Acts 5
Acts 5 unfolds by focusing on two major events that took place within the early faith community. First, it records the incident involving Ananias and Sapphira’s lie, along with the judgment that followed (verses 1–11). Then, it continues with the apostles’ healing and miracles, the council’s (Sanhedrin’s) response to them, and the persecution of the apostles and God’s help (verses 12–42). This chapter shows how the early church lived in obedience to God, maintaining the holiness and integrity of the community amid pressures from the outside.
1verseBut a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2verseand kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, then brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3verseBut Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4verseWhile you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”
5verseAnanias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things.
6verseThe young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him.
7verseAbout three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
8versePeter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9verseBut Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10verseShe fell down immediately at his feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.
11verseGreat fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.
12verseBy the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
13verseNone of the rest dared to join them; however, the people honored them.
14verseMore believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
15verseThey even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at least his shadow might overshadow some of them.
16verseThe multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits; and they were all healed.
17verseBut the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy
18verseand laid hands on the apostles, then put them in public custody.
19verseBut an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out and said,
20verse“Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
21verseWhen they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and taught. But the high priest and those who were with him came and called the council together, with all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22verseBut the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported,
23verse“We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”
24verseNow when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this.
25verseOne came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”
26verseThen the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.
27verseWhen they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them,
28versesaying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”
29verseBut Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
30verseThe God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree.
31verseGod exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.
32verseWe are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33verseBut they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were determined to kill them.
34verseBut one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while.
35verseHe said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do.
36verseFor before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. He was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed and came to nothing.
37verseAfter this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.
38verseNow I tell you, withdraw from these men and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.
39verseBut if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”
40verseThey agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41verseThey therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.
42verseEvery day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
The Meaning of the Incident of Ananias and Sapphira
Ananias and Sapphira’s story warns that the personal lies and hypocrisy that arise within the church’s voluntary sharing can lead to serious consequences. They claimed they were giving everything while secretly hiding part of the money in a community atmosphere where the church’s believers sold their possessions and shared everything. This incident is not merely about the amount of the offering; it emphasizes the need to be truthful before God and the community, and it shows how grave a sin it is to deceive the Holy Spirit and the church. As a result, we can see that reverence and self-control come to take root again within the church.
Signs, Miracles, and the Growth of the Community
From verse 12 onward, the signs and miracles shown through the apostles are recorded. As the power of the Holy Spirit appears, the church grows rapidly, and many who are sick and suffering experience healing. People witness that God is alive through the apostles, and great fear and joy come to Jerusalem at the same time. At the same time, however, these miracles stirred jealousy and persecution from the religious leaders.
Persecution by the Council and the Apostles’ Attitude
The apostles are interrogated before the council and are commanded not to teach in the name of Jesus. Yet the apostles show that they stand on the faith that "we must obey God rather than people" and boldly proclaim the gospel. In particular, the mediation and advice of a council leader named Gamaliel play a role in easing the severity of the persecution, and ultimately the apostles are released after being beaten. Even so, the apostles return to proclaim the gospel with joy. This emphasizes that the early church did not waver in sharing the gospel and in obedience even under external pressure.
Meditation Points
- Let us think again about how important truthfulness and honesty are within the community.
- Even amid difficulties and pressures from outside, the apostles’ example challenges us—how they kept the center of their faith and sought to obey God’s will.
- We can confirm that God’s work continues even through our weakness and amid opposition in the world.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- I check whether I am honestly revealing myself within the community and living truthfully before God.
- In environments or circumstances where it is difficult to live out the faith, and under pressure, I reflect on whom I listen to more closely and whether there is a life in which I follow God’s will even in my own life.
- Though it may be a small matter, I hope this week will be a time when I decide to live in obedience according to God’s will.
