The Deception of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)
Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and kept back part of the proceeds while pretending to donate the entire amount.
Peter confronts Ananias, saying, You have not lied to men, but to God (Acts 5:4).
Both Ananias and Sapphira fall dead after their deceit is exposed, instilling great fear in the church.

The Power of the Apostles (Acts 5:12-16)
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and more and more believers were brought to the Lord (Acts 5:14).
The sick were brought into the streets so that Peter’s shadow might fall on them, demonstrating the extraordinary power at work.

Persecution and Perseverance (Acts 5:17-42)
The high priest and Sadducees, filled with jealousy, arrest the apostles.
An angel of the Lord frees them, instructing them to continue preaching in the temple courts.
Despite being flogged and ordered not to speak in Jesus' name, the apostles rejoice for being counted worthy to suffer for Christ.Integrity in the Church
Uphold honesty and transparency in all dealings, recognizing that deceit undermines the community and grieves the Holy Spirit.

Boldness in Witnessing
Be encouraged to share the Gospel boldly, trusting in God’s power to work through us despite opposition.

Rejoicing in Suffering
Embrace trials and persecution as opportunities to glorify God, finding joy in being associated with Christ’s sufferings.1. Ananias
Ananias is a member of the early Christian community who, along with his wife Sapphira, sells a piece of property. He is noted for withholding part of the proceeds while claiming to have donated the entire amount to the apostles. His deceit leads to his sudden death as a divine judgment. The name Ananias (Ἁνανίας) is of Hebrew origin, meaning "Yahweh is gracious."

2. Sapphira
Sapphira is the wife of Ananias. She conspires with her husband to deceive the apostles about the sale of their property. Like her husband, she faces divine judgment and dies after being confronted by Peter. Her name, Sapphira (Σαπφείρα), is of Aramaic origin, meaning "beautiful" or "sapphire."

3. Peter
Peter is one of the apostles and a leading figure in the early church. In Acts 5, he confronts Ananias and Sapphira about their deceit and is instrumental in the miraculous events that follow. Peter (Πέτρος) is a Greek name meaning "rock" or "stone," reflecting his foundational role in the church.

4. The Apostles
The apostles are the primary leaders of the early Christian community, performing signs and wonders among the people. They are arrested by the high priest and the Sadducees but are miraculously freed by an angel. The term "apostles" (ἀπόστολοι) comes from the Greek word meaning "sent ones."

5. The High Priest
The high priest is a key religious authority in Jerusalem who, along with the Sadducees, opposes the apostles and orders their arrest. The high priest (ἀρχιερεύς) is a Greek term referring to the chief religious leader in the Jewish temple.

6. The Sadducees
The Sadducees are a sect of Judaism known for their denial of the resurrection and their collaboration with the high priest in opposing the apostles. The name Sadducees (Σαδδουκαῖοι) is derived from the Hebrew name Zadok, a high priest during the time of King David.

7. Gamaliel
Gamaliel is a respected Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin who advises caution in dealing with the apostles, suggesting that if their movement is of human origin, it will fail, but if it is from God, it cannot be stopped. His name, Gamaliel (Γαμαλιήλ), is of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my reward."1. Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the central location in Acts 5 where the events unfold. It is the city where the apostles are preaching and performing miracles, and where they face opposition from the Jewish religious leaders. The apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. The Greek term for Jerusalem is "Ἰερουσαλήμ" (Ierousalēm), which is consistent with its Hebrew origin, "יְרוּשָׁלַיִם" (Yerushalayim).

2. The Temple
The Temple in Jerusalem is a significant location in Acts 5. The apostles are teaching in the Temple courts, and it is where they are arrested by the temple guards. The Temple serves as a central place of worship and gathering for the Jewish people. The Greek word used is "ἱερόν" (hieron), referring to the sacred precincts of the Temple.1. Ananias and Sapphira's Deception
Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sells a piece of property but withholds part of the proceeds while claiming to donate the full amount to the apostles. Peter confronts Ananias, saying, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?" (Acts 5:3). The Greek word for "lie" (ψεύδομαι, pseudomai) emphasizes the deceit involved.

2. Ananias' Death
Upon hearing Peter's words, Ananias falls down and dies. "And great fear came over all who heard what had happened" (Acts 5:5). The Greek term for "fear" (φόβος, phobos) indicates a profound reverence and awe.

3. Sapphira's Confrontation and Death
About three hours later, Sapphira enters, unaware of her husband's fate. Peter questions her, and she confirms the deceit. Peter says, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?" (Acts 5:9). She also falls down and dies, and "great fear came over the whole church" (Acts 5:11).

4. Apostles Perform Miracles
The apostles perform many signs and wonders among the people. "And more and more believers were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women" (Acts 5:14). The Greek word for "signs" (σημεῖα, sēmeia) refers to miraculous events that signify divine authority.

5. Peter's Shadow Heals the Sick
People bring the sick into the streets so that Peter's shadow might fall on them as he passes by. "Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were healed" (Acts 5:16).

6. Apostles Arrested and Freed
The high priest and Sadducees, filled with jealousy, arrest the apostles and put them in public jail. "But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out" (Acts 5:19).

7. Apostles Preach in the Temple
The angel instructs them to "Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life" (Acts 5:20). The Greek word for "life" (ζωή, zōē) signifies the eternal life offered through Christ.

8. Apostles on Trial Before the Sanhedrin
The apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin. The high priest questions them, and Peter responds, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

9. Gamaliel's Advice
A Pharisee named Gamaliel advises the Sanhedrin to be cautious in dealing with the apostles, suggesting that if their movement is of human origin, it will fail, but if it is from God, they will not be able to stop it (Acts 5:38-39).

10. Apostles Flogged and Released
The Sanhedrin orders the apostles to be flogged and then releases them, commanding them not to speak in the name of Jesus. The apostles rejoice "because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (Acts 5:41).

11. Continued Preaching
Despite the threats, the apostles continue to teach and proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Christ, both in the temple courts and from house to house (Acts 5:42). Integrity and Honesty
Proverbs 12:22 - Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.

Boldness in Witnessing
Acts 4:29 - And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness.

Rejoicing in Suffering
James 1:2-3 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.Pray for a heart of integrity and honesty in all areas of life.
Ask for boldness and courage to share the Gospel, even in the face of opposition.
Seek joy and strength in times of suffering, trusting in God’s purpose and presence.
Pray for the Church to remain pure and powerful, reflecting the holiness of God.

1. What does the account of Ananias and Sapphira teach about the importance of integrity within the Christian community?

2. How do the miraculous signs performed by the apostles affect the spread of the Gospel?

3. In what ways does God's intervention in the apostles' imprisonment reveal His sovereignty and dedication to the advancement of His kingdom?

4. How does Peter's bold response to the high priest inspire your personal witness?

5. What lessons can we learn from Gamaliel's advice to the Sanhedrin?

6. How can the apostles' joy in suffering for Christ's name influence our response to hardships for the sake of the Gospel?

7. How might you apply the principles seen in the early Christian community to your life?

8. What lessons can we learn from the boldness of the apostles in the face of opposition and threat?

9. How does the reaction of the early church to the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira influence our understanding of God's righteousness?

10. How does the apostles' ongoing ministry in the temple courts and house to house inspire your personal ministry?

11. How can you manifest the kind of integrity demanded in the early Christian community?

12. How should we react when faced with the choice of obeying God versus obeying human authorities?

13. In what ways does the account of the apostles' imprisonment and release inspire faith in God's provision and protection?

14. How does the counsel of Gamaliel reflect wisdom in dealing with movements and ideologies in our own time?

15. How can the apostles' joy in suffering reshape our perspective on trials in our own lives?

16. How should the miracles performed by the apostles influence our understanding of the power of God?

17. How does the continuation of the apostles' ministry, despite facing opposition, inspire perseverance in your personal walk with Christ?

18. What does the account of Ananias and Sapphira teach about the consequences of lying to God?

19. How does the wisdom of Gamaliel apply to discerning God's hand in movements and causes today?

20. How can we cultivate a mindset that rejoices in suffering for the sake of Christ?