Acts: CHAPTER 5
Your weekly study of Acts is here. This time we will primarily study chapter 5. Please read chapter 5 in its entirety before listening to the podcast.
If you need an online bible, you can check out TecartaBible here: Acts Chapter 3
AcTS 4:32-37
The believers enjoy a common life (koinonia, fellowship, sharing
Compare with Acts 2:42-47:
- A radical attitude: they held all things in common
- A practical, sacrificial action: they sold property and lay it before the apostles’ feet
- Distribution proportionate to genuine need: according as anyone had need / there were no needy people among them
Descriptive or prescriptive? A model of generosity and love
- Deut 15:4 – there should be no poor among you
- Luke 4:18, 6:20, 7:22: The poor are the beneficiaries of the Gospel
Foreshadowing? Barnabas pops up – Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus (4:36, cf. Acts 9:27; 11:22ff.)
Acts 5:1-11
Ananias and Sapphira are punished for their hypocrisy
Barnabas a positive example vs. Ananias and Sapphira, negative examples
The sacrifices look the same on the outside, but only one is from faith (Heb. 11:4 of Cain and Abel)
Sin of embezzlement, but also the sin of hypocrisy (cf. Luke 21:1-4, widow’s mite; Josh. 7:10ff., sin of Achan) ➔ Liars feed their own ego, not the poor.
Satan has filled your heart that you lied to the Holy Spirit (5:3, 9) / God (5:5)
Great fear seized the whole church (5:5, 11) → why now and not before when the Sanhedrin threatened?
First use of the word ecclesia (5:11; cf. Joshua 8:35 LXX) // Falsehood destroys fellowship
Acts 5:12-16
“Many signs and wonders done by the hands of the apostles”
Meeting at Solomon’s Portico (where Peter spoke in Acts 3:11, following pattern of Jesus? (John 10:23)) – a very public place beside the Court of the Gentiles
Split reactions: alarming (5:13) and appealing (5:14)
Peter’s shadow (5:15) / Overshadowing — Luke 1:35 (Mary’s pregnancy); 9:34 (transfiguration) – referring to God’s presence
Bringing the sick and people with unclean spirits (5:16) – like with Jesus (Matt. 15:30, Mark 1:32)
Acts 5:17-25
The High Priest and the Sanhedrin arrest the apostles
Sanhedrin motivated by jealousy (power and popularity of the apostles)
Apostles arrested, but freed by an angel: “Stand in the Temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life” (i.e. eternal life, see Acts 2:28, 11:18)
Acts 5:26-39
Their trial
The laughter of God (Psa. 2:4): “The men you arrested are in the Temple teaching!?!” (5:25)
Afraid of the people (Luke 22:2 – Jesus’ arrest), lest they be stoned (Luke 20:6 – speaking against John the Baptist who was held by the people as a prophet)
High Priest: We told you to be quiet. Your teaching fills Jerusalem. Do you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us? [Matt. 27:24-25; Luke 22:20]
Peter: We obey God, not men. Our God raised Jesus to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses, so is the Holy Spirit!
While the Council/Sanhedrin is ready to kill, a Pharisee named Gamaliel (Acts 22:3, a teacher of Saul/Paul) intercedes
Not given to passions, but take the temperature of the situation
- Theudas – claimed to be a somebody, attracted 400 followers, was killed, and those following him dispersed
- Judas the Galilean – drew people to follow him, died, people scattered
“Just let them be. If this is a human plan, it’ll fail. If it’s from God, you’re opposing God!” (cf. John 18:14: Caiaphas, it’s better for one man to die for the people)
Acts 5:40-42
The conclusion
The apostles were beaten, charged not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released
The apostles rejoice that they were found worthy of suffering dishonor for the name [of Jesus].
Acts 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and
preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 6:1-7
The Seven are chosen
Complaint by the Greek-Jews (meaning language, culture?) against the Hebrews (natives of Palestine or those devoted to distinctly Jewish culture?) during daily distribution to widows (foreshadowing??)
Distracted devotion?
Choose 7 men full of the Spirit and wisdom to serve at the tables, so we can be devoted to prayer and the ministry of the Word ministry of service (diakonia) and Ministry (diakonia) of the Word?
Acts 6:6
These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
Acts 6:7
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
