5:1 Ananias and Sapphira had made their own decision to sell their land and to donate the entirety of the proceeds to the disciples' mission.
5:2 However, once receiving the payment for their land, they broke their promise. They pretended they received half of what they actually got for the land. They donated half and kept half for themselves -- which would have been generous had they not been deceptive and broken their promise.
5:3 We learn here that Ananias promised God in prayer to donate what he had earned from selling his land -- promised and lied. The way in which "Satan filled" his heart was this: Ananias let the qualities Satan represents enter his heart, mind and therefore decision making.
You do not have to make any promises to God, or anyone -- but if and when you do, it's imperative that you keep your word. You want to be as trustworthy as you hope others are to you.
5:4 Peter reminds Ananias that the land belonged entirely to him (Ananias) and he did not have to sell it or share it at all. It was his own idea to do so. The lesson in these verses is to be honest and to stay focused and determined on delivering promises you make to God and humanity (family, friends, quintessences, etc.)
5:5-6 Ananias dies. A shocking turn of events but not a punishment. The accounts within these versus in the Bible were specifically chosen for their instructive nature. Ananias' death is symbolic, but it's not a punishment -- we know from former studies that God is quite forgiving and patient as we learn lessons from mistakes and poor decisions. So, to focus on the symbolism: Ananias death mirrors the death of our character when we succumb to greed and deceit. We lose our humanity -- we die, spiritually and the only part of us that is truly alive is our spirit.
Ananias' death came as a fearful shock to those around him (and maybe even to us) but the lesson (again, lesson not punishment) was made apparent for both audiences (us and them).
5:7-10 Sapphira also lies out of greed. Without partiality, a greedy soul cannot live. By "live" I mean eternally; a soul cannot thrive with God if it is corrupt -- the formula just does not compute. There is too much friction, too much contradiction. Ananias and Sapphira's deaths exemplify to us that greed, even conspired greed cannot succeed.
5:11 Vibrancy, happiness, wisdom and love (the qualities of life) depend on our humility, honesty and compassion. Without them, we have nothing. Witnesses of these events were scared, likely plagued by their own misconduct, but there is no need to fear when you're a kind, honest person -- you will succeed with God.
The lesson is to not try to take advantage of people and stand by your word -- stand by promises made to God and to people. God does not punish with death -- rather our decisions have natural repercussions. Deceit as an element dissolves in God's spiritual home -- God does not dismiss people from heaven -- a square just cannot squeeze through a triangle. Don't be a square in a triangular tunnel -- you'll never make it through!
5:12 United within God's compassionate philosophy, the disciples brought love, wisdom, guidance and healing to multitudes of people.
5:13-14 As much as people were in awe and gratitude toward what God was doing through the disciples -- they fully recognized the long and arduous work the disciples were doing. They were entirely committed to spreading this message, had given their lives to it. The crowds understood the faith and courage required and so even though they were impressed and grateful, they weren't exactly willing (or necessarily capable) of joining the work.
The disciples' job was blessed and was indeed a privileged but let's not forget how brave and resilient they had to be to do the work -- frequently facing enemies, imprisonment and death. Only extreme faith mutes the fear of those prospects and allows someone to continue -- the disciples had it but their students weren't quite there yet, on their way, but not yet that trusting and understanding.
Strong, purposeful, resilient faith is required to inspire, promote and give strength, purpose and resilience to humanity against adversity.
12:15-16 People traveled and brought their family, friends and neighbors to be near the disciples, to be beneficiaries of the faith and healing they were providing.
5:17-18 Losing the grip of their corrupt authority, the high priest (leader/ruler) again arrested the disciples in an effort to stop them and mute them.
The disciples were arrested again. We sometimes lose our determination and our hope when we meet resistance. It's so crucial that we have trust and believe that our purpose will flourish despite adversity if we remain impassioned and driven. When you are bringing love, light, compassion, safety, betterment to the world God is going to ensure that you are able to do so -- He's going to provide and clear the passages you travel in order to do so.
5:19 God arranged for His disciples to be freed. God arranges for you to be free -- be perceptive, and patient to recognize and utilize the opportunities through which to be freed. Remember that God has sent His children a helper, a comforter and His spirit: John 14:16.
Also consider this: Hebrews 13:2 informs us that angels are among us. At any moment God can arrange for one (or many) to be with you, to aid you and comfort you. Develop your faith, give God your trust and your permission to intervene in your life (He's certainly got the tools to do so).
5:20 The angel, messenger of God, delivers this message to the disciples: continue to "speak to the people all the words of this life." Fulfill your purpose; deliver compassion to humanity unhindered by chains and enemies.
5:21 The disciples, having been imprisoned during the night, wake up early in the morning and do just that! They fulfill their purpose of delivering the compassion and wisdom of God's word to humanity. Determination, commitment, focus without hesitation or delay. The disciples did not take time to rest or lick their wounds or discuss... they got right back to work. Completely unafraid of their enemies they got right back to God's business. Full of passion, full of courage, full of faith.
The high priest will wake to find that the disciples have been freed. Well, that's just the upshot of it isn't it? God does not take leisure time -- He's constantly working and planning and protecting His children. Be on the receiving end of that bold commitment.
5:22 The high priest orders and organizes for the disciples to be brought to up to him.
5:23-24 The officers are baffled as to how or who would be capable enough to enter a secured prison and release the disciples.
5:25 Again, God's sense of humor! How can you not chuckle a little bit here? The high priest and his officers are confused and scratching their heads trying to figure out where the disciples are and how they even got there -- Only to find that the disciples are free and are continuing to do the very thing which got them arrested in the first place!
5:26-27 This time the officers bring the disciples to the high priest without force or capture -- not because they have learned a lesson or found the error in their ways but because they fear the crowd. The crowd would react with frenzy to see their healers and teachers arrested right before their eyes.
5:28 Desperate and frustrated, the corrupt high priest asks why the disciples have not obeyed him.
5:29-31 The disciples, also now known as the apostles, are quick to respond that they only obey God. More than that, they only participate in systems and organizations which align with justice and truth. They live in bold and direct rejection of corruption and falsehood.
5:32 The apostles are filled with faith and understanding and they understand that it is their blessed responsibility and privilege to speak of the compassionate truths they have been taught by God through Jesus.
5:33 The high priest and his officers are desperate to cling to their authority -- their corruption has gained them both power and wealth and they are lustful, infatuated with keeping it (at any cost). They plot to kill the apostles, just s they plotted to kill Jesus.
In small and large, simple and intricate ways, there are still corrupt forces in the world which plot to extinguish truth and justice. It is our purpose to ensure that they fail. We must use our lives, our voices, our thoughts and actions to promote compassion within humanity. We must learn not to fear our enemies 1) because God is with us against them and 2) because humanity defends on our courage.
5:34-37 A wise Pharisee, Gamaliel, advises the high priest and his officers to leave the apostles alone. He uses past examples to show those who went against them ended up losing.
5:38 Gamaliel explains to them that if the apostles are merely men, their efforts will inevitably lose their spark and wither away...
5:39 However, if the apostles prove to truly be messengers of God, anyone against them will surely lose. You cannot overthrow God, indeed.
5:40 Just to show their machismo, a last attempt to put fear into the apostles, they bring them back in and beat them, hurl threats at them. Be keenly aware of how strong, brave and faithful the apostles were -- to willingly endure this adversity because they believed so passionately in God and wanted others to be introduced to him.
5:41 This is another of my favorite verses in the Bible, it's beautiful and heart-wrenching all at once. The beauty in it is that the love of God is so strong, the passion of His children is so brave, so selfless and so compassionate. Yet it is heart-wrenching because there are humans who are cruel and that is precisely why we must have courage such as this to defend innocents from their wicked grasp.
"...rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."
Deep, compassionate faith enables a person to feel the full force of the blessing and privileged that comes from defending and promoting the well-being of our fellow humans. God's most faithful children are dutiful, purposeful and ceaselessly, humbly work against corruption and injustice.
5:42 "... daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching..." Their purpose too important, too necessary to be half-committed or lazily committed to. In every way, they devoted their whole selves to restoring God's philosophy on the Earth.
Every person needs to be passionate about their purpose -- otherwise we suffer from listlessness, chaos, confusion, boredom and nonsensical, poor behavior because of that boredom. Our compassion will restore our perceptive nature, our wisdom and we will begin to realize all the ways we can have a direct role in changing our world.
