ACTS LESSON 10
We will begin this lesson in Acts 5:1 "But a certain man named
Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession," Acts 5:2 "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."
Ananias and Sapphira were not required of God to give their
possessions. They decided between themselves to sell the land and lie
to the apostles (representing the work of the Holy Ghost on earth)
and hold back part of the money.
Acts 5:3 "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?" Acts 5:4 "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 sin here is not in Ananias not bringing all the money for the
land, but in the fact that he brought part of the money and told the
apostles that he had brought all. To lie to man is one thing, but to
lie to God is an entirely different thing. The sin here is lying.
Acts 5:5 "And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up
the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things."
God is a loving God, but He is also a just God. The judgement
came swiftly here, so that all could see that lying to God is a very
bad sin. Notice, Sapphira did not die when Ananias lied. You can
imagine the fear that gripped the camp. Somehow Sapphira did not hear
of this.
Acts 5:6 "And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried [him]
out, and buried [him]."
In a case of this nature there would not have been mourning in the
camp. The sooner this was taken care of, the better. This dishonest
man was quickly removed from the camp.
Acts 5:7 "And it was about the space of three hours after, when
his wife, not knowing what was done, came in." Acts 5:8 "And Peter
answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And
she said, Yea, for so much."
There is one really important lesson to be learned here, besides
the lesson of not to lie to God. Notice, she was not condemned for
the sin of her husband. She will be judged on her own merit. Had she
told the truth at this point, she would have lived. She is guilty of
her own sin, not the sin of her husband. Wives, you are responsible
for your own sins. You need to listen to your husband, until it
involves things of the spirit. Then you are an independent agent.
Husbands rule over their wives' flesh, not their spirit. There is an
order in the home that God has set up and we wives need to heed it.
Husbands are the head of the home (in the flesh). Ladies, God will
not accept the excuse for you not coming to church, because your
husband won't come. In things of the spirit, you are responsible
yourself for your own decisions. As we see in the next verse.
Acts 5:9 "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." Acts 5:10 "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."
We see that this turning away from the beautiful workings of the
early church and lying to the Holy Ghost brought sudden destruction.
Ananias and Sapphira conceived this crime together, they both sinned,
they met with a common fate and were buried together. This whole
message is not saying, to be a Christian you have to sell everything
and give it to the church. It is saying that it is a great sin to lie
to the Holy Spirit of God. Their sin was lying.
Acts 5:11 "And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as
many as heard these things."
This fear here, is fear of God. These people suddenly become very
aware that God is indeed not only a discerner of our deeds, but of the
intents of our hearts, as well. The power of God manifested here
would cause great respect for God and His prophets.
Acts 5:12 "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."
These signs and wonders were from God to let the world know that
these disciples were agents of Almighty God. They were not acting on
their own merits, but were obedient servants of God. These miracles
were evidence that could not be denied by the rulers of the temple.
Notice also that the followers of Jesus were not bickering among
themselves, but were all in one accord. To me, this means their minds
and hearts were stayed upon God.
Acts 5:13 "And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but
the people magnified them."
We see here that, great astonishment gripped all the people. No
more people joined the group possibly for fear of their weaknesses
causing them trouble like Ananias and Sapphira. The people magnified
them. This included the Jewish rulers. This unity and, also, this
happening with the two that lied to the Holy spirit put fear and great
respect for these disciples in all of them."
Acts 5:14 "And believers were the more added to the Lord,
multitudes both of men and women.)"
These believers, here, who were added were not added to these
apostles who had all things common. These were ordinary people who
started believing that Jesus was their Saviour and Lord. Men and
women in great numbers accepted Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
Acts 5:15 "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."
We see the power of the Lord Jesus Christ working mightily through
Peter here. We saw, when Peter and John prayed for the lame man to
walk and he miraculously was healed a small portion of this power in
action. We, also, saw how the power of the Spirit refilled the
disciples. After this second filling of the power from on high to
minister, it seemed that even the shadow of Peter brought such healing
power from the Spirit of God that many were healed. This was not
Peter's power, but the power of the Spirit in Peter that was doing
this healing.
Acts 5:16 "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."
In John 14:12-14 we read, John 14:12 "Verily, verily, I say unto
you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also;
and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my
Father." John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will
I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:14 "If ye
shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]." Notice, who does the
healing (it is the power of the Risen Christ). Peter is just using
the power of the Risen Christ to heal. It is the name of Jesus the
Christ that heals. Jesus had said, if His followers believed, they
could do greater miracles than He did when He was on earth by just the
use of His name.
Notes
Acts 10 Questions
1. What were the names of the husband and wife who sold the property
in verse 1?
2. What did they do with the money?
3. What did they lie about?
4. Which disciple had they lied to?
5. Who did that disciple represent?
6. Who had filled their hearts with the desire to lie?
7. Were they required to give all their money?
8. What was the sin?
9. What happened to Ananias as punishment?
10. Who carried him out?
11. How much later was it before the wife came to Peter?
12. Was she punished for her husband's lie, or her own lie?
13. What happened to her?
14. How did this happening affect the church?
15. Who were many signs and wonders shown by?
16. In verse 13, we find what effect to the disciples all of this had,
what was it?
17. In verse 14, who were added to the Lord?
18. In verse 15, they brought their sick and demon possessed and put
them where what could happen?
19. How many were healed?
20. Who will be glorified in this?
21. When we pray, whose name must we pray in?
Notes
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