Verses 1-2 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 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.
The name, Ananias, means “whom Jehovah has graciously given”. The name, Sapphira, means “a sapphire”. In the previous chapter it is told that the early Christians sold their possessions and gave the money to the apostles to distribute “unto every man according as he had need.” It appears that this couple wanted to participate for the purpose of obtaining some type of recognition for their “selfless” act. However, their heart was not right and their motives were not righteous and pure. They could have been truthful and told the apostles that they had sold the possession for this much, they were keeping this much for their own needs, and this much was being given to the Church. But they were deceitful and the Holy Ghost/Spirit revealed this deception to the Apostle Peter. It would seem that this couple was not truly converted or they would not have lied and been deceitful.
Verses 3-4 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 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
The Apostle Peter confronted Ananias and asked him why he had sinned, and he pointed out that the lie or sin was really against God.
Verses 5-6 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.
God struck Ananias down and this event was a lesson to the rest of the Church that they were to be holy as He is holy and that there was no room in the Kingdom of God for unrepentant sinners. It is interesting that Ananias did not live up to the meaning of his name as he was not gracious in his giving unto the Church.
Application: This writer believes in being “slain in the Spirit” as it happened to Ananias. However, this type of being slain in the Spirit is a judgement of God upon an individual, a group, or a nation. There are examples in the Old Testament of people being slain by God because of their unbelief and because of their sin and rebellion against Him. Numbers chapter 16 records the slaying of Korah and his family for their trespass against Moses and against the LORD. “And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.” Numbers 16:32 But the modern day practice in many churches of being “slain in the Spirit” is not of God. To have a minister or televangelist walk down an isle and swoosh people backwards onto the floor is nothing more than a demonic demonstration designed to titillate people’s attraction to the unusual or bizarre. Beware of churches that engage in this kind of theatrics.
Verses 7-11 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 sold 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.
Application: Here is the number 3 again (3 hours) which is the number of perfection in Scripture. God’s judgement upon Ananias and Sapphira was perfecting the Church in Jerusalem. It is from this Church that missionaries would go forth into all the world and preach the Gospel.
Sapphira lied to the Apostle Peter as did her husband and she received the same judgement from Almighty God who is no respecter of persons and makes no difference between male and female, Jew or Gentile, slave or free. The result was that the Church had greater awe, respect, and reverence for God and for his apostles.
Verses 12-13 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
The Greek word translated as “apostles” is “apostolos” and it means a delegate, messenger, or one sent forth with orders. The original 12 apostles were not the only apostles in the early Church. Barnabas, Timothy, Silvanus, and Paul were all apostles, and apostles were and are part of the structure of God’s Church then and now. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:28 So the apostles were sent forth and they preached and brought forth the Word of God (prophet), they taught the people (teachers), they performed signs and wonders (miracles), they healed the sick (gifts of healing), they aided and helped the people in the various churches as they were established (gifts of helps), they promoted the governance and structure of the Church according to God’s design (governments), and they spoke in tongues and interpreted what was spoken (diversity of tongues).
Application: Unfortunately, today there has been a falling away of the mainstream organized evangelical establishment churches from the pattern established by the Apostolic Church as recorded in the book of Acts. As a result, these churches are essentially useless and have become social gathering places with very little outreach to the lost. No one is being sent forth from these churches to preach and teach the Word of God to the masses, no miracles of salvation of souls are being seen, no one is being healed, no miracles are happening, and aid is expected to be given by local and state agencies instead of the local church. Speaking in tongues is ridiculed and feared so no prophecy is coming forth. God has been put on a shelf so to speak, and the leadership of these churches are doing it their way instead of God’s way. Perhaps those reading this study will consider starting a house Church with Christian friends and family and structure it according to the will of God as presented in the pages of the book of the Acts of the Apostles. God will bless and work the same miracles as He did in the early Church and people will be saved from sin, death and Hell. Because God is the center of the house church, the people attending will be of one accord.
Verses 14-15 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 15 Insomuch 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.
The power of God was manifested in such a powerful way in the early Church that the Apostle Peter merely passing by sick folk resulted in healings.
Verse 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.
All kinds of excuses have been given over the years to explain why people are not healed or why some are healed and others are not. A study of Scripture does not support these excuses. The list includes a lack of faith, sin in one’s life, and God allowing the sickness or infirmity to build character in the believer. Notice that the verse above states very clearly that “they were healed every one.” Everyone means everyone. Also notice that these people were vexed with unclean spirits or devils. This writer believes that all sickness is from Satan and his army of unclean spirits/fallen angels. Now this does not mean that someone who engages in risky behavior and becomes sick or injured is vexed by an unclean spirit. Sometimes people’s choices are unwise and just plain stupid and the resultant assault on their body is purely caused by their choices and actions. Cigarette smoking is just one example of risky behavior that will result in physical injury, decline and even death. No devil is needed to promote lung and organ damage. But other diseases and infirmities may not be healed because the root cause is not addressed. The unclean spirit has to be cast out before the sickness or infirmity is healed. Likewise, this writer does not know of any individual who has a better character as a result of dealing with pain and disability. It is usually the opposite as it is very difficult to maintain a joyful and positive character when in distress physically. And all the people healed by the shadow of the Apostle Peter may not have had much faith. Faith is a gift of God and it can wax and wane in an individual’s life, so blaming a sick person for not being healed by accusing the person of not having faith is cruel. All converted Christian believers have faith of some kind or they would not be Christians. It takes faith to believe in the Gospel message and in the LORD Jesus Christ. So perhaps the lack of healing today has to do with God’s people failing to allow for the moving of the Holy Ghost/Spirit in their lives and in the lives of the people in their congregations. Perhaps they are not of one accord and really do not believe that God functions today as He did during the days of the early Church. When denying the power of the Holy Ghost/Spirit, He will not manifest His power. Think about it.
Verses 17-18 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.
The secular government’s answer to dealing with that which opposes them or with that which demonstrates the government’s failures and wickedness is always to arrest and imprison those that are in the right and therefore a threat to their power and control. And then they pass laws to prohibit the actions of those they are threatening with incarceration. Because the apostles and the Church were continuing the ministry of Jesus which the high priest and his cohorts had tried to stamp out and destroy, they took further action by arresting the leaders of the Church.
Verses 19-23 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were 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.
Usually, when Scripture says “the angel of the LORD” it is the LORD Jesus Christ Himself that is performing the action or the miracle. In this case, the prison doors were opened and the apostles were brought out of the prison. Notice that when the officers came in the morning the doors were shut and the guards had not seen the apostles escape. Truly this was a great miracle of the LORD which could not be explained in the natural world. And the apostles disregarded the religious leaders and their threats and just went about the LORD’s work the very next day without fear.
Application: Before conversion, every man and woman is in a prison of sin and in bondage to Satan. When the “words of this life” are told to them and they understand the gift of God and accept it, their spiritual chains drop off and they are no longer in a spiritual prison of sinful thoughts, words, or acts, but are entered into the freedom of the Kingdom of God where they inherit eternal life. The telling of the Gospel brings new life into the souls of sinners so that they can live a victorious physical life on this Earth and a victorious spiritual life that will reap the words of Jesus on the day of judgement, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord!” Matthew 25:21, 23
Verses 24-26 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests 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. 26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
What does one do with pesky Christians who defy orders given by the political and religious ruling elite? How does one punish these pesky Christians when the people love to hear what they are saying? How does one fight against God? The high priest and the Jewish leadership had seen and heard many miracles during the 3 1/2 years of Jesus’ ministry on Earth and so they most likely were not surprised that the apostles were free from prison and preaching in the Temple. However their hearts were so hardened that they could not see the hand of God in all the events of their time.
Verses 27-28 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
So now they revealed that they were worried that they would be blamed for the murder of the LORD Jesus Christ. They did not want Jesus’ name mentioned in public so that maybe people would forget about Him. They did not want the doctrine of salvation to be preached so that the people would remain in bondage to their Babylonian system of religion. And they did not want the people to blame them for their actions of arresting, illegally trying, and convicting Jesus. But were they not responsible for the crowd on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus who yelled, “His blood be on us; and on our children”? Was not the blood of the LORD Jesus on their hands as instigators of the persecution of Jesus and His followers?
Verses 29-32 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew 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 so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
The answer to the high priest’s question was short and to the point. It was/is the same answer that converted Christian believers need to use today when confronted with situations that are contrary to their faith. Believers ought always to obey God rather than men. It is a matter of eternal life in Heaven or eternal life in Hell. And just as Peter did not shrink from confronting these evil men with their evil deed, so should the Christian believer confront evil people with their evil deeds. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (rebuke, convict) them. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.” Ephesians 5:11 and 13
Application: Once again the Apostle Peter is the spokesman for the group of apostles standing in the council. Notice that he is no longer impetuous Peter, but is controlled, an eloquent speaker, and a man without fear. What happened to him to change his personality in such a short period of time? The Day of Pentecost happened and Peter was baptized along with the other apostles by the Holy Ghost/Spirit and with power from on high. He was under the control of the Holy Ghost and he spoke the words that the Holy Ghost gave him to speak. He knew God and he was ‘full on’ for the ministry of the LORD Jesus Christ and he remained so until his death.
Verse 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Application: Satan and his fallen angels work in patterns over and over again. The high priest and the men of the council took counsel to slay Jesus because they did not like what He was saying, and so now they were going to take counsel to slay the apostles because they did not like what they were saying. Their devils were directing them to do the same things again. Once one understands how Satan and his devils operate, one can discern them operating in other people and predict actions and outcomes. Think about it.
Verses 34-39 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the 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 slain; 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.
The Gamaliel mentioned here for the first time in Scripture was the teacher of the Apostle Paul who was also a Pharisee. As a Pharisee, it was required that the first five books of the Old Testament be committed to memory, and Gamaliel taught the Apostle Paul the law written by the hand of Moses and recorded in these books. Finally, a voice of reason is heard from among the ruling elite. God raised up this man for such a time as this, and He raised up his student, Paul, to preach the Gospel to the known world and to write most of the New Testament as he established churches every where he traveled. Gamaliel apparently knew the God of Moses and knew that the men of the Sanhedrin along with all the scribes could not win the battle if the battle was with God. He also understood the nature of mankind and the propensity to fail and have grandiose plans never come to fruition.
Verses 40-42 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)
These evil men could not just take the whole counsel of Gamaliel and “let them alone”, but they had to have some revenge and so they had them beaten. This beating was no small thing in which the men being beaten walked away with a few bruises and a damaged ego. It usually involved having one’s back lashed with a device that cut and bloodied the skin and muscles of the victim. It was a painful punishment. But this action by the religious ruling elite did not stop the Gospel from going forth.
Application: Throughout Scripture the controversy towards the “faith” by anti-Christ forces was regarding the use of the name, Jesus. The religious elite, the scribes, and the high priest realized that there was power in the name of Jesus and hence their orders to the apostles to not speak in the name of Jesus. These evil men did not care about the new doctrine being presented by the apostles as they could counter it with false doctrine and traditions of men as they had always done since the Babylonian exile and which they do today. It was the name of Jesus that they wanted to prevent from being used. So ask yourself why today there is much controversy over the name of God and a movement to not use the name, Jesus. Could it be that Satan is still trying to prevent the use of the only name that has power to forgive, power to heal, power to raise the dead, and power to save a soul and fill that soul with the Holy Ghost?