The Acts of the Apostles

1. Acts 5:1-6 - But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Notice how the term ‘But’ puts in contrast what had just been described about the conduct of Barnabas et al (Acts 4:36,37). Who were Ananias (Jewish name - Yahweh is gracious)and Sapphira (Jewish name - beautiful)? No additional information provided about them but he is to be distinguished from the Ananias of Acts 9 and 22-24. The Acts of the Apostles Acts 5:1-16 “Ananias & Sapphira, Apostles Miracles” 1 April 6, 2014 Bob Eckel

2. The possession was land – verse 3 he kept back part of the proceeds kept back – nosphizō Achan's sin in the Septuagint (Josh. 7:1) had a similar outcome. A designated portion implying pre-determined vs. Acts 4:36,37 or Titus 2:9,10 And Sapphira was aware. You have not lied to men but to God – really? Why was Ananias’ sin so incriminating? Control by Satan vs. the Holy Spirit – I Pet 5:8 Deception – Psalm 38:12 Hypocrisy – I Tim 4:1,2 Lying – John 8:44 Praise of men – John 12:43 Material lust - I Tim 6:10 - For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Thus, at the time this was a sin unto death – I John 5:16; I Cor 11:29,30; James 5:19,20 Why? The Acts of the Apostles Acts 5:1-16 “Ananias & Sapphira, Apostles Miracles” 2 April 6, 2014 Bob Eckel

3. Constable – ‘If God acted today as He did in the early Jerusalem church, undertakers would have much more work than they do.’ Doesn’t this punishment seem ultra-socialistic, i.e. depriving the community goods? Yet selling anything was not required but voluntary. And great fear came on all those who heard How would you have responded? Death came quickly and burial was immediate in the Jewish tradition in that land and in that day; and the same would follow for Sapphira. Acts 5:7-11 - Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her The Acts of the Apostles Acts 5:1-16 “Ananias & Sapphira, Apostles Miracles” 3 April 6, 2014 Bob Eckel

4. dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. Peter simply revisited the inquiry he had posed to Ananias – testing the Spirit of the Lord. Note testing not tempting the Spirit Yes, and both Ananias and Sapphira were believers, indwelled by the Holy Spirit. And their carnality persisted even unto death as indicated by Paul in many of his accounts - 1 Cor. 3:1-3,15, 5:5, 11:30; Gal. 5:16; Eph. 5:18; Heb 10:29; I John 5:16,17. And again, great fear came upon all the church. Peter was placed by the Lord in a position of Spirit-led authority vs. that of Satan’s power exemplified in the works of Ananias and Sapphira. Acts 5:12-16 - And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join The Acts of the Apostles Acts 5:1-16 “Ananias & Sapphira, Apostles Miracles” 4 April 6, 2014 Bob Eckel

5. them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Notice how the apostles’ signs and wonders continued, and among the people in general. And in one accord in Solomon’s porch. Solomon’s porch – the eastern part of the temple where Christians gathered. Who are none of the rest who dared to join them, believers, non-believers or both? Are they the people that esteemed them (apostles) highly? And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women The Acts of the Apostles Acts 5:1-16 “Ananias & Sapphira, Apostles Miracles” 5 April 6, 2014 Bob Eckel

6. Acts 1:15 – 120 saved Acts 2:41 – 3000 believers added to the original 120 Acts 4:4 – total number of believers = ~5000 Here the number added is not stated but multitudes noted The hope was even the shadow of Peter would bring healing and sick people and those with tormenting spirits came from surrounding cities and were healed. Like Luke 8:46? Was this healing specified as believers vs. the unsaved? Why did God continue to manifest His healing powers in this way? What about today, and consider the fate of Ananias and Sapphira? The Acts of the Apostles Acts 5:1-16 “Ananias & Sapphira, Apostles Miracles” 6 April 6, 2014 Bob Eckel