Acts 5-16
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Intro: The key verse to understanding Acts is Acts 1:8
Intro: The key verse to understanding Acts is Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
This passage helps us understand the book of Acts
in two important ways, the first is structure, the passage also helps us understand the several Pentecost events in the book. When we look at the structure of the book of Acts Luke is communicating key events in the Gospel moving forward through Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the end of the earth. Last week you learned how the Gospel has moved through Jerusalem, this week we will move from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and how it starts to move outside of these regions to the Gentiles.
This passage also helps us understand the Pentecost events which happen throughout the book of Acts. If you read the book of Acts through the lens of Acts 1:8, we see Pentecost events in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and then the Gentiles. After this the Spirit falls on the Gentiles, these Pentecost events stop, why? These events were signs to the Apostles that the Gospel was for all people, the Gospel is for the Samaritans and for the Gentiles. Once the Apostles realized the Gospel was for everyone the Pentecost events were not needed anymore.
Outline for the book of Acts
I. God’s Glory Arrives in Jerusalem (1:1 - 6:7)
A. Prologue and Commisioning of the 12 (1:1-26)
B. Pentecost and the Advent of the Spirit (2:1-40)
C. The Apostles in Jerusalem (3:1 - 6:7)
As we go through the book of Acts, keep Acts 1:8 in mind.
As we move to Acts 5, it seems like an odd event that Luke tells us about. But to understand Acts 5, we need to understand what is going as the church is growing in Jerusalem.
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
The church is growing, not only are they growing but the church is
one heart and soul
generous
united
The Gospel was spreading through the ministry of the Apostles
Needs were being met through the generosity of the church
Gifts and finances were brought to the Apostles to administered as the people had need.
The church was multiplying, it was moving, growing Spiritually and numerically. The church has faced persecution through Rome, but we know Rome was not the enemy, there are spiritual forces at work against the church. If the church could not be destroyed from without, then Satan would attempt to destroy the church from with in.
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
What was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira?
Hypocrisy, they lied. They gave a portion of the proceeds of the sale of property pretending it was all, while pocketing the rest. The Greek word used to describe Ananias’ sin is nosphizomai, which gives the idea of embezzling money. Here is what is interesting, this event should remind us of another event in Israel’s history, almost identical situations. There is movement forward, victories and then sin and judgement. The event is Achan in the book of Joshua, and Luke is wanting you to see the connection by using this word nosphizomai, it is the same word used to describe Achan’s sin in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament.
The Message of Acts 2. Ananias and Sapphira Are Punished for Their Hypocrisy (5:1–11)
F. F. Bruce sees a further analogy: ‘The story of Ananias is to the book of Acts what the story of Achan is to the book of Joshua. In both narratives an act of deceit interrupts the victorious progress of the people of God.
John Stott says there are three lessons we can learn from this event.
The Gravity of their sin, hypocrisy, God hates hypocrisy. Their sin was against God, but it was also against the church. We see the Lord protecting this growing community known as the church. As a matter of fact, this is the first time Luke calls this community church.
The importance of, the sacredness of the human conscience. The goal is to live transparent lives before God and man. This is waht Paul tells Felix, Acts 24:16
So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
3. This event reminds us of the necessity of church discipline.
Acts 5:12-16 - The Ministry of the Apostles continues in Jerusalem.
Acts 5:17-42 - The Apostles Arrested and Freed.
The apostles are arrested and miraculously freed by an angel and the Apostles went back to teaching. They were brought before the council and the council charged them to stop teaching. Peter responds
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Many in the council wanted to kill them, but we are introduced to Gamaliel, a Pharisee, who says
And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 6:1-7 - Seven Deacons Chosen to Serve
II. God’s Glory Expands To Samaria (6:8 - 9:31)
A. Acts 6:8 - 15 - The Ministry of Stephen
B. Acts 7:1-60 - Stephens Speech and Stoning
God is a Pilgrim God -
You have broken the law you revere.
C. The Regathering of Estranged Israelites ( 8:1-40)
D. Paul’s Conversion (9:1-31)
III. God’s Glory Expands through the Witness of Peter ( 9:32- 12:24)
A. Healing and Life (9:32-43)
B. Peter and the Gentiles (10:1-11:18)
C. Peter and Barnabas in Antioch and Famine Relief ( 11:19 - 30)
D. Herod’s Persecution of the Church (Acts 12:1-24)
IV. God’s Glory Expands through the Witness of Paul (12:25 - 18:22)
A. Paul’s First Missionary Journey (12:25 - 14:28)
B. The Jerusalem Council (15:1-35)