Acts 5

Devotional by Jeremy Hamblen

Read Acts 5

Acts 5

Ananias and Sapphira

5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Many Signs and Wonders Done

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Devotional

If chapter four had you thinking that starting a church was all sunshine and butterflies, today’s reading is here with a few raindrops and wasps to put your feet back on the ground. The startling events of Acts five display God’s uncompromising holiness while also unveiling his unmatched power for advancing the gospel despite opposition. In solemn fashion, the pretentious offering of Ananias and Sapphira provokes immediate judgment for hypocrisy within the fledgling church. Such piercing standards of purity protect the integrity of God’s community, eliciting profound fearful reverence from the believers.

Alongside this sober warning emerges a profound witness to God’s strength permeating his people against external resistance and persecution. The apostles’ return to public ministry following their miraculous liberation from prison demonstrates an unwavering commitment to kingdom priorities fueled by the Spirit’s presence.

Both episodes reveal key facets of God’s dealings with his church. He refuses to abide deceit and pride hindering the gospel, but neither will any earthly power impede the work of his faithful messengers empowered by his Spirit. Where Ananias and Sapphira’s cautionary tale leads us to inward honesty and integrity before God and our community, the apostles’ bold witness encourages us to remember that the same Holy Spirit who ushers in fearful awe of the Lord also ushers in fearless testimony to Christ’s supremacy over all competing authorities.

Do we serve God and others from pure hearts or for public praise? How can we tell the difference, and how does this impact our ability to rely on his power to courageously advance God’s work amidst opposition and uncertainty?

33 thoughts on “Day Five | The Book of Acts”

  1. Not by might, nor by power, but by your Spirit, O LORD. Throughout this day, may we pray often. May we listen intently. Speak through your humble servants. Guide all we do and say.

  2. This truly is the challenge – to actually pursue good because it’s good and not for the accolades or acknowledgement of this world. That is honestly the focus of my personal journey of living out my life with a Christ lead heart: to not desire the “attaboy” or be envious of others recognition – to really be secure in living out the message of loving others without the expectancy of return on any level, to Really consider WWJD and be content.

  3. I believe we’re to serve our FATHER and everyone from a Pure Heart without hypocrisy. One of the ways to know this, is by sincerely checking the motives behind our thoughts or decisions most especially before we act on it even when we smile at others ( Romans 12:9. However, the flesh ( old man) in us loves public praise and loves to be acknowledged for the good deeds or works. That’s why those that operate in the things of the flesh cannot please God even when it is kingdom work. God cannot be mocked, HE checks our hearts not just our words or appearances.
    I also learned like Yesterday to never stopped doing my Masters Work. After the Apostles were arrested and jailed, the Angel of The Lord came to release them and asked them to continue preaching in the same Name of JESUS that the council of elders had forbids them from doing. That’s why I said yesterday by the help of the Holy Spirit, that we can disobey any law of the land that is against Jesus just like Daniel did. In order for us to put all that we are learning from the Lord into practice, we must be ready to do the same thing that the Apostles did. They never stopped teaching or praying in the Name of Jesus. They were ready to face the consequences because they have been empowered by the Holy Spirit and they count all joy for the persecution.

    I pray for grace for everyone of us to stand for Jesus in our schools, hospitals, stores, airports and any where we find ourselves, and for us to remain faithful to the end, no matter comes our ways in Jesus Name…🙏

  4. We must be careful to not steal God’s glory in what we door say as believers in Christ. It’s easy to welcome that pat on the back when we do something for the Lord from our friends. Instead, we should serve awaiting the response from Jesus, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Then God gets all the glory and we benefit from the blessing of true servanthood.

    1. Thanks Grady…

      Oh, there is nothing like it – to serve the Lord with a pure heart… To obey, to witness, to love the lost as Christ did/does…

      I pray that all of us get assignments to be used by the Lord, and with the purest of hearts, like a fireman, through the power of the Holy Spirit…be used to help rescue a lost soul from the fires/eternal separation from the Father’s love…

  6. As Believers we should start our day talking to God!! FIRST, thanking Him for giving us another day and next asking what assignment He has for us today. Now go about your day LIVING FOR JESUS and let EVERYTHING you Think , SAY, and Do bring Honor to Him🙏🏾

  8. I can’t say I’ve never done anything “in the name of the Lord” that also caused me to want to advance my own “kingdom”. I think the clearest difference is shown not so much in what we do but in the posture of our heart. The steadiness and consistency of a heart vs the emotional instability caused by worry, insecurity and tangible, earthly measures helps ourselves as well as others to discern the posture of our hearts when serving. Having a surrendered perspective is what causes us to rely on God’s power and not our own. I pray the Lord helps me to surrender my plans and thoughts and choices to him today so that His work can be performed in a through me for the Glory of His name!

  10. I am moved by the focus of the apostles even in their suffering they rejoice for the chance to share the gospel. We live in such a “comfortable” culture that we often don’t want to suffer the cultural backlash of sharing the Gospel with others. We worry that we might offend someone or not have the answers if we are pressed to defend our faith. I have often struggled with this in the past. I fully want to share the gospel with all that I can and realize that my role is not to save others but to live a life that glorifies God and be more Christ like. I want to share with others in a way that they want to hear and listen to what I have to share. I approach others in love and grow relationships to be able to share the Gospel in a way that they are willing to listen. I want to ensure others have the opportunity to know Jesus through a personal realtionship with Him. .

  11. I pray to be in the center of the Lord’s will every morning and keep this in the forefront of my mind and in my heart. I thank Him during the day for His guidance, protection, provision, and His mighty grace, mercy and unconditional love.
    We praise Your Holy Name Lord Jesus 🙏
    We are all blessed to be a blessing ❣️

  12. May the Holy Spirit guide us in God’s work and take away any fear and self-praise that arises in us
    Amen

    1. O Lord thank you for Your Word which is sweeter than honey and more precious than gold. As the Psalms said this morning O let us sing unto the Lord. Let us make joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Ps 95 also says that You O Lord grieve over a generation. A people that do err in their hearts because they do not know Your ways. Forgive me Lord when I chose my ways instead of Yours. Thank you that my generation can learn by the blessing of Your Word. All we have to do is open Your Book. Amen and Amen.

  14. One of the most destructive actions in any organization is when a person’s focus turns to ‘who gets the credit?’ It messes everything up. This is a test I must pass. It’s clearly a test Peter passed.

  15. I find it very easy to “keep what is mine”. The hard part is to surrender it all to Christ. A&S did not do wrong by keeping part of the sale of the proceeds. They went wrong (sin) in their action of trying to deceive others into thinking they were giving all they had. Peter even tried to tell them that they could have kept part of it, it was theirs to give. It was a matter of the heart.
    Can you imagine the fear if someone did this in our church and fell dead at Pastor Jarrett’s feet? Would it bring a bad fear or healthy fear into our lives? Vs 14: “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women…” Revival broke out!
    God, help my heart be a heart for Christ.

  17. Thank you for this reading and this beautiful reminder of how we should live our lives. Jesus, we praise you!

  18. Powerful testimony of God’s holiness and the power of the Gospel. Neither will be moved.

  19. We must daily be willing to ask the Lord to search our hearts and purify our intentions. Thanks for the thoughts Jeremy!

  21. As followers of Jesus we must do away with any pride we might have and depend totally on God for our every need. Allowing ourselves to be used is the will of God and will bring honor and glory to His name. Help me to do this at all times. Stand strong with the persecution we face today.

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  24. Serving God and others inspires me to put my thoughts and feelings aside. In order to have a pure heart while serving I have to first pray and ask God to help me to remove whatever it is that I think and feel at that time. I also have to ask God to show me what it is that he wants me to do. If I do things for public praise my focus isn’t on God anymore. When I lose focus of God it weakens his power in my life because I’m no longer relying on him as my source. As a human relying on self when opposition comes it’s so easy to get caught up in emotions. When I rely on God when opposition comes it helps me to know I can count on someone who never fails.

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  26. The Holy Spirit guides me to God and I’m thankful everyday for his wonderful presence in my heart.
    Praise God as he shows me the way to be a better person.

  27. We should serve God from a pure heart rather than for public praise. We should not serve God for compliments or things of that nature. And God knows our true motivation. If our hearts and intentions remain pure, the Holy Spirit will protect us as we advance God’s work.

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