Acts 5:1-13

30 The timid opposition of the Sanhedrin is in contrast to the boldness of those who proclaimed the evangel. God manifested Himself by miraculous interventions, and the powers of the kingdom abounded.

32 The laws concerning property were so different in Israel from anything with which we are acquainted that it is difficult for us to understand this and similar passages. First of all, each Jew had his allotment, which could not be sold. Even if it was disposed of, it came back to him in the jubilee. This was his means of living. If the kingdom should come, the land would be redistributed according to the prophets (Eze_47:13). The action of the Pentecostal believers is all based on this fact. Whatever they had beyond their allotment would go back to its rightful allottee when the kingdom is set up. In view of this they sold the lands and houses they had acquired besides their allotment, and shared their possessions, or personal property such as money, among themselves.

34 A freehold was a piece of property to which actual title could be acquired, as is the custom among western nations today. The name, which means separated, shows that a freehold was not land held in common, like an allotment, but held by a title unaffected by the jubilee. Gethsemane was such a freehold (Mat_26:36). Judas manifested his unbelief by purchasing a freehold with the price of his Lord, and the chief priest completed the purchase by paying the money. This was evidence that they did not believe in the coming kingdom, for they never would have bought the bloody field, only to find its title invalid when the land is reapportioned to the tribes in that day. The disciples, knowing that freeholds were not in line with the law and that they would be forfeited under the righteous rule of Messiah, put the means obtained from their sale into a common fund.

36 The allotment of the Levites could not be sold (Lev_25:34). But this field was his personal property. Had the kingdom come, he would have had his share in their allotment (Eze_48:13-14).

3 Ananias and Sapphira sold a freehold which they had acquired, over and beyond their own allotment in the land. In this they did well. They brought a part to the apostles. This, too, was a commendable act. Their sin seems to have been, not in withholding a part, but in giving the impression that they had contributed all for the common good. Here we have a practical illustration of the righteous rule which will characterize the kingdom of God. The hidden motive is brought to light. An act appearing most praiseworthy on the surface is declared to be tainted with falsehood. No witnesses are needed. The Lord's apostle can detect evil though most skillfully concealed. Judgment is immediate and summary.

4 Ananias was under no compulsion to sell the freehold. Neither was he obliged to contribute the sum he obtained to the common fund. All this was voluntary. But such a course would have lowered him in the eyes of the disciples and he wished to be well thought of. But his avarice was too strong to allow him to part with the whole sum, so he, in effect, steals a part of the gift, and presents the rest as though it were the whole amount. This was hypocrisy in its most hateful form. In an administration of grace, such as we enjoy today, such sins are not followed by swift judgment. They wait until the tribunal of Christ (2Co_5:10). But in the administration of the kingdom, righteousness will reign and sin will be suppressed.

11 The result of the sudden and severe judgment of Ananias and Sapphira was great fear, both among the believers and others who hear of it. The resultant conduct was not the free unforced desire to please God which is inspired by His love and grace, which should actuate us in this economy, but restraint from evil through dread of judgment. It is based on power from without rather than an impulse from within. We are not in danger of any judgment, hence have no such motive to mold our behavior. Our lives should be the fruit of love.

13 The awful atmosphere of inflexible righteousness which repelled the unbelieving was an adumbration of the day when a King shall reign In righteousness and through the greatness of His power His enemies shall yield a feigned obedience to Him (Psa_18:44; Psa_18:1-18; Psa_6:1-10; Psa_7:1-17; Psa_8:1-9; Psa_9:1-20; Psa_10:1-18; Psa_11:1-7; Psa_12:1-8; Psa_13:1-6; Psa_14:1-7; Psa_15:1-5; Psa_16:1-11; Psa_17:1-15; Psa_18:1-50; Psa_19:1-14; Psa_20:1-9; Psa_21:1-13; Psa_22:1-31; Psa_23:1-6; Psa_24:1-10; Psa_25:1-22; Psa_26:1-12; Psa_27:1-14; Psa_28:1-9; Psa_29:1-11; Psa_30:1-12; Psa_31:1-24; Psa_32:1-11; Psa_33:1-22; Psa_34:1-22; Psa_35:1-28; Psa_36:1-12; Psa_37:1-40; Psa_38:1-22; Psa_39:1-13; Psa_40:1-17; Psa_41:1-13; Psa_42:1-11; Psa_43:1-5; Psa_44:1-26; Psa_45:1-17; Psa_46:1-11; Psa_47:1-9; Psa_48:1-14; Psa_49:1-20; Psa_50:1-23; Psa_51:1-19; Psa_52:1-9; Psa_53:1-6; Psa_54:1-7; Psa_55:1-23; Psa_56:1-13; Psa_57:1-11; Psa_58:1-11; Psa_59:1-17; Psa_60:1-12; Psa_61:1-8; Psa_62:1-12; Psa_63:1-11; Psa_64:1-10; Psa_65:1-13; Psa_66:1-20; Psa_67:1-7; Psa_68:1-35; Psa_69:1-36; Psa_70:1-5; Psa_71:1-24; Psa_72:1-20; Psa_73:1-28; Psa_74:1-23; Psa_75:1-10; Psa_76:1-12; Psa_77:1-20; Psa_78:1-72; Psa_79:1-13; Psa_80:1-19; Psa_81:1-16; Psa_82:1-8; Psa_83:1-18; Psa_84:1-12; Psa_85:1-13; Psa_86:1-17; Psa_87:1-7; Psa_88:1-18; Psa_89:1-52; Psa_90:1-17; Psa_91:1-16; Psa_92:1-15; Psa_93:1-5; Psa_94:1-23; Psa_95:1-11; Psa_96:1-13; Psa_97:1-12; Psa_98:1-9; Psa_99:1-9; Psa_100:1-5; Psa_101:1-8; Psa_102:1-28; Psa_103:1-22; Psa_104:1-35; Psa_105:1-45; Psa_106:1-3)