Acts 5 reminds me of my mom’s uncanny ability to know when I was lying. She hated deception and would not tolerate it from her children. Today’s chapter is about speaking with a pure heart. This follows the spontaneous response of believers that were moved to sell property to freely support the early church. Some people are motivated to give to receive public recognition. This was apparently the case with “a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira”. We read that they “sold a piece of property” but “he kept back part of the money for himself”. Based on the later conversation, he apparently claimed to be donating all of the proceeds. Perhaps he was attempting to buy influence? Listen to how Peter describes the deed, “how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money”. There was no requirement to give all that they earned. Peter confirmed, “after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?” Within the church, all giving should first be an act of worship. I believe God was protecting the infant church from the corruption called the love of money. Peter was given discernment, “You have not lied just to human beings but to God”. When Ananias heard this, “he fell down and died”. Note that Peter did not condemn the man; I think Peter was as shocked as anyone. About three hours later his wife came in, and she made the same claim. Peter asked, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?” After she too died, “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events”. Reverence for God is a good spiritual foundation.
Next we see the new church continue to grow under the authority of Christ. “The apostles performed many signs and wonders”. As their reputation grew, “more and more… believed in the Lord… As a result, people brought the sick… Crowds gathered… and all of them were healed”. The leaders of the religious establishment “were filled with jealousy”. Envy is always hostile toward the success of others. “They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail”. That evening, an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and said, “Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people all about this new life”. So they did! The apostles were again brought before the religious leaders and questioned. “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood”. The apostles spoke without fear, “We must obey God… The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead… God exalted Him… as Savior that He might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins”. In boldness they added, “We are witnesses of these things”. Do you speak when God opens the door?
The Jewish leaders “were furious and wanted to put them to death”. One of the assembly rightly asserted that if the apostles are not in God’s Will the movement would soon die off. He cautioned, “consider carefully what you intend to do to these men”. He concluded, “Let them go! For if their purpose… is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God… you will only find yourselves fighting against God”. Sometimes we have to be told when we are fighting against God. The apostles were flogged and ordered “not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go”. The apostles saw two options. They could choose peace with man, or peace with God. First, they praised God for being considered worthy representatives of Christ. Then they continuously spoke of God’s grace. “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah”. Here is the truth friend; peace with God is free to anyone that asks, trusting that Jesus paid the debt of your sin. Will you ask Him into your heart?