But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 1. When good things begin to happen - there seems to always be a "but" - to show that Satan is still active. 2. As many were sharing, unselfishly - Greed would raise its ugly head. 3. Ananias and Sapphira will go througho... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. There was nothing wrong with keeping part of the money. (see verse 4) It was their money to do with as they pleased. Spend it, Save it, Give it away. It wa... [ Continue Reading ]
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? 1. The lie was in making everyone think they gave ALL when they gave some. 2. Define - Lie - to speak a deliberate falsehood, to deceive. There is a diff... [ Continue Reading ]
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. " 1. This was your property. You can keep it, sell it, give it away, make it part of your estate. 2. This was a plann... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN ANANIAS, HEARING THESE WORDS, FELL DOWN AND BREATHED HIS LAST. SO GREAT FEAR CAME UPON ALL THOSE WHO HEARD THESE THINGS. 1. Ananias - heard the words against him, fell down, and took his last breath. 2. Result - Great fear (wonder, awe) came upon all. 3. When ever there was a problem, troubl... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE YOUNG MEN AROSE AND WRAPPED HIM UP, CARRIED _HIM_ OUT, AND BURIED _HIM._ 1. Pallbearers - Wrapped him in a bed sheet, took him out and buried him. No funeral. No mourning period. No eulogy. 2. He was buried within minutes. There was no family notification. They did not wait for aunts, uncl... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IT WAS ABOUT THREE HOURS LATER WHEN HIS WIFE CAME IN, NOT KNOWING WHAT HAD HAPPENED. 1. 3 hours later - Sapphira arrives. 2. She does not know that her husband is dead. And the apostles don't tell her. One would think the first thing to say when you see her is to express sympathy for her loss,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND PETER ANSWERED HER, " TELL ME WHETHER YOU SOLD THE LAND FOR SO MUCH? " SHE SAID, " YES, FOR SO MUCH. " 1. Peter is more concerned with getting to the truth. Did you sell for so much? She says, "Yes." 2. This proves that she and her husband conspired in this lie.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. " 1. Peter accused the husband of lying. He accuses Sapphira of conspiracy to lie. 2. He informs he... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. She fell down, breathed her last. The pallbearers found her dead. 2. She was carried out and buried beside her husband.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO GREAT FEAR CAME UPON ALL THE CHURCH AND UPON ALL WHO HEARD THESE THINGS. 1. Great fear (both kinds) came up the church. 2. After seeing this - Would you walk up to Peter and lie? 3. There was fear (dread); and fear (awe). 4. Not just the Christians - all who heard about this event had fear.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. Many signs and wonders were performed. 1. SIGNS - identifying marks (street sign), that which distinguishes one the rest 2. WONDERS - Miracles witnes... [ Continue Reading ]
YET NONE OF THE REST DARED JOIN THEM, BUT THE PEOPLE ESTEEMED THEM HIGHLY. 1. This event also stopped (or slowed down) the opposition. 2. If they spoke against the church or apostles - they might be struck dead. 3. But the people (common folks) held the apostles in high regard. While the enemies... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BELIEVERS WERE INCREASINGLY ADDED TO THE LORD, MULTITUDES OF BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, 1. Increasingly - more were added - not by ones, or tens, or even hundreds. But multitudes. How many is a multitude? 2. First there were a few - 120 (Acts 1:1-26) to 500 (1 Corinthians 15:1-58). Then there were 3,... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THAT THEY BROUGHT THE SICK OUT INTO THE STREETS AND LAID _THEM_ ON BEDS AND COUCHES, THAT AT LEAST THE SHADOW OF PETER PASSING BY MIGHT FALL ON SOME OF THEM. 1. Many superstitions have arisen from this passage. Today, preachers are sending out prayer cloths, napkins, ashes, dust, olive oil, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. The word is spreading rapidly. Now sick people from other cities are coming. 2. All were healed. This one event of a lame man has n... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE HIGH PRIEST ROSE UP, AND ALL THOSE WHO _WERE_ WITH HIM (WHICH IS THE SECT OF THE SADDUCEES), AND THEY WERE FILLED WITH INDIGNATION, 1. Now the Jewish leaders are really angry. 2. Filled with indignation - Thayer gives this definition to the word - "an envious and contentious rivalry, jeal... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LAID THEIR HANDS ON THE APOSTLES AND PUT THEM IN THE COMMON PRISON. 1. Now ALL the apostles are in trouble. Before it was Peter and John. Now all the apostles are arrested and put into prison 2. Common prison - in the same place as other "criminals.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AT NIGHT AN ANGEL OF THE LORD OPENED THE PRISON DOORS AND BROUGHT THEM OUT, AND SAID, 1. An interesting study can be done on the phrase - "angel of the Lord." In the Old Testament, this phrase often, if not always, refers to Jesus' activity on earth. 2. The angel of the Lord is more than a com... [ Continue Reading ]
" GO, STAND IN THE TEMPLE AND SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LIFE. " 1. Go stand in the temple. You would think after "escaping" from jail, they would go into hiding, travel to another country, or at least get out of town until this thing blows over. 2. No - They were right back where t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY HEARD _THAT,_ THEY ENTERED THE TEMPLE EARLY IN THE MORNING AND TAUGHT. BUT THE HIGH PRIEST AND THOSE WITH HIM CAME AND CALLED THE COUNCIL TOGETHER, WITH ALL THE ELDERS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SENT TO THE PRISON TO HAVE THEM BROUGHT. 1. No argument. The next morning - they are r... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN THE OFFICERS CAME AND DID NOT FIND THEM IN THE PRISON, THEY RETURNED AND REPORTED, 23 SAYING, " INDEED WE FOUND THE PRISON SHUT SECURELY, AND THE GUARDS STANDING OUTSIDE BEFORE THE DOORS; BUT WHEN WE OPENED THEM, WE FOUND NO ONE INSIDE! " 1. The escape is discovered and reported. 2. Door... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THE HIGH PRIEST, THE CAPTAIN OF THE TEMPLE, AND THE CHIEF PRIESTS HEARD THESE THINGS, THEY WONDERED WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE. 1. The Jewish leaders are really confused now. What is going to happen now? 2. Just as they were pondering what to do, they learn where the prisoners are located... [ Continue Reading ]
SO ONE CAME AND TOLD THEM, SAYING, " LOOK, THE MEN WHOM YOU PUT IN PRISON ARE STANDING IN THE TEMPLE AND TEACHING THE PEOPLE! " 1. They are back at the Temple - teaching the people. 2. The leaders did not stop them for a day. They just gave them a night's lodging.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE CAPTAIN WENT WITH THE OFFICERS AND BROUGHT THEM WITHOUT VIOLENCE, FOR THEY FEARED THE PEOPLE, LEST THEY SHOULD BE STONED. 1. Re-arrested them - with little show of force - so they would not stir up a riot. 2. The Jewish leaders feared the people. They were losing their base of support so... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY HAD BROUGHT THEM, THEY SET _THEM_ BEFORE THE COUNCIL. AND THE HIGH PRIEST ASKED THEM, 28 saying, " Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man ' S BLOOD ON US! " 1. You have filled Je... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT PETER AND THE _OTHER_ APOSTLES ANSWERED AND SAID: " WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN. 1. Obey God rather than men. 2. CAUTION : This applies - if the command of men violates the law of God. 1. It does not apply if we don't like the rulers, law, taxes or regulations. 2. It does not apply... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOD OF OUR FATHERS RAISED UP JESUS WHOM YOU MURDERED BY HANGING ON A TREE. 31 HIM GOD HAS EXALTED TO HIS RIGHT HAND _TO BE_ PRINCE AND SAVIOR, TO GIVE REPENTANCE TO ISRAEL AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS. 1. Peter is preaching his same sermon - again. 1. God sent His Son, Jesus 2. You killed him - h... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WE ARE HIS WITNESSES TO THESE THINGS, AND _SO_ ALSO _IS_ THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM. " 1. This is not a story. We are witnesses. 2. The Law of Moses required 2 (or more) witnesses to prove something to be true. Here are 12 witnesses. 3. Also as a witness - the Ho... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY HEARD _THIS,_ THEY WERE FURIOUS AND PLOTTED TO KILL THEM. 1. This sermon did not go over well with the Jewish leaders. 2. They are now ready - not to threaten, not to arrest - but to kill the apostles.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. Gamaliel - respected teacher, one who knew the law, a Pharisee, a council member 2. He makes a logical argument... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID TO THEM: " MEN OF ISRAEL, TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES WHAT YOU INTEND TO DO REGARDING THESE MEN. 1. Think about what you are wanting to do. 2. Think about the consequences of your actions.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. Theudas - 1. Made claims to be some great spiritual leader 2. Numbers of people followed him - 400 joined him 3... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. Judas of Galilee - 1. In the days of the census - the time Jesus was born 2. He drew away many followers 3. He died and the followe... [ Continue Reading ]
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; 1. Conclusion - 1. Let nature run its course. 2. Jesus gathered a following 3. He died 4. The band of followers will soon vanish 5. There is no need for interven... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF IT IS OF GOD, YOU CANNOT OVERTHROW IT-LEST YOU EVEN BE FOUND TO FIGHT AGAINST GOD. " 1. BUT - If this IS from God - 1. You can't win the battle. 2. Killing them will not stop the will of God. 3. You will find yourselves fighting against God.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. The situation calmed down. 2. They beat the apostles, threatened them - let them go free.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEY DEPARTED FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE COUNCIL, REJOICING THAT THEY WERE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER SHAME FOR HIS NAME. 1. How would you react? What would you do? 2. They rejoiced. (1 Peter 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16)... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DAILY IN THE TEMPLE, AND IN EVERY HOUSE, THEY DID NOT CEASE TEACHING AND PREACHING JESUS _AS_ THE CHRIST. 1. They did not stop. They did not pause. They did not slow down. They just kept doing the will of God. 2. Daily - Combination of 2 words - All or every and day. Each and every day. Nothin... [ Continue Reading ]