Acts 5-6
Observation: One of our biggest challenges in life is having discernment as to what it means to obey God rather than human beings. In this situation it is obvious that being told we can’t talk of God is not something we obey. At the same time, there are tons of smaller areas where we have to wrestle with this truth. Especially since we are commanded elsewhere to obey authorities.
Question: What happened with Ananias and Sapphira? The simple answer is we should treat God’s name as holy and it is serious when we do not. Most of the time God does not respond so quickly to our actions. I think it is possible that they were actually believers and experienced this discipline from the Lord. The other thought is that people like to claim that God is a God of judgment in the Old Testament and grace in the New Testament but scenes like this remind us He is the same throughout the Bible and for all time.
Application: I need God’s help to keep me from wanting to appear a certain way to be praised by people rather than seeking God’s glory and praise alone.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, may Your name be seen as holy in my life and in all the world today.
2 Comments
Acts 5:13, Luke tells us “none of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.” This confuses me and most commentators as well. Who are the rest? are they afraid of suffering the fate of Ananias and Sapphira? Yet the people
(Jews from Jerusalem and beyond) are flocking to the temple to be healed. Does this describe the state of our church today where we are watched by the curious without commitment? Note also that the Apostles are comfortable in Jerusalem, not reaching outward into “Samaria and the uttermost.” Something is about to happen.
Folks,
I have the 100 day schedule set up by date. If you would like a copy, email me and I will get it to you.
cowboypo8@louisa.net
Steve