Lesson 3

THE EARLY RESULTS OF PENTECOST

Acts 3:1–4:31

The miracle of Pentecost made itself felt immediately, but it would take some time before the recipients of the Pentecostal power really understood all the implications of this event. Such a change had been wrought that no one could estimate its influence. The change was evident in the Apostles themselves and it was also evident in the hearts of those who heard the word of the gospel.

Luke informs us of the immediate results in the earliest time of the post-Pentecostal church. Peter and John go to the temple at the usual time of prayer—3:00 o’clock in the afternoon. Notice that they do not break with all the customs and rules of the Jews now that the gospel of Jesus Christ has come. There is a period of transition. They keep these hours of prayer and also the sabbath. Slowly, but surely, the ways of the believing people in the early church turn to the custom and rule of the New Testament.

The Miracle

As they are about to go into the temple they see a man at the temple gate who has been a cripple from birth, begging. In him we have an evidence of the decay in the Jewish religion (and there were many more). There was to be no beggar in Israel! (Ex. 22:25, 23:6, etc.) They have become so bold that they not only allow begging in the land, but allow one to lie at the gate of the temple, seeking alms. Apparently that is the only way he will be able to feed himself. Luke pictures what follows dramatically . He expects. alms also from Peter and John. But, he is going to get something quite different. “Look at us,” says Peter. And then: “We don’t have silver or gold for which you are begging, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, go!” This is about as clearly as we can translate the original. For this cripple, for whom this day began like all others, a gripping change was to take place. Peter helps him up; the bones in his feet and ankles are strengthened; and he leaps! There is no doubt about his cure! His leaping for joy for that which had happened to him draws the attention of the people in the temple. They recognize him as the man they have so often seen at the Beautiful Gate. This is a miracle which has many surprised witnesses. Such things are unheard of! Later we read that he was more than forty years old. His patience had been taxed, but he could now praise his God.

The Word Explains the Act

Naturally the curious people now surround the two Apostles and the man who has been healed. This hour of prayer has turned into something unexpected, but also into something great-an opportunity for the Apostles to preach the gospel to them. That healing was, of course, important to the man on whom it was performed, but that was not its real importance. The man’s name isn’t even mentioned. All the emphasis has to fall on the preaching which accompanied this miracle. Peter reproves the people for being amazed at this miracle and for looking at these Apostles as though they have done it. He says, “We didn’t do it!” He preaches to them in a manner similar to the one he employed on the day of Pentecost. He reminds them of the God of the Patriarchs. Those were the ancestors who were held in highest honor in Israel. The people have to realize that the God of the Patriarchs is the Father of Jesus! This connection which they had not seen before, is crucial. The same God who was worshipped by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has glorified His child Jesus! That is the way in which the Old and New Testaments are related!

The Personal Application

As he had done on Pentecost Day, so now Peter accuses them of the crime of crucifying Christ. “You delivered Him up and you denied Him before Pilate when he was ready to release Him.” Pilate did not know what to do with Him because he knew that Jesus was blameless of the crimes they alleged against Him. But, in that crucial moment, “you made up the mind of Pontius Pilate. You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for the murderer Barabbas! You were as guilty of His death as Pilate. You killed Him but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of the resurrection, and, if you won’t believe that, you see this man standing before you healed whose healing is proof of the living Christ. Jesus did it; we didn’t. Faith was given to this man in the name of Jesus and by that name he was healed.” There is nothing magical here. No, faith was required and he received it at the proper time.

Peter now softens his words somewhat. He says that he realizes that they denied and killed the Christ in ignorance “as did also your rulers.” Ignorance is no defense against the law (Numbers 15:27), but it surely makes a big difference whether they sin with “the high hand” or if they do so in ignorance. “Unwittingly you fulfilled the prophecies.” God had spoken through the prophets that the Messiah should suffer. This does not absolve them of blame and Peter therefore counsels them to repent and turn from the path they have walked to the right way shown them in the Scriptures. Many believe that Peter now refers to the second coming of Christ. However, I do not believe this to be the best explanation. Seasons of refreshing will come when Israel repents. Christ has come to them—they did not receive Him—He will come again through the preaching of the Apostles. They must remember that Jesus will reside in the heavens until all things are restored.

Again the Apostle draws on the teaching of the Old Testament. The Spirit has given him insight into the word of God so that he is able to apply it to the Christ and to the times in which he is living. Moses, the hero of Israel, had spoken of the Christ to come, “This is the great Prophet like me who shall come.” Israel had not always obeyed Moses, but they had better obey the great Prophet coming after Moses, or they will be destroyed. All the prophets have spoken of these days. “God didn’t just give you Bible stories. He revealed Himself and His coming Son through the word. You must remember that you are the sons of the prophets and of the covenants. All the nations were to be blest by Israel. Therefore God sent His Son to you first. You were to receive the first blessing. You must therefore turn away from your iniquity so that you may become a blessing to all the nations of the world.” All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ!

The Arrest

What will be the result of this preaching of the word? Notice, no one stumbles over the miracle which was performed, but they indeed stumble over the preaching of the gospel. The priests, the teachers of Israel and those who are in the temple at the hour of prayer, together with the captain of the temple, a priest with a special duty to guard the sacredness of this holy place, and the Sadducees fell upon them. Especially the latter are very displeased that they had preached the resurrection of the dead through Jesus because the Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection. The others are also displeased. The priests are the ones chosen for the task of instructing the people and that is a task which may not just be taken by others. In a way they are acting responsibly. They had been charged with keeping the teaching of Israel pure and they were to discipline those who did not do so (Deut. 13:13–14). There is no time this day to determine what is at stake, so they imprison them for the night and will look at the case again in the morning. But, the gospel also has a different effect. Many believed. The number now becomes about 5,000!

The Trial

The following day the council , the Sanhedrin, comes together to give judgment. A few names of these rulers are mentioned. Although we know nothing of the last two, Annas and Caiaphas are well known to us. Here is also an instance of the spiritual decline of Israel. Annas had been highpriest, and his son-in-law was now highpriest. Although in Israel the highpriest was to serve until his death and then his son was to succeed him, the office had now become a political plum. Their inquiry is interesting. They ask by what name or power they have done this. Strange questioning! But, it is important to them because wonders might only be done in the name of God!

Peter makes good use of the occasion presented him . He is filled by the Spirit. He is polite. Is the charge that we have cured a cripple? Is this the question? Is the question how this man was made whole? I will tell you. This man has received healing through the name of Jesus Christ. Again: you crucified Him and God raised Him from the dead. The Apostle again refers to a well-known passage of the Psalms and applies it to Christ. Although you, the builders, rejected this stone—it was worthless in your eyes—God has taken and used it at a very prominent place in the building of His kingdom. He made this rejected stone the comer stone. This is the only name in which there is healing and salvation. There is no other saving name!

This council is in a very difficult place. In the first place, they are not able to understand that unschooled men have such boldness. Where did they get this articulation? They realize that they have been and still are with Jesus. He is the One who has given them understanding. In the second place, they have to admit that a great miracle has taken place. To deny this would be irrational. All the people have seen this man too. But, thirdly, if this goes any farther, what will happen to all that which we hold dear? The counsel which comes out of this kind of situation is usually not very good. They should have cried to these Apostles: “Men, brethren, what must we do?” Instead they threaten them, “Do not speak in this name again!” In other words, “You may heal, but you may not preach!” They are not afraid of the healing—but that word! Peter and John simply refuse this way out. These rulers surely ought to be able to judge whether a person should obey men rather than God . The answer to that question is very simple. God has told them to speak in this name!!! This is difficult for these rulers, but there can be no charges against them. So, they have to let them go. They must also live with the people!

The Prayer

When these two “pillars of the church” come to the company of the believers they unite in prayer. They have not been frightened by the rulers of the people. Instead, they see in that which has happened to them a fulfillment of Psalm 2. The rulers are raging and are imagining vain things against the Lord and against His Anointed. Right in this city, Jerusalem, the city of God, these things are being fulfilled. They now pray earnestly for boldness and faithfulness in preaching the word of God and the name of Jesus Christ. This prayer lies at the basis of every reformer’s work. They also pray that signs and wonders may accompany the preaching of the gospel. These are the aids of the gospel. They open the way for the gospel to be heard.

Did the Lord hear this prayer? They don’t have to wait for an answer. The place where they met shook. This is not a second Pentecost, but the author tells us specifically that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. This Spirit enables them to speak the word with boldness. That is the need of the early church, and of the church of all ages.

Questions for discussion:

1. Should healing always accompany the preaching of the word? How would you answer faith-healers? 2. Why were the disciples able to do miracles in the early days of the church which we cannot do today? Is our inability a sign of lack of faith? What purpose did these miracles serve? 3. Where does the emphasis lie in this passage, on the healing or on the preaching?

4. How does Peter’s sermon and his defense show us how the Old Testament must be used?

5. How does one obtain boldness in speaking the truth of God?

6 . Why do the rulers threaten them when they know the Apostles are right? Is this typical of unbelief?

        Lesson 4

THE LIFE OF THE EARLY CHURCH 

Acts 4:32–5:16

The life of the early church was difficult but beautiful. Almost immediately the rulers of the people laid hands on the believers. Some were imprisoned. Soon some would pay for their faith with their lives. However, the life in the church was also very beautiful, and many, in later times, have longed for the type of life enjoyed by the early Christians. There was an unmarred unity for a while. The church soon took the center position in their lives. Everything was beautifully simple!

Real Unity

As the multitude of people came together they were “of one heart and soul.” This fact in itself would surely impress all those who did not belong to their company. Where is this world ever able to find such unity? However. this unity is broadened out. It is not only spiritual but it also reveals itself in other ways. At the close of the second chapter we already read of the fact that the believers had all things common and this is now reiterated. Of course, not much time had elapsed between the time of the second chapter and that which is recorded here. But, they kept it up! It was not a fleeting way of life.

Right in the middle of the discussion of the community of goods, Luke now tells us that the Apostles witnessed to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the most important element in the life of the early church. It is essentially a mission church. This means that powerful preaching must characterize it. Grace was upon them all to receive the word preached and to live lives accordingly.

There was no lack in any household. It is the ideal state of the people of Israel of which Moses had spoken in Deut. 15:4. Those who had possessions simply sold them for the benefit of those who did not have enough. Lands and houses were sold. People “rot” themselves to benefit the body of believers. The proceeds from the sales is laid at the feet of the Apostles and it is left to them to distribute these monies as the need arises. They keep doing this. What a beautiful relationship! Is it too good to last?

Now the author gives us an actual example of this kind of behavior. There was this man Joseph, later known as Barnabas, who sells his property and brings it to the Apostles for the welfare of the church. A Levite might not own property in Israel (the Lord was his inheritance) except in foreign lands or in the 48 cities which had been given them together with the surrounding land (Numbers 18:20–24 and Numbers 35:1–8). It is not enough that we simply make reference to Old Testament texts, because many of the rules of the past were no longer observed. The emphasis here, however, rests on his love and generosity. He was indeed a “Son of consolation.” He was “an Israelite in whom there was no guile.” He is a beautiful exhibition of love in the life of the early church. How different the spirit was only a short time later in Corinth! But, here it did not last very long either. In chapter six we have quite a different picture.

Fraud Enters

One must not receive the impress ion that the life of the early church gives us a picture of people who are nearing perfection. Far from it. There is real evil in the hearts of some of those who belong to the early church and this is a far greater danger than the persecution from without. The desire for honor and plain human greed is found among the earliest members of the church. The names of Ananias and Sapphira will go down in infamy in the history of the church. People such as Barnabas were held in honor. All the people were grateful to such people because they alleviated the needs of others. Ananias and Sapphira also have property. “Let us sell it and give it for the welfare of the church. Yet, not all of it but only a part. Who has to know that it is only a part?” The spirit ofJudas has not died with him. They bring this certain part of the sale to the Apostles. However, Peter has such a measure of the Spirit that he is able to recognize the evil which is being done. These people are acting like Achan, and this would affect the entire church.

When the money is brought to the Apostles Ananias receives neither praise nor thanks. Instead there are several probing questions. Why has Satan filled your heart to do this? Don’t say: the devil made me do it! This is a trick of some sick spirituality. Peter tells his readers in his first epistle to withstand the devil (I Peter 5:19). That can be done . Ananias did not do it. He allowed Satan to influence him and to take over so that he now lies to God! In verse 3 the Apostle speaks of the lie against the Holy Spirit and in the following verse he says that they have lied to God. Here is another clear proof of the deity of the Holy Spirit.

In verse 4 the questions continue. Each question is as a hammer blow. While the property was yours you were not compelled to do anything with it. Peter does not speak of compulsory giving. Even after he sold it he could do with the proceeds whatever he pleased. He could keep all of it, he could give part of it or all of it. But, don’t lie about it and say that you are bringing the whole sum to the church when this is not the case! How could you ever attempt to do such a thing?

God’s Judgment and Discipline

Ananias had come to the Apostles thinking that he too would be placed in the category of those who were held in honor in the church and at the same time they would be able to enjoy part of the proceeds of the sale for themselves. No one can do this. When he heard the accusatory questions of Peter, it became evident that he was fooling no one. Instead, he falls dead at the Apostle’s feet. Is the punishment too severe? Some think so. Great fear comes over all the people. They had all been witnesses to that which happened. Some of the younger men who are members of the church take up the body and bury it immediately.

About three hours later Sapphira comes to the meeting of the assembly. She doesn’t know what has happened. No one was sent to inform her. She is asked by Peter whether they had indeed sold the property for the sum which had been brought to Peter. He gives her an opportunity to back out. She has the opportunity to repent. Are there no warning bells ringing in her mind and heart when she hears this question? Seemingly not. They have consented together to pull off this deceit. How is it possible that they have agreed together to “try the Spirit of the Lord?” No one can do this with impunity. The young men who have buried your husband are ready to carry you out! Again, very severe punishment. Seemingly the same young men who buried Ananias now have the second burial of the day because she falls dead at the Apostle’s feet. Again we read that great fear “came upon all, i.e., upon the whole church and all who heard about it. Everything had been so beautiful until now. The people must realize that they are dealing with holy things. Their own history has made it very clear what happens to those who lose sight of the holiness of the things of God. Nadab and Abihu lay false or strange fire on the Altar and die. Uzzah seeks only to steady the ark and dies. God is a consuming fire.

Separation and Growth

But, let fear not be the dominating trait in the life of the early church. The author goes on immediately to speak of all the signs and wonders which were done by the hands of the Apostles. The people all came together at Solomon’s porch. They sought each other’s company. Being the true church, they sought the communion of saints.

However, let no one mistake the true nature of the church. We now read the remarkable statement that of the rest no one dared to join the church. Where have you ever heard of such a thing? These people realize that this church is one that has to be taken seriously. It is not a club. It is a very dangerous institution. Everything is not all love and peace in that church. Its fellowship is also a very dangerous place. Fire flies out of that church! Where the true word is brought; where the Spirit of God reigns; there is the true church, the true body of Christ. The experience of Ananias and Sapphira lingers long in the minds of the people.

Although “of the rest no one dared to join the church,” the church did not cease to grow. Some have thought that Luke is here speaking in contradictions when he says that believers were the more added to the Lord. This is not a contradiction; it is the natural outcome. Many do not dare join the church because they are afraid. No one may trifle with this church. This, however, does not restrict true believers from joining her. Because the church is the church, multitudes are added! Large groups of both men and women join the church which has the true preaching of the word and which exercises true discipline. This the true believer wants and must have. The church has been founded to supply precisely those needs.

The miracles which were done by the Apostles must have been without number. Such miraculous powers accompany Peter’s work that people are placed in those places where he might walk so that his shadow may pass over them. He doesn’t even have to touch them. The tenor of the passage leads us to believe that these were healed. They even bring people from distances outside of Jerusalem to receive healing at the hands of the Apostles. They had prayed for this (Acts 4:30) and their prayer was answered.

What an influence went out from that early church! Soon persecution will drive them away from Jerusalem, but Jerusalem will know that mighty deeds have been done in her and that all these deeds stem from the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom she crucified and whom God raised from the dead!

Questions for discussion:

I. How does Luke make it clear that the community of goods was not the most important thing in the church but rather the preaching of the word?

2 . In how far are we to “rob” selves for the benefit of the church?

3. Is compulsory giving ever approved in Scripture? Give reasons.

4 . Why were Ananias and Sapphira punished so severely while many of those who commit similar sins later were not?

5. Is anyone afraid to join the church today? Should they be?

6 . How does the present day church measure up to the early church? Are the differences important?