ACTS 5 All new believers were accepted unconditionally. There were some more involved than others. This is still true today.
There are those to whom the Lord Jesus Christ means practically nothing. There are those to whom the Lord Jesus Christ means something. There are others (usually a small band) to whom He means everything.
Ananias and Sapphira wanted to be known for their commitment to Christ. They wanted a reputation as dedicated disciples without paying the price. God was not deceived.
Two lessons:
1. God Himself deals with hypocrisy. A. The Spirit of truth is within. B. Refuse to brag about something not done. C. Do what you promise to do.
2. Satan cannot force us into sin. v.3-4 A. He tempts. B. The act is always my decision. (1 Cor. 10:13)
3. God works despite Satan's attacks, v. 14. v.17-18, Opposition will be there when God works.
The Sadducees could do greater works than the apostles or they could try to stop them and fight against God. Their opposition was because of jealousy. The overriding consideration for the apostles wasn't safety but witnessing. To truly witness, we must... A. SEE THINGS AS JESUS DOES.
1. Sheep without a shepherd. Matt. 9:36-38
2. The harvest is plentiful. Jn. 4:35
3. Problems have always been in every age. Matt. 10:16-23
4. He had provided them with all the necessary resources to do the job, a job description some guidelines for their ministry.
5. He had prepared them for rejection, trouble, persecution, and difficulty.
B. SEE OURSELVES AS SOLDIERS. (A battle mentality)
1. We are in a war. II Tim. 2:3-4 (Good & evil; God & Satan; right & wrong.
2. We are soldiers in Christ's army.
3. There will be resistance. Phil. 3:14. Don't drift, float, or glide; press toward the mark.
C. SEE OURSELVES AS LABORERS. There are few laborers because it is not easy. IT IS HARD.
1. Unless the harvest is reaped while ripe, there will be no harvest.
2. Harvesting experiences. II Cor. 11:24-28
3. We are not vacationers.
D. LEARN TO USE WHAT WE HAVE.
1. The Holy Spirit. Jn. 14:16-17; Jn. 15:26-27; Jn. 16:13-14.
a. The fullness or control may vary in beliefs, but the presence of the Spirit is a fact in us all. b. Two witnesses: The Holy Spirit, The Christian c. The Holy Spirit will guide. d. The Holy Spirit will glorify Christ. Exalt, magnify, give preeminence.
2. The Word of God. 1 Pet. 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but..." a. The study of the Bible reveals Christ. b. The study of the Bible reveals truth. c. The study of the Bible changes lives.
What makes Christianity attractive? To the early believers, it was God's power, miracles, generosity, sincerity, honesty, unity of the members, and the character of the leaders. God wants to add to His Church, not just congregations or programs. The apostles were not free from persecution, slander, and trouble.
3. The Gospel. Rom. 1:16, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ."
a. Audible. Not just to let people see but also to hear. b. Clear. Understandable.
4. Prayer. Phil. 4:6-7, "Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer..."
a. For unbelievers.
1) To see his need.
2) To see Christ as the only One Who can meet his need.
3) Act intelligently on the basis of those two facts.
4) No one can intelligently reject Christ.
5. Transformed life. Acts 4:14. "...they could say nothing against it..."
6. A consistent Christian life. Gal. 5:22,23. "...the fruit of the Spirit is..."
7. Christian fellowship. 1 Cor. 14:24-25. It takes all parts to make a working whole.
E. SEE AS A MISSIONARY. There are no superstars in the Church (all involved).
1. We are God's method and means.
2. God has appointed us to do this task.
3. We must obey God.
4. The early disciples didn't take orders from ungodly men but from the Lord God.
ACTS 5. Times of Testing When an assembly of God’s people who gather in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is of “one heart and of one soul [4:32],” there will be divine power there, as the Holy Spirit works in and through those believers. Sadly, there is opposition from the powers of darkness to a scripturally gathered company of believers. Warnings on how an assembly may be tested are given in this chapter.
Human Deceit, v.1-11. “He kept back part …” The sale of property and giving part of it to the common purse of the assembly was not a problem. The sinfulness of that action was that they wanted it to appear to all the other believers that they had given all the money they received for the property. Barnabas had done that, and Ananias and Sapphira went a long way toward showing fellowship similarly but went the wrong way by pretending they gave it all. Human deceit is still alive in those who profess to be Christians.
Satanic Influence, v.3. “Why hath Satan filled thine heart, to lie against the Holy Ghost?” The issue in this matter was not between Peter, Ananias, and Sapphira but between Satan and the Spirit of God. The couple's heart was filled with thoughts that opposed God. Probably, the first thought they had was to give it all, but the second thought was to hold back part. To make it appear that all that was given was a work of Satan in their heart.
Unexpected Detection, v.3-4. “Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Ananias had an awful awakening when he heard words of judgment instead of the praise and gratitude, he had thought he would get when he put the money at the apostles’ feet. The deity of the Holy Spirit is not to be ignored or forgotten in any way. Believers filled with the Spirit of God can detect falsehood when one is moved to lie under the direction of the father of lies. Peter saw through the deception (“try the spirits”) and stated the facts.
Divine Judgment, v.5. “Ananias, hearing these words, fell down, and gave up the ghost.” Between the moment of conviction and judgment, there was very little time. “He that covers his sin shall not prosper.” A lie in the heart against the Holy Spirit of God is not some casual mistake but a fatal choice. To not consider lying against God as a serious offense is to deny the holiness of God and to reject the stated unchanging standards of God. They do not allow for any equivocation. “Thou shalt not bear false witness” is still in effect for us all. Either Ananias and Sapphira didn’t think God knew their thoughts and listened to their words, or they didn’t care. They perhaps didn’t think, similar to many today, that deception is as bad as stealing.
Fatal Disappointment, v.9. “How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?” There is no respect of persons with God. He acts without partiality. God's holiness isn’t up for interpretation as to the degree of deception. God’s holiness is absolute, always, and unchangeable. Sin has its consequences irrespective of position, culture, nationality, or gender. When we are called upon in any way to act in our service for God, let us not forget the holiness of God and let the wholesome fear of God control our lives and our thoughts.
ACTS 5. Boldness and Power The Holy Spirit in a believer gives the needed courage and power for effective witnessing. He emboldens those who are available to God to use in His service, to say and do the things needed to further the work of the Gospel in the places where we are found. When we are filled with the Spirit, we can do as the early believers who spoke the word of God with boldness and power.
Suffered for Him, v.18. “… put them in the common prison.” Love for Christ and likeness to Jesus bring opposition from those who oppose the Gospel message. Suffering and persecution are expected when a believer lives a godly life. Not all opposition is openly demonstrated. There are many ways Christians suffer. It may come from self-righteous people or those whose guilt condemns them because Christians remain true to the Lord Jesus Christ and obey His word despite what happens to them.
Were encouraged by Him, v.19-20: “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” Directions from God are not ambiguous. Those faithful to the Lord will not hesitate to deliver the message for which we have been commissioned. Not only are others made aware of the words of this life, and some repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but the faith of those who witness is strengthened. The words that we have been given to speak are the words that need to be heard by all people everywhere. They must repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved from their sins.
Were Devoted to Him, v.21-25. Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple teaching the people.” God stepped into the scene and miraculously delivered His servants from prison. Then, they were told to go to the temple and teach the word of God, which they did. Those men were not disobedient to the Lord. Right at first, they were taught by the Holy Spirit to live only for the Lord, doing the will of God from the heart. Their passion was to serve and please their living Lord Jesus Christ. When we are truly committed to the Lord, we will speak out and live out that which we know to be His will. To not do that, or to substitute some other thoughts we might have in the place of the words of this life, would make us false witnesses.
Were fearless for Him, v.26-40. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” The Holy Spirit gives us the right words to say in any situation, even when we wonder what we should say. He led them to testify to a work of God with which they were all familiar, even though the accusers had rejected the Lord Jesus Christ. The convicting power of the Holy Spirit used a few words to convince those accusers of sin, and they were “cut to the heart.” For our learning, we must remember, “the fear of man bringeth a snare.”
Were joyful in Him, v. 41-42. “They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” We can take pleasure in being reproached for Christ’s name’s sake. We do not have to be liked by everyone; if we are, there is likely something seriously wrong with our message or preaching. Shame, for our name’s sake, is well worth it if our Lord Jesus is honored. It is a reason for shame if we are ashamed of those who suffer for Christ.
SERVING TABLES SERVING THE WORD