4:32 “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
5:1 “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.”
Background and introduction
What motivates your actions? Are you generous because you should be, or because others are watching? “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). If we’re honest, we’d have to admit we’re all motivated by self-interest at one time or another. But praise God that he gives Christians an undivided heart and a new spirit (Ezek. 11:19). As we’re empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can serve others for God’s glory.
As the Holy Spirit filled the early believers, he unified them in heart, mind, and deed. They demonstrated radical generosity with their belongings, and Barnabas is introduced as a model of Spirit-filled generosity. But just as Satan entered the Garden to tempt Adam and Eve, he entered the early church through the duplicity of Ananias and Sapphira. God’s response to this sin is shocking, but he will not tolerate anything that threatens to tear down Christ’s bride, the church.
The Holy Spirit used the resulting fear of the Lord, along with more signs and wonders, to add even more believers to the church. People from surrounding cities gathered in Jerusalem and were changed by the gospel, and like a river overflowing its banks, Jesus’ name and glory would soon spill over the walls of Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria (Acts 1:8).
Observation
As Peter and John defended the faith and the believers prayed for boldness, Luke wrote specifically about how the community was unified in everyday life.
Read Acts 4:32–37
- In Acts 4:32–33, what four descriptions are used for the community of believers?
- What were the apostles doing, and how were they doing it (v. 33)?
- How were the needs of the community being met (vv. 34–35)?
Read Acts 5:1–11
- Who are the characters in this section, both physical and spiritual?
- Specifically, what wrong actions did Ananias and Sapphira commit? What sin did Peter expose?
- How is the Holy Spirit at work within the accounts described in this passage (vv. 3, 5, 10–11)?
Interpretation
- Unity appealed to ancient Greek sensibilities. The Pythagoreans and Plato championed no private ownership, and Aristotle wrote of a friend as “one soul dwelling in two bodies.” This depth of unity is apparent in the early church. How do they display the fruit of Jesus’ high priestly prayer (John 17)?
- In Acts 4:36, we are introduced to Barnabas, who will later play a major role as the Acts narrative unfolds. How was Barnabas described, and why was it important at this point in the story of the early church?
- In Acts 5:3, Peter described the impetus for Ananias’ actions. What specific words were used to describe Satan’s entry into the narrative? Similar words were used to describe both the origin of Judas’ betrayal (Luke 22:3) and the result of the believers’ bold prayer (Acts 4:31). How do these three references inform you about Satan’s strategy both then and now?
- In Acts 4:35, 4:37, and 5:2, we see the repetition of what phrase? What does this description mean, both literally and figuratively? Why does Luke emphasize this phrase? Ananias and Sapphira withheld money, and because of their deception, where did their lives end (Acts 5:5, 10)?
- Peter described the sins of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:3 and 5:9, respectively. How did their sins differ?
- There are several important concepts mentioned for the first time in this passage. Who did Peter say Ananias lied to, and what does this tell us about the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4)?
- How were the growing numbers of believers described in Acts 5:11, and in what context?
Application
- Barnabas is offered as an example of a person who displays deep generosity. Are generous people encouraging to you? Or do you compare yourself to them in order to stroke your ego, defend your actions, enforce your brokenness, or all of the above? Is God calling you to repent of comparing yourself to other believers?
- What keeps you from giving financially in such a way that there is “not a needy person” among those in your church? How can you make practical changes so you can be even more generous? In what ways are you resisting the Holy Spirit’s call to generosity?
- In some ways, we are all an Ananias or Sapphira because we say one thing but think or do another. How are you faking it with other Christians? How are you faking it with Jesus?
- Just as in the early church, God longs for unity among contemporary Christians, both within individual churches and across churches. What can you do to help unify your church? Do you need to repent of anything you may be doing that promotes disunity in the church?
This group inductive study is adapted from Week 10 of the Acts Study Guide. This resource is a companion to Pastor Mark’s most recent sermon series, Acts: Empowered for Jesus’ Mission.
