Acts5

The chapter begins with Ananias and Sapphira dying instantly after lying to the Holy Ghost about their offering, instilling great fear in the early church. Subsequently, the apostles perform many signs and wonders, leading to the growth of believers. The high priest and Sadducees imprison the apostles, but an angel miraculously releases them, commanding them to continue preaching. Brought before the council again, Peter declares they must obey God rather than men, leading to Gamaliel's counsel to leave them alone, lest they fight against God.

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Ananias and Sapphira Lie to the Holy Spirit

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.

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it.

And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.

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.

But Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out.

And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.

And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.

Apostolic Signs and Church Growth

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.

But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them;

and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women:

insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them.

And there also came together the multitude from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Apostles Arrested and Miraculously Freed

But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,

and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.

But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,

Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.

And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, 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-house to have them brought.

But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told,

saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow.

And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.

Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,

saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

Obedience to God, Not Men

But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.

Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.

And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were minded to slay them.

But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while.

And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do.

For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out 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 dispersed, and came to nought.

After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

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 be overthrown:

but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God.

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.

And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ.

Study Notes for Acts 5

Verse 1

This story follows the positive example of Barnabas (4:36-37). The couple’s sin was not in withholding money—they were free to keep it (v. 4)—but in the hypocrisy of pretending total devotion while lying about the amount.

Verse 3

Peter links the deceit directly to Satan’s influence and defines the act as lying to the Holy Ghost. This implicitly affirms the deity of the Holy Spirit, as Peter immediately equates this lie with lying 'unto God' (v. 4).

Verse 4

Peter confirms that they had full legal right to the property and the proceeds. The sin was not retaining wealth, but dishonesty and hypocrisy within the covenant community.

Verse 5

The immediate and severe judgment establishes the seriousness of sin within the nascent church, ensuring purity and reverence (fear) for the Holy Spirit’s work at the beginning of the Christian movement.

Verse 9

To 'tempt the Spirit of the Lord' means to put God to the test by presuming upon His patience or power, in this case, by attempting to deceive the divine presence active among the apostles.

Verse 11

This verse marks the first recorded use of the term 'the church' (Greek: *ekklēsia*) in Acts, referring to the entire community of believers in Jerusalem.

Verse 12

Solomon's Porch was a covered colonnade on the eastern side of the Temple courts, providing a public space where the apostles could gather and teach large crowds without being disruptive to Temple worship.

Verse 13

The awe caused by the judgment of Ananias and Sapphira (v. 11) kept insincere or opportunistic people from joining the core group, thus protecting the purity and integrity of the fellowship.

Verse 15

The detail about Peter’s shadow emphasizes the extraordinary, almost legendary, power accompanying the apostles, demonstrating that God was confirming their message through undeniable means.

Verse 17

The Sadducees were the ruling priestly aristocracy and the primary opponents here because they rejected the doctrines of resurrection and angels, both central to the apostles’ message.

Verse 19

The miraculous prison break signals that the apostles’ mission is divine and cannot be stopped by human authority. This is the first of several miraculous releases recorded in Acts.

Verse 20

The angel commands them to return immediately to the public sphere (the Temple) to continue teaching, emphasizing that the proclamation of the gospel must take precedence over personal safety or human decree.

Verse 28

The council’s fear that the apostles 'intend to bring this man's blood upon us' refers to their self-condemnation during Jesus' trial (Matt 27:25), fearing divine judgment or popular uprising.

Verse 29

This is a foundational statement of civil disobedience, establishing the principle that loyalty to God supersedes human authority when human commands contradict divine ones.

Verse 30

Peter's defense restates the core Kerygma (proclamation): God raised Jesus, whom the Jewish leaders executed. 'Hanged on a tree' is a common reference to crucifixion, often linking Jesus’ death to the curse of the Law (Deut 21:23).

Verse 31

Jesus is exalted as a 'Prince' (Ruler/Author) and 'Saviour,' fulfilling the messianic hopes of Israel by offering both political authority and spiritual forgiveness through repentance.

Verse 34

Gamaliel was a renowned Pharisee, a leading doctor of the Law, and the teacher of Paul (Acts 22:3). His intervention represents the moderate wing of the Sanhedrin, arguing for caution and patience.

Verse 36

Gamaliel uses historical examples of failed revolutionary movements to argue that if the Christian movement is merely human, it will dissipate on its own, thereby avoiding unnecessary conflict and bloodshed.

Verse 39

This famous counsel expresses profound theological insight: opposition to a divine work is ultimately 'fighting against God' (*theomachos*). This advice saves the apostles' lives at this time.

Verse 41

Despite being beaten (scourged) by the council, the apostles found joy in suffering for Christ’s name, demonstrating their commitment and echoing Jesus' teachings on persecution (Matt 5:10-12).

Verse 42

The apostles’ ministry was conducted both publicly (in the Temple, reaching large crowds) and privately (in every house, offering deeper teaching and fellowship), a pattern of ministry continued throughout Acts.

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Acts5

Ananias and Sapphira Lie to the Holy Spirit

Apostolic Signs and Church Growth

Apostles Arrested and Miraculously Freed

Obedience to God, Not Men

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