THE BOOK OF ACTS – Chapter 5,Ananias and Sapphira, Imprisonment and Release, Gamaliel’s Counsel

 

THE BOOK OF ACTS – Chapter 5,

Ananias and Sapphira, Imprisonment and Release, Gamaliel’s Counsel

This account in the early church is as frightening as it can be confounding. I have read commentaries on this chapter by several highly regarded Bible teachers and theologians and I found each to be rife with conjecture and supposition. There is a lot that can be said after studying this chapter, but I will focus on just three matters:

(#1). Why was God’s chosen punishment of Ananias and Sapphira so severe? Yes, they were deceitful, liars, and hypocrites. And, according to other commentaries, they were most likely seeking undeserved respect and admiration for their feigned generosity. But was a death sentence warranted? What was really at work here? (Theologians offer many ‘guesses’).

(#2). The authority granted the Apostles, for the first time, seems to mirror the works and acts of Jesus. Did this level of authority and responsibility end with the Apostles?

(#3). Fear spread throughout the Christian community (the Church) as a result of these matters. Is this kind of fear of God the proper motivator in the Church?

Fate of Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:1, But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, verse 2, and kept back some of the proceeds for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. Verse 3. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land? Verse 4. While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.” Verse 5. And as he heard these words, Ananias collapsed and died; and great fear came over all who heard about it. Verse 6. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

(Commentary Break): Let the words of the first six verses speak for themselves. Peter, according to these verses, had no prior knowledge of Ananias’ planned deceitfulness. You can guess at how Peter gained this knowledge, but the word does not say and neither should we. What we do know is that Peter, an Apostle of Jesus, knew.

Secondly, Ananias died. We do not know the cause of death, just that he died and “great fear came over all who heard about it”.

If there is a lesson here it is that God knows the heart and intentions of every man and woman, and when it comes to His Church, we, His Body, should keep this event in mind. No one will escape the watchful Eye of God.

So, will a kind and loving God execute such harsh punishment on every Christian who commits the sin of deceit, lying and hypocrisy? Obviously not in the same fashion as with Ananias. But you will not escape the judgment of God. And when it comes to purifying His Church, do not be mistaken in this matter. It is the Body of Christ, the Son of God. And if God would sacrifice His only Son for the sanctifying of His Church, how do you think you might escape His judgment?

Our service, fealty and obedience is owed to God, alone. There may be times when the leaders of a church are as guilty as Ananias, but this does not relieve you or me of our duty and obligations to God. God will deal with His appointed pastors and teachers according to their responsibilities. This kind of fear before God is righteous fear, and is a healthy fear, indeed:

Hebrews 12:4-13, tells us, “You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,

“MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,

NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE PUNISHED BY HIM;

FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,

AND HE PUNISHES EVERY SON WHOM HE ACCEPTS.” It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 7. Now an interval of about three hours elapsed, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Verse 8. And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for this price?” And she said, “Yes, for that price.” Verse 9. Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” Verse 10. And immediately she collapsed at his feet and died; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Verse 11. And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard about these things.

(Commentary Break): We have been warned that in these last days “evil people and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But that you are to continue in the things that you have learned, giving you wisdom that leads to your salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”. (see 2 Timothy 3:13-15). Jesus also warned that there would be an escalation of lawlessness and that most people’s love will grow cold. But that it is the one who endures to the end that will be saved. (see Matthew 24:12-13).

We may not get to personally see God’s judgment on the errant, and it is not our business. It is the business of God. But there should be no doubt that God will purify His Church, whether you see it or not. Keep yourself unstained when dealing with God so that you are not dealt with in such a manner. However, when you do fail, run to Him quickly, confess your sins, fall before Him and seek His mercy. He is faithful and righteous, and He will forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 12. At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all together in Solomon’s portico. Verse 13. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. Verse 14. And increasingly believers in the Lord, large numbers of men and women, were being added to their number, verse 15, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any of them. Verse 16. The people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together as well, bringing people who were sick or tormented with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

(Commentary Break): These are the most amazing scriptures and events regarding the disciples and Apostles of Jesus. Finally, we see the authority and the works of Jesus through His disciples, just as He said.

The question that arises is “have these works ceased?” Some say yes, others say no. What we can know is that there a very few, if any, who have committed their lives in service to God at a level such as the Apostles. Jesus taught that, “to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away”. (see. Matthew 13:12, and Matthew 25:29). (End Commentary Break).

Imprisonment and Release

Verse 17. But the high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. Verse 18. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public prison. Verse 19. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and leading them out, he said, verse 20, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple area the whole message of this Life.” Verse 21. Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple area about daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, that is, all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison for them to be brought. Verse 22. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported, verse 23, saying, “We found the prison locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” Verse 24. Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. Verse 25. But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple area and teaching the people!” Verse 26. Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

Verse 27. When they had brought them, they had them stand before the Council. The high priest interrogated them, verse 28, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” Verse 29. But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Verse 30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging Him on a cross. Verse 31. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Verse 32. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Counsel

Verse 33. But when they heard this, they became infuriated and nearly decided to execute them. Verse 34. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. Verse 35. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men. Verse 36. For, some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. Verse 37. After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. Verse 38. And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or movement is men, it will be overthrown; verse 39, but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

Verse 40. They followed his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. Verse 41. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. Verse 42. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus as the Christ. (End chapter 5).

Is it any wonder why the early Church experienced such exponential growth, even under such severe persecution? The signs and wonders of God were evident. The love of people for one another within the Church was real. The level of commitment of those in the Church to one another and to the Church was unparalleled in Roman or Jewish societies. This was indeed a time when God had come down to earth. His Name is Jesus.

I hear Christians say they have a deep longing to return to the model and the ways of the early Church. And we shall return. We will return to similar circumstances as the early Church, as these Last Days, the Birth Pains of the tribulation begin to intensify and draw to a close. God has said that He will “purge, cleanse, and refine His Church”, the bride of Christ, in preparation for the wedding feast. Then we will see. We will see who are the sheep of God and who are the goats. He will separate the wheat from the tares.

Dear friends, let’s commit ourselves to be found on the Right hand of God and not on the left. Let us all endure to the end.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

PREVIOUSLY: THE BOOK OF ACTS – Chapter 4, Peter and John Arrested and Released, Sharing among Believers.

NEXT: THE BOOK OF ACTS – Chapter 6, Choosing the Seven.

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