The church was growing greatly. The Apostles took the gospel through the city of Jerusalem so that many people heard and accepted Jesus as their savior.
The Holy Spirit came to dwell in them and they became a new person.
II Corinthians 5:17- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
These Christians were doing things that no one was use to.
Acts 4:32- And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
The new Christians were selling things and giving the money to the Apostles to use for the ministry and the spreading of the gospel.
Some people were giving everything, thankful to be useful in the cause of Christ.
But, there were some who were more interested in appearing Spiritual, but really they loved having money.
Acts 5:1-2- But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
A man and his wife sold some of their things. They wanted people to think that they were Spiritual, but they really wanted to keep their money for themselves. So, they decided to lie.
God doesn't care if you have money. He gives us things to use for our needs. What He doesn't like is when we pretend to be something that we aren't just to get the praise of men.
Acts 5:3-4- But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Peter told them that it was their money that they could have done what they wanted with it, but it was wrong of them to lie. Peter said that it was the devil that put this evil deceit in their heart. But, it was God to whom they were lying. And, God wasn't going to let them get away with it.
Acts 5:5-6- And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
God struck the man dead right then and there. There were some young men present who wrapped him in burial clothes and took him out to bury him.
Some time later, this man's wife came in trying to play the same trick on the Apostles. She didn't know the fate of her husband, but she would soon learn.
Acts 5:7-10- And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
When Peter asked her about the money she could have told the truth, but she decided to lie also. Her punishment was the same as her husband's. She fell down dead and the men who buried her husband had to bury her, too.
This was a scary thing to see! God would render judgment to those who tried to corrupt His church.
Acts 5:11-16- And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
The Apostles used the gifts that Jesus had given them as they were witnessing to the Jews around Jerusalem. Many heard of the miracles that they could perform and came to see if the apostles could help them. And, they did help everyone that came to them.
This made the people so happy! But, it made those wicked religious rulers very mad.
Acts 5:17-18- Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
The religious rulers from all different sects got together and arrested the Apostles. They threw the 12 men into prison.
But, they couldn't stop what the Lord God Almighty wanted done.
Acts 5: 19-25- But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
An angel came into the prison and executed a prison break! He brought the Apostles out of the jail and told them to go preach in the temple.
So, the freed men went and preached in the temple.
The next morning when the religious leaders came to get the men from their cells, they found that they were empty. The guards were there. The doors were locked. But, there were no prisoners inside.
This baffled the religious rulers. How could they keep these men from speaking about Jesus when they could disappear from locked rooms?
Someone came in about that time and told the religious leaders that the men whom they had arrested yesterday were in the temple preaching again today!
Acts 5:26-28- Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
The guards went to the temple and carefully brought the Apostles out and took them to the council room. They knew that the people gladly heard the gospel because the Apostles helped them. They also knew that the people would stone them if they harassed the Apostles when people were watching.
When the Apostles were out of sight of the crowd, the high priest asked them why they were preaching in the name of Jesus after they had been told not to.
Then, they accused the Apostles of trying to get them in trouble for having Jesus executed.
The Apostles weren't trying to get them in trouble. They weren't seeking revenge. They were simply telling all who would listen the good news of salvation!
But, the religious leaders who had connived to get Pilate to crucify Jesus were feeling guilty because they knew they had done wrong. Instead of repent and get forgiveness, they were trying to cover up their sin.
Acts 5:29-32- Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Peter told them that they were very guilty, and that they needed to repent and ask forgiveness. He told them that they were going to obey God and not keep quiet.
Do you think they decided to do right?
Acts 5:33-39- When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
The religious rulers didn't decide to repent. Instead, they got so mad that they wanted to kill the Apostles. And, they might have tried if one man hadn't stood up and said something.
This man was named Gamaliel. He was like a lawyer who knew the laws of Moses. He asked that the Apostles be put into another room while he addressed the council. Then, he plead their case. If they were doing the work of a dissident, then sooner or later they would die and their converts would go back to their previous lives. They didn't have to create martyrs out of these men. But, if they were doing the work of God, then God would come after them for killing the Apostles.
The religious rulers decided that what Gamaliel said was good advice. So, they wouldn't kill the Apostles. But, they weren't just going to let them walk out of there.
Acts 5:40- And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
They brought the Apostles back in and beat them. They were hoping that physical pain would get their point across. What was their point? That the Apostles couldn't preach or teach in the name of Jesus.
Do you think the beating did what they wanted?
Acts 5:41-42- And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Nope! It had the opposite effect.
The Apostles praised the Lord that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. They looked at it as though it were a reward from the wicked men for doing what was right.
They continued to go into the temple, and also into people's very houses, and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
There have been many people who have suffered for the gospel's sake. But, that's what happens when wicked people don't want to hear God's Word!
Philippians 1:29- For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
I Peter 4:16- Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Revelation 2:10- Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
II Timothy 3:12- Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
That doesn't mean we should stop telling others.
God has promised that if we would accept the suffering and persecution that comes along with spreading the gospel that we would receive rewards in heaven.
Romans 8:17- And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
II timothy 2:12- If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
We don't have to live our lives telling others about Jesus, but if we don't tell others we will be denied the reward that is promised to those who do give the gospel to lost sinners.
