.. God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” Acts of the Apostles 3:26 ESV
In addition to the tongues of fire, a lame man made to walk and the Apostles walking out of a locked prison without explanation, EVERYONE begins to see signs of the power of GOD at work though them. When reports of the deaths of two disciples of the Apostles reach the ears of Jerusalem, MANY fear what could happen as these signs and wonders continue.
12 Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem.
14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
Signs and Wonders since Pentecost have already caused a stir in Jerusalem
parrēsia -all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance:—bold confidence, × freely, × openly, × plainly
Jerusalem’s officials also fear the Apostles, not only because of their own wickedness, but since undeniable signs and wonders already performed in their midst in Herod’s temple threaten their tenuous political leadership of the temple..
from ACTS 5 – AFTER GOD STRUCK DOWN ANANIAS AND SAPHIRA
“Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
[Peter has convicted them of their complicity in Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross; however the Apostle had also stated that God the Father had allowed it AND that JESUS had been raised from the grave!]
But Peter and the apostles answered,
“We must obey God rather than men.
Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
ACTS 4:30 NIV + Prayer of the Apostles
Signs and Wonders from GOD!
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
ACTS 4:31 NKJV
ACTS 5:14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
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 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem,
bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits,
and all of them were healed.
17 Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy, arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out..
Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
42 And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.
ACTS 6: Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number..
7 The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem,
and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
From a background of my own evangelical christian Americanthinking I had always squirmed with a certain sense of unfairness that Ananias and Saphira died instantly at Peter’s feet when the Apostle confronted them about a sale of THEIR OWN possessions.
Wasn’t the profit from THEIR MONEY from a SALE of their landone of the most generous GIFTS of CHARITY anyone could have given to the Apostles? They gave most of it to the CHURCH. It was certainly more than a 10% tithe.
So how much should Anaias and Saphira have given to the CHURCH?
Our Offerings to ‘the church’
Here’s MY gentile ALL-AMERICAN take on what Peter and the Apostles should have expected.
Wouldn’t giving EVERYTHING to the Apostles make the saints of the first century Church COMMUNISTS, or at the very least SOCIALISTS?
The COMMUNITY of the Jerusalem Churchseems unlike everything WE THE PEOPLE of the United States have come to expect as a 21st century christian ‘church.’ Yet most of our our preachers love to proclaim such generous gifts of substance from leading contributers like Ananias and Saphira to the church. (We know who they are.)
How many of US would sell our possessions just to give money to our local church?
WHY would GOD strike DEAD any believer in Jesus for holding back a few possessions for themselves?
It seems ‘un-American, doesn’t it?
OUR hearts recoil as our tongues to cry out, ‘THIS IS UNFAIR.’
ACTS of the Church in context
Most Christians know this story from ACTS 5:1-11 and the generosity of Joseph of Cypress from the preceeding two verses in Acts 4.
I have not skipped this story until now to avoid controversial contempory issues, but rather to maintain a storyline of Peter as the first leader of the Church.
A Chronological context ofActs from a first century perspective
Luke published Acts of the Apostles in about
the year of our Lord, 62,
just prior to empire-wide persecution of the Jews (including the sect of Christ followers) and the Jerusalem War which led to its fall in A.D. 70.
The Forgotten Saga of The Way
Christians reading Luke’s historical account of events some thirty years earler(in ~A.D. 30’s) would already have suffered persecution, loss of their possessions and lands, and even deaths of family and other saints of their church as most fled with little left to places of reletive safety.
Thissect of The Way, along with Jerusalem’s former ruling classes, would no longer have enough possessions to sustain daily life in Jerusalem, some even without food to eat.
28 AD John the Baptist is executed by Herod Antipas, son of King Herod in Judaea.
32 – 36AD Estimated date of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
44 AD Judaea is annexed as a Roman province after the death of Herod Agrippa.
49 AD Claudius passes an edict expelling all Jews from Rome.
64 AD The Great Fire of Rome speculated to have been started by Nero to make room for his palace. Christians Persecuted as scapegoats. Nero begins construction of the domus aurea (the Golden House).
67 AD The future Emperor Vespasian is sent to Judaea to put down a Jewish revolt.
Death of Paul the Apostle.
Some believe Luke wrote Acts after the fall of Jerusalem (A.D. 70; his death was probably in the mid-eighties).
It is more likely, however, that he wrote much earlier, before the end of Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (ca. A.D. 60–62).
Who should these new disciples of the Apostles ACT like during these desparate times of yet anotherjewish diaspora due to persecution?
Certainly the daily lives of every saint of the early church read like an unseen saga of suffering known to early readers of the GOSPELS, ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, the EPISTLES and THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRISTto John.
Possessions of the Church + Banking on the Risen Lord
We return now to Luke's second account ACTS of the Apostles in about AD32-36, as we have learned, and a fledgling gathering of saints in Jerusalem who increasingly must depend on the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the cohesion of love binding their community to each other.
Luke reveals their agreement or community compact:
For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had need.
ACTS of the Jerusalem church 4:34-35 NASB – AD 30’s
This NEW community in the Spirit of The Way in Jerusalem applied Christ’s love for each other AND IT WORKED.
Luke tells later saints of the church how the Apostles gave us this example.
Luke begins with a positive example.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas, (translated Son of Encouragement) sold a field he owned..
Joseph, from the priestly Levitical line, is a faithful Jew who traveled to Jerusalem for its major festivals. Then after the Holy Spirit fills the community of faith on Pentecost, Barnabas (Joseph) fully commits to this new community of The Way led by the Apostles.
Joseph of Cypress (Barnabas) sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
ACTS 4:37 CSB
Luke encourages the poor and needy commuinties of Christ who will read of their sacrificial generocity years later while many saints suffer severe persecution.
32 Now the multitude of those who believe were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
.. all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
ACTS 4:33,35b-36 NKJV of the Jerusalem Chruch after Pentrecost
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.
Unlike Joseph of Cypress, Luke does not give us much detail about this couple, but his name, Ananias, would have been familiar in their community of fellow Jews.
Ἁνανίας – Ananías, an-an-ee’-as; of Hebrew origin (H2608); Ananias, the name of three Israelites:—Ananias.
a certain Christian [at Jerusalem], the husband of Sapphira: Acts 5:1-6.
a Christian of Damascus: Acts 9:10-18; Acts 22:12
a son of Nedebaeus, and high priest of the Jews circa A.D. 47-59.
Ananias = “whom Jehovah has graciously given”
(Luke the gentile Physician likely understands this irony as will the Apostles.)
The Hebrew root of Ananias also points to a familiar Scriptural example from Daniel: חֲנַנְיָה
Hananiah = "God has favoured"
the godly friend of Daniel whom Nebuchadnezzar renamed Shadrach; one of the three friends who with Daniel refused to make themselves unclean by eating food from the king's table which went against the dietary laws which God had given the Jews; also one of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a graven image of Nebuchadnezzar and who were saved by the angel of the Lord.
source: BlueLetterBible.org Lexicon :: Strong's H2608 - ḥănanyâ
Ananias is a leading man of means among these five hundred or so followers of the Apostles. And he has sold some of his possessions for the church to graciously give to others in need of his charity.
(But is their generous gift to the church truly their own?)
ACTS 5:2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
WHY?
Didn’t Luke tell us that ALL brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles’ feet?
AND also, these ACTS of GENEROSITY of ALL sharing ALL of their possessions resulted in
the Apostles distributing to each as anyone had need?
The offering of Anaias’ portion of the sale may have exceeded the value of what most could contribute who shared everything they sold. So often leading contributors of the Church receive public accolades for their ‘generosity.’
Yet what had Peter learned from Jesus preaching about our portion of riches?
10 “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him;
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.
“Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the officials and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Peter and ALL of those touched by the tongues of fire on Pentecost have already experienced this.
But in this same teaching, Jesus warns again of the danger of riches to those who would cling to their possessions.
“Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive..
Gospel of Luke 12:15b-16[21] NASB20 – Jesus cautioning against greed
AND IN THE END of Jesus’ parable:
We know the expression, but hear little of it's context: EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY..
‘And I will say to my [SOUL], “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’
“Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control?
Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart?
You have not lied to men, but to God.”
Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last.
So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
FAR DIFFERENT from our 21st century receiving of this weeks 'offering' when we are obliged to put something in the basket (or plate) rather anonomously.
Saphira
I might easily expound at length on Saphira's role as the wife of Ananias. Should she agree with her husband's dishonesty OR tell the truth even when her husband is dishonest?
Just a Scriptures familiar to her for your own consideration:
All quotes from BlueLetterBible.org
and they shall become one flesh. – Genesis 2:24b
There certainly was no one like Ahab who gave himself over to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him. – 1 Kings 25:25
His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. – Job 2:9-10
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones. – Proverbs 12:4
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.
Gospel of Luke 14:26 + a caution of JESUS – v.27 “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
SAPHIRA, one with ANANIAS as his wife had a choice: Yet both also gave their word to the Apostles to remain one with the community of Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Which choice will SHE make when confronted by truth?
Three Hours Later
Perhaps she had been window shopping in Jerusalem for some new clothes or possions appropriate to their high status. Maybe she had asked Ananias for some of their new-found profit. (This is just spectulation.)
An angel brought the Apostles out of their prison cell, unbeknownst to the ruling council of Jerusalem who are about to try them for speaking the Name of Jesus AGAIN. When they discover that the Apostles somehow once again preach to the people in the Temple, they order the captain of the guard to bring them back to trial. He does so without violence or strong-armed coercion. Gamaliel in ‘a word to the wise’ cautions the Sanhedrin against zeal in their haste to prevail.
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. – Acts 5:29 NKJV
And as Simon Peter now enrages some by his boldness of speech, an important leader of the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel, stands and orders the Apostles to be removed from their court before sentencing.
He is not the high priest or even a member of the majority leading party of Sadducees. But the Pharisee Gamaliel obviously holds a high position of accountability as a minority leader who is involved in these proceedings.
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.
Acts 5:34 NKJV
35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, [becareful] take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men [referring to the outspoken Apostles Peter and John].
Why do enraged leaders who demand instant justice even listen to reason?
Gamaliel holds a reputation of wise council and teaching respected even by those with other beliefs. In addition to God’s providential intervention (as Luke has just shown us by the angel’s leading of the Apostles back to the temple), Gamaliel is a political VIP. Look at his resume (below).
His Name:
Γαμαλιήλ, ὁ, (גַּמְלִיאֵל recompense of God [God, the Avenger, Fürst]; Numbers 1:10; Numbers 2:20), indeclinable (source: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1059: Γαμαλιήλ)
Gamaliel (distinguished by the Jews from his grandson of the same name by the title הַזָּקֵן, the elder),
a Pharisee and doctor of the law,
son of R. Simeon, grandson of Hillel, and
teacher of the apostle Paul.
He is said to have had very great influence in the Sanhedrin, and to have died [~A.D. 52} eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem.
A man of permanent renown among the Jews: Acts 5:34; Acts 22:3.
Recall now in hearing this caution of Gamaliel to Jerusalem's leaders in about A.D. 33 that Luke records these ACTS for readers some thirty years later after A.D. 61.
And he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men.
ACTS 5:35 NASB – Caution to the leaders of Jerusalem by Rabbi Gamaliel
The renowned rabbi Gamaliel gives them solid examples WHY the other leaders ought to be careful before they make a rash judgment against the Apostles.
36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him.
[YET] He was killed,
all his followers were dispersed,
and it all came to nothing.
37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led [drew away] a band of people in revolt.
He too was killed,
and all his followers were scattered.
These revolts from various Jewish wars against their Roman masters likely remained familiar to the Jews at the time Luke wrote ACTS of the Apostles just a few years before the fall of Jerusalem.
Gamaliel advises them to cease and desist
38 And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away [ἀφίστημι] from these men and leave them alone..
[As the rabbi likely paused here.. and as Gamaliel would have done frequently with his disciples to let his teaching sink in.. those hearing this respected Pharisee awaited his reason for such advice..]
..for if the source of this plan or movement is men, it will be overthrown..
[Of course, every man must have thought..]
but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”
Acts of the Apostles 5:39 – the caution of Gamaliel to religious rulers of Jerusalem
[Oh.. (and perhaps some would have thought of the Psalm of David)]
A Psalm of David.
Do not get upset because of evildoers,
Do not be envious of wrongdoers.
For they will wither quickly like the grass,
And decay like the green plants.
For the LORD loves justice And does not abandon His godly ones; They are protected forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be eliminated.
Psalm 37:28 NASB20
θεομάχος – Fighting against God
Therefore Gamaliel concludes:
But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”
Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Encouraging the persecuted church three decades later
PUBLISHED ~A.D. 61 + Acts of the Apostles + a History of Christ’s Church
Luke tells us in these early stories of the ACTS of the CHURCH and of the APOSTLES in JERUSALEM why the Gospel JESUS CHRIST will cause believers much suffering.
Gamaliel, now known as the Apostle Paul’s mentor, has also died by now. History will continue to prove him right as the Church grows in Jerusalem, BUT NOT without much suffering.
Therefore, the early readers of ACTS will be personally encouraged by the example of the Apostles Luke records at the end of this section about the Church in Jerusalem.
The Jewish War and the Destruction of Jerusalem
There is scarcely another period in history so full of vice, corruption, and disaster as the six years between the Neronian persecution and the destruction of Jerusalem. The prophetic description of the last days by our Lord began to be fulfilled before the generation to which he spoke had passed away, and the day of judgment seemed to be close at hand. So the Christians believed and had good reason to believe.
Under the last governors, Felix, Festus, Albinus, and Florus, moral corruption and the dissolution of all social ties, but at the same time the oppressiveness of the Roman yoke, increased every year.
At last, in the month of May, A.D. 66, under the last procurator, Gessius Florus (from 65 onward), a wicked and cruel tyrant who, as Josephus says, was placed as a hangman over evil-doers, an organized rebellion broke out against the Romans, but at the same time a terrible civil war also between different parties of the revolters themselves, especially between the Zealots, and the Moderates, or the Radicals and Conservatives.
Source: BibleHub.org – History of the Christian Church, Volume I — Philip Schaff
ACTS of the Apostles continued..
5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus as the Christ.
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