the glorification of God’s servant Jesus.
The lame man was healed by faith.
Peter discusses both the free will of man and the foreknowledge of God in his second sermon.
Acts 3:19; Acts 2:38 are very favorably compared.
The season of refreshing doubtless refers to the reception of the Holy Spirit.
The promise of the second coming of Christ is dependent on the conversion of the Jews.
Multiple Choice
The times of the restoration of all things refers to: 1) The end of the world. 2) The fulfillment of all the prophesies of the O.T. 3) The restoration of the ancient order of Israel.
Moses said that: 1) God would one day raise up the Messiah. 2) God would one day raise up a prophet like unto Himself. 3) God would one day restore Israel.
Peter appealed to the heart of the Jew in the conclusion of his sermon by telling them of: 1) The advantages in being a Christian. 2) The terrible death of their Messiah. 3) The blessing that God promised them through Abraham that was now to be found in Christ.
Peter and John were arrested at: 1) twelve o-‘clock. 2) Three o-‘clock. 3) Sundown.
Peter and John were arrested by: 1) The high priest and captain of the temple. 2) The Pharisees and Sadducees, with the captain of the temple. 3) The captain of the temple, the priests and the Sadducees.
The real reason for their arrest was: 1) They taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 2) They disturbed the peace. 3) They had too large a crowd.
About this time Luke says: 1) There were 6,000 members in the Jerusalem church. 2) The number of men came to be about 5,000. 3) There were 8,000 members in the church,
- Ananias was the official or appointed high priest. 2) Caiphas was the official or appointed high priest. 3) Annas was the official or, appointed high priest,
There were 1) seventy or seventy-one, 2) Seventy-one or seventy-two. 3) Sixty-nine or seventy men in the Sanhedrin.
The Sanhedrin asked the following question of Peter and John: 1) What have ye done? 2) By what power or in what name have ye done this? 3) By what authority have ye done this?
Fill in The Blanks
Now when they beheld the _____________________ of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were __________ and __________ men, they ___________________ and took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13.
He is the ____________ which was set at nought of you the builders but was made the __________ of the corner. Acts 4:11.
Peter said: We cannot but speak the things which we and _____________________ Acts 4:20.
Being let go they came to their own ____________ and __________ all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. Acts 4:23.
And now Lord ______________ upon their threatenings and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all ________________. Acts 4:29.
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own but they had ____________ _________________________. Acts 4:32.
Can you find TEN MISTAKES in these sentences?
The apostles were enabled by the unity of the believers to give their witness of the resurrection with greater power.
Everyone sold everything so all could have some.
Jacob called Barnabas, having a field sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostle’s feet.
Ananias and Sapphira said they gave all when they only gave a part.
The sin of these two was two-fold; namely, the love of self and the love of money.
Peter attributed the sin to both Ananias and Satan.
It was one hour later that his wife came in and met her death.
But of the rest durst no man join himself to them refers to the rest of the members of the Jerusalem church.
Being added to the Lord is the same as being added to the church,
Peter’s shadow is said to have healed some.
The high priest and Sadducees led in the arrest of the eleven apostles.
The angel opened the prison door near the break of day.
The Sanhedrin had a branch it called the Senate.
The Holy Spirit was said to be a witness of the crucifixion, resurrection and coronation of Jesus.
The advice of Gamaliel was to refuse further opportunity to speak but not to mistreat the apostles.
Can You Put The Two Together?
Which of the following do you associate with Olivet? 1) Jerusalem. 2) Hope. 3) Ascension.
Which of the following do you associate with Judas?) Field of blood. 2) Apostle. 3) Servant.
Which of the following do you associate with Pentecost? 1) Celebration. 2) Many people. 3) Tongues of fire.
Which of the following do you associate with healing? 1) Miracles. 2) Powers. 3) The hands of the apostles.
With which of the following do you associate the break of day? 1) Solomon’s Porch. 2) Prayer. 3) Work for Christ.
What scripture reference do you associate with the second trial before the Sanhedrin? (Supply yourself).
Acts 4:1-4
IN THE PRISON Acts 4:1-4.
And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide.
But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
Acts 4:1-3 The sermon is not complete, there yet remains the final exhortation; there yet remains the response to the call. But the final words are fated never to be spoken. The hands of the apostles are not to immerse those who might have responded. For, while the words were still falling from the lips of Peter, the crowd was burst asunder by a body of armed men, who rushing through the midst of the multitude seized Peter and John and hurried them off to the public ward or jail.
Who were these men who came so boldly and acted so brashly? Luke tells us they were the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees. The Sadducees were the leaders in this opposition; they were stirred up against the apostles because they proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. This fact cut straight across their teaching of no resurrection. The high priest Annas was a Sadducee and hence the action of these men was either directed by him or would be supported in trial before him. The popularity of the good news attracting as it was, multitudes of those in Jerusalem was another evident reason for the opposition of the Sadducees, they were filled with jealousy. We are not told whether the priests spoken of in this arrest were Sadducees or not. The immediate cause of this arrest was probably the disturbance of the hour of prayer. The healing of the lame man caused no small stir in the temple and temple area. The captain of the temple had been appointed for the express purpose of maintaining order in the temple and its area; hence, when this miracle occurred it evidently so disrupted the temple service that the captain deemed it necessary to call the priests and the Sadducees to put down this excitement. (But since the healing of the lame man took place at three o-‘clock and it was not until sundown that the apostles were arrested, they were thus given some two or more hours to preach. It does seem that the captain of the temple might have known ahead of time of the hatred of the Sadducees. He could have known that they were but waiting for some pretext by which they might lay hands on the apostles, therefore he seized upon this opportunity and went to them for that very purpose).
Who were the leaders in the arrest of Peter and John?
Why could the apostles be thus arrested? What had they done worthy of arrest?
Why were the Sadducees troubled about the preaching of the resurrection from the dead? Who was the captain of the temple?
Do you believe the captain of the temple knew of the antagonism of the Sadducees before he arrested Peter and John? If so, why?
Acts 4:4 Luke adds an encouraging word in the fourth verse. Although Peter and John were not there to rejoice with the others, there were many that heard their word and believedand that the number of men in Jerusalem came to be about five thousand. This is a wonderful word of victory for many of those baptized on Pentecost must have returned to their native homes. In spite of this fact, the number of men (to say nothing of the women) was now about five thousand.
Acts 4:5-22
BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN. Acts 4:5-22.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest.
And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders,
if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole;
be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole.
He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner.
And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.
Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
And seeing the man that was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:
for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.
And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done.
For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.
Why is the statement made in Acts 4:4 of particular encouragement?
Acts 4:5-6 The night passed. In the public ward there ascended, no doubt, prayers, songs and supplications from the hearts of Peter and John. The other apostles and the church in Jerusalem were probably also gathered to petition the throne of grace on behalf of Peter and John.
The morning came and at about ten o-‘clock, as was the custom, the Sanhedrin was called to assemble. Luke is very explicit as to who were present as authorities in this trial. He first describes the assembly in a general statement, the rulers and the elders and scribes; then explicitly, when he tells us there were present: Annas the high priest and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest. Annas and Caiaphas were related, Caiaphas being the son-in-law of Annas. The predecessor of Pilate had deposed Annas of his rightful position as high priest and had put his son-in-law in his place. The people, however, did not recognize this unlawful procedure and considered Annas as the high priest as did Luke when he recorded this word. There is no historical information as to who John and Alexander were. We can only know that they were men of position and authority in the Sanhedrin. As many as were kindred of the high priest came out to see and hear what they could of this strange trial. And they were not to be disappointed.
The Sanhedrin before whom the apostles were arraigned consisted of seventy men (or seventy-oneseventy members plus Moses. Numbers 11:16). The Sanhedrin was composed of twenty-four priests, twenty-two lawyers (not lawyers as we understand that term) and twenty-four elders. These were the rulers and elders spoken of earlier. This council was the highest court in the Jewish state. They had no power to pass the death sentence but their recommendation to Herod carried real weight. The cases before this court were all of a religious nature. (Suffice to say here that this Sanhedrin gathered in a semicircle and set the apostles before them to be tried).
What relation to the assembled council do the words rulers and elders and scribes have?
Tell of the relationship of Caiaphas and Annas.
Acts 4:7. Note carefully that there was no charge made by the council. In a move of subtle strategy they framed a question, the answer of which they hoped would contain a basis for a charge. Here is the question:
By what power, or in what name, have ye done this? Done what? Yes, so it was, that if the apostles had broken any law they would, in their answer to this question, confess their guilt and try to defend themselves.
Acts 4:8-12 However, the time had come for the words of Jesus to find fulfillmentBut when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you. (Matthew 10:19-20.)
And so it was that Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, said the very thing that would offer to the Sanhedrin a defense that had no answer. Here are the thoughts of his defense. What have we done? We have healed a poor impotent man. This we would consider a good deed. Now if we this day are to be examined concerning this deed, I am perfectly willing to face the charge. In what power was this miracle wrought? Why, be it known to you and to all the children of Israel that in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God also raised from the dead, even in Him does this man stand before you whole. He is the stone which was set at nought of you, the builders, who was made the head of the corner; and in none other is there salvation, for neither is there any other name under heaven given among men wherein we must be saved. What a marvelous progression of thoughts. Note them: (1) He calls attention to the man who was healed, he was standing with them. How did he come to be thus? (2) Through Jesus of Nazareth. Who is He? You know. He is the one whom you crucified. He is the one God raised from the dead; yea, He is the very stone which was set at nought of you, the builders. This last statement was full of meaning to these rulers. Peter pictures the rulers as the builders of the temple of God and then points out to them that they are like the builders of a temple who, coming upon the rock that has been hewn out to be the cornerstone, fail somehow to recognize it as such and set it aside to go ahead with the construction of the building without it. The fact that Jesus came as the prophets had foretold, as a root out of a dry ground, as a servant and not as a Lord, no doubt had to do with the failure of the rulers of Israel to see in Him the chief cornerstone. But more especially had their greed, pride, lust and covetousness blinded their eyes to this wonderful truth. If Jesus was indeed the Christ, if He had been raised from the dead, if He was the chief cornerstone, then Peter could say with force and truth that: In none other is there salvation, that God had not provided any other means or person under heaven wherein salvation could be found.
What was the Sanhedrin? What cases did they try?
What subtle strategy does the question of the council reveal?
What words of Jesus were fulfilled upon this occasion?
How did Peter answer the question of the Sanhedrin?
Give a brief outline of Peter’s defense.
Why did the words of the apostles concerning the cornerstone have particular application to those who heard?
What reasons could you give for the failure of the Jews to see in Jesus the chief cornerstone?
Why were the words in Acts 4:12 especially appropriate?
Why could the defense of Peter and John be called a bold defense?
**Acts 4:13-18 **Whatever else the rulers beheld or understood on that day, one thing they did not miss, and that was the boldness of Peter and John. In the face of judgment and death, they were unafraid to lay the charge of the death of Jesus at the feet of the very ones who were judging them. They were unafraid to call upon the leaders in Israel to find salvation in the name of the very one they had slain.
There could not but arise both admiration and wonder for these men, and especially so when they knew that they were unlearned and ignorant men, i.e., unlearned in the learning of the Rabbinical school; ignorant of the various intricate points of the law and tradition. Some men are prone to set at nought all others as ignorant and unlearned, who have not been trained in just the way and manner they have. (From all of these things, dear Lord, deliver us). There could be but one answer to the bold logic and appeal of the words of Peter and Johnthey had been with Jesus. The wisdom of Jesus was admitted by them and now all they could say was that they must have been with Jesus and from Him imbibed His spirit and wisdom. The one fact they failed to realize was that not only had they been **with **Jesus but that Jesus was now in them.
These rulers were placed in a position of great embarrassment for they had no charge to begin with and they could find no flaw in the defense of Peter; and finally, they could say no word against what had been donefor the man who was healed stood in their very midst and the people were highly in favor of what had occurred. The name of God was being exalted as a result of this incident. What could they do? And so it is with all attempts to cover up hypocrisy and sin with a cloak of apparent righteousness.
What is meant by the thought that Peter and John were unlearned and** **ignorant men?
What reason did the rulers assign for their boldness? What was right about it? What had they failed to see?
The council did the only thing they couldthey stalled for time that they might consider their dilemma. So, commanding the apostles to go outside of their council, they conferred among themselves. But their private conversation only brought to light the facts of the case which they all knew to be so. Here were the points in the case:
A notable miracle had been wrought through the apostles.
It was manifest unto all those of Jerusalem.
There would be no need to deny it.
What will be done with these men?
No punishment beyond a mere charge could be given. And in this charge, they could give no reason for not speaking any more in this name. The real reason, of course, was the desire of the Sadducees to stop this teaching and to put down this movement that was offering so much competition by way of popularity and influence. But these things could not be spoken of in a gathering of the mighty Sanhedrin. So they called in the apostles and gave them the simple charge, backed by the Sanhedrin: Not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Show how the defense of Peter placed the Sanhedrin in a dilemma.
What was the immediate action of the council? What were the facts of the case brought to their attention from the private conference?
What was lacking in the charge given as punishment?
What was the real reason back of the charge?
Acts 4:19-20 If this council expected the apostles to cower because of their power and position they were sadly disappointed, for Peter and John immediately answered that it was not a matter of obeying men, even though it was the Sanhedrin. What they were speaking and doing was in obedience unto God Himself. The statement of Peter and John was formed in such a way as to appeal to the judgment of those present; to appeal to their honesty before God. Their words were in essence:
Put yourselves in our place; suppose God told you to do one thing and man told you not to do itwhich one would you obey? Well, that is exactly our situationJesus Christ whom we beheld risen from the dead, commissioned us to tell of His resurrection and saving power; now you tell us not to speak of the very thing the risen Christ has told us to speak. You be the judge; to whom should we hearken?
Why did not Peter and John keep quiet and then go on preaching in spite of the charge?
What was the answer of Peter to the request of the Sanhedrin? To what did it appeal?
**Acts 4:21-22 **But the council had made a decision and to it they must be true; hence, we see them further threatening the apostles (they promised them punishment if they disobeyed this charge). But they let them go with no punishment, not because they wanted to, but because they feared the people. The common folk, who had no position to maintain, no name to uphold, were glad to behold the power of God and to give Him the glory. Luke gives us one more fact about this man who started all this chain of eventsHe was, says Luke, more than forty years old.
Why weren-’t the apostles given a severe punishment?
Acts 4:28-37
a.
The Prayer Service. Acts 4:23-31.
And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto them.
And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say,
Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth set themselves in array,
And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:
for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,
to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel foreordained to come to pass.
And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,
while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:23-30 The apostles left the assembly in triumphant joy but with no pride. Being let go they came to their own company. Who was this company and where were they gathered?
We are inclined to the opinion that the term refers to the other apostles and those who were their close friends and associates.
The upper room was the abode of the apostles (Acts 1:13) so it does seem reasonable that this was the place to which Peter and John returned upon this occasion.
Can we not imagine them entering the room and hurrying into the presence of their friends to tell with mingled joy and apprehension all that had been said and done? Immediately upon hearing the news the whole assembly cried out in a united prayer to God. Note the appropriativeness of this prayer (1) They were in need of protection and guidance and in their prayer they addressed God as the one who didst make the heaven and earth and sea and all that in them is. If He was indeed so great He could afford them protection and direction. (2) Then the second Psalm is quoted in which we have a description given by David hundreds of years before. The prophetic picture found its fulfillment in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. What Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles and the people of Israel did to Jesus was only in fulfillment of God’s purposes. Since, then, God had thus delivered in the terrible days of His Son’s adversity, He could now do the same for His chosen children. (3) The one petition made in this whole prayer was that God would consider the threatenings of His enemies and grant boldness to His servants as they spoke His word, that He would continue to accompany the words of the apostles with the signs and wonders that were already in evidence with their work. These supernatural demonstrations were to place the stamp of divine approval upon the words spoken by the apostles.
Who composed the company to whom the Apostles went following their trial?
Where was the company gathered? How do you know?
Give the three points of appropriativeness in the prayer of the company.
Acts 4:31 Almost before the last word of the prayer had been uttered the answer arrived. Notice please how the petitions of their prayer were answered:
- They prayed that God would consider the opposition and would in the face of it grant boldness. The answer: The place where they were meeting was shaken as a reed in the wind. This was the answer of the Lord reminding them that He had heard and was interested enough to let them know His concern. They, knowing His character, would realize that He would not thus answer them unless He was in agreement with their request. This gave them great boldness. 2) They prayed that God would continue to manifest His supernatural power; here in this earthquake He stamped an affirmative answer on the request. And so they were indeed in accord with the Holy Spirit and He could thus literally fill their hearts and lives. The closer in accord our spirit is to the Holy Spirit, the more completely does He fill our lives. Following this experience the little company could go forth into the city with God’s own assurance. They could truly speak the work of God with boldness.
Give the requests of the prayer and show how they were immediately answered.
The earthquake had what relationship to all being filled with the Holy Spirit?
b.
The Unity of Believers. Acts 4:32-37.
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
and laid them at the apostles-’ feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.
And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles-’ feet.
Acts 4:32-35 Since Pentecost, the creation day of the church, our attention has been centered upon the work of Christ in the lives of but two of His servants. Luke now opens the door of information to let us behold something of the work of the Master in the life of the whole church. Observe the wonderful power of Christ in the multitude of them that believed:
They were of one heart and one soul. There was total unity of love and faith.
They knew that they had been bought with a price and therefore they were not their own. But this unselfishness reached right into their material possessions and caused them to seek the common good of all. We have much talk of this unselfish attitude today but not much of its fruits.
This actual and practical unity afforded a bulwark of strength for the testimony of the apostles. The apostles could point to a group of living examples of the power of their resurrection message. Hence could they give with great power their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
–Great grace was upon them all. Because of the aforementioned virtues proceeding from the surrendered lives God’s favor and approval rested upon them.
Luke tells us why God’s favor and approval rested upon them. He says it was because of the utterly selfless attitude and life of the believers. There was none that lacked for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles-’ feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.
What change of thought is found beginning with Acts 4:32?
Give the four points in Acts 4:32-37 which manifests the power of Christ in the lives of those that believed.
How did the unity of the church afford to the apostles opportunity to give with greater power their witness of the resurrection?
What is the meaning of the statement great grace was upon them all?
Acts 4:36-37 An example is given of one who portrayed the spirit and work of the united Jerusalem church. Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas did like many others, sold his own field that his brethren might not be in want.
Who was given as an example of the unity of the Jerusalem church? What did he do?
c.
The First Church Discipline. Acts 5:1-11.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
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.
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it.
And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so much.
But Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out.
And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.
And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.
Acts 5:1-2 There is a little three lettered word that can be set up most anywhere in the chain of narrated events to serve as a stop sign. That word is but. Here in the midst of the history of the onward march of the church Luke must set up this stop sign. There was a great unity of belief, of possessions, and great were the results of this unitybut. It is here we have the first effort of Satan from within the body. We have witnessed in the past record the evil forces from without, but this chapter opens with the account of the first marks of the evil one within the fold. Let us notice the first church discipline.
Two members of the Jerusalem congregation, two members in good standing as far as those of Jerusalem knew, were Ananias and Sapphira, his wife. Someone might say that the possession of land was their trouble, that if they had not the possession they would have had no sin. This is not so for their sin was located in their heart and not in their field. The sin was twofold: the love of the praise of men and the love of money. No doubt those noble souls who sold that which was theirs for the help of others were admired by those of the church. This was what Ananias and Sapphira wanted, but they were not willing to obtain it through unselfish effort. Their difficulty lay in that root in their heart which is the source of all kinds of evilthe love of money.
What is peculiar about the efforts of Satan in the case of Ananias and Sapphira?
If Ananias and Sapphira had not owned the field would they have escaped the sin they committed?
What was the two-fold sin of Ananias and Sapphira?
Acts 5:3-10 According to Peter they were guilty of the sin of hypocrisy, of **pretending, **which amounted to nothing short of lying. Yes, of lying to the Holy Spirit. Peter also says that Satan was the **one who suggested **the decision of these two. How the words of Peter must have cut the heart of Ananias when he reminded him that he need not lay the blame upon the land, or by saying that if he had never had the land he would never have sinned (as we are so wont to do). Peter reminded him that it was purely a matter of his own choice, that he, in league with the Devil, decided to try to deceive God with a lie, to deceive not man, but God!
The congregation was no doubt greatly surprised when the sin of Ananias was brought to light before them all. But we are persuaded that even Peter himself was not prepared for the results of his rebuke. Here are the words of Luke which describe the startling incident. Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the spirit. We quote the fine expression of J. W. McGarvey as to the reason for such a stringent measure: There is no evidence that Peter had any will of his own in this sudden death. It seems to have been a sudden stroke of the divine will, the responsibility for which attached not to Peter as an officer of the church, but to God as the moral governor of men. The propriety of it may be appreciated if we suppose Ananias to have succeeded in his undertaking. His success would have been but temporary for the fraud, like all other frauds, would have been detected sooner or later, and when detection came it would have brought with it a serious discount in the minds of the people on the powers of the Holy Spirit dwelling in the apostles. To learn that the Spirit could be deceived would have undermined the whole fabric of apostolic authority and might have overthrown the faith of many, if not all. The attempt brought on a crisis of vital importance and demanded such a vindication of the power of the Spirit as could be neither mistaken nor forgotten. The immediate effect was precisely the effect desired: -Great fear (or awe) came upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things-’. The scene was too awe-inspiring for lamentation. Hence, there was no delay in the burial of this one. Such a one did not deserve anything more than a hasty burial of the Achan in the camp. The young men who acted as pall bearers were probably directed to do so by Peter. The whole congregation, the young men included, were also evidently explicitly told not to carry the sad news to Sapphira.
And so it came to pass that three hours had passed, probably spent in prayer and heart searching, when into the assembly stepped the wife of the deceased. With the discernment of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10) that was Peter’s he knew the moment Sapphira faced him that she was as guilty as her husband. But to bring before the minds of all present the complete evidence on the case and to allow Sapphira with her own mouth to condemn herself (knowing how much Ananias had laid at his feet as a full price for the land), he framed the question in the manner he did:
Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much (naming the price Ananias had given). Sapphira was all ready to carry out her part of the act and she answered, Yea, for so much. Peter gives to her the same rebuke he delivered to Ananias but adds the punishment to her rebuke which he did not do in Ananias-’ case. Peter says in essence: Your husband was struck dead for his part in this sinhe has just been buried; the feet of them that carried him to his grave are at the door to do the same for you. What a thought! Sapphira like her conspirator fell down under the hand of God and died at the very feet of the apostle. The young men who were about to enter came in and knowing the circumstances, finding Sapphira dead carried her out and laid her by her husband.
According to this incident what definition does Peter give for hypocrisy?
What portion of Peter’s rebuke must have cut Ananias the deepest?
How was this sin originated?
What two surprises are present in this incident?
Why was so stringent a punishment necessary?
What was the immediate result of the discipline?
Why was there such an immediate burial?
How it is that Sapphira did not know of the death of her husband?
How did Peter detect the guilt of the pair?
What did Peter add to the rebuke of Sapphira that he did not include in the rebuke of Ananias?
Acts 5:11 The failure of the plot proved as propitious to the cause of Christ as its success would have been disastrous. -And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.-’ This fear was excited not merely by the sudden and awful fate of the guilty pair; but also by the evidence which the incident furnished of the heartsearching power which dwelt in the apostles. The disciples now had a better conception of the nature of apostolic inspiration and the unbelieving masses were awed into respect and reverence. (Ibid. p. 87).
What did the death of these two add to the conception of the disciples?