Acts 5

Ananias and Sapphira

Lying to the Holy Spirit

The text begins with a connective “but,” which ties chapter 5 to the last part of chapter 4. There had just been a magnanimous demonstration of generosity where Barnabas had sold his property in Cyprus and had given all of the money to the church. One can only surmise the prestige and recognition that was given to Barnabas, which it would have been easy to envy. When anyone thinks he needs acceptance and acclaim the motivation is there to do anything to gain it, even something illegitimate.

I. The Lies of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11) – The Great Pretender

Note: this is a similar story to Achan in Joshua 7

5:1-2The exaggerated generosity of Ananias and Sapphira, who also sold a possession to give to the need of the early believers. They likewise laid part of it at the apostles’ feet, as did Barnabas, in what must have been a pompous act. There was not command to give it all, but evidently they agreed to pretend to have sacrificed everything.

5:3 Peter perceived Ananias was lying. Satan had “filled” his heart (eplerosen, filled in the sense of “controlled or influenced”). This is not demon possession, but demonic influence. The same word is used in Eph 5:18 to be “filled with the Spirit.” Satan is a “seducing or deceiving” spirit (1 Tim 4:1, planos, “misleading, wandering, corrupting”) who can make even Christians believe a lie. Here the lie was that they could become a popular and influential as a spiritual leader if they pretended to give more than they actually did, and they believed Satan’s lie.

  • The lie was to the Holy Spirit
  • The lie was that they supposedly had given everything – They were not disobedient to an obligation to give everything, but had lied saying they had given everything. Hypocrisy, hupokrisis, means “playacting, a pretense or outward show”
  • Peter later wrote, “NET 1 Peter 2:1 So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”

5:4 Explanation of the lie. The rights of personal property is declared showing that is is not Christian socialism, but offerings are of a free-will nature, not obligated. There was probably a sense that Christ was going to return immediately, so possessions meant nothing in that perspective. Note: here Peter states that Ananias lied “to God” giving an declaration of the deity of the Spirit.

5:5-6 Immediate judgment on Ananias. This provoked a godly fear, that God would do what He said.

  • NKJ 1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God;
  • NKJ 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death.
  • NKJ 1 Corinthians 10:6“Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.” (as Achan did).

5:7-10 Sapphira also lied about the amount of the sale.

  • They agreed to “test the Spirit”, that is, to see how much they could get away with. When we think we can get away with it, and maintain our “spiritual” image, reputation or testimony we are much more tempted.
  • NET Matthew 4:7 Jesus said to him, "Once again it is written: 'You are not to put the Lord your God to the test.'"

5:11 Believers sensed godly fear (the “beginning of wisdom” Prov 1:7) that God would judge everyone for their open sin (reiteration from v. 5 for emphasis). This judgment indicated several lessons:

  1. God hates sin and will judge it as He sees fit…always.
  2. Such chastisement was not evident in Israel, so it marked the Church as distinct. Note: “church” is used here for the first time in Acts.
  3. Indicated that God is divinely at work in this group.

II. Development of the church at Jerusalem (5:12-42)

A. The Authentication of the Apostles (5:12-16)

5:12 Miracles by apostles. With very few exceptions the miracles were done by apostles or those closely associated with them (2 Cor 12:12).

  • Regular meeting place was in the open air of the Temple ground under the Colonnade where people gathered to talk, this day talk was of the lame man’s healing. Though occasionally a public sermon occurred the norm seemed to be personal conversations.

5:13 Fear of joining the Christ followers probably a residual from the Ananias and Sapphira slaying. “None of the rest” translates (loipon, usually refers to the lost, e.g. Rom 11:7, “the rest were hardened” – Eph 2:3; 1 Thes 4:13; 5:6).

5:14 Summary verse of conversions indicating that in spite of the fear conversions were continuing, evidently through personal witnessing. See also 2:41, 47; 4:4; 6:1, 7; 9:31 for more summaries.

5:15-16 Miracles of healings brought crowds and everyone who was sick, especially those oppressed or possessed by demons, who seemed to be unusually active around the life of Jesus. The idea of the shadow of Peter having healing power may have been what the people thought in their superstition. Jesus promised His disciples this power (Matt 10:8; Mk 16:17-18).

B. The Second imprisonment and escape (5:17-20

5:17-20 All 12 apostles were captured and an angel released them commanding them to proclaim the “words of this life”. The phrase “eternal life” translates the original words, “life of the eternities.” This is a different life, not just a religion. Public preaching was not an option, whether they wanted to or not, they had to!

  • First of three miraculous escapes from prison (Peter: 12:6-10; Paul and Silas: 16:26-27)

C. Examination and Defense of the apostles (5:21-32)

5:21 The apostles obeyed as soon as the sun appeared, with the early morning prayer crowd, as a group, so probably meant they were “teaching” the gospel in conversations.

  • Meanwhile the Sanhedrin finally convened (instead of going to the early morning prayers?) only to find the apostles were not in prison.

5:22-25 The incredible situation:

  1. The guards kept the cells locked securely (vv. 21-23), but the cells were empty!
  2. The highest authorities of Israel had no one to judge! They were “puzzled” (dieporoun, “perplexed, at a loss”), but could not see the divine intervention.
  3. As they pondered the impossible situation they were told the prisoners were teaching the people in the Temple.

5:26-27 Recapturing of the apostles and brought to the Sanhedrin where Jesus, Peter, the twelve (text), Stephen(6:12), and Paul (22:30). They were told that their leadership would probably lead to their death, but they had been crucified with Christ and like a seed falling into the ground, had already died to themselves.

5:28 Note the use of “this” to avoid saying “Jesus.” The slander is obvious.

  • Who can say that their city is “filled…with your teaching” – what was taught to one was repeated to others on multiple occasions.
  • No one likes to be made guilty – just what is essential to understand the gospel

5:29 Principle of priority: God must be obeyed even when it is illegal by men’s laws. Generally the law of the land is to be obeyed unless it contradicts the Bible (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17)

5:30-31 Unashamed pronouncement of guilt is the basis of the gospel.The most obvious guilt was the killing of Jesus – they were all murderers (6th commandment)

  • In spite of their guilt God would grant forgiveness (2:38; 3:16; 4:12; 8:22) if they would accept repentance (2:38; 3:16; 4:12; 8:22).

5:32 Two witnesses were required by law: (1) all the apostles were eye-witnesses; (2) the Holy Spirit authenticated the witness by giving both boldness and miraculous powers.

  • Promise of the Spirit to all who believe in Christ (Rom 8:9)

D. Liberation of the apostles (5:33-42)

5:33 The calm defiance of the apostles infuriated the Jewish leaders, just as it had against Jesus a few weeks earlier.

5:34-35 The defense of Gamaliel who had a sense of justice that if it were from God then no man could stop it, and if not it would die on its own (v. 39)

5:36-37 Two rebellions were illustrations. The first was Theudas, of whom we know nothing. Another Theudas was mentioned by Josephus, the Jewish historian, but it was later. The rebellion of Judas the Galilean was described by Josephus and his demise which came to nothing.

5:38-39 It is a scary thought to “fight against God.”His words echo Jesus when he said, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (His Church)”

5:40 The flogging of the apostles was from earlier disobedience to their prohibition (4:18, 21; 5:28).

5:41-42 Joy is intimately associated with suffering for the cause of Christ, not suffering from sickness or accidents. The “fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil 3:10) were coveted by the early believers – why are they shunned by modern believers? (1 Peter 4:16). This was one of Peter’s themes (1 Peter 4:13; 2:18-21; 3:8-17).

  • NET 1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.

Logos Adult Bible ClassActs 5Dr. Don Fanning