Bible Studies

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The fifth chapter of Acts opens with a case of severe church discipline to the point of death. In verses 1-10 we read the account of two church members, Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, presenting an offering before the Lord out of a deceitful heart. They brought money from the sale of property claiming it was the full price, when in fact, they had held some back for themselves.  Peter said, "You have not lied to men, but to God' (verse 4).God was not pleased! He judged them by striking them dead, right in front of the congregation! "And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of it" (verse 11). I can only imagine people going to their families and saying, "Do you know what happened at church today?"

     God wants a holy church, and sometimes discipline is necessary to cleanse it from evil hearts and wrong doing. I Corinthians 11:28-30 says, in the context of holy communion, that an individual needs to "examine himself." "For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly, for this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep." Sleep here refers to death. 

      Now that this incident has passed, the chapter continues in verses 12-16, with more signs, wonders, and more believers constantly added to the church. People were coming from miles around to be healed of illnesses, demonic possesson, and they were all healed. 

     Verse 17 is a very interesting one. After all that had happened, it says that the opposition was filled with jealousy. The crowd wanted what the Christians had! Is your church making the unbelievers in your community want what you have? Their jealousy turned to anger and the arrest of Peter and John. Once again they were imprisoned  (verse 18). However, God had different plans. He supernaturally intervened. Nothing can thwart the purpose of God. 

     It says in verse 19 that "an angel of the Lord...opened the gates of the prison" (19) and commanded them to "Go your way, stand, and speak to the people" (20). They were later discovered in the Temple preaching. Did an actual angel appear to Peter and John in human form. Yes! It still happens today. There are numerous accounts of a "person" just showing up in times of desperate need, and then vanishing without a trace. 

     Peter and John were once again questioned. Their response is given in verse 29-32. "...We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." Once again, there is the reminder of the person of Jesus-his death, resurrection, and ascension. The opposition was enraged, intending to kill them. 

     However, Gamaliel, a highly respected teacher took his stand (verses 34-39) warning them to stay away from these two men, stating that if their "plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown, but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them, or else you may even be found fighting against God."

     Peter and John, after being flogged and warned, went away rejoicing that they were able to suffer in the name of Jesus. The chapter closes in verse 42 with the disciples going from house to house preaching prosperity theology and feel-good teaching. NO, that is not what it says, does it. They preached only Jesus. They did not allow themselves to be distracted by politics or persecution. They had a one track mind.  

     Application question:

     1. Is your local church in need of some cleansing and discipline?

     2. Are people coming to your church from miles around to be healed?

     3. Are you sticking to preaching the simple Gospel of the saving grace of Jesus Christ?  

     

     

     

     

   

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