HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 1354
ACTS 5
of the council chamber* and conferred among
themselves.
16 “What should we do with these men?” they
asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have
performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in
Jerusalem knows about it. 17 But to keep them
from spreading their propaganda any further,
we must warn them not to speak to anyone
in Jesus’ name again.” 18 So they called the
apostles back in and commanded them never
again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think
God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We
cannot stop telling about everything we have
seen and heard.”
21 The council then threatened them further,
but they finally let them go because they didn’t
know how to punish them without starting a
riot. For everyone was praising God 22 for this
miraculous sign—the healing of a man who had
been lame for more than forty years.
The Believers Pray for Courage
23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John
returned to the other believers and told them
what the leading priests and elders had said.
24 When they heard the report, all the believers
lifted their voices together in prayer to God:
“O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—25 you spoke
long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor
David, your servant, saying,
‘Why were the nations so angry?
Why did they waste their time with futile
plans?
• Truth
ACT S 4 :1 6 -1 8
Here is a Bible-time cover-up. The council members admitted that a miracle
happened. They admitted that everyone
in Jerusalem knew that this was true. So
why didn’t they accept this and go on
with life? Why did they admit this was
true but try to cover it up and suppress
Peter and John’s message? Because
they feared the political fallout. They
feared the consequences if Peter and
John continued to preach and heal in the
name of Jesus. They would lose political
power, and they did not want to do this.
Sometimes people reject the Good News,
not because it isn’t true, but because
they fear its consequences in their lives.
If they accept the truth about Jesus, they
simply must surrender their lives to him,
and they don’t want to do it.
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26
The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
and against his Messiah.’*
27 “In fact, this has happened here in this
very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the
governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel
were all united against Jesus, your holy servant,
whom you anointed. 28 But everything they
did was determined beforehand according to
your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats,
and give us, your servants, great boldness in
preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand
with healing power; may miraculous signs and
wonders be done through the name of your holy
servant Jesus.”
31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook,
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32 All the believers were united in heart and
mind. And they felt that what they owned was
not their own, so they shared everything they
had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great
blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no
needy people among them, because those who
owned land or houses would sell them 35 and
bring the money to the apostles to give to those
in need.
36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the
apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means
“Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe
of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He
sold a field he owned and brought the money to
the apostles.
Ananias and Sapphira
But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold
some property. 2 He brought part of the money
to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount.
With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let
Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit,
and you kept some of the money for yourself.
4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you
wished. And after selling it, the money was also
yours to give away. How could you do a thing
like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he
fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard
about it was terrified. 6 Then some young men
got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him
out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in,
not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked
5
4:15 Greek the Sanhedrin. 4:25-26 Or his anointed one; or his
Christ. Ps 2:1-2.