Week 7, Acts 4:32 5:11 Hook

Week 7, Acts 4:32 5:11 Hook Main point: The Gospel creates communities marked by unity, generosity and honesty. Historic Event: In his 1516 book Utopia, Sir Thomas More coined the titular term. Since More s work, many others have written about utopias; often the reader discovers that the utopia presented in the novel is far from perfect. One such novel is George Orwell s classic 1984, an envisioning of a future filled with problems. Today s worries and global uncertainties seem to have sparked a renewed interest in utopias and dystopias according to the publisher, 1984 sales increased 10,000 percent in January of 2017. 1 Describe your version of a utopian city. What would you like to see in a perfect place? Whom would you enlist (living or deceased, real or fictional) to help you run your utopia? Transition: Today s story will explore a unique picture of life in a Gospel-centered community. 1 http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/25/511671118/classic-novel-1984-sales-are-up-in-the-era-ofalternative-facts 1

Week 7, Acts 4:32 5:11 Book Main point: The Gospel creates communities marked by unity, generosity and honesty. Text Summary: Acts 4:32 5:11 In these verses, Luke expounds on the content of Acts 2:42 47. He reiterates that the early church was marked by unity in Christ, the teachings and power of the apostles, and the grace of God, all of which overflow into a lifestyle of radical generosity. To help illustrate this principle, he records two examples of the early believers approach to giving. In this passage, we read about Barnabas and a married couple named Ananias and Sapphira. By sharing the consequences of their decisions, Luke instructs us to follow the example of the former and not the latter. When it comes to living for Christ, everything is open to examination by the Holy Spirit: our motives, our behavior, our relationships, and even our resources. If the Gospel is truly at work in our lives, we will be found forthright and trustworthy in all areas. Acts 4:32 35 [Read] Sub-Point: The church should be known for unity and generosity that flows from the Gospel. In week 4, we witnessed the birth of the Church in Acts 2:42 47 and were given a snapshot of what life in Gospel community looks like. Now in Acts 4:32 37, Luke provides a more in-depth picture of this community-oriented body of believers in Jerusalem, focusing primarily on its great unity and the fruit of that unity. Verses 32 33 This believing community is marked by their unity, which is the motivating principle of all the others. In verse 32, Luke begins by describing the powerful unity of the Jerusalem church as being of one heart and soul. This phrase is a common Hebraic idiom used especially in Deuteronomy to express a common and consuming allegiance to God (Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12; 11:13; 26:16; 30:2, 6, 10). 2 Now, their common allegiance stretches beyond their ethnic ties and is grounded in and testifies to something even deeper: Christ and His work on their behalf (v. 33). The amazing unity we can see expressed in the early church and in the Church today is one of the answered prayers of Jesus Himself (John 17:9 11, 21 23) and what Paul writes about later in his epistles to other new church plants (Ephesians 4, Philippians 2). We must note that, for the second time in Acts, Luke reserves this description for those who believed (v. 32; cf. 2:44). He is reiterating that this kind of unity and generosity is not possible for those who are not empowered by the Gospel of Christ and the Holy Spirit. 2 Polhill, NAC, 151. 2

Q: How do you see unity at work in your church? What divides you? What brings you together? Q: How have you been challenged to seek unity with other believers? How has the Gospel convicted and/or encouraged you in this? Verses 34 35 This unity among the believers produces radical generosity. Previously, in verse 32b, Luke wrote that no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own. This was Luke s way of saying that these believers operated on the principle that what s mine is yours. They did not lay selfish claim to the things that had been provided to them by God (1 Corinthians 4:6 7). He states that they had everything in common, meaning that there was a sense of unqualified sharing of belongings and resources, no one claiming rights to what he or she possessed. 3 Now in verse 34, we see that the generosity of this community was so staggering that there was not a needy person among them. Imagine a church giving to the point where there are no needs left at all! Most incredible is that this giving was not forced, but voluntary. 4 While these early believers had personal possessions (their belongings were not forcibly collected by the church), their things were not considered private possessions. 5 In the early church, the belongings of individuals were not exclusively for personal use and enjoyment, but were willingly offered to be used by God as provision for His people s needs (v. 35). Luke extends a great challenge to us as we read these verses. May we also consider all our belongings and resources as ultimately owned by God and available to any who may have need. This is the example Jesus set before us when He gave up everything He had to sacrifice Himself for our freedom (Philippians 2:5 11). Q: How do you see generosity at work in your church community? How are needs expressed and met among believers? Q: How do you feel about sacrificing your belongings for the sake of others? How does this passage influence your perspective? 3 Polhill, NAC 151. 4 Polhill maintains that the iterative imperfect tense of the verbs in this section point to the voluntary nature of the Church s choices in their giving. He also adds that Barnabas generosity in vv. 36 37 would not be considered exemplary if it were obligatory. In the upcoming case of Ananias and Sapphira, Peter s indictment was not about the couple s refusal to give up all their land but instead, their choice to lie about their charity. On top of this, the case of Mary in 12:12 13 reveals that she still owned a house and had a maid, revealing that the possessions/resources of Christians were not taken from them and forced into common ownership, but were voluntarily given up by owners (NAC, 153). 5 Longenecker, EBC, 782. 3

Acts 4:36 5:11 [Read] Sub-Point: The church should be known for honesty and truth that is affirmed by the Spirit. Verses 4:36 37 Luke finishes his portrayal of the early church with two specific examples of truthfulness, one to imitate and one to avoid. In verses 36 37, he begins with the example to follow: Barnabas. Though his birth name was Joseph (v. 36), the apostles nickname him Barnabas, translated by Luke as son of encouragement. Nicknames were signs of respect in that time which summed up a person s character or calling. 6 Barnabas owned a field, sold it voluntarily, and laid the proceeds before the apostles to be distributed for anyone who needed help (v. 37). This openly generous and sacrificial example is the one we should emulate in our giving. The power and truth of the Gospel is at work in his humble approach to living out Christ s example of generosity. Q: How do you live with generosity? How are you challenged by Barnabas example? Verses 5:1 2 Luke concludes this section by offering an example that sharply contrasts with the story of Barnabas: the husband and wife team of Ananias and Sapphira. Luke uses the word but to signify a strong transition, setting up the second example in dramatic opposition to the first (v. 1). He begins the account with similarities. The husband and wife, like Barnabas, owned a piece of land and sold it, promising to give the proceeds to the needy (v. 1). However, when the time comes to hand over what they pledged, they deceitfully pretend to give the full amount while holding back some of the money for their own gain (v. 2). One could guess they wanted the same applause that Barnabas received but without the full cost of sacrifice. 7 Verses 5:3 6 Peter first confronts Ananias about his deception. Peter places the blame on two parties, the first being Satan (v. 3). Given that Satan is the father of all lies (John 8:44), Peter knows that he is clearly behind this deception. Through Ananias, he has entered the church community for the first time. 8 Peter also places blame on Ananias, accusing him of lying to the Holy Spirit (v. 3). The Bible teaches that one s posture toward an authority figure reflects one s posture toward God himself (Romans 13:1 2). In this case, lying to the apostles meant lying directly to God (v. 4). This couple was under no obligation to sell their land or even give all the proceeds of it to the Church. The problem only arose when they lied. The wording in this section greatly parallels the account of Joshua 7:1 26, where Achan embezzled some of the plunder devoted to God for 6 Polhill, NAC, 154. 7 Longenecker, EBC, 786. 8 Polhill, NAC, 157. 4

sacred use. Luke draws a parallel between the two, foreshadowing a horrible conclusion for Ananias that any Jewish reader would have seen coming. Indeed, immediately after the confrontation, Ananias dies (v. 5). Watching God take seriously the pledges of His people, the other Christians experience a sense of fear (v. 5). Verses 5:7 11 Peter confronts Sapphira, who is unaware of her husband s death (v. 7). In verse 8, Peter gives her the chance to confess and asks her about the amount she pledged. Unfortunately, she continues with the same lie. Peter accuses her of the same sin as Ananias in verse 9, and in verse 10 we see her fate is the same as her husband s. Just as she and her husband presented a united front in their deception, so they would be united in the consequences of their conspiracy. 9 In restating that great fear came upon everyone in verse 11, Luke makes it clear that Ananias and Sapphira s example is one to avoid. Deceit in the Church is a violation of trust with both God and other believers and is not taken lightly by God. God s people should be marked by honesty in all they do. Even if deception is at work, the power and truth of God s presence among His people offer us the resources to resist darkness and live in the light (1 Corinthians 10:13, James 4:7 8). Q: Why do you think deception is so tempting? What typically motivates us to deceive others? Q: What safeguards does God give us so that we can resist the Devil and submit every corner of our lives to the light of the Spirit? Q: How does your approach to honesty or deception exemplify Christ to others? 9 Longenecker, EBC, 787. 5

Week 7, Acts 4:32 5:11 Took Main point: The Gospel creates communities marked by unity, generosity and honesty. Group Discussion: Although sin prevents us from enjoying a utopia here on earth, the power of the Holy Spirit can help create a community that reflects the joy and unity of the Gospel. Take a few moments in class to discuss how you might prayerfully cultivate a more Gospel-centered community in your Bible Fellowship. Use the three core values of Bible Fellowship (Reach, Learn, Love) as a template. Lesson Conclusion: We are reminded that Christians should be marked by profound unity in Christ and radical generosity that overflows from hearts fixed on the Gospel. No matter what else we dedicate ourselves to, if these things are not present, we are not operating as a healthy Church. The truth of God s Word has the power to transform us from self-focused creatures to loving sons and daughters who daily live out the humility and sacrifice of Jesus. The examples of Barnabas and Ananias and Sapphira provide sober pictures of what it really means to live for Christ. Paul challenges us in Romans 12:1, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship. May we be a living example of this worship that makes Christ known in all aspects of our lives, communal and individual! Challenges Meet a need The believers in the Jerusalem church were generous to the point where all needs were met. While one person or family can t meet every single need, when we all come together to help with a heart of unified generosity, God powerfully meets the needs of His body. Take time to examine your own resources and commitments, and think through specific needs people in your congregation have right now. Which of these needs can you meet? Examine your perspective In this lesson, we learned that our possessions may be personal, but they are not private. They belong to God. Make a list of your most prized possessions or resources. Do you view these as God s or yours? In what ways have you been treating them as private, exclusively in service to your own enjoyment or security? Which of these things is God asking you to use for His purposes? Repent of deception The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not about their giving habits as much as it was their deception. Just as Peter gave Sapphira the chance to come clean, God gives us the ability to repent of deception in our own lives. Evaluate any areas of your life where you have been dishonest with your family, other believers, church leaders, and ultimately the Lord. Take time to repent to God and others for this violation of trust. 6