Acts chapter 5
Ananias and Sapphira lie about a donation. The apostles perform signs and wonders. They are arrested and tortured for speaking about Jesus Christ.
ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA LIE ABOUT A DONATION
VERSE 1. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession,
VERSE 2. and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, then brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
kept back part of the price. Apparently the believers were expected to give 100%.
In our day, we are “only” required to “tithe. We are to give 10 percent. Yet very few Christians give that much. The average is around 2%. Through that, we rob ourselves of great blessings.
We Christians are called to give away some of our money. We are to give generously and cheerfully. We are to give regularly. We are to give to poor people and anyone who asks. And we are to support those who lead us in our faith.
VERSE 3. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land?
VERSE 4. While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”
VERSE 5. Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things.
VERSE 6. The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him.
VERSE 7. About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
VERSE 8. Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” She said, “Yes, for so much.”
VERSE 9. But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
VERSE 10. She fell down immediately at his feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.
VERSE 11. Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.
THE APOSTLES PERFORM SIGNS AND WONDERS
VERSE 12. By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
VERSE 13. None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them.
VERSE 14. More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
VERSE 15. They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them.
VERSE 16. The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.
VERSE 17. But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy
THE APOSTLES ARE ARRESTED THEN SET FREE
VERSE 18. and laid hands on the apostles, then put them in public custody.
VERSE 19. But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out and said,
VERSE 20. “Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
Go stand and speak. This verse sums up the life of the Christian: go stand, and speak. We go to where non-Christians are. We speak to them, telling them about the New Life in Jesus Christ.
VERSE 21. When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and taught. But the high priest came, and those who 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.
VERSE 22. But the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported,
VERSE 23. “We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”
VERSE 24. Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this.
VERSE 25. One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”
THE APOSTLES ARE TORTURED FOR SPEAKING ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
VERSE 26. Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.
VERSE 27. When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them,
VERSE 28. saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”
VERSE 29. But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Acts of the Apostles and from the entire Bible.
We must obey God rather than men. The high priest commanded Peter and the apostles to stop speaking about Jesus Christ. But Peter replied with great courage. They would not stop speaking about Jesus Christ, no matter what.
When we walk with the LORD God, we can overcome our fears and be bold. As bold as a lion! Read more »
VERSE 30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree.
VERSE 31. God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.
right hand. The Bible often mentions “the right hand” of God. That is a position of power and honor. We believe it refers to Jesus Christ. More verses about the right hand.
VERSE 32. We are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
VERSE 33. But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were determined to kill them.
VERSE 34. But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while.
Gamaliel was a great Pharisee and a leading authority in the Sanhedrin.
Acts 22:3. I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict tradition of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are today.
He persuaded the Sanhedrin to NOT condemn the apostles of Jesus. We see him as a hero of compromise.
Compromise is one of six important ways to nurture the personal relationships in your own Small Group. Read more »
VERSE 35. He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do.
VERSE 36. For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. He was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing.
VERSE 37. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.
VERSE 38. Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.
Gamaliel was a great Pharisee and a leading authority in the Sanhedrin. He persuaded the Sanhedrin to NOT condemn the apostles of Jesus. We see him as a hero of compromise.
Compromise is one of six important ways to nurture the personal relationships in your own Small Group. Read more »
leave them alone. This reminds us of something said by David. At the time, David had become a wicked person. As he fled the city of Jerusalem, a Benjamite named Shemei was throwing rocks at him:
2 Samuel 16:11. David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, “Behold, my son, who came out of my bowels, seeks my life. How much more this Benjamite, now? Leave him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD has invited him.
VERSE 39. But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”
VERSE 40. They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
they beat them. That is, the apostles were flogged.
VERSE 41. They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Acts of the Apostles and from the entire Bible.
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor. The Sanhedrin punished the apostles for speaking about Jesus Christ. They had the apostles flogged. But the apostles saw it as a privilege! What if your speaking about Jesus Christ earned you public disgrace and flogging? Could you see it as a privilege?
When they were thrown into the blast furnace, three great heroes of the faith (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) responded by praising God:
Song of the Three Holy Children verse 24. They walked in the midst of the fire, praising God, and blessing the Lord.
VERSE 42. Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
they never stopped. They kept right on speaking about Jesus Christ!
ACTS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.