Acts 5

Acts 5 shows both the holiness and power of God in the early church. The chapter begins with the serious judgment on Ananias and Sapphira, who lied about their offering and tried to appear more generous than they truly were. This brought great fear upon the church and showed that God’s people must walk in honesty and holiness. The chapter then shows the apostles doing many signs and wonders, more believers being added to the Lord, and the sick being healed. At the same time, the religious leaders became jealous and persecuted the apostles. Yet God delivered them from prison, and they continued preaching boldly. The chapter ends with the apostles rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name.

Acts 5:1-2 (NKJV)
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.

Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and brought part of the money to the apostles. Their sin was not that they kept part of the money, because the property and the proceeds were still under their control. The problem was that they pretended to give everything while secretly keeping some back. Their act was a lie and a display of false spirituality, which went against the honesty and sincere generosity of the early church.

Acts 5:3-4 (NKJV)
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.”

Peter, through spiritual discernment, exposed Ananias’ sin. He made clear that Ananias was free to keep the land or the money, but he chose to lie and act as if he had given all. Peter says he lied to the Holy Spirit and therefore lied to God, showing that the Spirit of God is God’s own presence and power working among His people. This connects with 1 Corinthians 2:11, which says that no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. The issue was not the amount of the gift, but deception, hypocrisy, and lying before God.

Acts 5:5-6 (NKJV)
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.

When Ananias heard Peter’s words, he fell down and died. This sudden judgment was shocking and brought great fear upon all who heard it. God was showing the early church that sin, hypocrisy, and lying in His presence are serious. This event taught the believers to reverence God and to live with honesty and integrity.

Acts 5:7-10 (NKJV)
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.

About three hours later, Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened to Ananias. Peter gave her the opportunity to tell the truth, but she repeated the same lie. This showed that she had willingly agreed with her husband in the deception. Peter said they had tested the Spirit of the Lord, and immediately she also fell down and died. This shows that God judged not only the outward act, but the agreed hypocrisy and dishonesty in their hearts.

Acts 5:11 (NKJV)
11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

The judgment on Ananias and Sapphira brought great fear upon the church and everyone who heard about it. This was not a sinful fear, but a holy reverence for God. The early church learned that God’s presence among His people is serious and sacred. He desires a pure, honest, and sincere community, not one built on hypocrisy.

Acts 5:12-16 (NKJV)
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 them on 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 this, God continued to work powerfully through the apostles. Many signs and wonders were done among the people, and the believers were united in Solomon’s Porch. Some people were afraid to join them casually, because they recognized the seriousness of God’s presence, yet the church was highly respected. Many men and women were added to the Lord. The sick and those tormented by unclean spirits were brought from Jerusalem and surrounding cities, and they were healed. This shows that God’s power, holiness, and mercy were all working together in the early church.

Acts 5:17-18 (NKJV)
17 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,
18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.

The religious leaders, especially the Sadducees, became angry and jealous because the apostles were gaining attention and preaching Jesus. Their influence among the people was growing, and the leaders wanted to stop the gospel from spreading. So they arrested the apostles and put them in prison. This shows that the work of God often brings opposition from those who want to protect their own authority.

Acts 5:19-20 (NKJV)
19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,
20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

During the night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought the apostles out. But the angel did not tell them to hide or escape for safety. Instead, he commanded them to go back to the temple and speak all the words of this life. This shows that God delivered them so they could continue the mission. The gospel is called “this life” because it brings true life through Jesus Christ.

Acts 5:21-24 (NKJV)
21 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.
22 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!”
24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.

The apostles obeyed immediately and went to the temple early in the morning to teach. Meanwhile, the council gathered and sent officers to bring them from prison. But the officers found the prison securely locked and the guards still standing outside, while the apostles were gone. This miracle confused the leaders and showed that God’s power was greater than their control. Human authority could not stop the work God was doing.

Acts 5:25-26 (NKJV)
25 So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

Someone reported that the apostles were back in the temple teaching the people. The officers went to bring them before the council, but they did so without violence because they feared the people. The apostles were respected by many, and the leaders knew that harsh treatment could cause a public reaction. This shows how God protected His servants even while they were being opposed.

Acts 5:27-28 (NKJV)
27 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!”

The high priest reminded the apostles that they had been commanded not to teach in the name of Jesus. Yet he admits that they had filled Jerusalem with their doctrine. This shows how powerful and widespread the gospel witness had become. The leaders were also troubled because the apostles’ preaching exposed their guilt in rejecting and killing Jesus. They did not want to accept responsibility for His blood.

Acts 5:29-32 (NKJV)
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 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.
32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Peter and the apostles answered boldly that they must obey God rather than men. When human commands go against God’s command, God must come first. Peter again preached Jesus, saying that the God of their fathers raised Him from the dead after they had killed Him by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Jesus to His right hand as Prince and Saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. The apostles were witnesses of these things, and so was the Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey Him. This passage clearly shows God as the One who raised and exalted Jesus, and Jesus as the Prince and Saviour through whom repentance and forgiveness are given.

Acts 5:33-34 (NKJV)
33 When they heard this, they were furious 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.

When the leaders heard Peter’s words, they were furious and wanted to kill the apostles. But Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the law, stood up and asked that the apostles be put outside for a private discussion. His intervention slowed the anger of the council and prevented them from acting immediately in violence.

Acts 5:35-39 (NKJV)
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.”

Gamaliel warned the council to be careful. He reminded them of other movements led by Theudas and Judas of Galilee, which disappeared after their leaders died. His advice was that if the apostles’ work was merely human, it would fail on its own. But if it was truly from God, they would not be able to overthrow it, and they might even be found fighting against God. His words show a wise caution: no one can stop a work that God Himself is doing.

Acts 5:40 (NKJV)
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.

The council agreed with Gamaliel’s advice, but they still beat the apostles and commanded them again not to speak in the name of Jesus. This shows that the leaders did not repent; they only avoided killing them at that time. Their hostility remained, but God still preserved the apostles so the gospel could continue to spread.

Acts 5:41-42 (NKJV)
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.

The apostles left the council rejoicing, not because suffering was pleasant, but because they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. Their joy showed their deep love and loyalty to Christ. Even after being beaten and threatened, they did not stop preaching. Every day, both in the temple and from house to house, they continued teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. This shows their courage, faithfulness, and obedience to God above men.