Chapter 5

In vss 1-6 we hear about Ananias.  He too sold some land.  But Peter makes it very clear that the land was his, and the proceeds of the sale were his - Ananias' - to do with as he wanted.  Peter did not require Christians to be socialists.  Many did because they were generous.  Because they knew God would provide.  But if you didn't feel like you needed to sell a house, that was fine with Peter.  Those selling houses were not selling the house they lived in, but selling the excess that God had provided for them.  Now there is a lesson of which we ought to take note!  We should take care of the needy out of our excess, not at the expense of our own needs.  Helping someone who is needy by making yourself needy is NOT what is encouraged here!

Good post for FB.

Ananias and Sapphira die because they so boldly lie to the Holy Spirit, expecting the accolades of men and the forbearance of the Spirit.  It is unwise to take the Holy Spirit for granted.  It is further unwise to expect no consequence for premeditated, ongoing, unrepented sin.  She had a chance to make it right  She didn't and there were consequences.

Also a good post for FB.

These verses:

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. [Act 5:12-13 ESV]

Is this saying that other believers were still afraid of the religious elite, and wouldn't risk the consequences of publicly proclaiming Jesus?  It also implies that only the apostles were doing miracles, not everyone who received the Holy Spirit. 

MSB note says it was unbelievers who wouldn't join the church for fear of reprisals.  Many did become believers, as it says a few verses on, so maybe this refers only to those who heard the apostles' preaching from Solomon's Portico, inside the temple grounds themselves.  This would be a very conspicuous place to make your profession of faith.

2023 - I think it is saying that none of the other church members were really to so boldly enter the Temple itself and proclaim Jesus.  They were afraid.  They didn't want to risk being kicked out of the synagogue, they didn't want to be considered "enemies" of the Temple.  I expect that talked freely to friends and neighbors, but none but the apostles themselves - the 12 - went into the Temple and as a group and settled and taught in Solomon's Portico.  I think that's what it means.

People in Jerusalem are aware of the miracles taking place, and bring their sick to be healed.  Even Peter's shadow falling on them as he walked by was curative.  Word spread further, into the surrounding towns, so that they too brought their sick and those having unclean spirits, and they were ALL healed.

Then this official reaction to the events and the church:

13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. ... 17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy [Act 5:13, 17 ESV]

Interesting that it is the Sadducees that get most  upset.  It says they were "filled with jealousy". 

2022 - This verse:

16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. [Act 5:16 ESV].  So the apostles are healing daily in the temple.  People are brought to them from the surrounding towns.  And we see from this verse that with Jesus resurrection and ascent into heaven, some demons were still around to possess people.  They did not all disappear...and perhaps that means that they are STILL here, but are far more "undercover" than they were in the days of the apostles, and we have next to no one who acknowledges that they even exist, much less who can cast them out.

They arrest the apostles, presumably here they mean all 12.  During the night, and angel releases them all, and the angel tells them what to do.  They are to go stand in the temple and "...speak to the people all the words of this life". 

Meantime, the whole religious elite gathers to question them, and once gathered, they send for them.  The doors of the prison are still locked.  The guards are still standing guard.  But when they unlock and enter, they don't find them there at all.  All 12 have escaped.  Someone reports that the escapees are standing in the temple and teaching.  They are sent for, and brought.  But not by force, because they fear reprisals from the public if they mishandle these men.  Imagine so much public support for the teaching of the word! 

The apostles are questioned.  This verse:

32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." [Act 5:32 ESV]  Two witnesses.  These men, and the Holy Spirit.  The works are not mentioned here.

The council is enraged.  Gamaliel, Paul's teacher, calms everything down and puts the witnesses out for a bit.  Gamaliel gives them great advice.  Just let them do what they do.  If it is of man, it will die, and if it is of God, you can't stop it anyway.  Either way, letting them alone is the best plan.  It must have been of God since it survives to this day.  But how did Paul do the persecuting that he did if this man was his teacher????

But...likely to save a little face and to demonstrate their authority, they had the apostles beaten before letting them go.  The chapter ends saying that they didn't even slow down after this, and counted it an honor to be beaten for Christ's name.