Acts 5

Trying to Pull One Over on the Holy Spirit

Acts 5

Lying to the Holy Spirit

5   But (in contrast to Barnabas and many others previously mentioned) a certain man named Ananias (whose name means “Jehovah has dealt graciously), with Sapphira (which means “beautiful”) his wife, sold a possession (sold some of their real estate). 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds (some of the profit for himself…..which there is absolutely nothing wrong with), his wife also being aware of it (in agreement with it…..which is a good thing as well that he considered his wife in the decision), and brought a certain part (a portion of the profit that they agreed on) and laid it at the apostles’ feet (letting everyone there believe that it was the total profit).

[Ananias and Sapphira] saw an opportunity to make a double profit:

  • They would gain spiritual prestige
  • and still make some money on the side.

Withholding part of the money for their own use was not a sin, as Peter clearly states in verse 4.

  • Nowhere were the believers commanded to give everything.
  • Their giving, like all New Testament giving, was voluntary (cf. 2 Cor. 9:7).

The overt sin was lying, by publicly pretending to have given all the proceeds of the sale of their property.

  • That sin was but the outward manifestation, however.
  • The deeper, more devastating sin was hypocrisy based on a desire for spiritual status.
    • They desired the approval of men for their sacrificial act
    • and to be thought of as members of those most spiritually noble.

No sin drew a sharper rebuke from our Lord than hypocrisy.[1]

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan (who filled the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus [Lu. 22:3]) filled your heart (the heart being the control center of ones will and Satan filled it completely, why have you given Satan your full consent to be the power in your life, Aninias) to lie (meaning to “cheat, defraud, falsify” the Holy Spirit by putting on airs that you are totally serving and pleasing God, but are in fact trying) to (frame, set up) the Holy Spirit (in a sinful crime, having intentionally and totally resisted and quenched the Holy Spirit, yet trying to pawn off the Devil’s work as the Holy Spirit’s) and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? (You call this a holy sacrifice and offering to God, Ananias?!) 4 While it (your property) remained (in your possession), was it not (wholly) your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control (to do whatever you wanted in whatever proportions, for all kinds of purposes for good)? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? (How could you so completely give yourself over to this act? You’re not dealing with man here Ananias, you’re dealing directly with God Himself!  You should have given more thought to that.) You have not lied to men but to God.” (Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”)

In chapter 4 we find that Judaism is attacking the church through the religious leaders and now in chapter 5 we see that Satan is attacking the church through its members.

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Some have questioned whether or not [Ananias and Sapphira] were true believers. It is best to see them as genuine Christians for several reasons.

  1. First, they were included in the “[multitude] of those who believed” in Acts 4:32.
  2. Second, they were involved with the Holy Spirit, thus indicating a relationship to Him.
  3. Third, if they were not Christians, what lesson about sin did this give to teach all the rest who were true believers?
  4. Fourth, Satan can become personally involved with believers (cf. Matt. 16:21–23; Eph. 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8–9).
  5. Finally, death can be divine chastening for a believer (1 Cor. 11:30–32; 1 John 5:16).[2]

5 Then Ananias (speechless), hearing these words (at the moment the conversation was ended), fell down and breathed his last (as is Genesis, “God said,” and it was).

The sinner is [most often] dumb before God: “and he was speechless,” Matt. 22:12; or if he should venture a defense he would be condemned out of his own mouth.[3]

Matthew 22:12 – So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.

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     William Hendrickson comments here that (This is sort of like) When Uzzah tried to steady the ark of God that was placed on an ox-drawn cart instead of carried by priests, God struck him so that he died beside the ark (II Sam. 6:7).

     God’s verdict against Ananias (and Sapphira) also resulted in swift execution. In each instance, divine infliction of capital punishment conveys a fundamental truth: God’s people must know that they exist to serve him and not vice versa.[4]

So great (mega holy) fear (reverence, respect) 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 (maybe she was looking or her overdue husband, or it was planned that she would come at that time, were not told, but she came), not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”  (which you would have thought would have caused red flags to go up in her mind, but here’s another point in case that sin makes us stupid.  Her heart like Ananias’ was filled with Satan’s lie too.) She said, “Yes, for so much.”

9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test (show such disrespect to) the Spirit of the Lord? (It’s as if Peter is saying, “One of you should have had the sense to rebuke the other!” …..The same kind of testing here was committed by the Israelites while they were wandering in the desert and many of them died as well.) Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then immediately (like her husband) she fell down at his feet and breathed her last (revealing to everyone that this was certainly divine judgment). And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great (a mega holy) fear (again) came upon (or washed over) all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Continuing Power in the Church

12 And through the hands of (all) the apostles (not a few, but) many signs and wonders were done among the people (out in public for all to see). (12b-14 is a parenthetical statement) And they (the church) were all with one accord (in mind and purpose) in Solomon’s Porch (the porch along the eastern side of the temple…..a favorite place for the new born church to meet even though they had been ordered by the Sanhedrin to disband). 13 Yet none of the rest (the unbelievers) dared join them (associate themselves with the believers…..probably because of the persecution of the religious leaders and the swift judgment of Ananias and Sapphira), but the people esteemed them highly (where greatly intrigued by them and had great respect for them).

Contrary to what many believe, biblical church discipline doesn’t drive people away and give the church a bad name.  It generates respect.

 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord (again, no numbers are given, but we see that there were), multitudes of both men and women (the church continues to explode…..the devil hasn’t been able to intimidate nor corrupt the church), 15 so that (seeing the authenticity and power of Christ’s church) they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds (signifying the rich) and couches (the word for pallets, referring to the poor), that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them (being so certain that the Spirit of God rested upon and worked through these apostles……we are not told that Peter’s shadow did ever heal someone.) 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem (hearing of God’s saving and healing work), bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. (This is the first indication of God’s work spreading beyond Jerusalem.)

The way to spread Christianity is to be Christian…. Jesus sends us out not to argue men into Christianity, still less to threaten them into it, but to attract them into it; to live so that its fruits may be so wonderful that others will desire them for themselves.

William Barclay[5]

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

17 Then (alarmed by and jealous of the incredible growth and impact of Christ’s church) the high priest (Annas or Caiaphas) rose up (had had enough, they could no longer contain themselves), and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled (controlled) with indignation (which means a “burning hot envy, jealously”), 18 and laid their (the temple police) hands on the apostles (they arrested all 12 of them this time) and put them in the common prison. (Satan is making another attempt to stop Christ’s church.)

Rejecting “this life” themselves, they were resolved to prevent all others from accepting it even as Jesus had said in regard to the Pharisees, Matt. 23:13.[6]

Matthew 23:13 (NIV) – “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

We see the same thing today don’t we.  People are still trying to shackle Christianity in a dark dingy cell away from the people.

  • Keep your religion to yourself!
  • Separation of church and state!

 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them (the apostles) out (which I think shows God’s humor as the Sadducees didn’t even believe in angels!  God could have used an earthquake as He did for Paul and Silas.), and said (giving them a message from the Lord, not to hide and protect themselves, but to), 20 “Go, (The great commission!  Go right back and) stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this (eternal and new, more abundant) life.”

21 And when they heard that, they (did not argue, defy or plea, they) entered the temple early (promptly, as soon as the temple gates were opened) in the morning and taught (they willingly chose to put their lives on the line in order to obey God and left the consequences completely up to Him). But (unaware of the heavenly breakout) the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel (all groups referring to the Sanhedrin, just a more complete body of them), and (they) sent to the prison to have them (the apostles) brought (before them).

Apostles on Trial Again

22 But when the (temple) officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned (to the gathered counsel) and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely (as it should be), and the guards standing (alert at their post) outside before the doors (outside of the apostles prison doors as they were told to); but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” (The cells were empty!  A lot of things were coming up empty these days since the empty tomb.)  24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests (those who had made the arrest) heard these things (these news flashes), they wondered what the outcome would be (they were already all stressed out about the situation and now this!  The attitude is “What’s next?!  Can it get any worse!”). 25 So one came (to their meeting at this point) and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison (the 12 apostles) are standing (bold and as defiant as ever) in the temple (in public and in broad daylight!) and teaching the people!” (if the apostles had gone into hiding that would have been bad enough, but at least they would have instilled some fear in the apostles, but this fearless determination was unbelievable and unnerving! as Christianity is for unbelievers.)

26 Then the captain (who was ultimately responsible for the holding of the apostles in prison) went with the officers and brought them without violence (without making an example of them), for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned (the popularity and credibility of the apostles and the gospel “WAY” outweighed that of the Sanhedrin and temple police.) 27 And when they had brought them (the apostles didn’t resist them as they rested in God’s plans …..the temple police didn’t take the apostles back to prison, but), they set them (plopped them) before the council. And the high priest asked them (reminded them), 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command (order) you not to teach in this name? (They don’t even want to utter the name of Jesus they detest Him so much.) And look (did you obey us? No!), you have filled (saturated, permeated) Jerusalem with your doctrine (meaning not the Sanhedrin’s and thus, in their minds, not God’s), and (on top of that you) intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” (You mean to accuse us guilty of this Man’s death, …..But wait a minute!  Weren’t they more than willing to indict themselves at Jesus’ trial!?)

The high priest conveniently forgot, …that he and his associates had said to Pilate, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matt. 27:25). They were only getting what they had asked Pilate to give them.

Conspicuously absent from the high priest’s charges is any mention of the apostles’ escape from prison. Since the Sanhedrin could not explain that miracle, they simply acknowledged it and ignored it. Their minds made up, they had no wish to be confused by the facts. They “loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).[7]

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered (again) and said: “We ought to obey God (the Creator) rather than men (God’s creation). 30 (Then the apostles reinforce their stand saying) The God of our fathers (the Creator) raised up Jesus (from the dead) whom you murdered (premeditatively, publically and shamefully) by hanging on a tree (as a criminal).

Diacheirizō (put to death) appears only here and in Acts 26:21 [“For these reasons the Jews seized me and tried to kill me.”]  It means “to put to death with one’s own hands.”[8]

 31 Him (Jesus) God has (after His resurrection) exalted to His right hand (the highest place of honor) to be Prince and Savior (meaning the source and Champion of eternal life), to give (the free offer of) repentance to Israel (to turn from its sinful ways) and (to receive) forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things (we watched Jesus live, die and then His resurrection), and so also is the Holy Spirit (as He authenticates the message and messengers) whom (the Holy Spirit) God has given to those who obey Him (those who place saving faith in the gospel of Christ).”

We are not to preach sociology, but salvation; not economics, but evangelism; not reform, but redemption; not culture, but conversion; not progress, but pardon; not a social order, but a new birth; not revolution, but regeneration; not renovation, but revival; not resuscitation, but resurrection; not a new organization, but a new creation; not democracy, but the Gospel; not civilization, but Christ; we are ambassadors, not diplomats.  

(Now that doesn’t give us the right to be rude and crude, but to be thankful and confident.)

Hugh Thomsen Kerr[9] —Or­dained a Pres­by­ter­i­an min­is­ter, A pi­o­neer in re­li­gious broad­cast­ing, Mod­er­a­tor of the Gen­er­al As­sem­bly of the Pres­by­ter­i­an Church in the USA in 1930, helped com­pile the Pres­by­ter­i­an Hymn­al in 1933, to name a few things.

Gamaliel’s Advice

33 When they (the religious leaders) heard this (the apostles message and courage), they were furious (i.e., cut to pieces, ripped apart—the Word of God is sharper than any two edged sword [Heb. 4:12]) and plotted (committed and schemed together on how) to kill them (Satan wants these men of God annihilated!) 34 Then one in the council stood up (took the floor), a Pharisee named Gamaliel (Saul of Tarsus’ mentor), a teacher of the law (of Moses) held in respect by all the people (the greatest of the day and one of the greatest of all time), and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. (For all we know, Saul of Tarsus may have even been at this cousel.)

He was easily the most prominent rabbi of that time and one of the greatest of all antiquity. He was the grandson of another prominent rabbi, Hillel, and his successor as leader of the liberal wing of the Pharisees. [Shammai, were the conservatives]  Gamaliel was one of the few honored with the title rabban, instead of the usual title “rabbi”… How highly he was respected by all the people may be seen in the following quotation from the Mishna [a written work of the oral traditions]: “When Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, the glory of the Law ceased and purity and abstinence died.” [10]

 35 And (in a warning) he said to them (his fellow religious leaders): “Men of Israel (my fellow Jews and colleagues), take heed to yourselves (be careful) what you intend to do regarding these men (concerning your plotting). 36 For (remember) some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody (too, and).  A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him (followed him and his ways) were scattered and came to nothing. (They were here one day and gone the next.) 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census (He led a revolt against the census ordered by Quirinius (a.d. 6–7)[11]), and drew away many people (a large following) after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed, (again, here today and gone tomorrow). 38 And now (today concerning these apostles) I say to you, (my counsel is to) keep away from these men (don’t kill them) and let them alone (let them go); for (there are only 2 real possibilities here) if this plan or this work (meaning its origin and energy) is of men, it will come to nothing (soon enough like the others); 39 but (if it is not and) if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it (you may kill the messengers, but you will never kill the message)—lest (for attempting to do so) you even be found (in the end) to fight against God.” (tread softly my friends, the counsel and counselors against the person and will of God will never prevail.)

The last clause, “you will even find yourselves fighting against God,” is a complete sentence that is separate from the preceding. Gamaliel resorts to uttering a warning when he calls his fellow Jews to recognize a truth they know from the Scriptures: “Do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you will not succeed” (II Chron. 13:12; see also Prov. 21:30).[12]

When there was war between Abijah (southern kingdom) and Jeroboam (northern kingdom), Abijah tried to reason with Jeroboam to not fight against Judah as King David was promised the kingdom.  In 2 Chronicles 13:12 Abijah said to Jeroboam – “Now look, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with sounding trumpets to sound the alarm against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper!”  Jeroboam did not listen and was quickly and soundly defeated.

Proverbs 21:30 speaks very clearly on this same principle, – There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.

40 And they (the rest of the counsel) agreed with him (and backed off from killing them), and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them (probably trying to at least feel like they had some kind of control over the situation…..a beating often meant 40 lashes minus 1 according to the Law…..It may be as well that it was an endeavor to cause an element of question in the mind of the people in general  concerning the apostles integrity and their message, as only criminals are beaten), they commanded (yet again) that they should not speak in the name of Jesus (speaking Jesus’ name here, maybe wanting to be emphatically clear), and let them go (as Gamaliel suggested).

Floggings were administered with a whip made of calfskin on the bare upper body of the offender—one third of the lashes being given on the breast and the other two thirds on the back. The offender stood in a bowed position with the one administering the beating on a stone above him and the blows were accompanied by the recital of admonitory and consolatory verses from Scripture.[13]

 41 So they (not the religious counsel) departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing (full of joy and gladness, excited about the results of the arrest) that they were counted worthy (privileged) to suffer shame for His (Jesus’) name.  (The council did not leave with any such joy.)

Matthew 5:11–12 – “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

1 Peter 4:12–13 – Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 – We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,

 42 And (retuning) daily in the temple (where they were arrested), and in every house (as well), they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Theirs was a battle-tested faith, unlike the false faith that wilts under persecution.[14]

Matthew 13:20–21 – He who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

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Adversity is not God’s ultimate desire for His creation; yet, there is a clear message that God uses adversity. He is in control over the most adverse of circumstances. We are wrong to presume that God is necessarily in the business of removing our adverse circumstances or reversing the situation that led to adversity. Rather, the Bible points to the conclusion that instead of taking us out of adversity God is much more interested in taking us through it, using the adversity to effect something good in our lives (Is. 43:2; Rom. 5:3–5; James 1:2–4).[15]

Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

Romans 5:3b–5 – … we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

James 1:2–4 – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

All I can say is I look for perpetual conflicts and struggles in this life, and I hope for no other peace, only a cross, while on this side of eternity.

George Whitefield[16]

Every great person has learned how to obey, whom to obey and when to obey.

William Ward[17]

[1] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (150–152). Chicago: Moody Press.

[2] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (152). Chicago: Moody Press.

[3] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (197). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

[4] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (184). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[5] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life application Bible commentary (80). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.

[6] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (216). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

[7] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (167). Chicago: Moody Press.

[8] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (168). Chicago: Moody Press.

[9] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life application Bible commentary (88). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.

[10] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (171). Chicago: Moody Press.

[11] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (171–172). Chicago: Moody Press.

[12] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (212). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[13] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (214). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[14] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (173). Chicago: Moody Press.

[15] Thomas Nelson, I. (1997). Woman’s study Bible . Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[16] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life application Bible commentary (81). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.

[17] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life application Bible commentary (83). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.