They would distribute to each one according to his need.
Generosity and covetousness
4:36-37 - It was at this time that Barnabas (the name, meaning son of comfort,
given by the apostles to Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus) sold his farm and put
the proceeds at the apostles' disposal.
CHAPTER 5
5:1-4 - But there was a man named Ananias who, with this wife Sapphira had
sold a piece of property, but with her full knowledge, reserved part of the
price for himself. He brought the remainder to put at the apostles' disposal.
But Peter said to him, "Ananias, why has Satan so filled your mind that you
could cheat the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the price of
the land? Before the land was sold it was yours, and after the sale the
disposal of the price you received was entirely in your hands, wasn't it? Then
whatever made you think of such a thing as this? You have not lied to men, but
to God!"
5:5-6 - As soon as Ananias heard these words he collapsed and died. All who
were within earshot were appalled at this incident. The young men got to their
feet and after wrapping up his body carried him out and buried him.
5:7-8 - About three hours later it happened that his wife came in not knowing
what had taken place, Peter spoke directly to her, "Tell me, did you sell your
land for so much?" "Yes," she replied, "that was it."
5:9 - Then Peter said to her, "How could you two have agreed to put the Spirit
of the Lord to such a test? Listen, you can hear the footsteps of the men who
have just buried your husband coming back through the door, and they will
carry you out as well!"
5:10-11 - Immediately she collapsed at Peter's feet and died. When the young
men came into the room they found her a dead woman, and they carried her out
and buried her by the side of her husband. At this happening a deep sense of
awe swept over the whole Church and indeed all those who heard about it.
The young Church takes its stand in the Temple
5:12-14 - By common consent they all used to meet now in Solomon's Porch. But
as far as the others were concerned no one dared to associate with them, even
though their general popularity was very great. Yet more and more believers in
the Lord joined them, both men and women in really large numbers.
- and miraculous power radiates from it
5:15-16 - Many signs and wonders were now happening among the people through
the apostles' ministry. In consequence people would bring out their sick into
the streets and lay them down on stretchers or bed, so that as Peter came by
at least his shadow might fall upon some of them. In addition a large crowd
collected from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing with them their sick and
those who were suffering from evil spirits. And they were all cured.
Furious opposition reduced to impotence
5:17-20 - All this roused the High Priest and his allies the Sadducean party,
and in a fury of jealousy they had the apostles arrested and put into the
common jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors
and led them out, saying, "Go and stand and speak in the Temple. Tell the
people all about this new life!"
5:21-23 - After receiving these instructions they entered the Temple about
daybreak, and began to teach. When the High Priest arrived he and his
supporters summoned the Sanhedrin and indeed the whole senate of the people of
Israel. Then he sent to the jail to have the apostles brought in. But when the
officers arrived at the prison they could not find them there. They came back
and reported, "We found the prison securely locked and the guard standing on
duty at the doors, but when we opened up we found no one inside."
5:24-25 - When the captain of the Temple guard and the chief priests heard
this report they were completely mystified at the apostles' disappearance and
wondered what further developments there would be. However, someone arrived
and reported to them, "Why, the men you put in jail are standing in the Temple
teaching the people!"
5:26-27 - Then the captain went out with his men and fetched them. They dared
not use any violence however, for the people might have stoned them. So they
brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin. The High Priest
called for an explanation.
5:28 - "We gave you the strictest possible orders," he said to them, "not to
give any teaching in this name (of Jesus). And look what has happened - you
have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and what is more you are determined
to fasten the guilt of that man's death upon us!"
The apostles speak the unpalatable truth
5:29-32 - Then Peter and the apostles answered him, "It is our duty to obey
the orders of God rather than the orders of men. It was the God of our fathers
who raised up Jesus, whom you murdered by hanging him on a cross of wood. God
has raised this man to his own right hand as prince and saviour, to bring
repentance and the forgiveness of sins to Israel. What is more, we are
witnesses to these matters, and so is the Holy spirit which God gives to those
who obey his commands."
Calm counsel temporarily prevails
5:33-39 - When the members of the council heard these words they were so
furious that they wanted to kill them. But one man stood up in the assembly, a
Pharisee by the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law who was held in great
respect by the people and gave orders for the apostles to be taken outside for
a few minutes. Then he addressed the assembly: "Men of Israel, be very careful
of what action you intend to take against these men! Remember that some time a
go a man called Theudas made himself conspicuous by claiming to be someone or
other, and he had a following of four hundred men. He was killed, all his
followers were dispersed, and the movement came to nothing. Then later, in the
days of the census, that man Judas from Galilee appeared and enticed many of
the people to follow him. But he too died and his whole following melted away.
My advice to you now therefore is to let these men alone; leave them to
themselves. For if this teaching or movement is merely human it will collapse