Deep Dive into Acts: Lessons on Unity, Deception, and the Early Church

Acts Part 1 Lesson 4

Review Acts 1 Jesus appeared to the 11, ordered them not to leave Jerusalem until the Promise had come, then taken up to heaven. Apostles replace Judas Acts 2 Pentecost, the fulfillment of Jesus promise, Peter preaches, 3,000 added in one day Acts 3 Lame man healed, Peter witnessed again Acts 4 More added to the church, 5,000. Peter and John jailed. Peter again points out that the Jews were responsible for Christ s death. Council threatens them, releases them. Told them NOT to speak in Jesus name. Peter and John tell their companions all. Prayed for boldness to speak

Acts 4:32-37 The believers were of ONE heart and soul No one needy among them Barnabas is introduced John 17:20-26 Jesus prayed for His apostles and for those who would believe in Him to be one, as He and the Father are one. John 13:1, 34-35: 15:12-13 Jesus said, Love one another as I have loved you. I John 3:13-18 Love is how one knows he has truly believed and has eternal life. Part of this is providing for one another s needs in deed and truth

Acts 4:36 - 5:4 Barnabas: Son of Encouragement, sells a tract of land and lays the money at the apostles feet. Contrast: BUT . Theme: Ananias and Sapphira died; apostles jailed, flogged, released Ananias and Sapphira were the opposite of Barnabas. Sold property, but lied about the price and kept some back. Problem? They lied! Acts 5:3 Satan filled Ananias s heart to lie to the Holy Spirit of God (Judas Luke 22:3) Not a believer The Holy Spirit was IN the apostles, not in Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:5 -11 John 8:44 Satan, the devil is the father of lies and a murderer Ananias breathed his last, fear came over all who heard of it, not just those in the church About 3 hours later, the same thing happened to his wife Church : ekklesia an assembly, congregation, the whole body of Christian believers. Called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the church. The universal body of believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom; belonging to the Lord.

Cross References Acts 5:12 Gen. 2:7; Job 27:1-3 God s breath gives man the breath of life Job 12:9-10; 34:14-15 God controls the breath of all. If He gathered His spirit and breath, all flesh would perish. All flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. Acts 5:12-16 In the Temple . Prayer in 4:29-30 answered in 5:12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon s Portico same place Peter witnessed after the lame man was healed in Acts 3

Signs and Wonders Signs: semeion miracles; given especially to confirm, corroborate or authenticate; then emphasizes the end purpose which exalts the one giving it. Used dozens of times in the NT for what authenticates the Lord and His eternal purpose, especially by doing what mere man cannot replicate or take credit for. Zod. Of signs, wonders miracles wrought by Jesus and His apostles and the prophets in proof and furtherance of their divine mission. Wonders: teras a miraculous wonder, done to elicit a reaction from onlookers; an extraordinary event with its supernatural effect left on all witnessing it, i.e. a portent from heaven to earth.

Acts 5:13-16 The Lord was adding multitudes, but others, unbelievers, didn t dare to join them. 5:13. But the people held them, the church, in high esteem. Acts 2:37-41, 44; 4:4 The LORD is the one who added. He called to Himself and saves .not us Acts 5:15 Healing was taking place even when Peter s shadow fell on some!! Unclean spirits were coming out of people also ..going where???? People from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming as well. ALL were being healed.

Acts 5:17-26 But Annas, and all his associates (Sadducees) were filled (to the full) with jealousy and put the apostles in jail. But .and angel of the Lord opened the prison gates and told them: Go. Stand. Speak. In the temple, the WHOLE message of this Life (eternal life in Christ) 5:20 5:21 They began at daybreak to obey 5:23 The prison house was locked and empty did the angel lock the doors back???? 5:26 The captain and officers brought them back without violence, fearing the people would stone them

Acts 5:27-29 High Priest, Annas, questions them again and accuses them of FILLING Jerusalem with their teaching and intent to blame them for Jesus blood They had obeyed Acts 1:8 God was adding daily to the church Acts 2:47 Matt. 27:15-26 They had all AGREED that His blood was on them and their children Acts 2:37 That sin was forgiven for those 3,000 that repented when confronted with this truth The apostles could NOT stop speaking about what they had seen and heard. They were Jesus witnesses and must obey God rather than man

Acts 5:30-33 Their witness: Those listening crucified Jesus God raised and exalted Him to His right hand Repent for forgiveness, we are witnesses Acts 2:37 They were pierced to the heart/repented Acts 5:33 They were cut to the quick infuriated and intended to kill the apostles like they did Jesus Heb. 4:12-13 The Word of God pierces . Luke 10:16 The one who rejects you, rejects Me John 10:22-28 They weren t Jesus sheep John 6:37, 44 The Father draws, salvation is of God 2 Cor. 2:14-17 People are either being saved or perishing

Sweet aroma, fragrance YOU are a sweet aroma, fragrance to God and others. Knowledge of Him is sweet aroma in every place Eph. 3:2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma Phil 4:8 I am amply supplied, received what you sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice John 12:3 Mary anointed Jesus feet the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume 2 Cor. 2:15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing

Acts 5:34-42 A Pharisee named Gamaliel, respected by ALL the people, cautioned the Council He reminded them of Theudas and Judas of Galilee If this was from God, however, they would not be able to overthrow it Council took his advice, had the apostles flogged and released them Apostles rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer shame for His name Every day, they kept teaching in the Temple and in houses

Application Am I confident and bold in my witness? Do I think it is ME they are rejecting, or do I remember that it is CHRIST they are rejecting and not me He is the Savior, not me I am a sweet aroma to Him!!! Do I rejoice when I am counted worthy to suffer shame for Him?