Acts Chapter 5 1-2~~ But a certain man named Ananias {pronounced Ann-a-neigh- us}, with Sapphira {pronounced Sa-fi-ra - Aramaic for 'Most Beautiful'} his wife, sold a possession, 2~~ and kept back part of the price . . . his wife also being privy to it {she was in on the deception}, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. {Note in background: Ananias apparently was the wealthy benefactor of the church in Jerusalem. We can gather that people were talking all about Barnabas and his generous gift and stopped giving these two the attention they craved (approbation lust). So they came up with a scheme to match the deed - but they wanted to keep some of the money. So we can deduce that Ananias brought the money to Peter and laid it at his feet and 'said' something to Peter like 'we have sold this property and here is the money, implying it is ALL the money when it was not! It was theirs to give or not give, but NOT their right to lie!} 3~~But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?" 4~~"While it remained {with you}, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own power? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied unto men, but unto God." 5~~And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the spirit {died}. And great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6~~And the young men arose, wrapped up the body in swaddling clothes, 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. {Note: Sapphira was probably preparing for the great approbation she was to receive . . . maybe she was out shopping for new clothes for the occasion!} 8~~ And Peter answered unto her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" And she said, "Yes, for so much." {Note: She confirmed with Peter that she was in on the lie.} 9~~Then Peter said unto her, "How is it that you have agreed together {with your husband} to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?" "Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry you out." 10~~Then fell she down straightway at his feet and yielded up her spirit {also croaked on the spot}. And the young men came in . . . found her dead . . . carrying her forth and buried her by her husband. 11~~And great fear {respect for authority} came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. {Note: They were not going around like scared rabbits - this is not emotion.} 12-14~~ And by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders kept on occurring among the people (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13~~ and of the rest dared no man join himself to them. And, the people gave them leadership respect. 14~~ And believers were the more added to the Lord . . . multitudes both of men and women.) {Note: Just means that the people had great respect for the church leaders.} 15~~Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at a minimum the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. {Note: It was considered 'good luck' in this day to have the shadow of a great man fall on you.} 16~~There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were under the control of demons and they were healed individually one by one. 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 jealousy. {Note: the Sadducees were the aristocrats of the day. They were 'realists' who only believed in what they could see and touch. They did not believe in the supernatural and thought angels were dead.} 18~~And they seized the apostles violently, and put them in the common prison. {Note: Literally means they arrested them, but beat them up first.} 19-20~~ But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20~~"GO FROM HERE, TAKE A STAND when you get there, and KEEP ON SPEAKING {until the issue is clear} in the temple to the people all the words of this life." 21~~And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and kept on teaching {unbeknown to the priest}. 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 {all the courts in the land, the Sanhedran council, the heads of all the tribes, etc.}, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22-23~~But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23~~ saying, "We found the prison truly shut with all safety, and the keepers standing outside the doors. But when we had opened, we found no man within." 24~~Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they said if only these things {miracles} would stop - I wish they would, but they won't {3rd class condition} - then I would know how this {Christianity} would turn out. 25~~ Then came one and told them, saying, "Behold, the men whom you put in prison are taking a stand in the temple, and teaching the people. 26~~Then the general {general officer of the temple} went with the officers, and brought them without violence {arrested again though this time not beaten first} for they {the priests and officers} feared the people, less they should have been stoned. 27-28~~And when they had brought them, they set them before the council and the high priest asked them, 28~~ saying, "Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name {in the name of Jesus}? And, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." 29~~ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, "We ought to obey God rather than men." 30~~"The God of our fathers {God the Father in this reference} raised up Jesus . . . Whom you slew and hanged on a tree." 31~~"HIM . . . and only HIM . . . has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior because He wants to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." 32~~"And we are His witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Spirit, Whom God {God the Father} has given to them that obey Him {obey his command to Believe in Christ}." 33~~ When they heard that, they were cut to the heart {idiom meaning upset in the right lobe of the brain}, and took counsel how to slay them. {Note: The Sanhedran, this judicial/governmental body is getting upset!} 34~~ Then stood there up one in the Sanhedran council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, who had a reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space. {Note: He had them moved out of ear shot.} 35~~ And said unto them, "You men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do as touching these men." {Note: Gamaliel is advising them to stop being emotional and think about what they are doing. If this is a revolution, the Romans will handle it. If this is of God, well . . . who are we!} {Gamaliel gives examples from history} 36~~"For before these days rose up Theudas {small revolution}, boasting himself to be somebody {passed himself off as being the Messiah} 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 nothing." {Note: From historical accounts, we know that the Roman Governor of the day commanded the Roman Calvary to charge Theudas and his group of followers at the river Jordan and they killed a great many of them and scattered the rest. They then captured Theudas and cut off his head and threw it on the steps of the temple as a warning to the Jews to let them know the Romans were still in charge.} 37~~"After this man {Theudas} . . . rose up Judas of Galilee . . . in the days of the taxing {6 AD} . . . and drew away many people after him. He also perished and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed." {Note: Romans put down this revolt also.} 38~~"And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone. For if {third class condition} this counsel or this work be of men - maybe it is, maybe it isn't - it will come to nothing." {Note: Rome will handle it.} 39~~"But if {first class condition} it be of God, AND IT IS, you cannot overthrow it! Lest haply you will be found even to fight against God!" 40~~ And to him they agreed {but did not follow the advice!}. 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. 41~~And they {Peter and the other apostles} 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 {early church met in homes}, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. ************************************************** Joshua_Sozo™ and Syndein ™ are the Trademarks of Syndein a California DBA of Kenneth Sidley & Associates, Inc., a California Corporation. All rights reserved. Copyright© Syndein 1982-2010. All rights reserved. This page is sponsored by Kenneth Sidley, CPA, an Orange County California CPA (949) 706-3133. Please call Ken for high quality, low cost CPA services in Orange County California. This includes audit, review, compilation, tax returns, Quickbooks, and business consulting services. 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