John 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.
1verseAfter these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2verseNow in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda”, having five porches.
3verseIn these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water;
4versefor an angel went down at certain times into the pool and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had.
5verseA certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years.
6verseWhen Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be made well?”
7verseThe sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, another steps down before me.”
8verseJesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.”
9verseImmediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. Now that day was a Sabbath.
10verseSo the Jews said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry the mat.”
11verseHe answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’ ”
12verseThen they asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your mat and walk’?”
13verseBut he who was healed didn’t know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a crowd being in the place.
14verseAfterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.”
15verseThe man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
16verseFor this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath.
17verseBut Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”
18verseFor this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19verseJesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise.
20verseFor the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
21verseFor as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires.
22verseFor the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son,
23versethat all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him.
24verse“Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
25verseMost certainly I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live.
26verseFor as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself.
27verseHe also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.
28verseDon’t marvel at this, for the hour comes in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
29verseand will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.
30verseI can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is righteous, because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.
31verse“If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid.
32verseIt is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true.
33verseYou have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
34verseBut the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved.
35verseHe was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
36verseBut the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.
37verseThe Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.
38verseYou don’t have his word living in you, because you don’t believe him whom he sent.
39verse“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
40verseYet you will not come to me, that you may have life.
41verseI don’t receive glory from men.
42verseBut I know you, that you don’t have God’s love in yourselves.
43verseI have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
44verseHow can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45verse“Don’t think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, even Moses, on whom you have set your hope.
46verseFor if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote about me.
47verseBut if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
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.
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