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| 1 A man but certain Ananias by name, with Sapphira the wife of himself, sold a possession; |
Ananias with Sapphira – Our thought is that these two culprits had never received the begetting of the holy Spirit. R5850:3, 4318:5, 2943:6
Examples of false brethren. R4317:2
A deceitful, hypocritical spirit, displeasing to God. R4318:4
They were made an illustration of a principle of deception. They served as ensamples for the instruction of the Church. R2943:6, 4318:4, 2102:4
Sold a possession – Merely desiring an approbation of the brethren. R5453:4, 2943:3
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| 2 and kept back from the price, being privy also the wife of him; and having brought a part certain, at the feet of the apostles placed. |
Kept back – Desirous of the approval of the Church, yet deficient in the real spirit of sacrifice. R2943:3
Attempting to cheat the others by getting a share of their alls without giving their own all. R1862:3; D479
It is not feasible to have communism amongst those who are imperfect. R4318:1, 5850:1, 5851:6
Part of the price – They agreed together that they would retain part of the sale-money for future contingencies, yet would pass as sacrificers to the full amount. R2943:3
The nominal church teems and overflows with just this class of people. The greatest sin, even amongst consecrated believers, is dishonesty. R2944:1, 5453:6
It is a very serious matter to make vows and afterward reconsider, or attempt to take back that which we have consecrated to the Lord. R2102:6
Let us see to it that, having made the contract, we pay over the price in full. R1657:4
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| 3 Said and Peter: Ananias, why has filled the adversary the heart of thee, to deceive thee the spirit the holy, and to keep back from the price of the land? |
But Peter – Possessing the gift of discerning the spirits. R4318:4, 2943:6, 372:4; E269
Acting in the capacity of one of the twelve chosen apostles of the Lord. F412; R435:3
It required the exercise of those special powers conferred upon the apostles, to keep the community from being imposed on by such selfish characters. R1421:4
Filled thine heart to lie – By his spirit or influence. E269
With his spirit of covetousness. R372:4
To the holy Ghost – Lying to God, lying to the holy Spirit of God, whose agent and representative Peter was. E269; R372:4
It was an unpardonable sin, but it is not for us to determine the degree of wilfulness. R5453:3
Keep back part – They should have been honest. If they wished to give a tenth, a half, no one would have had the right to criticize. The wrong consisted in the deception practiced. R5453:4
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| 4 Not remaining, to thee it remained, and having been sold, in the thine authority it was? why that hast thou placed in the heart of thee the thing this? not thou hast lied to men, but to the God. |
Whiles it – Thy possessions. R2102:6
Was it not thine own? – Remember that you consecrated your all before you were anointed, and now you cannot be an overcomer and keep back part of the price. R241:4, 2102:6
"Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." (Eccl. 5:5) R2154:5
Not lied unto men, – The greatest sin in the church, even amongst consecrated believers, is that of dishonesty. R2944:1, 5453:6
Water immersion was not necessarily an endorsement of such by the apostles and the church. R1544:2
They had a perfect right to keep part of the price, but not to lie about it. R4318:4, 5850:2, 2943:3
But unto God – God's holy Spirit, in the apostles. E269; R5453:5, 372:4
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| 5 Having heard and the Ananias the words these, falling down breathed out. And came a fear great on all those having heard these. |
Gave up the ghost – A lesson to the Church that they were dealing, not with flesh and blood, but with Jehovah God. R5850:3, 4318:5, 2943:6
It may be that they were merely cut off from the present life and will have some future opportunity. R5453:3
The only case in the church on record where the penalty of wilful violation of a covenant with God met with summary punishment. R1426:1
Great fear – Reverence for God, and the apostles. R5453:5, 4318:5, 2943:3
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| 6 Having arisen and the younger ones wrapped up him, and having carried out they buried. |
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| 7 It happened and about hours three apart, and the wife of him not having known that having been done came in. |
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| 8 Answered and to her the Peter: Tell me, if for so much the land you sold? She and said: Yes for so much. |
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| 9 The and Peter said to her: Why that it has been agreed upon by you to tempt the spirit of Lord? Lo the feet of those having buried the husband of thee, at the door, and they will carry out thee. |
Have agreed together – The submission of a wife to her husband "in everything" (Eph. 5:24) does not apply to everyth R1552:6
Spirit of the Lord – By which the Apostle probably meant the Lord Jesus. E270; R372:4
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| 10 She fell and immediately at the feet of him, and breathed out; having come in and the younger ones found her dead, and having carried out they buried with the husband of her. |
Buried her – Without the holy Spirit, they had not sinned unto death, and will be resurrected. R5850:4, 5453:3
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| 11 And came a fear great on whole the assembly, and on all those having heard these things. |
Great fear – The designed effect was realized. R5850:4
Reverence for God, and for the apostles. R2943:3, 5850:5, 5453:5, 4318:5
The lesson to the church is that it is impossible to deceive God who discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. R2102:5
A warning of God's righteous indignation against all hypocrisy and deceit. R1426:2, 5850:6, 4318:4
The lesson for the whole church is the solemn obligation involved in our covenant with him of entire consecration to his service. R1426:1
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| 12 Through and the hands of the apostles were done signs and prodigies among the people many; and they were with one mind all in the portico of Solomon; |
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| 13 of the and others no one presumed to join himself to them. But magnified them the people; |
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| 14 (more and were added believing to the Lord multitudes of men both and women;) |
Added to the Lord – This period of gathering the ripe wheat, and establishing them, was a very necessary prelude to the period of persecution and suffering which followed. R2108:2
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| 15 so that in the open squares to bring out the sick ones, and to place on beds and couches, that coming of Peter if even the shadow might overshadow some of them. |
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| 16 Came together and also the multitude from the surrounding cities into Jerusalem, bringing sick ones and those being troubled by spirits impure; whom were healed all. |
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| 17 Having arisen and the high priest and all those with him, the being sect of the Sadducees, were filled of anger. |
Rose up – Was aroused. R2103:2, 2947:2
Sect – A part cut off. R537:3
Heresy. R1130:6*
Sadducees – Agnostics, Higher Critics and skeptics. R4325:2, 2103:1
Practically unbelievers; of the wealthier, more respectable class. R4986:3
Might be termed to some extent agnostic--their faith considerably resembling that of the "Reformed Jews" of today. Did not believe in the resurrection, nor in spirit beings. R2103:1, 4325:2
With indignation – Jealousy. (Revised Version) Hot with indignation. R4325:3
The officials were in consternation. R2103:2
Envy; the spirit of sectarianism against the truth often manifested in our day. R2947:2
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| 18 And laid the hands of them on the apostles, and placed them in prison public. |
Laid their hands – Permitted by the Jewish Sanhedrin to make arrests in respect to religious matters. R2467:6
Such persecution would furnish in the harvest of this age a parallel to the harvest of the Jewish age, and give a wider a deeper typical illustration of Elijah's whirlwind and John the Baptist's imprisonment and beheading. R969:4; B264, B265
Prison – For daring to preach without permission of the Chief Priests. R992:6
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| 19 A messenger but of a Lord by the night opened the doors of the prison, having brought out and them said: |
But the angel – The Lord sent his angel and delivered his faithful servants. R5851:4
Opened the prison – Yet left the prison doors unmolested. R265:3
Spiritual beings possess powers greater and higher than humanity. R265:2
And said – All such indirect, non-personal instructions are properly described as from or by the Lord's holy Spirit. E277
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| 20 Go, and standing speak you in the temple to the people all the words of the life this. |
This life – Life from the dead, secured through the Redeemer. We who believe do now, by faith, enter into this newness of life. R4325:4
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| 21 Having heard and they entered at the dawn into the temple, and taught. Having come and the high-priest and those with him, they called together the high council even all the senate of the sons of Israel, and sent into the prison, to have brought them. |
Entered into the temple – The apostles went early to the temple, and began, as before, to explain the Old Testament Scriptures and types. R4325:4
Called the council – The Sanhedrin. R2947:6
For the purpose of condemning the apostles. R2103:2
They felt compelled to make another attempt to head off what they considered the heresy of the Nazarene. R2103:1
Children of Israel – The whole twelve tribes. C293; R2085:4, 1341:1
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| 22 The but officers having gone not found them in the prison; having returned and reported, |
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| 23 saying: That the indeed prison we found having been closed with all safety, and the guards standing before the doors; having opened but, within no one we found. |
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| 24 When and they heard the words these the, both priest and the commander of the temple and the high-priests, they doubted concerning them, what might be this. |
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| 25 Having come but one told them: That lo, the men whom you put in the prison, are in the temple standing and teaching the people. |
Put in prison – The Sanhedrin was permitted to make arrests, but not to execute criminals without the consent of the Roman governor. R2467:6
Teaching the people – The apostles exhorted the people to prepare for the kingdom and to accept the invitation to become members of the bride class. R5851:1
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| 26 Then having gone the commander with the officers, they brought them, not with violence; they feared for the people, that not they might be stoned. |
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| 27 Having brought and them they stood in the sanhedrim. And asked them the high-priest, |
High priest – They were cast into prison for daring to preach without permission of the Chief Priests. R992:6
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| 28 saying: Not with a charge we charged you, not to teach in the name this? and lo, you have filled the Jerusalem of the teaching of you, and you wish to bring on us the blood of the man this. |
Doctrine – Teachings. R5851:5, 4325:5, 2948:1, 2947:6
Man's blood upon us – Christ's blood shed. R1336:1
To make the people think we are responsible for his death. R2103:4, 5851:5, 4325:5
Thus the chief priests, Scribes and Pharisees of today fear for not only their various denominational structures, but also for their own standing. R2948:1
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| 29 Answering and the Peter and the apostles, said: To obey it is necessary God rather than men. |
Then Peter and the other apostles answered – Thus another opportunity was afforded God's servants to testify, and to the chief priests and rulers to hear a strictly gospel sermon. R2947:6
The answer of the apostles shows that they were courageous men. R2103:4
God rather than men – Where they conflicted with God's laws. A266
We have merely followed divine instructions. R2103:4
Divine authority must be recognized as supreme. R4325:6
Remember not to violate conscience in order to please any one. R1553:1
If we come into conflict with the religious rulers, we are to be bold for truth, but moderate and humble in manner and language. R2103:5
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| 30 The God of the fathers of us raised up Jesus, whom you laid violent hands upon, having hanged on a cross; |
Raised up – Greek, egeiro; to awaken, arouse, stir. R1512:2
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| 31 him the God a prince and a savior has lifted up to the right hand of himself, to give reformation to the Israel, and forgiveness of sins. |
Hath God exalted – To the highest plane of being, the divine nature. E120
He would have all men "honor the Son, even as they honor the Father." (John 5:23) HG297:2
By delivering to him the scroll of wisdom, and the power and authority to execute all of its provisions. R2156:2
Abundant proof that Jesus' sacrifice was acceptable and well pleasing to God. R387:3
Our Lord Jesus in all matters Acts as the representative of the Father. E35
To be a Prince – Master, or Lord. R745:4
The world in general dies like Prince Adam, but the faithful with Prince Jesus. "One of the princes." (Psa. 82:7) F724
And a Saviour – That he may be able to recover from death and grant judgment to all whom he purchased. A142
Life-giver. R4963:5
His title, The Mighty God, or Mighty, Mighty One, will be recognized then, on earth, as well as in heaven. R5136:2
To Israel – The whole twelve tribes. C293; R1341:1
Forgiveness of sins – This was never preached before, because, until then, our ransom price had not been paid. R387:3
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| 32 And we are of him witnesses of the matters these, and the spirit also the holy, which gave the God to those submitting to him. |
And we – The eleven apostles. E212
And so is also the Holy Spirit – As the cloven tongues fitly represented the mission of the apostles to be, under the Holy Spirit, to testify as "witnesses." E213
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| 33 They and having heard were enraged, and took counsel to kill them. |
Cut to the heart – They were grieved that the people were taught. R5851:1
By the "sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." (Eph. 6:17) R5496:1
The lance of truth. SM440:1
Angered, embittered. R2947:6
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| 34 Having arisen and one in the high council a Pharisee, by name Gamaliel a teacher of law, honored by all the people, ordered without a little while the apostles to be put. |
Named Gamaliel – The instructor of Saul of Tarsus, a worldly-wise but noble-minded man. R2948:2, 2085:4
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| 35 He said and to them: Men Israelites, take heed to yourselves, to the men these, what you are about to do. |
Ye men of Israel – The whole twelve tribes. C252, C293; R1341:1
Not, "Ye men of Judah." If Israel was lost, Gamaliel did not know of it. R2085:4, C252
Take heed to yourselves – Gamaliel gave evidence of his wisdom. R4033:1
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| 36 Before for these the days stood up Theudas, saying to be some one himself, to whom adhered a number of men about four hundred; who was put to death, and all as many as listened to him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. |
Theudas, boasting himself – "All that ever come before me are thieves and robbers." (John 10:8) Who attempted fraudulentlyeader. R4732:6
History tells us of several others who deceived quite a few Jews. D565
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| 37 After this stood up Judas the Galilean, in the days of the registering, and drew away people much behind himself; and he was destroyed, and all as many as listened to him, were dispersed. |
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| 38 And now I say to you, withdraw from the men these, and let alone them, because if may be from men the counsel this or the work this, it will be overthrown; |
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| 39 if but from God it is, not you are able to overthrow them, not and fighters against God you should be found. |
Cannot overthrow it – Nearly one-fourth of the clergy joined in a campaign of slander against Pastor Russell, but others refused, after the manner of Gamaliel. CR351:2; HG557:3
Fight against God – Satan desires to get us to do just this. R4803:5
Many imagine they are serving God while they are really serving the adversary. R4033:5
A strong character affected by a measure of pride is apt to take a wrong course from which it is almost impossible for him to recede. R4033:6
We should never forget the Lord in our personal affairs and very careful respecting every step we take. R4198:4
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| 40 They were persuaded and by him; and having called the apostles, having beaten they commanded not to speak in the name of the Jesus, and released them. |
And beaten them – With thirteen strokes of a three-tailed whip, "Forty stripes save one." (2 Cor. 11:24) R2948:3
Furnishes in the end or harvest of this age, another parallel to the harvest of the Jewish age. B263; R969:4
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| 41 They indeed therefore went rejoicing from presence of the high-council, because in behalf of the name they were accounted worthy to be dishonored. |
Rejoicing – The Lord blessed them in their hearts with his peace and grace, while he did not shield them from the scourging. R4326:1
They did not threaten the Scribes and Pharisees, nor did they bemoan their fate. R2948:4
Such sufferings are accompanied with joy and peace which make them to appear but "light afflictions" and "but for a moment." (2 Cor. 4:17) R1699:6
We must let none of these things move us. R1575:6
We would be in distress and woe, if we could not tell the joyful message. R671:1
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| 42 Every and day in the temple and at home not they ceased teaching and announcing glad tidings of Jesus the Anointed. |
In every house – The congregations of the primitive Church were small and usually met in private houses. R2941:6
Ceased not to teach – The threatenings of the Sanhedrin were powerless to stop them from declaring the good tidings. R2948:5
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