Acts Chapter Five
Things were beginning to happen quickly for the church. They didn’t just sit around and talk about the things that had already happened. They were expecting God to continue to do great things. The believers were ready to step out and do great things for God, whatever the cost.
These things being true, chapter five starts out with an illustration of the temptation that all people are subject to. We see here the issue of pride. "I’m more spiritual than you are. Look at the great sacrifice I am making." Be warned when you are tempted to make yourself look better than you are. Ananias and Sapphira conspired together to get praise for themselves. While others were generously giving, they figured they could get some of the praise for themselves and pocket some money at the same time. The sin wasn’t in keeping back part of the selling price of the land, but in lying about it.
Here is a principle about sin to always remember: sin is always against God. Peter said the lie wasn’t against him as a leader there, or against the local church as they brought the offering, but it was a lie against the Holy Spirit. This reminds me of the story of Joseph in Genesis when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. Joseph said he would not do that wickedness and sin against God. Remember this truth when you are tempted to sin – the sin will be against God.
Chapter five also shows us that God is a judge. He is no wimpy pushover. God is righteous in His judgement, and He doesn’t take sin lightly. Both lying spouses paid for their sin with their lives. People who think that God will go easy on them because their sin isn’t that bad don’t understand His righteousness. His mercy gives forgiveness for sin, but we as individuals are responsible to ask for forgiveness with a repentant heart. Without repentance we bring God’s judgement on ourselves.
My human thinking says that, considering that the word spread about the surprising deaths, no one would want to associate with that local church. "People are dying there when they sin. I’m outa here." Instead, they had a powerful revival and many believers were added to the church (v. 14). Miracles abounded and many came from all over looking for the supernatural. And again, the persecution started.
The religious leaders had the church leaders arrested. God sent an angel and released them and told them to go out preaching again. I would love to see the video of the scene the next morning when they opened the prison doors and found the place empty. What’s going on? Then, to have someone say, "They’re back out in public preaching again." I would love to see that scene. Nothing is too hard for God.
This brought more threats against preaching Jesus. Read v. 29 and see a truth that will help us all throughout life when we are faced with a tough choice. "We must obey God rather than men." That principle will carry you through many hard choices in life. It also reminds me of what the Prophet Samuel said to King Saul when the king disobeyed God’s command. "To obey is better than sacrifice. . . ." Just take the first four words and you find the answer to any situation. "To obey is better." Which is better, yield to temptation or obey God? "To obey is better." Peter refused to be intimidated in to compromise.
Gamaliel was one of the religious leaders who showed great wisdom. When some people wanted to kill Peter and his co-workers, the said that they had better be careful. If Peter really was talking for God, they would be going up directly against God. That is not a position he wanted to be in. The decided to let God be the judge.
The early church leaders had an unusual view regarding persecution. They "rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his [Jesus] name sake." They just kept on being faithful daily in proclaiming Jesus.
Remember one of our questions as we read through the book of Acts: "How can we apply what we see in Acts?" How can you apply these truths of chapter five to your life today? Chew on the things you have read in chapter five and ask the Lord how you can apply them.
