Acts 5 - Don't Test the Holy Spirit!
All quotes from David Guzik's Enduring Word Commentary unless noted!
Ananias and Sapphira
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
We read in Acts 4 that all of the believers sold property and put it at the feet of the apostles for helping those in need in the church. But Ananias deceptively sold a piece of property (which may indicate he had more than one) and made it look like he was putting all of the proceeds at the apostle's feet.
The ancient Greek word for kept back is nosphizomai, which means “to misappropriate.” The same word was used of Achan’s theft in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (Joshua 7:21). The only other time nosphizomai is used in the New Testament, it means to steal (Titus 2:10).
Clearly, both husband and wife were partners in the deception. They both wanted the image of great generosity, without actually being remarkably generous.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, 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 you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
Peter supernaturally knew what had Ananias had done and the motives of his heart. Importantly, he added other details to what he had done and why. Ananias was filled with Satan. This doesn't mean he was demonically possessed, but he was clearly under the influence when he made this decision. I.e. The devil was a liar from the beginning. John 8:44
Ananias didn't just lie to the church, but also to the Holy Spirit. This meant that Ananias quenched the Holy Spirit and denied his power and presence. Importantly, the lie was not just against the church, but God. God sees the hidden desires of our heart. God would rather have us not give than give with evil motives. He wants us to give freely and generously.
Peter clearly believed that the Holy Spirit was a Person, because one can only lie to a person. He also believed the Holy Spirit is God (You have not lied to men but to God).
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
This is one of the few places in the New Testament that we see the judgment of God being poured out so quickly and decisively. Apparently the sin was so grievous in God's eyes that He felt Ananias needed to be punished. Also, it was an example to the community of why lying to God and the Holy Spirit is precarious situation to put yourself into.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
Peter asked Sapphira whether this was the price they received for the land. Perhaps he was giving her a chance to repent. But Sapphira went along with the same deception as Ananias
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
The consequences were the same for Sapphira. This time Peter said that Sapphira was testing the Holy Spirit. This is the same word for tempt, which most versions use. The bottom line is that is both cases they were resistant to the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit is precious. We need to be sensitive to the Spirit's presence and work in our lives. We test the Holy Spirit when we lie, deceive, or do other things in direct disobedience to the Spirit's promptings and guidance.
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Sapphira suffered the same consequences at Ananias. God's justice was swift but also equally applied to both of them. We often forget the holiness of God. Though God is merciful and slow to anger in steadfast in His love toward us, God cannot be mocked. This is a great story to remind us of the holiness of God and His Spirit who lives within us.
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The apostles continued in their ability through the Spirit to operate in the supernatural realm.
We aren’t told what these signs and wonders were. Presumably they were like what we see in other places in Acts and in the Gospels – healings, deliverance from demonic powers, unusual blessings.
These signs and wonders led many people to believe, which was their purpose in the first place. Like Jesus' ministry of doing signs and wonders, the word spread fast and many brought their sick to the apostles so they might be healed. Peter emanated a power so palpable so that the people could only hope to have Peter's shadow fall on them. People from all around came with their sick, those afflicted by demonic spirits and all of them were healed. What a powerful and exciting time that must have been there.
If we still have the Holy Spirit today, don't you suppose that we could exercise that kind of power? I don't know why not? It is not as if we need God's power any less in our society today?
The Apostles Persecuted
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
When Jesus told his disciples they would do even greater things than he did, he was not kidding. They were doing the same things Jesus did in his three years of public ministry. Jesus also said, "If the world hated me, it will hate you too!" John 15:8
The apostle's ministry caused jealousy among the Jewish leaders. Rather than rejoicing in people getting healed and delivered from demons, they were only concerned about themselves. But God used this opportunity to bring a powerful angel to open the doors so they could go into the temple courts and preach.
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
The apostles obeyed the Lord by preaching in the temple courts, despite the consequences that decision might bring. When the leaders sent the officers to the jail, they were not there though the doors were locked.
They went to the most public place they could (the temple), and as soon as they could (early in the morning). When they were thought to be in the prison, they were obediently teaching God’s word to the common people. - Guzik
At this point the religious leaders had to wonder just what they were dealing with. There was the repeated evidence of supernatural power at work with the followers of Jesus.
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they rounded up Peter and the apostles who reminded them of the strict orders he had given them not to preach about Jesus. Peter's response is something we all need to remember. Peter said, "We must obey God rather than men."
Peter then boldly preached the gospel that God had raised Jesus from the dead, after these same leaders had crucified him by hanging him on a cross. God exalted Jesus as both a prince and a Savior. He was a prince because he was the son of a King. God was a king but Jesus also descended from King David, who was the earthly king of Israel. Jesus was also a Savior. He saved us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
Peter and the apostles had clearly and briefly explained to them (again) the core ideas of who Jesus was, what He did for all of us on the cross, and how we should respond to who Jesus is and what He did. Their reaction was furious anger. We can imagine what went through their minds. “Who are you to tell us to repent?” “We don’t need this forgiveness.” “Don’t blame us for the death of Jesus.” “Don’t you know who we are?”
We can imagine what went through their minds. “Who are you to tell us to repent?” “We don’t need this forgiveness.” “Don’t blame us for the death of Jesus.” “Don’t you know who we are?”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
A wise man named Gamaliel name stood up to pacify the rage of the leaders. He reminded them about other groups of men who had rebelled against the authorities. The two leaders of these groups were killed and all the people disbanded. But the followers of Jesus were different. When he was killed his followers united and reached thousands more. Gamaliel made it clear. If these guys were only human actors, they would fail. But if it was a movement of God they could not stop it.
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 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.
The leaders bought Gamaliel's speech. Once again after a flogging, they let them go ordering them not to speak in the name of Jesus. It is in the name of Jesus we speak. Our authority to speak comes from Jesus, and it is Jesus' name who gives our words power. The disciples were overjoyed realizing that in their obedience to the angel's command they were set free to preach and now earthly authority could stop them.
Nothing could stop them now as they preached in the temple courts day after day. They continued to fear God and obey him rather than worrying about the fate they would suffer at the hands of men.
When push comes to shove do you obey God or man? Obedience to God leads to great joy, power, and influence. Though the world will hate you, you will be a force for the kingdom of God on earth!
Comments
Post a Comment