Acts 4:32-5:16
Introduction:
1. The mutual care reported in Acts 2:42-47 is displayed in Acts 4:32-37, but Ananias and Sapphira feigned benevolence in pursuit of praise.
2. The Lord’s reaction shows the imperative of pure motives.
Discussion:
I. One Heart and One Soul (4:32-33)
A. Following Peter and John’s persecution, the disciples were together again and were “of one heart and one soul” (4:32).
B. This echoes OT prophecies of the NT (Jeremiah 32:36-41; Ezekiel 11:17-21).
C. The core of it all was the resurrection of the Lord (vs. 33).
II. Unfeigned Love (4:34-37)
A. Here we meet one worthy of emulation, Joses/Joseph, who was a representative of the benevolent heart of the Christian community.
B. Barnabas means “son of encouragement.”
III. Selfishness Becomes Self-Destruction (5:1-10)
A. Some have argued this scene shows a God of cruelty, but this does not consider what is at stake if they succeeded.
B. J.W. McGarvey highlighted the consequences well:
1. Corrupting one of Christianity’s most noble features (John 13:35).
2. In the miraculous context, it would have shown the Holy Spirit and His inspired apostles could be deceived.
C. Miracles confirmed the message and messengers (Mark 16:20).
D. The unity of the church, authority of the apostles, and the power of the Spirit are all at stake in this account.
E. Though it may be delayed, hypocritical, self-serving, feigned piety still ends in destruction (Matthew 24:48-51; Revelation 21:8).
IV. Awe, Wonder, and Further Conversions (5:11-16)
A. The event established a healthy fear of such presumptuous sin and kept the church united (vv. 11-12).
B. The continued work of the apostles and the brethren led to exponential growth of the church (vv. 12-16).
Conclusion:
1. We must strive to emulate the unity seen in the early church.
2. The keys to this unity never change: faith in the resurrected Lord (4:33) and unfeigned love (vv. 4:32-37; John 14:15; Romans 12:9; 1 Peter 1:22).