Explore the Bible Lesson Preview April 10, 2016 Integrity Background: Acts 4:32-5:16 Lesson: Acts 4:36-37; 5:1-11

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview April 10, 2016 Integrity Background: Acts 4:32-5:16 Lesson: Acts 4:36-37; 5:1-11 Motivation: Earlier in Acts 4, persecution came to the church resulting in a purity of fellowship. However, a new attack is revealed in Chapter 5, that of people who wanted to play church and treat God s Bride like any other fraternal organization. Serious consequences are introduced for those believe the church of God only consists of human leaders, that she is a democracy rather than a theocracy. Examination: I. Traits of the Jerusalem Church A. Complete Unity one heart and mind (32) The unity of the early church has been a recurring theme (1:14, 2:1, 2:46, 4:24, 5:12). And remember, this was not a small group anymore. The church had upwards of 10,000 members (4:4). As we see in chapter 5, unity must be protected with bold measures. B. Common Purpose they held everything in common (32) Communism says What s yours is mine and I ll take it. Christianity says, What s mine is yours and I ll share it. Notice the attitude, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own this is the heart of a true spirit of stewardship. We re united by a purpose that transcends selfish concerns. (Rom 8:28-29) C. Convicting Preaching And the apostles were giving testimony with great power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. 1 / 9

2 (32) (I Cor 1:18-25) 1. Signs and wonders gave them notoriety. (16) 2. Holy Spirit s power gave them boldness. (31) 3. Unity and unselfishness gave them credibility. (32) D. Constant Supply For there was not a needy person among them, because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles feet. This was then distributed for each person s basic needs. (34) God used wealthier members to help care for less fortunate members. The unique circumstances of the Jerusalem church were documented in the discussion in 2:45. Even though this model was not repeated in Scripture, it is a great reminder to us of the open hands approach we should have with possessions. (Ps 37:4-5) II. Exhibit A: Barnabas Joseph, a Levite and a Cypriot by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas, which is translated Son of Encouragement, 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet. (36-37) A. Name Joseph (36) Just as Cephas became Peter and Saul became Paul, Joseph became Barnabas. Son of Encouragement described who he became. In 9:27 he stood up for Saul (Paul). In 11:23 he encouraged the men of Cyprus and Cyrene. And in 15:37-39 he came to the defense of his cousin, John Mark (Col. 4:10). B. Background a Levite and Cypriot by birth (36) In the Old Testament law, Levites were prohibited from owning property (Num. 18:20). However, much of the law seems to have 2 / 9

3 been twisted or ignored by Jesus time. There was a large number of Jews on Cyprus; in fact, Paul and Barnabas began their missionary work there (Acts 13:4-12). C. Gift sold a field he owned, brought the money Barnabas generous gift is shared to contrast with the sin of Ananias and Sapphira in Chapter 5. He was not forced to bring a gift; he was obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. John Mark s mother owned a house in Jerusalem that was large enough to host a meeting where many had assembled and were praying (12:12). So we may suspect that Barnabas came from a wealthy family. III. Exhibit B: Ananias But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 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. 3 Then Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds from the field? 4 Wasn t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God! 5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. 6 The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. (5:1-6) Character was revealed in this account. There s no reason to believe that Ananias and Sapphira were lost; the real problem was that they threatened to block God s power on the church and hinder the Church s growth. 3 / 9

4 A. His sin was grounded in unbelief and self-centeredness. When God is beginning something new, drastic measures are used. 1. Short sightedness is seen in his values 2. Lack of belief in the future of the church 3. Selfish desires that wanted luxury above what is necessary B. His hypocrisy was exposed 1. Pretended to be giving all to Christ and church 2. Public sin demanded public retribution C. His sin was explained 1. You have not lied to men but to God (4) (Acts 4:19-20) 2. There s a close connection between person s service through his church and his service to God 3. They attempted to make consecration and sacrifices a cheap and easy thing: discount religion. (Gen 4:3) If this had been allowed, the church would have found herself filled with those who wanted glory for righteousness they did not practice and rewards for sacrifices they didn t make. They wanted Barnabas glory without Barnabas sacrifice. HCSB, p. 1868, 5:2 N 4 / 9

5 ot everyone shared in Joseph s liberality. Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property but kept back part of the sale price despite claiming otherwise (v. 8). D. His evil was punished 1. Rebuke from God s preacher (3) 2. Death (5) 3. Unceremonious burial (6) 4. Tragedy of punishment: they were free to keep money, but because they lied, they lost any future opportunity to be used by God. 5. Effect of punishment: great fear upon whole church; people saw seriousness of sin (5) III. Exhibit C: Sapphira There was an interval of about three hours; then his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Tell me, Peter asked her, Did you sell the field for this price? Yes, she said, for that price. 9 Then Peter said to her, Why did you agree 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! 5 / 9

6 10 Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. 11 Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things. (5:7-11) A. Conspiracy: with his wife s knowledge (2) reveals that Ananias did not act alone. In a way, their sin was compounded because it was premeditated and mutually agreeable. Often a spouse or trusted friend can serve as a sanity check against mistakes. In this instance, Ananias and Sapphira encouraged each other along a wrong course of action. B. Constraint There was an interval of about three hours; then his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. (7) One can only speculate why the couple made separate entrances to the church separated by three hours. Did they think that their glory would be doubled? And how did Sapphira not hear of her husband s tragic end prior to entering Peter s presence. That gossip did not reach her ears for three hours was a miracle unto itself. C. Conviction Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things. (11) In the case of Ananias death great fear came on all who heard (5). Now we read that great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things. (11) HCSB; p. 1869: 5:9 The deception of Ananias and Sapphira, and in particular Sapphira s lie to Peter, was a test of the Spirit of the Lord. This is a powerful indication of the Spirit s role in the church and church leadership; Peter was a mere man, but he was God s man to lead this fellowship of believers. IV. People Who Were Helpful 6 / 9

7 Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent they would all meet in Solomon s Colonnade. 13 None of the rest dared to join them, but the people praised them highly. 14 Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 In addition, a large group came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. (5:12-16) 1. People Knew Where To Find Them they would all meet in Solomon s Colonnade (12) Despite the threats of the Sanhedrin and the previous arrest by the temple police, the apostles boldly continued to assemble at the temple. 2. People Knew They Were Serious None of the rest dared to join them... (13) A combination of the threats of the Sanhedrin and the fates of Ananias and Sapphira helped keep the wannabes out of the picture. 3. People Respected Their Ministry the people praised them highly (13) 4. People Believed Their Message Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers ( 14) 5. People Appreciated Their Power 1. Sick were healed even Peter s shadow became a channel of healing (Matt. 9:20-21). 2. Demon possessed were healed this ministry of the church follows the pattern set by Jesus. (Matt. 4:23-25) HCSB; p. 1869: 5:15-16 The people came to believe that there was something magical about Peter and that even his shadow would be enough to heal them. There are a number of places in the NT, including Acts, where God healed people through surprising means. Besides Peter s shadow, these included the hem 7 / 9

8 of Jesus robe (Lk 8:44) as well as facecloths and aprons that the apostle Paul had touched (Ac 19:12). There was of course nothing special about these items; rather, it was the power of God working through the messengers with whom the objects were associated. Application: 1. The early church set the pattern for generosity. 2. The work of the church and the work of the Holy Spirit are interconnected. 3. Demonstrations of God s power created credibility and favor within the community they served Leader Pack: Item 4: Timeline Acts 1-12 Biblical Illustrator, p. 63 Barnabas and the Early Church Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: g ; also, the Highpoint Bible Study (Downtown) is available on MP3 at the HFBC site under the Highpoint link/downloads. Dates: /24 Lord s Supper (Broken for You); 3/25 Good Friday Church offices closed; 3/26 SPF Hippity Hoppin Easter; 3/26 Easter Saturday 5:00 svc. no childcare; 3/27 Easter No LBS 8 / 9

9 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 & 5:00; 4/6-9 Summit Snow Jam; 4/9 Men: Serve; 4/ th Anniversary; 4/15 MYA Dinner; 4/17 SPF B-day Bash; 4/22-24 Summit Retreat; 4/22-23 Work Conf. (Dallas Theological); 4/24 MIYCO; 4/30 Widow & Widowers Spring Luncheon. 9 / 9