Claude T. Stauffer :: A Home Invasion – Acts 5

The Spirit Acts

A Home Invasion – Acts 5

Has your home ever been broken into? It’s a very violating offense. But what would you do if someone invaded your home while you were in it? That would be scary. If someone broke into your house, would you welcome them in? If your home was invaded, would you be paralyzed with fear? If someone stepped into your home and began to act like they owned it, like your property was their property, would that be alright with you? If any or all of this happened, would you defend your life, the lives of your loved ones, and your property? In Acts 5, we have a home invasion. In Acts 5, we have the first attempt to infiltrate and steal from the church. How do you think the Resident Holy Spirit and the apostles are going to respond? What we see here is drop dead important information.

Christians and the church are always under attack. You may not be aware of that, but it’s true. The reason we don’t always recognize we are under attack is that we limit our look to what can only be seen. We think an attack is only overt, an outright persecution and physical attack. But when we limit our perception only to what can be seen, we only scratch the tip of the iceberg in terms of being under attack. What do I mean?

The Bible states:

• 1 Peter 5:8-9 – ⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

If that’s the case, where is the devil? Why can’t we see him? How can we resist someone we can’t even see? The answer to those questions is found in another portion of Scripture where it states:

• Ephesians 6:12 – For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This verse describes a serious battle, a wrestling match. But we aren’t always aware of such a battle even though it rages around us. Why is that? Because it is an attack in a different dimension, a spiritual dimension.

The phrase, “in the heavenly places,” is literally, “in the heavenlies.” The word “heavenly” (Greek epouraniois) is an adjective that describes not so much something in the sky, but the dwelling place of divine beings, the immaterial abode of spiritual beings. These “principalities,” “powers,” and “rulers of the darkness of this age,” are entities or beings that reside and function in the unseen realm of spirit. Because we can’t see them, we often overlook them. But they are fighting a war against God, His angels (or elohim), and against God’s children.

For example, the first two chapters of Job provide us with insight into the struggle that comes into Job’s life. Job loses everything. He is even attacked physically in his health. These losses are not happenstance or accidental, but an intentional attack orchestrated by the devil (Job 1, Job 2). The futility of failing to take into account the spiritual war in the heavenlies is aptly illustrated by the futile attempts to explain Job’s problems in Job 3-37. Job’s friends attribute his problems to some kind of sin in his life. Job reacts by basically blaming God for the unjust problems he is experiencing. Job’s “friends” bring accusations against Job and compound his pain in the process. Job just gets more and more down and depressed in his lack of understanding. Understanding only comes when, in Job 38-41, God breaks in on the scene and provides a reality check concerning who is to blame. Interestingly, God doesn’t mention the devil in His response but simply and overpoweringly asserts His holy sovereignty as Creator of the universe. All Job and his friends can do is bow in silence before God. God doesn’t have to explain Himself. But God has, in His word, given us insight to understand just what is going on in this world when hardship comes.

Not all hardship is from the devil. Some hardships and trial are the result of this being a fallen world under the planetary effects of sin (e.g., Romans 8:18-23). God didn’t create the world with tornadoes, earthquakes, famine and diseases. Those things are the consequence of sin that impacted nature. On top of that, we have the willful sinful decisions of humanity that are consumed by sin and the sinful nature (e.g., Psalm 51:5). All this would make for a very bleak situation if it weren’t for the fact that God in His word says He is able to bring good even from the bad in life (e.g., Romans 8:28; James 1:2-5).

Another example is found in Daniel 10. There, the prophet Daniel is fasting and praying for “three full weeks” (Daniel 10:2). On the twenty-fourth day, an angelic messenger comes to Daniel to provide him with a prophetic vision. Interestingly, the angelic being says Daniel’s prayers were heard as soon as he began praying, and the angel was sent by God to him with a response. The delay, according to the angel, was because, “the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia” (Daniel 10:13). The answer to Daniel’s prayer was delayed because of opposition in the unseen realm of the heavenlies.

What we see in the physical is only the tip of the iceberg in reality. Like the prophet Elijah who prayed for the Lord to open the eyes of his servant to see the army of God (2 Kings 6:8-18), we too should pray for God to open our eyes and give us insight into the spiritual war around us.

Considering this, we need to understand that just as Jesus was under attack from the devil (e.g., Matthew 4; Luke 4), so are we. As we proceed in our study, we need to understand that events like we will see in Acts 5 are part of spiritual warfare. Unfortunately, the instruments or agents used by the devil are, too often carnal believers (e.g., Matthew 16:21-23), or false artificial “tares” who are faking their belief in Jesus (e.g., Matthew 13:24-30).

Remember, our objective in our study of the Book of Acts is:

The Spirit of God using the word of God to make people of God and change the people of God into Spirit-empowered, effective, edifying, disciples of Jesus Christ.

Keep this in mind as we continue our study in Acts chapter five.

The Break-In – The Spirit Acts Against the First Attempt To Infiltrate the Church – Acts 5:1-11

• Acts 5:1-2 – ¹ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. ² And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

How do we know this is spiritual warfare? How do we know the devil is involved? Whenever deceit or lies are involved, you can be sure the devil and his demons are in the vicinity. Jesus described the devil as:

• John 8:44 –”You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

The devil is the father of lies and “there is no truth in him.”

Jesus warned us of church invasions. Later in John’s gospel, Jesus describes a church break in saying:

• John 10:10-14 – ¹⁰ “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. ¹² But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. ¹³ The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

The “thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Thank goodness Jesus is not a hireling; Jesus came to not only establish the church, but to protect it. He knew there would be home invaders who would try to break down the door of the church or sneak in by stealth in order to rob its inhabitants. Anyone who comes into Jesus’ church must enter through Him. Jesus said:

• John 10:7-9 – ⁷ Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

Anyone who tries to enter through a door other than Jesus is a thief and a robber. Ananias and Sapphira were thieves and robbers because they were attempting to steal attention from Jesus and rob God of His glory. Jesus would have none of that. The Holy Spirit would have none of that.

Don’t open the door to the devil. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he exhorts believers to, “nor give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). The word “place” (Greek topos) means a spot, a location, position, home, opportunity, cost, beachhead. In the context, Paul gives a list of the things that give the devil a foothold to influence. At the top of the list is “lying” (Ephesians 4:25). Instead, he says, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor.” When Ananias and Sapphira chose to be less than truthful, they opened the door to the devil.

Two places in the Bible come to mind that are relevant for this section, Proverbs 6 and Ephesians 4; 5. In these two sections, we see those things which God hates and the Devil loves. In Proverbs it states:

• Proverbs 6:16-19 –
  ¹⁶ These six things the Lord hates,
  Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
  ¹⁷ A proud look,
  A lying tongue,
  Hands that shed innocent blood,
  ¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans,
  Feet that are swift in running to evil,
  ¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies,
  And one who sows discord among brethren.

In Ephesians we see things that particularly grieve the Holy Spirit. It states:

• Ephesians 4:25-32 – ²⁵ Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. ²⁶ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil. ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. ²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

All these things involve truth versus falsehood to some extent. If you want to stay away from devilish influence, refrain from those things God hates and that grieve the Holy Spirit. When we cross the line to do such things, we open the door to the devil. What God hates, the devil loves. Remember that.

How were Ananias and Sapphira not being truthful? They had sold a piece of land and “kept back part of the proceeds,” while giving the impression they were donating the entire price of the land to the church. This was hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a variation of lying or being less than truthful.

• Acts 5:3 – But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?”

Confrontation – not giving the devil a foothold. Peter, right away, confronts this false impression and lying. He does so by asking, “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?”

Notice a few things here.

Peter said it was “Satan” who had “filled your heart to lie.” Satan didn’t force Ananias to lie or act untruthfully. Ananias opened his heart for the devil to do so.

Peter didn’t take offense personally but confronted the greater truth that Ananias’ lie was “to the Holy Spirit.” This is evidence of the personhood of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit was a force, like some claim (e.g., Jehovah’s Witnesses), He couldn’t be lied to. But the Holy Spirit is a Person and He can be lied to.

How did Peter know Ananias was being less than truthful? Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, had evidently been spiritually gifted with “discerning of spirits” (1 Cor. 12:10). The Holy Spirit gave Peter insight into the lies of Ananias.

• Acts 5:4 – While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?

Confront lies with truth. Peter’s words show us that Ananias was under no compulsion to contribute what he had earned from selling the land. This was not a church or government money grab or any coercion to give. Peter points out that what they did with the money raised from selling the property was up to them.

But Peter also points out that the dishonesty was something “conceived” in Ananias heart. “Conceived” (Greek ethou – Aorist/Middle/Indicative verb of tithemi) means did you purpose, did you put, did you set, did you place, did you lay down. Ananias opened his heart to Satan’s tempting tidbit and let the seed of the devil’s lie take root.

This sin took root in Ananias “heart” (Greek kardia) or inner most being. Jesus said:

• Mark 7:20-23 – ²⁰ And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

Ananias had a heart problem, and his deception was evidence of that.

The Heart of the Problem – Acts 5:3-4

The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was lying hypocrisy, but that is a symptom of a deeper problem. The heart of the problem of this unholy couple is the heart. In these two verses, the root problem is identified twice as, “your heart.” The battleground and root of the problem in the account of Ananias and Sapphira’s hypocrisy is the heart. They had a heart problem; a heart attack from which they didn’t recover. The severity of this problem is seen in the sentence, death for both culprits (Acts 5:5, 10). We need to be especially mindful and alert to our spiritual hearts. In Proverbs, it states: Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”⁵⁶

Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), successfully attacked Ananias and Sapphira and played on the deceptive nature of their hearts. The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. The heart deceives us and the only way we can deal with such deception is through God who alone knows the heart and is willing to cleanse and heal it (Jeremiah 17:1-18; Psalm 139:23-24). Ananias and Sapphira died of heart failure, both physical and spiritual heart failure. This unholy couple was literally, slain in the spirit.

What you think in your heart affects your entire life?

There have been times in history when he has come close to winning the hearts of men such as in the time of Noah when, “every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)

The heart is the battleground because it is in our heart that a decision is made to receive or reject Jesus as Lord and Savior – Romans 10:6-10 (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). Our salvation depends on what we say in our hearts by faith about Jesus.

A good historical illustration that gets to the heart of the problem here is found in the Book of Jeremiah – Jeremiah 17.

The Mind – Doorway to the Heart

What we put into our hearts/mind is very important. Our hearts are accessed through our minds. The mind is a doorway to the heart. Peter spoke of Ananias and Sapphira conceiving their evil plot in their heart, but access to the heart was gained through their minds. Similarly, Judas was entered by Satan (Luke 22:3; John 13:27). In the Old Testament Job made a covenant with his eyes to not look lustfully on women: Job 31:1 – “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.” That is what many men and women need to do, they need to make a covenant of holiness with their eyes and commit themselves to refrain from lustful observations.

The apostle Paul wrote that we should take good care of our minds, guarding against the scars of sin. –

• Romans 12:1-2 – ¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
• 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 – ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
• Philippians 4:8-9 – ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

It's so important to guard your heart by screening everything you take in by sight and hearing. What comes into our mind goes down into our heart. Test all things by God’s word and throw away the garbage. Guard your heart.

The Heart Knower – Jeremiah 17:9-10

• Jeremiah 17:9-10 –
  ⁹ “The heart is deceitful above all things,
  And desperately wicked;
  Who can know it?
  ¹⁰ I, the LORD, search the heart,
  I test the mind,
  Even to give every man according to his ways,
  According to the fruit of his doings.

As these verses state, there is no other thing in existence that is as deceitful as the human heart. The term “deceitful” is a very colorful word. “Deceitful” is the English translation of the Hebrew term – awkobe – which means fraudulent, crooked, deceitful, polluted. This is a word that means “to swell out or up”; “to seize by the heel”; “to circumvent (as if tripping up the heels); also to restrain (as if holding by the heel):— take by the heel, stay, supplant, × utterly.”⁵⁷ Is this not exactly what Ananias and Sapphira were guilty of, of being swelled up, deceitful, crooked, and fraudulent in their hypocrisy? They merely gave in to the darkness of their hearts.

When it states that the heart is deceitful, we have a picture of an entity that will trip us up and steer us in the wrong direction. You can’t “follow your heart” as is so popularly proclaimed in the secular (as well as in some religious arenas) world today. To follow your heart is to set yourself up for disaster. Indeed, the Bible rhetorically tells us, “Who can know it?” We certainly cannot. But thankfully, God knows the heart.

Later, in Acts 15, God is referred to by Peter as the one who knows the heart” – Acts 15:8-9. “who knows the heart,” is one word in the original Greek kardiognostes, or literally “THE HEART-KNOWER.”⁵⁸ God alone knows our hearts. If our hearts are to be dealt with, He must do it. As the Heart-knower, God searches our hearts, and tests our minds – 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 26:2; Psalm 139:23-24.

The Heart is Beyond Cure

The New International Version of the Bible translates these verses a little differently and the difference is worth noting:

• Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV) – ⁹ “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ¹⁰ “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

The difference I would have you focus on is the phrase, “and beyond cure.” No program, counsel, or discipline can alter the heart of man. Only God can change a heart.

The Heart Healer

Finally in Jeremiah 17 we see instructions on what we need to do to receive a heart cleansing from God –

• Jeremiah 17:11-18 –
  ¹¹ “As a partridge that broods but does not hatch,
  So is he who gets riches, but not by right;
  It will leave him in the midst of his days,
  And at his end he will be a fool.”
  
  ¹² A glorious high throne from the beginning
  Is the place of our sanctuary.
  ¹³ O Lord, the hope of Israel,
  All who forsake You shall be ashamed.
  
  “Those who depart from Me
  Shall be written in the earth,
  Because they have forsaken the LORD,
  The fountain of living waters.”
  
  ¹⁴Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
  Save me, and I shall be saved,
  For You are my praise.
  ¹⁵ Indeed they say to me,
  “Where is the word of the Lord?
  Let it come now!”
  ¹⁶ As for me, I have not hurried away from being a shepherd who follows You,
  Nor have I desired the woeful day;
  You know what came out of my lips;
  It was right there before You.
  ¹⁷ Do not be a terror to me;
  You are my hope in the day of doom.
  ¹⁸ Let them be ashamed who persecute me,
  But do not let me be put to shame;
  Let them be dismayed,
  But do not let me be dismayed.
  Bring on them the day of doom,
  And destroy them with double destruction!

This section begins with a proverb that shows dishonesty if foolish and, by implication, a dishonest and dead heart that would do such a thing is foolish (Jeremiah 17:11). Rather, we need to turn to God to give us a new heart. God is glorious, and His throne exalted. If you forsake Him as the only spiritual heart Surgeon, you will end in shame (Jeremiah 17:12-13). The LORD is the “fountain of living waters” that can cleanse away the sin from our hearts (Jeremiah 17:13). We need to call out to Him for healing (Jeremiah 17:14). The instrument God uses to cleanse us is His word (Jeremiah 17:15; Ephesians 5:26). We need to spend time with the LORD, not hurry away from Him (Jeremiah 17:16). We need to hope in Him (Jeremiah 17:17). Those who forsake God will be “written in the earth” as opposed to being written in heaven (Jeremiah 17:18; Luke 10:20). God is the “fountain of living waters” who will fill us to overflowing with the Spirit through the Word (John 7:37-39; John 17:17). These are very practical things we can do to receive God’s cleansing in our hearts.

Jeremiah proclaims the heart of the matter when it comes to dealing with empty hearts. The heart of the matter is that the empty-hearted person needs to go to God for healing: Jeremiah 17:14 – “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.” (See also Ezekiel 18:31-32; Ezekiel 36:24-27). This promise is fulfilled in the new life offered by God in Christ to those who would believe – Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 10:15-16, 20-23.

No Discernment in the Heart of Hypocrites

While Peter had the spiritual gift of discernment, Sapphira had no such gift. She walked in unaware that her ruse had been supernaturally exposed, and fell to the same consequence. She walked in the same darkness her husband walked in and stumbled to her death. Hypocrisy is a product of spiritual blindness and dullness and is an equal culpability employer (man and woman) (Acts 5:8-11).

The Bible states that the natural man, the person who has yet to be born again of the Spirit, cannot and does not have the capacity to discern the things of the Spirit.

• 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 – ⁹ But as it is written:
  
  “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
  Nor have entered into the heart of man
  The things which God has prepared for those who Love Him.”
  
  ¹⁰ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. ¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. ¹³ These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. ¹⁶ For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Without the Holy Spirit to illumine and reveal the blessings of God and the mind of Christ, a person cannot conceive of “The things God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). Ananias and Sapphira likely did not have the Spirit, and so they viewed what was happening in the church; love, the giving, the glory, the praise, in terms of attention be given to people, rather than the work of God in the hearts of people. Their lack of discernment led them to cheapen the work of the Spirit and reduce it to the mere seeking of accolades and the attention of man. But so much more was taking place here. The Spirit was pouring out His love into the hearts of God’s people and that love needed an outlet and that outlet was to give to the needy brothers and sisters in the flock of God. Ananias and Sapphira, without the Spirit, had a superficial, carnal view of the work of God. Their response was a cheap, self-serving, manipulative imitation of the work of the Spirit and Satan must have had a hand in directing them in their warped view and attempt to corrupt the pure loving work of the Spirit in God’s people. That was something the Spirit would not allow and thus the decisive consequence of death for the unholy couple. The Spirit was sending a message here, not only to the people of God and unbelievers, but to the adversary Satan who had tried to infiltrate the church. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit raises up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19). And so He did.

“You have not lied to men but to God.”

The Holy Spirit is God – The Third person of the Trinity. Notice the connection made here by Peter. In verse three, Peter confronts Ananias saying Satan had filled his heart “to lie to the Holy Spirit.” Now in verse 4, Peter says clearly, “You have not lied to men but to God.” This is a clear connection between the Holy Spirit and God. This is a proof text in support of the Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Trinity. Ananias had lied to the Holy Spirit, i.e., proof that the Holy Spirit is a Person. And Ananias lied to God. Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit who is God.

• Acts 5:5 – Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.

As soon as Ananias heard Peter’s indictment, he fell down dead. This resulted in great “fear” (Greek phobos) coming upon all those who heard about this. The death of Ananias was proof that the days of deceptive religion were gone. The church was alive and living. The Holy Spirit was in the church and those in that church needed to respect and live in holiness. What would you have thought if you had seen such a sight? How do you react to this account today?

The “fear of the Lord” is the beginning of knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10; cf. also Proverbs 8:15). It was important that the church in its earliest stages, would represent the “God of truth” (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16) truthfully, and not like Satan the father of lies.

The early church needed to “hate every false way” (Psalm 119:104, 128). “All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth” (Psalm 25:10). Jesus is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6). Jesus came to witness to the truth (John 18:37). We need to walk and live in truth too (e.g., John 17:17).

• Acts 5:6 – And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

According to Jewish custom, the dead were buried as immediately as possible. I wonder what those pall bearers were thinking as they carried out the fallen Ananias.

• Acts 5:7-8 – ⁷ Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”

No doubt the Holy Spirit had also given Peter discernment about Sapphira, the wife of Ananias, and her being an accomplice in deceit. Peter asked her a question to leave no doubt that she was going along with her husband’s lie. She was caught in Satan’s web of deception. She was caught red-handed. She was guilty too.

• Acts 5:9-10 – ⁹ Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” ¹⁰ Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.

The Seriousness of Testing the Spirit

Not only were Ananias and Sapphira guilty of lying to the Apostle, the church, and the Holy Spirit, but they were guilty of testing “the Spirit of the Lord.” The word “test” (Greek peirasai Aorist/Active/Infinitive of peirazo) means to try, to tempt, to put to the test, to entice to sin. They were guilty of putting the Holy Spirit to the test in that their actions were evidently done, doubting that the Holy Spirit could or would do anything in response.

Ananias and Sapphira were not merely guilty of lying to the Spirit, but of putting Him to the test to see if He was real, and whether or not He would enforce the truth of the situation. They found out the “Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13; 1 John 4:6) would indeed deal decisively with their deceit.

Why don’t we see people dropping dead in church nowadays? Certainly, people are lying today. Certainly, people are hypocrites and liars today. Why aren’t people falling down dead all over the place? Because of God’s mercy and grace. The Bible says:

• Psalm 130:3-4 –
  ³ If You, LORD, should mark iniquities,
  O Lord, who could stand?
  ⁴ But there is forgiveness with You,
  That You may be feared.
• Psalm 103:10-14 –
  ¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
  Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
  ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth,
  So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
  ¹² As far as the east is from the west,
  So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
  ¹³ As a father pities his children,
  So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
  ¹⁴ For He knows our frame;
  He remembers that we are dust.

The only reason there aren’t people falling down dead all over the place, in and out of the church, is that God is merciful and forgiving. God’s judgment hasn’t fallen, because He desires people to repent and be saved:

• 2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

That is grace.

• Titus 3:4-7 – ⁴ But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Jesus is the Door. He is the door of the sheepfold. Shepherds in Biblical times made makeshift sheepfolds with natural walls like bushes, stones, and wood while out in the field or construct them at their homes. These sheepfolds didn’t have an actual door but only an opening to pass the sheep through. The “Door” was the shepherd who would lie down and sleep in the doorway to prevent sheep from leaving, but also to guard them against wolves or thieves.

If we apply this to us, when the thieving devil comes knocking with the things the Lord hates or temptations to do things that will grieve the Spirit, don’t answer his knock but let Jesus answer the door. I can imagine Jesus saying something like, “Devil, go away, you have no business with any of My sheep.” Then I can see Jesus turn around and invite us to spend time with Him.

On the other hand, when we do receive and entertain devilish temptations, it’s as though we step over Jesus our Door and put ourselves in danger. That’s a very stupid sheepish thing for us to do. Instead, keep your eyes and mind and heart on everything the Lord has done for you. Focus on His gracious provision. Focus on Who Jesus is and how much He has done for you. Worship Him. The closer you come to Jesus, the more clearly you will see sin. The closer you are to Jesus, the stronger you will be to resist temptation and not sin. Stay close to Jesus. Worship Him. Do that and you will slam the door in the face of the devil.

• Acts 5:11 – So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Great Fear

This event in the early church produced “great fear” (Acts 5:5, 11). The people were in reverent awe of what God had done to expose Satan’s work. No doubt it inspired the rest of the flock to be sincere in their offerings.

What were they afraid of? It was not only the sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira that raised chills up the spines of those early believers and those who heard of these events. No, it was also the fact that the Spirit enabled Peter to expose the sinful strategy of the unholy couple and the sin that was in their hearts. Think of it, Peter exposed an area that people normally feel comfortable hiding. The Spirit saw into, and exposed, the deep recesses of the sinful heart. There was nowhere to hide. But they were merely seeing manifested a reality and truth people often ignore. The Spirit can see into our hearts.

I wonder if the freedom with which people live hypocritically and deceitfully does not betray and expose a darker truth, that they in reality have little true faith in God or that there is a God. At the very least, it conveys that people have a mistaken notion of God and His grace, since their free sin and deception is done with the belief that “God will forgive me.” But remember what we learned earlier in Jeremiah: Jeremiah 17:10 – “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.”

There are many places in the Bible where it states God looks into the heart of people – 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; 2 Chronicles 6:30; Psalm 7:9; Psalm 139:1-2, 23-24; Proverbs 17:3; Jeremiah 11:20; Jeremiah 20:12; John 2:24-25; Romans 8:27; Hebrews 4:12-13; Revelation 2:23.

Do we really believe there is a God who searches the hearts of people? Do we believe that the God who searches the hearts of people can and does discipline and give them the righteous consequence of what is in those hearts? Do we sin so freely and in such great abundance because we trust the grace of God or because we presume upon it? Are we really struggling against sin? Is sin in our lives and heart something we resist in the Spirit or permit in the flesh? John said the person who consistently sins and lives a lifestyle of sin is not a child of God at all, but a child of the devil (1 John 3:4-9). Remember, God does not only eavesdrop on our hearts, but He looks into our hearts with a purpose, “to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Once we realize that, it can bring fear to our cheating hearts.

I believe the people of God and those unsaved who heard of these things began to consider the reality of their sinful ways before a holy God. Like Isaiah who became acutely aware of his own sinfulness in the presence of the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 6), so too, these people were in awe and shaken to the foundation of their being by the reality that the Spirit, God, could see into their hearts based on the manifestation of the spiritual gift of discernment in Peter. They were in fearful awe of the consequences of that truth, because perhaps Ananias and Sapphira were esteemed by them and if they were judged in this way, what would happen to them? What the Spirit did in the case of Ananias and Sapphira led to a lot of soul and heart-searching among the people of God and even those who had yet to receive Jesus as their Savior.

What does God see when He looks into your heart? Many in church today say, “Oh, if only we had the power of the early church!” If we did, I wonder how many would fall down, literally slain in the spirit, and have to be carried out! Are we really truly guarding our hearts or are we presuming on the grace of God? Paul said in his inspired discussion of God’s grace, “Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1). And with him, we must cry, “Certainly not!” (Romans 6:2) And yet, a disregard for the seriousness of sin and casual indulgence in it is the mind and heart attitude of many in the church today. We need to reacquire a holy fear of sinning against God. He knows our hearts and wants them clean. We too often allow Satan to step into the foyer of our heart so that we are listening lasciviously and lustfully to his tempting words rather than resisting in the Spirit with all our might anything that he would use to tempt us. It’s as though on the outside we present a good show of resisting Satan and his temptations, but on the inside, in our hearts and minds, we crave, lust and indulge his tempting tidbits of lust, pornography and immorality. We should guard against such attempts by Satan to infiltrate our hearts and the church. But we should also thank God for His patience and grace and be watchful that we do not allow Satan to infiltrate our hearts as he did with this hypocritical couple. Confess the sins of your heart and be cleaned by God! (1 John 1:7, 9).

Got Fear?

Got fear? No? Maybe you should rethink that. There is a kind of fear we need, the fear of the Lord. The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) and the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). It says the fear of the Lord is “to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). The psalmist wrote that the fear of the Lord is “clean, enduring forever” (Psalm 19:9). The fear of the Lord is something God feels we need to learn (Psalm 34:11).

The fear of the Lord can be a motivation for holiness. When King Jehoshaphat led the reforms of Judah, he instructed his judges to, “Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment…let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking bribes…you shall act in the fear of theLORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart” (2 Chronicles 19:6-7, 9). The fear of the Lord was an awesome reminder of the holiness and perfect justness of the One whom they served. It was an impetus for revival in the nation. How many politicians and judges would change their ways if they took to heart that they serve the Lord? (cf. Romans 13). How many pastors, religious leaders, and Christians would act differently if they really took to heart that they serve Holy God? Got fear, fear of the LORD? Oh I wish we did! I pray we will!

The account of Ananias and Sapphira’s sin and the Spirit’s response concludes with the words,

• Acts 5:11 – “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”

This event in the early church produced “great fear” (Acts 5:5, 11). Got fear? These people did. The people were in reverent awe of what God had done to expose Satan’s work. No doubt it inspired the rest of the flock to be sincere in their offerings.

What were they afraid of? It was not only the sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira that raised chills up the spines of those early believers and those who heard of these events. No, it was also the fact that the Spirit enabled Peter to expose the sinful strategy of the unholy couple and the sin that was in their hearts. Think of it, Peter exposed an area that people normally feel comfortable hiding. The Spirit saw into and exposed the deep recesses of the sinful heart. There was nowhere to hide. But they were merely seeing manifested a reality and truth people often ignore. The Spirit can see into our hearts.

I wonder if the freedom with which people live hypocritically and deceitfully does not betray and expose a darker truth, that they in reality have little true faith in God or even believe there is a God. At the very least, it conveys that people have a mistaken notion of God and His grace, since their free sin and deception is done with the belief that “God will forgive me.” God nowhere endorses sin. Instead, God says, “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:10)

There are many places in the Bible where it states God looks into the heart of people (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 29:17; 2 Chronicles 6:30; Psalm 7:9; 139:1-2, 23-24; Proverbs 17:3; Jeremiah 11:20; 20:12; John 2:24-25; Romans 8:27; Hebrews 4:12-13; Revelation 2:23). Do we really believe there is a God who searches the hearts of people? Do we believe that the God who searches the hearts of people can and does discipline and give them the righteous consequence of what is in those hearts? Do we sin so freely and in such great abundance because we trust the grace of God or because we presume upon it? Are we really struggling against sin? Is sin in our lives and heart something we resist in the Spirit or permit in the flesh? John said the person who consistently sins and lives a lifestyle of sin is not a child of God at all, but a child of the devil (1 John 3:4-9).

God does not only eavesdrop on our hearts. He looks into our hearts with a purpose, “to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Once we realize that, it can bring fear to our cheating hearts. The people who saw what happened to Ananias and Sapphira were convicted by the Holy Spirit to consider the reality of their sinful ways. Like Isaiah who became acutely aware of his own sinfulness in the presence of the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 6), these people were in awe and shaken to the foundation of their being by the reality that God could see into their hearts (on this occasion through the spiritual gift of discernment in Peter). They were in fearful awe of the consequences they saw in this influential couple. Maybe they thought if that happened to them, what might happen to me? What the Spirit did in the case of Ananias and Sapphira led to soul and heart-searching among the people of God and even those who had yet to receive Jesus as their Savior.

What does God see when He looks into your heart? Many in church today say, “Oh, if only we had the power of the early church!” If we did, I wonder how many would fall down, literally slain in the spirit, and have to be carried out! Are we really truly guarding our hearts or are we presuming on the grace of God? Paul said in his inspired discussion of God’s grace, “Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1). And with him, we must cry, “Certainly not!” (Romans 6:2) And yet, a disregard for the seriousness of sin and casual indulgence in it is the mind and heart attitude of any in the church today.

But there is another aspect to the fear. Let me illustrate. I love my wife very much. I would never want to do anything to hurt or cause her sorrow. My love for her produces a healthy fear of not doing anything that would harm her. My love produces holy fear. And our love for God should produce a similar holy fear towards our God. We should fear doing anything that will cause Him sorrow, regret, or pain. We need to reacquire a holy fear of sinning against God.

But doesn’t perfect love cast out fear? (1 John 4:18). Yes that is true. We need not fear God’s judgment when we enter, by grace through faith in Christ, an abiding, loving, eternally-saving relationship with Him. But perfect or mature Christian love would never endorse sinful living. God knows our hearts and wants them clean. We too often allow Satan to step into the foyer of our heart and tune us into lascivious and lustful words and images. Instead, we should resist him in the Spirit with all our might. It’s as though on the outside we present a good show of resisting Satan and his temptations, but on the inside, in our hearts and minds, we crave, lust and indulge his tempting tidbits of lust, pornography and immorality. We should guard against such attempts to infiltrate our hearts and the church. But we should also thank God for His patience and grace and be watchful that we do not allow Satan to infiltrate our hearts as he did with this hypocritical couple. Confess the sins of your heart and be cleansed by God! (1 John 1:7, 9). Got fear, fear of the LORD? I do. Do you?

The Spirit’s Unstoppable Work

In the remainder of this chapter, we will see the incredible work of the Spirit as well as the fact that the work of the Spirit is unstoppable.

• Acts 5:12a – And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.

This statement doesn’t mean there was any power in the actual hands of the apostles. The apostles may have put their hands on people to heal and do “signs and wonders,” but the power to do such things was from the Holy Spirit. The apostles were simply instruments in the hands of the Spirit. We will see more incidents of the Spirit powerfully working in Acts later.

The Spirit’s signs and wonders. “Signs” (Greek semeia noun of semeion) refer to signs, signals, miracle, portent. “Wonders’ (Greek terata noun form of teras) means portent, omen wonder. Jesus did many signs and wonders (e.g., John 11:47; 12:37). The idea is that these miraculous actions were supposed to be a sign of something else. The miracles Jesus performed were evidence that the Messiah was here. The same was true of the apostles. The signs they performed indicated the intervention and arrival of God in the Holy Spirit’s enablement.

Signs and wonders can happen today. The Holy Spirit still heals people and does signs and wonders. But we need to be careful to not say something is a sign and wonder if it is not. Some have used trickery and deception to give the impression of signs and wonders happening. Others are so enthusiastic for signs and wonders to occur that they see miracles where there really aren’t any. In both these last cases, the result is to discredit and falsify and to raise doubt and skepticism for when a real sign and wonder happens. We need to prayerfully trust the Holy Spirit and follow His leading. We need to be satisfied with what God does and not try to force His hand or manufacture our own “signs and wonders.” We need to guard against the flesh. We need to take note of the spirit of Ananias and Sapphira and not open our hearts for the devil to plant seeds of deception.

Why aren’t there so many “signs and wonders” today? When we read the Book of Acts we need to keep in mind that we are covering approximately the first thirty years of the church. When we read the 28 chapters of Acts we may have the impression that there’s a sign or wonder every day. But this account covers three decades. Signs and wonders were occurring. What we have in Acts is a representative sample of these signs and wonders. It’s possible there were more signs and wonders than what are mentioned in Acts. But why don’t we see such signs and wonders in our day?

Signs and wonders do happen in our world. The nation of Israel is an example of God’s miraculous prophetic fulfillment. The manifestations of Jesus to people in the Muslim world leading them to salvation is another such example. There are genuine signs, wonders and miracles happening in the world today. Just look for them. But make sure to test their validity.

The Holy Spirit is still able. But we have to guard against being so zealous for and insistent on signs and wonders happening, that we give into the temptation to manufacture signs and wonders. We need to test all things and hold fast to what is good or true in this regard (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The fact of the matter is that we need to leave signs and wonders to the sovereign determination of God. He is the one who determines when and where and if a sign or wonder occurs. Pray for a sign or wonder or miracle, but rest the answer with God.

• Acts 5:12b – And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.

Solomon’s Porch was located on the inner side of the outer court of the Temple. It had columns twenty-seven feet tall with a roof of cedar. It was here that those who had received Jesus as Messiah/Savior gathered. They were “with one accord,” evidencing further work of the Spirit to unite God’s people.

• Acts 5:13 – Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

The church met in this prominent place, but no others “dared” (Greek etolma – imperfect/Active/indicative verb of tolmao) or were brave enough to join them. It says the people “esteemed” (Greek emegalunen – Active/Indicative of megaluno) or magnified, extoled, see as great, praised the early church people. Apparently, the power of the Spirit was present with these people, and those around them hadn’t yet figured out what was happening. When was the last time the Spirit’s work in and through you had a similar effect on the people around you?

• Acts 5:14 – And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

Some were apparently fearful to join those meeting at Solomon’s Porch, but others responded to God’s call and trusted Christ as Savior. When the Holy Spirit is working, He draws people to Jesus (e.g., John 15:26).

Both “men and women” joined the Lord. This was not a good old boys club, but the gospel was offered to all, so they could be saved.

• Acts 5:15-16 – ¹⁵ so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. ¹⁶ Also, a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Unorthodox healing. People brought their “sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.” This isn’t a model to make a ministry over. This doesn’t mean we should create a “Shadow Healing Ministry.” The Spirit can heal in this way, but there is no indication in Scripture that this was a common occurrence.

This was an extraordinary move of the Spirit. People had faith that if they brought their sick so that “at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them,” and God apparently honored that. The power was not in the shadow. The power was in faith to trust God for healing. This desire and faith to be healed spread to the surrounding cities that brought their sick to Jerusalem for healing. And it says, “they were all healed.”

God works in unorthodox ways at times. We need to be open to what the Spirit wants to do. But we would be shortsighted if we look at these extraordinary signs and wonders and try to follow them as a set pattern for healing. We simply need to be open to what the Spirit desires to do. Could He heal with casting shadows today? Sure. But we shouldn’t cheapen such extraordinary works of the Spirit by formulizing them.

The Spirit’s Extraordinary Protection

• Acts 5:17-20 – ¹⁷ Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, ¹⁸ and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. ¹⁹ But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

When the Lord wants His gospel proclaimed, nothing, not even prison, is going to stop Him. We needn’t fear opposition. God’s plans are going to be carried out. We may face persecution. We may be imprisoned. But God’s plans are going to continue. We need to rely on the Lord in whatever happens to us. In the Old Testament, Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten, but God turned things around and used him to deliver his brethren. God can take what others mean for evil and use it for good (e.g., Genesis 50:20).

God has angels at His disposal to help His ministers. Angels are “ministering spirits” who can assist us like we see here (e.g., Hebrews 1:14).

• Acts 5:21 – And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Those “filled with indignation” (Acts 5:17), are no match for those filled with the Holy Spirit. The religious leaders here aren’t even aware that the apostles had been set free. The religious leaders were a step behind the ministers of the Lord.

Miraculously Freed to Obey

• Acts 5:22-23 – ²² But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, ²³ saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”

The freeing of the apostles from prison was apparently by a route that didn’t include the jail cell door or walking by the guards. God is able to thwart the efforts of His enemies. We need only trust and obey.

• Acts 5:24-25 – ²⁴ Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. ²⁵ So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

The apostles weren’t freed to retreat to the comfort of their homes. They were freed to teach and preach to the people. They had a heart that trusted in the Lord, and serving the Lord by teaching His word was their top priority.

• Acts 5:26 – Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

The temple captain and guards went and got the apostles, but “without violence.” It wasn’t that they feared the apostles. They feared the people who were listening to the apostle’s teaching!

• Acts 5:27-28 – ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

The council members and high priest reminded the apostles of their command to stop preaching and teaching. But instead, the apostles, in the power of the Spirit, “filled Jerusalem with your doctrine.” When the Holy Spirit is working He will spread the gospel message.

We also see the council’s and high priest’s concern that the apostle “intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” They knew what they had done to Jesus. They were guilty. Now the gospel message was indicting them about their part in the crucifixion of Jesus who was being proclaimed as Messiah. They didn’t like that. Scoundrels never like to be exposed.

• Acts 5:29 – But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Here is one of the most powerful statements of the apostles and this early church. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Oh, if only Christians today would feel the same way! This was how the early church was able to make such an impact on their world. In the power of the Holy Spirit, they proclaimed the gospel of truth and grace no matter the opposition.

• Acts 5:30 – The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.

Here we catch a glimpse of the content of their teaching. They were teaching the resurrection of Jesus and the sinful culpability of those who crucified Him. The resurrection of Jesus proved the religious leaders were in the wrong.

• Acts 5:31 – Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

They proclaimed that it was God who exalted Jesus to His right hand and is Prince and Savior. The point of the message was to call Israel to repentance, to turn from their sins and receive God’s forgiveness through faith in Jesus.

A Key to the Spirit’s Power

• Acts 5:32 – And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

The apostles proclaimed that they were eyewitnesses to these gospel truths. But not only that, the Holy Spirit was a Witness to these truths. Their witness and message were powerful because of the Holy Spirit.

A key to the baptism with and empowering of the Holy Spirit is seen in the phrase, “the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” The term “obey” (Greek peitharcheo) means to be persuaded by a ruler, to submit to authority, to conform to advice, obey. They had obeyed the Lord in the face of opposition, and the Holy Spirit had been unleashed through them as a result. Jesus said if we love Him we ought to obey Him (John 14:15, 21). Here too we see that obedience is a key to the Holy Spirit being given to us. Disobedience stifles what the Holy Spirit wants to do in and through us. Obedience gives Him free reign to powerfully work in and through us. Obedience is a key to the Spirit’s power.

The Unstoppable Work of the Spirit – “If it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God”

• Acts 5:33 – When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.

These religious “holy” men were so enraged that the apostles would not obey them, they plotted to kill them. That religion is a system that depends on human ability is seen in the reaction when their human desire is thwarted. Religion only leads to frustration and failure.

• Acts 5:34-39 – ³⁴ Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. ³⁵ And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. ³⁶ For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. ³⁸ And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

Gamaliel was respected by “all the people.” He was apparently a man of wisdom. After putting the apostles outside, he references incidents where men rose up “claiming to be somebody,” like Theudas, and another named Judas who did the same, and both “scattered and came to nothing.” Based on this, Gamaliel counseled them to “keep away from these men and let them alone.” His reasoning for this inaction was, “for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing.” That is a great truth. The plans of men will come to nothing. But them Gamaliel says, “but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God.”

Apparently, Gamaliel had been impressed enough by the apostles that he considered the possibility that what they were doing might be “of God.” And if it was, nothing could stop it. Wise words from this pharisee.

That which is of men will come to nothing. That which is of God cannot be stopped. These are great truths we need to remember.

• Acts 5:40 – And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The good counsel of Gamaliel was accepted. The apostles were beaten and commanded to stop speaking the name of Jesus. Then they were let go. Did this harsh warning stop the apostles?

NO!

There’s No Stopping the Holy Spirit’s Work

• Acts 5:41 – So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

They were beaten and intimidated. Yet, all that did was cause them to rejoice “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name,” for the name of Jesus. Is that the way you would have responded? If you were beaten for the name of Jesus and intimidated and commanded to stop speaking the name of Jesus, would you comply, or would you rejoice and press on undeterred? That we today are so easily shut up from proclaiming Jesus is evidence of the absence of the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Spirit we will overcome any opposition and proclaim boldly the name of Jesus. Which group are you?

• Acts 5:42 – And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

There was no quit in these apostles. They proclaimed Jesus daily on the doorstep of the pharisees and religious leaders. They didn’t stop proclaiming Jesus once they left the temple area, no, they continued “in every house.” Indeed, “they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as Christ.” That should be our objective today! Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from teaching and preaching Jesus is the Christ!

56 The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

57 James Strong, New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, ©1996.

58 James Strong, New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, ©1996.