Tag Acts of the Apostles

Continuity of Miraculous Power (Acts 5:12a)

With the conjunction and of and through the apostles hands (δὲ τῶν χειρῶν τῶν ἀποστόλων) of Acts 5:12, the material following the tragedy of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) is tied to the record of what follows (Acts 5:12-16). In effect, using the coordinating conjunction, Luke tells the reader to look at Acts 5:12-16 in light of what has just happened and to see it as a continuation of the Spirit’s work. Notice the continuity.

Do not miss the fact that the power of the apostle’s anointing continued to be at work with many signs and wonders being done among the people. Do not miss the significance of their continued ability to do miracles.

The same Spirit that was at work in the separation of the liars is still at work in the support of the leaders.

Their credentials as approved men of God and authorities to whom the people must listen were in the many signs and wonders (John 10:38; 14:11). If you were struggling with what had happened, your confidence in the apostles would be restored daily by their godly character and their great ongoing power and willingness to help others free of charge. Through the continuity of miracles through the apostles, Christ was telling the church that He continued to be at work both in and through the apostles and that He approved of the outcome with Ananias and Sapphira.

Continuity of Unified Fellowship (Acts 5:12b)

See their cohesion and oneness; the people continued to be unified as a fellowship. It says that they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. In light of verse 13 the all is certainly a reference to the known congregation prior to the event of Acts 5:1-11. That same group of people, minus two, is still meeting in Solomon’s Portico or colonnade.

Figure 1: Solomon’s Porch Concept Art – Covered area with columns

Thousands of people have come to faith since Pentecost; the outpouring of the Spirit was in a room where a 120 people could meet. There are too many people to meet in the upper room mentioned in Acts 2. The apostles have taken up the practice of Jesus (John 10:23); they go to an open place in the temple to meet with the people in a ministry of teaching and miracles.

Unity remained and the custom of coming together in the temple to hear the word continued. When the Lord cleanses His community, the problem is removed, and the people continue in unity. If a church community disintegrates on account of disobedience, it may be an indicator that the Lord is removing the lampstand (Matthew 5:13-16; Revelation 2:5) of that fellowship. Unity is important and after a tragic event it must be guarded and promoted. Why is unity important?

Unity is an indispensable attribute of fellowships that will be effective as witnesses in their communities (Acts 1:8; John 13:35; 17:21) and in the work for which we were saved (Ephesians 2:10; 4:15-16 Galatians 6:2). The ongoing unity made the Jerusalem fellowship fit for witnessing to the world and the work of building up one another. Prince among preachers, Charles Spurgeon (June 19, 1834 – January 31, 1892), puts the importance of unity in perspective:

Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything which can divide saints from one another he delights in. He attaches far more importance to godly fellowship than we do. Since union is strength, he does his best to promote separation. (Spurgeon, 1868).

The events of Acts 5:1-11 (chastening or church discipline) and Acts 5:12-16 (continued power and unity) are a lesson for the modern church. We are prone to permit and tacitly promote evil when we do not take an active stand against it in our fellowships. Why? We are fearful that we will lose membership, lose financial stability, and lose our ability to reach the surrounding community. But the truth is that the compromise of not confronting and cutting out willful sinning will grieve the Spirit and hence undermine out witness. We cannot bear fruit if we do not abide in His word. Acts 5:1-16 is telling our churches to not believe the lie of losing the church if we deal with sin. The truth is that we will lose our churches if we don’t deal with willful disobedience.

Evaluate and Embrace or Eliminate — People and things that underscore the importance of unity and undertake the ongoing challenge to protect and promote Christ-centered unity in our churches are of the Spirit and missional in nature. People and things that persistently undermine church unity are demonic and are used by the devil in his dogged determination to destroy men and the mission given the local church. Take inventory church. Evaluate and embrace everything that is found to be in the first category. Eliminate with extreme prejudice everything that falls into the second and everyone that, when confronted, will not repent.

In this regard I am especially qualified to say something. My journey with Jesus has included highs in ministry and times of dealing with disobedience in ways that have been painful, public, and yet absolutely necessary for the health of the fellowship… and my own walk with God. Now I am thankful. In the handling of sin in our fellowships we cannot forget the importance of grace, gentleness, and the goal of restoration. Let nothing be done toward the sinning brother or sister that does not take into account God’s grace toward us in Christ (Ephesians 4:32); recipients of grace must not forget their own history of rebellion and the great grace that brought about their repentance. Gentleness, if possible, should be shown toward those who have failed. Only when the sinning persons demonstrates an unwillingness to repent should fellowship be shut off and interactions be limited to what is absolutely necessary. Finally, we should aim for restoration. That means, although a period of separation or being sidelined is in order, we want to see our brothers and sisters back in fellowship and using their gifts for the glory of God and the good of others. Peter failed. After a time he was restored. The brother in Corinth failed. He needed to be put out for a time. But not permanently. He needed to be restored. Restoration should become part of our stories; otherwise our churches become characterized by the false notion that the members have not messed up and that failure is unforgivable and the end of fellowship — an anti-gospel of sorts.

Questions for Consideration

1. Is the fear of repercussions preventing your fellowship from confronting sin issues in the congregation?
2. Does the church have a history of helping a fallen brother or sister get back up?
3. What message does it send to the surrounding community if the person who fails is sent away permanently?

References

Spurgeon, Charles H. (1868). Lectures to My Students. Marshall, Morgan & Scott.

¹ 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.” ⁵ 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. ⁷ 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.

The But of Acts 5:1 antagonizes the message of Acts 4:32-35. Where Barnabas sold his land and brought the entire proceed to the church for its use, Ananias merely claimed to do this. His sin, with Sapphira his wife, was not in keeping back part of the price of the land. Peter makes it clear that he could have done that (Acts 5:4). There would have been no fault in giving only a portion of the sale to the church. In fact, Ananias could have kept the land in his own possession without there being a problem. His contribution was not compulsory (Acts 5:3-4).

Why did he do it? He and his wife wanted to be counted with the highly committed while still keeping a foot in the world. They wanted a positive nickname too. But, with a discernment that was given to him by the Holy Spirit, Peter explains why the plan would not work:

The Seriousness of Not Seeing the Anointing — Ananias failed to acknowledge the Anointing as he acted out his trespass. Even in the presence of continuous expressions of Heaven’s power (Acts 4:33) he made the mistake of regarding men after the flesh and the fellowship as being no more than what he could see. But the men leading the fellowship were anointed by God and able to do and see things above and beyond what is possible for mere mortals. The fellowship before Ananias and Sapphira is not only with the seen but also with the unseen Spirit of the Lord. The fellowship, treated as common and something to be manipulated, was in fact consecrated. That couple was tragically unholy in dealing with a people made holy by the Spirit of Holiness.

In light of all that Ananias had seen in the way of wonders it is amazing and confounding to Peter that he could have been so dull in thinking that his sin would not be seen. How did Ananias arrive at this point? The answer is that Satan had filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3). Satan had been at work trying to ruin the new creation. Just as in the garden, that serpent of old (Genesis 3:1,4; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9; 20:2) had been working to (1) deceive people in paradise and (2) ruin relationships. After a while the arch nemesis of God was able to convince Ananias to lie to the Spirit. What could have been worse than bringing Satan’s corrupting influence entry into the new fellowship? Ananias had allowed Satan to furnish the rooms of his heart with worldly intentions.

Doors for Demonic Activity — When we fail to take our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Philippians 4:8) and and refuse to rigorously exclude ungodly desires that would take up residence in our hearts we (1) open doors for demonic activity and (2) create conditions conducive to crimes against God and His community (Ephesians 4:25-27; Romans 12:19; James 4:7).

Action Steps — Let us stop lying and speak truth (Zechariah 8:16; Ephesians 4:15, 25; Colossians 3:9).

1. 1. Stop Active Lying – Deceptive statements
   2. Stop Passive Lying – Omissions that mislead

Peter does not punish the man but explains the great foolishness of trying to deceive God; the sin, in this case, is judged by God Himself. Upon hearing these words Ananias dies (Acts 5:5). Sapphira colludes with her husband to mislead the church. But the plan will fail with tragic results. Asked if what she brought was the entire sale price of the land Sapphira, says that it was (Acts 5:8). As in so many Old Testament cases the opportunity to confess was given. Here are ten passages from the Old Testament where God asks a question aimed at prompting confession or self-reflection:

• Genesis 3:9 – After Adam and Eve sinned, God asks Adam, “Where are you?”
• Genesis 4:9 – God asks Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”
• Genesis 18:13 – “And the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?'”
• Genesis 21:17 – God asks Hagar, “What ails you, Hagar?”
• Genesis 32:27 – God asks Jacob, “What is your name?”
• Job 38:4 – God asks Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?”
• 1 Samuel 15:14 – “But Samuel said, ‘What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?'”
• Jonah 4:4 – “Then the Lord said, ‘Is it right for you to be angry?'”
• Jeremiah 2:5 – God asks Israel, “What injustice have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me?”

These passages are instances where God’s questions are used to initiate introspection, catalyze confession, or to elicit a response that reveals deeper truths about the individuals involved. Sapphira did not make the most of her opportunity. If she had, mercy would have been shown:

He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

Instead she took the opportunity to confirm her decision to test the Spirit of the Lord. What was the test?

The Test of Ananias and Saphira — Can we get away with lying about our giving in order to get a better status in our church community? Will God know?

She also dies and was carried away to be buried with her husband. Although this is bad, consider with me the consequences. Luke says that the result of this rebuke was that great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things (Acts 5:11). The loss of earthly life has produced in the church a profound reverence for the presence of Christ and the position of the apostles. Christ in our midst at communion is serious; by treating it lightly we bring upon ourselves judgement. Christ at work through the leadership of the apostles is serious; by treating them as mere men the meaning of the miracles is missed and the Presence at work in them is disrespected.

Figure 1 – Signs and their Significance in the Opening of Acts

The immediate deaths of this deceptive couple were a sign indicating a spiritual reality – God does not want or tolerate lying in his church. Just as the signs of Pentecost and the fellowship prayer were not going to be repeated, the immediate deaths of liars in the church is not happening today. But the spiritual reality indicated in the narrative is that with God there is a deep displeasure associated with people in the church lying to one another and to Him. Former is unloving. The latter is dumb; He knows all. Today is the day to stop lying and start telling the truth. We should do this out of reverence for the Holy Spirit in our midst, out of caring for concern for the people that are our brother and sisters in the faith, and with the goal of protecting the quality of our witness. The whole idea of lying is from Satan the father of lies; it is what he had done from the beginning (Genesis 3:1-4). The notion should be arrested and rejected. When we fail to do that the suggestion eventually looks reasonable and becomes sin (Genesis 3:6).

Questions for Community Discussion

1. In the verses of Acts 4:32-37 we are given a general description of the character of the new community. How does Luke give us an example of that character?
2. Would you be willing to part ways with your stuff to ensure that the needs of other believers in our fellowship are met? What encouragement did they have (Acts 4:33)?
3. What explains their ability to show this level of generosity (Ephesians 4:17-21; Romans 5:5; 1 John 5:1)?
4. What was the difference between the gift of Barnabas and the gift of Ananias (Acts 4:36-37; 5:1-4)?
5. Is your giving about gratitude toward God and worship or is it about garnering praise, creating a perception of piety, and generating an image of generosity.
6. Does it matter if your presentation of an offering does not line up with the truth (John 4:24)?

7. Do you think that Ananias was saved? Consider the words of 1 Corinthians 5:5 as you formulate an answer.

Barnabas Brings a Blessing (Acts 4:36-37)

³⁶ 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.

The And of Acts 4:36 amplifies what has been said in Acts 4:32-35. A Levite named Joses (or Joseph) made a decision to receive Jesus as his own personal Lord and Savior. Luke will bring back Joses later. He is introduced now for the purpose of providing a positive and personal example of the sharing seen in the early church.

It is noteworthy that Joses is given another name by the apostles — Barnabas. The nickname has been given as a sign of respect and to encourage a person. [This was done by Jesus Himself for Simon when He was given the name Peter or Cephas (Matthew 16:18; John 1:42). In that case it was a foreshadowing of the fisherman’s destiny; he would be a rock in the church.] Barnabas means Son of Encouragement. And Barnabas excelled in the encouragement of others (Acts 9:26f; 15:36-39; 11:20-23; 11:24).

• Intercedes to Encourage Acceptance of a Former Pharisee – Paul (Acts 9:26f)
• Encourages a Deserter with a Second Chance – Mark (Acts 15:26-39)
• Encourages the Church in Reaching Rejected Jews – Antiochene Christians (Acts 11:20-23)

The encouraging ministry of Barnabas is explained as a ministry of the Spirit through him (Acts 11:24). Having introduced the positive general idea of sharing and then an encouraging character, Luke briefly shows us an example. The account put on display Barnabas in the Spirit-inspired activity of great giving (Acts 4:37). Of his own accord Barnabas sold his land and then laid the total amount at the apostles’ feet. In doing this Barnabas speaks volumes to us about what his church means to him. And God speaks to us about a sign of our anointing — love.

The Sign of Our Anointing (Romans 5:5) – His fellowship goes farther than mere membership. It works to meet needs and encourage the family of God. In Barnabas’ example is the complete surrender of self to Jesus and a high regard for those He has put in leadership. It sees him giving without trying to control the gift.

Barnabas brings a blessing to the church. He was not commanded to sell his land and give the proceeds. He was compelled by his faith and his love of his church family. This type of giving is held up for us as a good example.

• Cheerful (2 Corinthians 9:7) – His giving was in line with his nature: encouraging; the money from the sale of the land was given with an attitude that would have been an encouragement to the fellowship?
• Sacrificial – His giving was of the sort that cannot be repeated. Once the land was sold, as a matter of course, it was no longer his. Barnabas willingly chose to have less so that the fellowship could have what it needed. In this way he looks like Jesus; the Son of Man made Himself poor so that we could be given what we need: forgiveness, favor, and a future with our heavenly Father.

Questions for Considerations

1. If my church leadership were to give me a nickname based on my behavior in the body, what would it be? Is it a nickname for which I am glad or would I like it to change?
2. What blessing do I bring to my fellowship? Do I give it gladly or with a grudge?
3. Is the blessing that I bring surrendered to the church or do I try to control it after giving it?

Action Items for Today

• Pray for an understanding of what attitude is associated with your own giving. That is, ask God to reveal if your giving is cheerful or done merely as a duty.
• Look for a way to give to your fellowship that is(1) secret, (2) sacrificial, and (3) surrendered without an ongoing goal of controlling the gift.