In this chapter, we see a contrast between fearing men and fearing God. Why did Ananias and Sapphira lie to God? Probably, because of peer pressure. When they see people like Barnabas who sells his possessions to give it to church (Acts 5:36-37), Ananias is under peer pressure. He wants to deceive others that he is just as godly as others. Why is this lying to God not to men? It is because God searches our hearts. Whenever we say things that do not match what we think, it is a lie. Ananias and Sapphira lie because they fear men more than God.
On the other hand, the apostles are totally in the opposite. They are arrested by the high priests; jailed overnight; wandered by them; flogged by them before them are released but right after they are released, they continue to teach and preach the gospel. For them, they fear God more than men. (Acts 5:29)
Mike
If chapter 4 is a crucial point of the spread of the Gospel chapter 5 will be more crucial than that, because the apostles' lives are threatened (Acts 5:33). If they died probably the witness of Jesus Christ will disappeared. However, God intervened when we are in danger. He did it twice. Both directly through the angel (Acts 5:19), and indirectly through the unsaved man, Gamaliel (Acts 5:34-39). Today, the spread of the Gospel also face a lot of persecution and this is also a crucial point in history that we speak for the Truth. When we face danger because of the our witnessing God will not keep His hand not protecting us.
Also I learn more about the HS today. We heard people said that the book of Acts is about the history of the HS. However, I think it is more correct to say that the HS is the witness that Jesus is resurrected (Acts 2:33). Therefore, Peter and the other apostles said that the HS is the witness of His resurrection (Acts 5:32). The book of Acts is about the resurrected Jesus and those who bear witness to these things.
Audrey
On the other hand, the apostles are totally in the opposite. They are arrested by the high priests; jailed overnight; wandered by them; flogged by them before them are released but right after they are released, they continue to teach and preach the gospel. For them, they fear God more than men. (Acts 5:29)
Mike
If chapter 4 is a crucial point of the spread of the Gospel chapter 5 will be more crucial than that, because the apostles' lives are threatened (Acts 5:33). If they died probably the witness of Jesus Christ will disappeared. However, God intervened when we are in danger. He did it twice. Both directly through the angel (Acts 5:19), and indirectly through the unsaved man, Gamaliel (Acts 5:34-39). Today, the spread of the Gospel also face a lot of persecution and this is also a crucial point in history that we speak for the Truth. When we face danger because of the our witnessing God will not keep His hand not protecting us.
Also I learn more about the HS today. We heard people said that the book of Acts is about the history of the HS. However, I think it is more correct to say that the HS is the witness that Jesus is resurrected (Acts 2:33). Therefore, Peter and the other apostles said that the HS is the witness of His resurrection (Acts 5:32). The book of Acts is about the resurrected Jesus and those who bear witness to these things.
Audrey
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