5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 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.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together 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.” 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
“The enemy seeing himself so completely defeated by his attacks from the outside now enters among the flock and begins his work within."
(Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible)
“Without such records, we might have been led to suppose, that in those happy days no characters of a contrary principle to the Apostles standard were to be found. But now we learn that the best of Churches, and the best of times, have their spots. In the ark, there was an Ham. Among the Apostles, a Judas, Under the first days of the Holy Ghost's ministry, the Lord permitted Ananias and Sapphira to mingle for a space with the faithful. But so far are these things from proving injurious to the Church, that they ultimately minister to her glory."
(Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary)
There are always sheep and goats in the Great Congregation… and it's not a matter of holding back part of the sale, but of lying to the Holy Spirit. "Swift judgment followed as to their earthly existence. They were cut off by death. The sin they had done was ‘a sin unto death’ (1 John 5:16) and the sentence, physical death, was immediately carried out."
(Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible)
“God takes some malefactors, and hangs them up in gibbets as it were; that others, warned thereby, may hear, and fear, and do no more so. Alterius perditio tua sit cautio. Cavebis autem si pavebis. Seest thou another suffer shipwreck? look well to thy tackling.”
(John Trapp Complete Commentary)
In the last day Judgment, Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats. The Spirit made these an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly (2 Peter 2:6). This event happened while the witness was still to the Jewish nation. The Jews would not sit in judgment, but the Holy One of Israel would be on the throne. "The sudden judgment which came upon Ananias and Sapphira was a strong witness to the nation that the Holy One of Israel, Jehovah, dwelt in the midst of this remnant, who believed in the One whom the nation had rejected. When the kingdom is established on earth and the Lord Jesus Christ rules in righteousness, then, no doubt, every sin will be swiftly judged by death.”
(Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
Acts 5: Revival at Solomon's Porch
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. 13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 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 themon beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
After God's judgement on Ananias and Sapphira, the Church prospered unfettered for a season. “The separation of hypocrites by distinguishing judgments, should make the sincere cleave closer to each other and to the gospel ministry. Whatever tends to the purity and reputation of the church, promotes its enlargement.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)
Peter and John had been prohibited from even speaking the name of Jesus. And yet now we find ALL of the apostles in one accord in Solomon’ porch. They performed signs and wonders in Jesus’ name, “which were as so many sermon bells to bring men to the Church; and as so many wings to carry the gospel abroad the world.” (John Trapp Commentary)
Solomon's porch – "Part of the outer court of Herod's temple (Jn 10:23; Acts 3:11; 5:12)." (Tyndale) With boldness, they carried the Word to the Jews first, in a porch of the very Jewish temple. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch… ”This would be one of the places in Jerusalem where 5000 plus people could assemble... ‘We must stop to note that even after all the difficulty from outside the church and within the church, the church is still one.’ (Reese p. 209) Meeting in the Temple area, also gave the apostles a chance to preach to those not yet converted.” (Mark Dunagan Commentary on the Bible)
“When Peter and John addressed the people on a former occasion in Solomon’s Porch some of the class of opposers present in their assembly went and informed the authorities and brought on a persecution. Since that they had held their meetings in their own room. (Note Acts 5:2.) But now the apostles, not two but all, had again met with one accord in the Porch with the following result. The all here refers to the apostles just mentioned; but we need not deny that a company of attendant Christians is implied as present with them.” (Whedon's Commentary on the Bible)
Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. Some believe that the other disciples of Jesus were afraid of the Jews and stayed away BUT: “Calmet more rationally observes, that the Jewish nation was then divided into many different sects, who entertained widely different opinions on various articles. The apostles adopted none of these jarring sentiments, and none of the different sects dared to join themselves to them; neither Pharisees, Sadducees, nor Herodians, as such, were found in this simple, holy Church. [Yet] The people felt the force and power of the apostles' doctrine, and magnified them, no more attending to the teaching of the others: the apostles taught them as men having authority, and not as the scribes and Pharisees…” (Adam Clarke)
“No formalists or hypocrites, durst join themselves - In an outward show only, like Ananias and Sapphira.” (Wesley's Explanatory Notes) Pray for God to purge your soul of hypocrisy and to multiply that miracle in the Great Congregation before that great and awful day of Judgement.
"It is easier to conceive than express the wonderful effect such events must have had on the minds of all that heard of them. Even the Sanhedrim for the moment seem to have been struck, so that, instead of apprehending Peter instantly, for the death of those liars, we hear that not only great fear came upon the Church, but upon all that heard of these things. And while multitudes were added to the Lord, not a soul of hypocrisy for a season durst join themselves to the Apostles. And of such veneration were the Apostles in the esteem of the common people, that they looked to them for healing to all their sick, and those vexed with unclean spirits, and we are told that they were healed every one. Reader! ponder well the wonderful relation, and consider the blessed state of the Church in that season.” (Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary)
Acts 5: Gamaliel’s Advice
33 When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and plotted to kill them. 34 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. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
When they heard of the teaching and miracles wrought in Jesus's name, they were cut to the heart— “The strict meaning of the verb describes the action of a saw, as in Hebrews 11:37. Used figuratively, it seems to imply a more lacerating pain than the ‘pricked to the heart’ of Acts 2:37, leading not to repentance but to hatred. The persons spoken of are principally the high priest and his Sadducean followers (Acts 2:17).” (Dean Plumptre)
A Pharisee named Gamaliel-- The Pharisees and the apostles had common belief in the resurrection of the body. It seems to me that if it were left up to the wise Gamaliel, Christianity would still be a sect of Judaism. "Whether Gamaliel secretly favored the cause of Christ, but for various reasons did not join the congregation, or whether he spoke his opinion out of a natural sense of expediency and justice, cannot be decided from the Biblical account. But his purpose in adducing the examples to which he refers, the point that he wishes to make, is this, that the movement which the Sanhedrin was combating must not be suppressed with violence; in fact, there was some doubt as to the wisdom of opposing it at all.” (The Popular Commentary)
"Gamaliel is also mentioned in Acts 22:3 as the rabbi with whom the apostle Paul studied as a youth in Jerusalem. During that period in Israel, a number of rabbinical schools evolved. Two of the most influential were the rival Pharisaic schools of Hillel and Shammai. Both of those teachers had vast influence on Jewish thinking. Hillel's school emphasized tradition even above the law. Shammai's school preserved the teaching of the law over the authority of tradition. Hillel's school was the more influential, and its decisions have been held by a great number of later rabbis.
Traditionally, Gamaliel is considered to be the grandson of Hillel, and he was thoroughly schooled in the philosophy and theology of his grandfather's teaching. Gamaliel was a member of the Sanhedrin, the high council of Jews in Jerusalem, and he served as president of the Sanhedrin during the reigns of the Roman emperors Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius. Unlike other Jewish teachers, he had no antipathy toward Greek learning.
The learning of Gamaliel was so eminent and his influence so great that he is one of only seven Jewish scholars who have been honored by the title Rabban. He was called the 'Beauty of the Law.' The Talmud even says that 'since Rabban Gamaliel died, the glory of the Law has ceased.'" (Tyndale Bible Dictionary)
“Gamaliel’s feeling was this—‘God is the supreme ruler, truth comes from Him, and He will take care of it. What is not true has in it the seeds of its own destruction, and will sooner or later come to nothing. Men are very poor judges of what is true or false. God is the judge, time the test.’
1. This conviction is the foundation of all true tolerance, liberality of mind, and of charity and candour in judging. For want of it we are often falsely liberal, or foolishly bigoted.
2. I need hardly say how this principle and conviction bears upon our daily life, or point out how much calmness, wisdom, and peace it would, if recognised, pour upon the distractions which surround us. We live in the midst of new things. In our religious, social and political life new and startling opinions meet us. Like Gamaliel we see old faiths and old institutions in Church and State, and old habits, relations, and customs in society crumbling away or threatened.
3. And if it should seem that an example such as that of Gamaliel is too much insisted on, that the preacher who again and again enforces largeness of mind, charity in judging, patience and gentleness in thought and action, together with the rest of the Christian graces and tempers, shows himself unmindful of his special work, and of his duty to teach the way of salvation for the souls of men; then I would submit that, in enforcing these things, we are setting forth man’s salvation; for the soul which lives in the feeling and conviction that God our Father is constantly present, and overrules all things; that He will take care of the truth and of us when we stand upon it; the soul that tries to catch the Spirit of Christ, and to let it penetrate thought, temper, and action; the soul that waits to see what God will establish and what He will overthrow, that soul lives in the light of the truth; and he who lives in the truth, lives in the love of God; and where God’s truth and love are, there is salvation, strength, and peace.” (John Congreve, M. A.)
Acts 5: Suffering With Christ
40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
"Acting on Gamaliel's advice, the Sanhedrin released the apostles. But the Sadducees gained some satisfaction by having the apostles beaten for disobeying a previous Sanhedrin command (40; cf4:17; 5:28). This was the first time that Christians suffered physical punishment for their faith in Jesus..." (Bridgeway Bible Commentary) Beaten them-“This, I suppose, was the inflicting upon them what St. Paul calleth the forty stripes save one, 2 Corinthians 11:24. For the Romans did then allow the Jews to make use of that punishment as they thought proper.’” (Adam Clarke) AND "This was what our Saviour had foretold them, Matthew 10:17; and thus the husbandmen took the householder’s servants and beat them, Matthew 21:35. They had power yet left them by the Romans to punish offenders in their synagogues, but not capitally nor publicly.” (Matthew Poole)
“What philosophy was it that taught them to rejoice under such circumstances?… He who suffers, not for evil doing [ 1 Peter 3:17], but for Christ’s sake, and in his service encounters shame, stripes, and bonds, is indeed truly united with Christ, and has reason to rejoice…—Four classes in the school of affliction: I. I am called to suffer; II. I am willing to suffer; III. I am able to suffer; IV. I am permitted to suffer." (K. F. Hartmann)
This grace begins with private home religion- “But I cannot withhold a growing suspicion that the great ‘mass-meetings’ of the present day, for the ostensible object of promoting spiritual life, do not tend to promote private home religion, private Bible reading, private prayer, private usefulness and private walking with God.” (J. C. Ryle)_
Jesus said, "Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me." (John 15:20-21) If we share in His sufferings, we will also share in His glory. (Romans 8:17) ”Therefore the apostles are, after a sort, armed with stripes, so that they valiantly make haste unto death." (Calvin)
“When the apostles were released, and addressed the people, they did not complain of their enemies, did not boast of their own firmness, did not defend their character, which had been sullied by the scourge, but simply [taught and] preached the Gospel concerning Jesus Christ.” (Lange)
And taught them... This is not a one man act to be done by the preacher, ”And this is where the church has made a grave mistake. Because the church continues to produce great preachers, but is not really producing teachers. And thus, the sheep are not getting strong. Because they're getting preached at Sunday after Sunday rather then being taught. Our preaching should be done on the street corners and our teaching should be done within the church. Preaching is a great Saturday night ministry when the young people are attracted by the groups that are playing and singing. Once they have received Christ, then the great need of being taught in the way of righteous and truth." (Chuck Smith)
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:11-16)
They did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. "They could not do otherwise. Their hearts were full of Christ and out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. And if our hearts are full of Christ and if we really know Him as our Savior, we will want to tell others about Him." (Ironside's Notes on Selected Books)
Their activity was “not in dark corners or private rooms merely, but daily in the temple— Jesus Christ—that is, Jesus the Messiah. These unsilenceable men, with a persistence that truth and duty alone could justify, ceased not to proclaim to reluctant Israel that the Messiah had come and was yet to come again.” (Whedon's Commentary on the Bible)