Our titles for today’s study are; Verses 1-2 Ananias and Sapphira. Verses 3-11 The Deity of the Holy Spirit. Verses 12-16 Many signs and wonders. Verses 17-28 The apostles imprisoned and liberated. Verse 29-32 It is a fact that you are a child of God and you are to obey him. Verses 33-42 Gamaliel’s advice.
In Acts 5 today it continues from Acts 4, and should be read so. Keep in mind that they were not told to sell all they had, but they knew that money would help the ministry go out and spread the gospel. These people knew that their promises were not made to man, but to God and the Holy Spirit. What happens next is that a husband and wife decide to lie to the Holy Spirit. Acts 5 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 5:1] But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
These two were about to be Sent out as Apostles to teach the Word of God.
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.
This is so unnecessary what is about to happen. But that you know this is an example for you in these end times, let’s go to Luke 12 and verse 8 reads.
Luke 12:8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
[9] But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
[10] And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
This is the unpardonable sin, to deny the Holy Spirit from speaking though you when you are delivered up to Satan at the sixth trump. Only God’s Elect can commit this sin. Remember this married couple here in Acts 5 are examples for us in these end times. 1Corinthians 10 and verse 11 reads.
1Cor.10:11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
They did not need to sell anything, but chose to sell and hold a part of it back from the LORD. Back to Acts 5 and verse 3 reads.
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?
He could have said; Let me keep some. But instead lied to the Holy Spirit, and to Peter. Think of it this way, if he would steal from God before he went out to preach the gospel, what would he have stolen from the Lord while he and his wife were with those that they were sent to preach the Word of God to. Let’s go to Deuteronomy 23 and verse 21 reads.
Deu.23:21] When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
[22] But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.
[23] That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.
Ananias and his wife never needed to make that vow of selling all they had and to give it to the church, but that they chose to. Back to Acts 5 and verse 4 reads.
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.
[5] And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
[6] And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
Peter did not touch him but the Holy Spirit took him.
Acts 5:7] And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
[8] And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
She also lied to Peter and the Holy Spirit. Remember they didn’t have to sell anything, they chose to. They’re intent all along was to rob the church.
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.
[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.
[11] And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Don’t lie to the Father, he and only he can read your heart, your mind. This word fear is reverence. To love greatly.
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.
[13] And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
[14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
The church is growing faster and faster every day. Notice both men and women.
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.
Now think, was it the shadow of Peter? No, but that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and only the Holy Spirit can heal. Paul taught this in 1Corinthians 3 and verse 6 reads.
1Cor.3:6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
[7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Back to Acts 5 and verse 16 reads.
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.
Just like with Jesus, his Apostles drew many to be healed. Now notice how the religious sect has changed from Pharisees to Sadducees. From believing in life after death to not believing. Now think of this generation of the fig tree and how fast it has changed.
Acts 5:17] Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
Here is where we see that the high priest has changed from Pharisee to Sadducees. Sadducees do not believe in life after death. Why are they in charge of the temple? Because the high priests are no longer chosen by God, but by the Romans.
Acts 5:18] And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
[19] But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
The angel of the Lord is God himself. God came down into this dimension and opened the doors. Notice that they are not having trials at night anymore, because it was illegal for the Hebrews to hold trials at night.
Acts 5:20] Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
This word Life is G2222 from G2198 zaō pronounced dzah’-o and means; 4. living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul. So, what they were told to teach was the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let’s go to 1John 5 and verse 11 reads.
1John 5:11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
[12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Remember the angel of the LORD opened the prison doors and sent them back to the temple to preach the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Back to Acts 5 and verse 21 reads.
Acts 5:21] And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that 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.
[22] But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
[23] Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
[24] Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
[25] Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
They were found boldly teaching in the temple.
Acts 5:26] Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
Fearing that the people would stone them. Remember how many have joined the church by this time.
Acts 5:27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
[28] Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
Correction, they were teaching the doctrine of Jesus, but how would they know this. Because they knowingly killed the Christ, Messiah, and they knew that his blood was indeed on their hands.
Acts 5:29] Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
[30] The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
[31] Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
[32] And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
This will make them Mad! The knowledge of killing the Christ, the anointed One of Israel. And to find that the Holy Spirit is now involved, these being of the sect of the Sadducees. We’ll see just how the Kenites think.
Acts 5:33] When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Kenites are children (Offspring) of the first murderer, Cain.
Acts 5:34] Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
This man Gamaliel was said to be the most educated man in Israel at the time. Paul himself studied at this man’s feet, notice that he is a Pharisee. He asked for the apostles to be removed from the room before he speaks.
Acts 5:35] And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
[36] For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
[37] After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
Gamaliel is bringing up two examples to them of people in the past that thought they were somethings but turned out to be nothings.
Acts 5:38] And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
[39] But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Who could argue with that? If it be of man or if it be of God. Warning them not to fight against God. But to wait and see, if it be of God or man.
Acts 5:40] And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
They still beat them, some religious people doing what evil people do. Proving they are Kenites and not of the seed of Abraham. Let this be an example for God’s Elect in these end times. We also will be delivered up to councils and in the synagogues. Let’s go to Mark 13 and verse 9 reads.
Mark 13:9] But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
[10] And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
[11] But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Notice how this lesson today brought us back to full circle? Back to Acts 5 and verse 41 reads.
Acts 5:41] And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Enjoyed suffering for his namesake. Let’s go to Matthew 5 and verse 11 reads.
Mat.5:11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
[12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
And in Romans 5 and verse 3 reads.
Rom.5:3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
It is our pleasure to suffer for Jesus Christ’s namesake. We are Christians. Back to Acts 5 and verse 42 reads.
Acts 5:42] And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
No matter what they throw at you, teach boldly. Fear no man that can destroy the flesh but He that can destroy the flesh and the soul. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible