Chapter Five –
First Church Discipline, 2nd Arrest
ACTS 5:1-11:
As we enter into the fifth chapter
of Acts, we cannot proceed
without remembering the last thoughts of
chapter four:
Acts 4:36-37
“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated
Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,
37
having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the
apostles’ feet.”
Joses (the
Greek form of ‘Joseph’), who the Apostles have named Barnabas (Son of
Encouragement, Consolation), has been offered by Luke, through the Spirit,
as an example of predetermining an offering for the benefit of brethren
(needy saints), and then giving that offering to the Apostles for proper
distribution (the heart of a giver); later to the elders of the local bodies
for the same purpose –
Acts 11:30.
This
establishes a representation of proper giving;
“First gave themselves to the Lord”
– 2
Corinthians 8:5; “For if
there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and
not according to what he does not have.” –
2
Corinthians 8:12; “For
the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the
saints, but is also abounding by many thanksgiving to God.” –
2
Corinthians 9:12.
As we now
enter into the
fifth chapter, we will see the flip
side of the coin. Two things will be brought forth in this narrative;
first, what is an acceptable
offering, which is first rendered in the heart of those doing the giving (as
God knows our hearts).
Second,
although selling and giving was their right; even to keep part back if they
desired, as long as they did not lie concerning the offering. Ananias and
Sapphira purposed to keep some back, but to lie to the Apostles in order to
receive the same praise as others.
The
Apostles of Jesus Christ have claimed to engage in their work by the power
of the Holy Spirit. Had this lie in the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira gone
unchallenged at a later date they could have used this lie to denounce the
claim of power by the Apostles.
Just as
Jesus knew the hearts of men, the Apostles of Jesus Christ would have to
establish the credibility of the Spirit of God in them as well.
To this end, just as Lot’s wife becomes an illustration for all time of not
looking back, Ananias and Sapphira will for all time be the illustration of
doing something to be seen of men, but lying to God in their heart!
Text #1:
Acts 5:1-4
“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.
2
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.
3
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?
4
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.”
Sold a
Possession:
This was a
piece of land that belonged to them (Vs.
8). They were not commanded to sell this property, nor give the
entire proceeds. It is inferred that their love of money and desire to be
recognized among men have caused Ananias and Sapphira to plot the lie
together and then share it with the Apostles.
Satan
Filled Your Heart:
This is not
establishing the old adage; “The
Devil made me do it!” Quite the contrary! Why ask Ananias if this has
transpired if indeed he does not have any control?
The fact of
the matter is that this is a descriptive statement. That is, “why have you
chosen to fill your heart with Satan’s work?”
This is the same descriptive style
statement that the
Lord used when He spoke to the Jews, note:
John 8:44
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you
want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the
truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks
from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
The Jews were not literally born of Satan; however, because they chose to
embody him in their deeds and denial of the Lord, they were literally
exhibiting his characteristics.
Lie to the Holy Spirit:
Ananias lied to the Apostles of Jesus Christ, but in doing so, he actually
lied to the Holy Spirit of God, who was given to the Apostles to guide them
into all truth (John 16:13). If
this had not been dealt with, as a demonstration that the Apostles could
through the Spirit know the hearts of men, they would have been discredited
and the testimony of the Spirit would have had no validity; including the
claim of inspiration.
This establishes a secondary truth; we may fool men concerning our service
and giving to the Lord, but we will never fool God!
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart.”
2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one
may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has
done, whether good or bad.”
Text #2:
Acts 5:5-6
“Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So
great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
6
And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and
buried him.”
When the Holy Spirit through Peter revealed the hypocrisy of Ananias; God,
not Peter, met out this righteous judgment and struck him dead. God will not
tolerate hypocrites or liars and this incident serves as a lasting example
and warning to all the servants of God through Christ, for all time.
Breathed His Last:
In the original text, it means that he expired or died. Note that they
didn’t even have a service, or took time to morn his departure. This is very
reminiscent of Nadab and Abihu – read:
Leviticus 10:1-7.
In like fashion, Aaron was not allowed to morn their deaths at the hand of
the Lord, because they had offered a profane sacrifice to God. We, has a
royal priesthood must be holy, for He is Holy (1
Peter 1:15-16;
2:9).
Fear:
This carries with it, the concept of reverent respect and awe. All that
heard of the incident, whether members of the body of Christ or not, would
realize that God was at the source of the works being performed (vs.
11). This also tells us that like miracles, this was not done in
a closet, but out in the open for all to see, giving true conformation of
the work of the Apostles.
Text #3:
Acts 5:7-11
“Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what
had happened.
8
And Peter
answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9
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.”
10
Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the
young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried
her by her husband.
11
So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”
Three Hours:
The significance of the amount of time is actually a demonstration of the
seriousness and fearful nature of all those who were aware of what had
transpired with Ananias. Think of how quickly gossip spreads under normal
conditions. Now consider that for three hours Sapphira had heard not one
word concerning the demise of her husband; now that is reverent fear!
In a secondary thought, it also gives support to the fact that those who
were of the body of Christ supported this church discipline, knowing that
God had exposed the true heart of Ananias.
Test the Spirit:
Peter stated the result of the plotted agreement and not the purpose. It was
obvious that they did not think they were trying the Spirit directly, just
the Apostles as men; but, in doing this they actually establish the Spirit
of God in the Apostles of Christ.
In all of this, the result is given in a unified church; which in turn
demonstrated the reverent fear of God and Jesus as the Christ to all the
brethren and all those on the outside. Think of the Gospel that would be
continued to be preached after this to those on the outside, then look at
verse 14 (which we will look at in
the next lesson).