Pastor's Sermon Notes: The Discipline of the First Baptist Church of Jerusalem (Acts 5:1-16)

The Discipline of the First Baptist Church of Jerusalem

Acts 5:1-16

 

¹ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 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. ³ But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 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. ⁵ And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 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. 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. ¹⁰ Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. ¹¹ And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 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. ¹⁴ And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 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. 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.

Introduction:

Reminder:  Title(s) of Acts? 

            The Acts of the Ascended Christ through the Holy Spirit by His Apostles

           

            Review 4:32-37

           

Overview/Introduction of Chapter 5:

Patterns:

1.  miracles → witness

2.  preaching to the Jews → Gospel rejected by the Jews → preaching to the Gentiles

3.  Jewish opposition to the Gospel and persecution of the Christians → the spread of the Christians and the Gospel

Significant events - Between the first two “Pentecosts” (Jewish in Acts 2, and Samaritan in Acts 8), and following the birth of the Church in Acts 2

Significant persons - Peter is at the forefront here, later Paul’s ministry will be the focus

Geographical movement - still in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8), soon to move to Judea and Samaria prior to the journeys to “the ends of the earth”

Outline:

I.  The Discipline of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-10)

1.  The Death of Ananias (5:1-6)

1)  The responsibility for Satan filling Ananias’ heart - Laid on Ananias

2)  The purpose for Satan filling Ananias’ heart - Lying to the Holy Ghost

2.  The Death of Sapphira (5:7-10)

1)  The dramatic irony in this tragedy unequaled in human literature (5:7b, 9c-d)

2)  Sapphira guilty of conspiring to tempt the Holy Spirit (5:9a-b)

II.  The Effect of the Discipline of the Lord (5:11-16)

1.  Great Fear Falls on the Church (5:11)

2.  Great Many Signs and Wonders Done by the Apostles in the Community (5:12a)

3.  Great Unity in Worship by the Church (5:12b)

4.  Great Respect for the Church in the Community (5:13)

5.  Great Growth of the Church (5:14)

6.  Great Faith in the Power of God (5:15)

7.  Great Response in the Larger Community (5:16)

Transition:   Church Discipline versus “Judge not…” - The Church must judge lest she be judged!

I.  The Discipline of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-10)

1.  The Death of Ananias (5:1-6)

¹ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 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. ³ But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 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. ⁵ And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. ⁶ And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

1)  The responsibility for Satan filling Ananias’ heart - Laid on Ananias

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart… (5:3a)

why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? (5:4c)

2)  The purpose for Satan filling Ananias’ heart - Lying to the Holy Ghost

…to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land (5:3a)

thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. (5:4d)

2.  The Death of Sapphira (5:7-10)

 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. 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. ¹⁰ Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

1)  The dramatic irony in this tragedy is unequaled in human literature (5:7b, 9c-d)

…his wife, not knowing what was done, came in (5:7b)

…behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. (5:9c-d)

2)  Sapphira is guilty of conspiring to tempt the Holy Spirit (5:9a-b)

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?

“Slain by the Spirit”?  I don’t think this is quite what the charismatics and Pentecostals have in mind!

The power of God is a two-edged sword indeed! 

Heb. 4:12-13 - 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Compare the sin of Aachen in Joshua 7.

Compare Christ cleansing the Temple in Mt. 21:12–17, 23–27; Mk. 11:15–19, 27–33; Lk.  19:45–48; 20:1–8; and Jn. 2:13–16.

Compare 1 Cor. 11:17ff., especially verses 27-30 - 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

How many would still beat the drum of “We must return to the First Century Church!” in the light of this passage?

II.  The Effect of the Discipline of the Lord (5:11-16)

 ¹¹ And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 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. ¹⁴ And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 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. 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.

Notice the greatness of the effect of this act of discipline by the Lord on His People!

1.  Great Fear Falls on the Church (5:11)

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

church - The first occurence of the word in Acts - Discipline is one of the “marks” of the Church

2.  Great Many Signs and Wonders Done by the Apostles in the Community (5:12a)

 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;

3.  Great Unity in Worship by the Church (5:12b)

(and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

4.  Great Respect for the Church in the Community (5:13)

 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

5.  Great Growth of the Church (5:14)

 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

6.  Great Faith in the Power of God (5:15)

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.

the shadow of Peter - We should abide in the “shadow” of Christ!

Compare Is. 4:6; 25:4; 32:2; 49:2; 51:16; Mk. 4:32; 9:7 (Mt. 17:5).

Compare Ps. 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 63:7; 91:1.

7.  Great Response in the Larger Community (5:16)

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.

[Note: During the sermon I expressed the opinion that I could not recall such a statement as “healed every one” being made in the Gospel accounts concerning the healings done by Christ.  I asked if anyone knew that to be in error to supply me with the references in the Gospels.  My wife and Mary Ellen Bradley have obliged me and the following passages are credited to them.

My wife "concordanced" me (mostly from her memory) starting immediately following the sermon with:

Lk. 9:11 - And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. (implicit)

And then later that day she added:

Mt. 14:14 - And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. (implicit)

These led to the following:

Mt. 4:24 - And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. (explicit)

Mt. 8:16 - When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: (explicit)

Mt. 12:15 - But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; (explicit)

Mt. 15:30 - And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: (implicit)

Mt. 19:2 - And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. (implicit)

Mt. 21:14 -  And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. (implicit)

Lk. 4:40 - Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. (explicit)

Lk.  6:19 - And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. (explicit)

Mary Ellen Bradley emailed the following to me the next day:  Mt. 12:15; Lk. 6:19.

We also looked at Jn. 14:12 which is one of the bases for understanding that "the disciples would do more".

Jn. 14:12 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

It is noteworthy that none of the study Bibles that I consult for cross references linked Acts 5:16 to any of these Gospel passages, nor did the cross referencing system in the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge did list five of the them.  Smith, J. H. (1992). The new treasury of scripture knowledge: The most complete listing of cross references available anywhere- every verse, every theme, every important word (1242). Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson.]

Conclusion:

I.  The Discipline of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-10)

II.  The Effect of the Discipline of the Lord (5:11-16)

1.  Great Fear Falls on the Church (5:11)

2.  Great Many Signs and Wonders Done by the Apostles in the Community (5:12a)

3.  Great Unity in Worship by the Church (5:12b)

4.  Great Respect for the Church in the Community (5:13)

5.  Great Growth of the Church (5:14)

6.  Great Faith in the Power of God (5:15)

7.  Great Response in the Larger Community (5:16)

[Sermon preached 1 SEP 2013 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]

Resources:

G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007)

                                                  

F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).

I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint).

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).

John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Vol. 5 in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, gen. ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012).

William H. Willimon, Acts, in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, series ed. James Luther Mays, New Testament ed. Paul J. Achtemeier (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010).