Acts 5
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Ananias = grace and Sapphira means beauty.
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
They were to sell it all and give to God, they didn't. Be careful as satan will put things in your mind to change your way of thinking.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Peter being bold again, had The Holy Spirit speaking through him because Peter had no idea what these two were going to do originally.
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
They were going to give it all to God, what has changed their minds? Why that would be greed and satans tricks in your mind. The outcome isn't ever going to be good.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the spirit: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
Greed is satans way of separating you from God. Many follow this way today and many even call themselves Christians. Our Father is The One that gives and He is The One that can take away. If you promise something to God, you had better follow up with it.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
She may lie to Peter but God knows the truth and because of Peter having The Holy Spirit he knows she is lying to him. Ananias and Sapphira sold the land for more than it was worth in their minds, so they figured they could keep the difference for themselves even if they told God they would give it all to Him.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
You can't fool God because He knows what you're thinking right now.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the spirit: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
If you're putting the things of the world above God, you're already dead.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
They could see God knew their every thought and He doesn't put up with lies.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
"rest durst no man join himself" = not believers in Christ. Yet they ran after seeing The Power of God. If you're going to reject God, you should be afraid!
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.
Because they had seen and heard, many turned from the world and to Christ and The Word. If people would just open their eyes today, the same thing would happen.
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Its Christ that heals not Peter or any human.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
That's what happens when The Holy Spirit is there. Evil runs and the sick are healed †
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
This is what happens when The Truth is given to those that reject it. They become angry and combative. Just got through talking to someone just like this.
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
They had such anger for the people coming together to follow Christ, the Sadducees threw the Apostles in jail.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
The Lord always opens doors † All we have to do is walk through.
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
Go tell the world of Christ Jesus †
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
The Sanhedrin wanted them to stop preaching Christ so they are going to try and force them out of town.
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
What a surprise to the Sanhedrin. You can't contain The Truth.
23 Saying, The prison truly
found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the
doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
The guards couldn't explain how they got out, even when
there were guards standing at the door to the cell.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
These kenites just worried themselves sick with The Truth of God getting out and the people turning from their doctrine.
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
The "police" if you will, feared the people would attack them if they were to aggressive with the Apostles.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
God is with the Apostles so they're NOT going to worry about these evil people saying or doing anything. These kenites are evil while thinking they're the head.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
We are NOT subject to higher authority of flesh when they are not alined with God. Some high minded people believe we are today.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Peter don't care who this guy thinks he is. Peter is going to stand as a REAL Christian should against evil.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Peters laying it down for the high minded. It isn't you that saves us and has paid the price for us all, its The One you hate, Christ Jesus Yahusha.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Do you speak and live The Truth of God? Then you are a "witness of these things" for the world to hear and see.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
This religious community didn't take kindly to The Truth being told, just like today. Try telling a "pastor" you don't have to be baptized to be saved. The "baptized" I'm talking about is the bath ritual of today. I'm not saying you shouldn't get baptized because Christ Himself was. What I'm talking about is the FACT it has nothing to do with your salvation.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
Gamaliel knew the law better than most and said The Apostles should leave the room before they hear what he had to say.
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
Gamaliel is warning them to be careful in what they decide to do with The Apostles.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
Gamaliel is letting them know if what The Apostles teach is false it will not grow. Theudas, was someone that thought of himself as a big somebody, but was nothing but trouble.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
Gamaliel is saying, leave them alone, if what they say and do isn't of God it will not prosper.
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
If what they say and do is of God, you can't win over it and you're fighting with God, not them.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
The Apostles really didn't care what they had to say. The Word was going forth one way or another.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Bring it! .......... We are in Gods favor †
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Its an EVERYDAY walk and study or you will never get where God wants you to be. May God bless all you that hunger for His Word. †