Atos 5
James Montgomery Boice · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 5
Boice - “True Christians do not lose their salvation by sinning. The punishment of Ananias and Sapphira, though extreme, was for this life only.” And the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband - So it had taken the young men about 3 hours to bury Ananias for they were just returning from his grave site. Robertson on beside her husband - Face to face to her husband. Blaiklock addresses the criticism of some who say the treatment of A&S was too harsh - "Peter was severe, and the fate of the two delinquents shocking, but the strictures of Christ on hypocrisy must be borne in mind (Mt. 23:13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29). . . . The old 'leaven of the Pharisees' was at work, and for the first time in the community of the saints two persons set out deliberately to deceive their leaders and their friends, to build a reputation for sanctity and sacrifice to which they had no right, and to menace, in so doing, all love, all trust, all sincerity. And not only was the sin against human brotherhood, but against the Spirit of God, so recently and powerfully manifest in the Church." Acts 5:11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. KJV Acts 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. NET Acts 5:11 Great fear gripped the whole church and all who heard about these things. Acts 5:5; 19:17; Ps 89:7; Jer 32:40; 1 Cor 10:11,12; Php 2:12; Heb 4:1; 11:7; Heb 12:15,28; 1 Peter 1:17; Rev 15:4 Acts 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MEGA FEAR GRIPPED THE ENTIRE CHURCH It is worth noting that the early church moved from the "mega power" and "mega grace" of Acts 4:33+, to the "mega fear" of Acts 5:11! And power, grace and fear are all still important to the vitality and effectiveness of God's Church. How does your church rank on the "mega" scale? Is it "O-mega" or "No-mega?" And great fear came over the whole church - Luke reiterates the effect of her instant death was instant fear on the congregation. I was made aware of a situation in which there was secret sin in the life of a pastor which resulted in his death. Sadly, the sin was covered up and never revealed to the congregation. One wonders what would have been the effect had the congregation been told the truth in love. Clearly the whole church was aware of the sin of A&S, and it undoubtedly had a sobering and likely purifying effect. "No doubt much self-examination took place following the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira." (MacArthur) The writer of Hebrews alluded to the importance of godly fear when he wrote... Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence (eulabeia) and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28-29+) H B Hackett on over the whole church, and over all who heard - To produce this impression both in the church and out of it was doubtless one of the objects which the death of Ananias and Sapphira was intended to accomplish. The punishment inflicted on them, while it displayed the just abhorrence with which God looked upon this particular instance of prevarication, was important also as a permanent testimony against similar offences in every age of the church. Peter later wrote a passage what could be viewed as a "comment" on the fearful events of Acts 5:1-11... For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17+) D Edmond Hiebert "explains the divine aspect of the readers' (OF PETER'S LETTER WHO WERE) suffering for Christ's sake. It was the time or appropriate season for God to deal in judgment with His people. Being infinitely holy, God cannot condone sin; even His own family stands under His judgment. The readers' experience of His chastening discipline should be understood in light of the coming judgment. It is appropriate for God's judgment to begin (commence its operation) "with the family of God", His people (1 Peter 2:5), "as a proof of their membership in His family, and a pledge of their escape from the end of those whom the last judgment shall find disobedient to the Gospel." (First Peter) John MacArthur on judgment...household of God - Not condemnation, but the purging, chastening, and purifying of the church by the loving hand of God. It is far better and more important to kingdom work to endure suffering as the Lord purges and strengthens the church, than to endure the eternal sufferings of the unbeliever in the lake of fire. And, if God so strongly and painfully judges His church which He loves, what will be His fury on the ungodly? (The MacArthur Study Bible) What does it mean that judgment begins at the house of God? - excellent Horton wisely wrote "Some people imagine we must lower God's standards for the Church to make progress in today's world. But this has never been true. The Church has always been strengthened when it catches a vision of the holiness of God and seeks practical holiness in individual lives." (BORROW Acts Commentary) (Ed: Acts 5:14 records that the first church's "seeker unfriendly" service, in contrast to scaring away the seekers, in fact drew "all the more believers in the Lord.") And over all who heard of these things - Who are the all who heard? These would appear to be non-believers as they are described as a group separate from the whole church. And did this "mega" fear have any relation to the fact that "all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number?" (Acts 5:14) We know that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Pr 9:10) Fear (5401)(phobos) can mean reverence (holy awe) but in this context certainly describes a significant element of dread or terror produced by the Judgment of God. Phobos describes awe, respect in believers, foreboding, terror in unbelievers! (cf Lk 12:4,5+) Paul used phobos in a similar context of congregational discipline writing Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful (phobos) of sinning. (1 Timothy 5:19-20) The writer of Hebrews uses the related adjective phoberos (derived from phobos) describing that... For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” It is a terrifying (frightful, formidable, fearful, dreadful, terrible, horrifying) thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:30-31+). Comment: A&S are not an example of "church discipline" but of the Judgment of God Who is jealous for His Church, the Bride of Christ. Church (1577)(ekklesia from ek = out + klesis = a calling, verb = kaleo = to call) literally means called out (but see note by Louw-Nida below) and as commonly used in the Greco-Roman vernacular referred to citizens who were called out from their homes to be publicly assembled or gathered to discuss or carry out affairs of state.
Atos 5
Boice writes that "They were jealous of Jesus because it was His Name, rather than theirs, that was being proclaimed. They were also jealous of the apostles because they were preaching powerfully and doing miracles and because people were following them. The religious leaders wanted both of these things: They wanted to be well known, to have a “name” among the people; and they wanted people to follow them. Many of our contemporaries, even ministers, want to be well known and have a following. Much of the evil in the world happens as a result of jealousy. It is seldom given that name, of course. Still, when attacks are made on those who are being much used by God it is usually jealousy that lies behind it. People resent the fact that someone else is getting the attention." John