Day 94 – Monday, May 12, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Acts 5

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

Lying to the Holy Spirit

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. 

(Acts 5:1–11, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• The next story in the book of Acts is quite sobering.
• A man and his wife, Ananias and Sapphira, sold a piece of land and brought part of the proceeds to the apostles.
• Peter, discerning the truth, asked why Ananias had held back part of the proceeds. He lied and said that this was all the proceeds. However, Peter knew the truth. He told him that he had lied to God.
• Ananias died on the spot. Fear came over the crowd, and men carried Ananias’ body out of the room.
• In about three hours, Sapphira came into the room. They asked her if she and her husband had sold the property for the amount her husband had claimed they did. She lied and said that was the amount.
• Peter told her that they could not fool the Spirit, and she died immediately as well. The same men carried her body out as well. Everyone then knew that they were unable to hide the truth from God.

Continuing Power in the Church

¹² And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. ¹³ Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. ¹⁴ And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, ¹⁵ so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. ¹⁶ Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. 

(Acts 5:12–16, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• In this time of the church’s history, the apostles did many miracles. They all stood in unity in Solomon’s porch. The people esteemed them, but some were afraid to join.
• Others gathered in multitudes, bring their sick to them for healing. They knew that maybe even just the shadow of Peter could heal their loved one. Demon-possessed and sick from surrounding cities were brought to the apostles for healing.

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

¹⁷ Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, ¹⁸ and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. ¹⁹ But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

²¹ And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 

(Acts 5:17–21, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• The high priest was angered by their acts, and had them arrested and put in prison. An angel set them free and they preached again in the porch the next morning.
• The council called for them from prison, but they were not there.

Apostles on Trial Again

²² But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, ²³ saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” ²⁴ Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. ²⁵ So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

²⁹ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. ³¹ Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” 

(Acts 5:22–32, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• When they sent for Peter and John and they were not in prison, they did not know what to do. A messenger came to tell them that their prisoners were preaching in the temple.
• The council confronted them in the temple, reminding them of their instruction not to mention Jesus. Peter responded that they must obey God rather than men. God has highly exalted Jesus and the disciples would exalt Him as well.

Gamaliel’s Advice

³³ When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. ³⁴ Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. ³⁵ And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. ³⁶ For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. ³⁸ And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

⁴⁰ And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. 

(Acts 5:33–42, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• The council wanted to kill the apostles. One of them, however, stood and advised them. His name was Gamaliel. He told them to be cautious. Theudas had risen up, but he and his cadre were destroyed. Judas of Galilee had caused an uprising, but failed.
• He advised that they leave these men alone. If their plan is from men, it will fail. If it is from God, they could not overthrow it.
• They all agreed and had the apostles beaten and once again commanded that they not preach Jesus. The apostles left thankful that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name’s sake. They never stopped preaching and teaching as long as they lived.
• Neither should we!

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.