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| 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, 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 part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. |
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 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of 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 While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto 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 And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the breath: and great fear came upon all that heard it. |
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 And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him. |
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| 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. |
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| 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yes, for so much. |
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| 9 But Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out. |
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 And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the breath: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. |
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 great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that 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 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people: and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. |
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| 13 But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them; |
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| 14 and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men 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 insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at least his shadow might overshadow some one of them. |
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| 16 And there also came together the multitude from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. |
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| 17 But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, |
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 hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward. |
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 But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and 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 ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life. |
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 And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought. |
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 But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told, |
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| 23 saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. |
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| 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow. |
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| 25 And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye 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 went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. |
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| 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, |
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, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. |
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 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey 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 our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. |
Raised up – Greek, egeiro; to awaken, arouse, stir. R1512:2
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| 31 Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission 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 witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, which God hath given to them that obey 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 But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were minded to slay 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 But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while. |
Named Gamaliel – The instructor of Saul of Tarsus, a worldly-wise but noble-minded man. R2948:2, 2085:4
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| 35 And he said unto them, ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye 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 For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nought. |
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 man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. |
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| 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown: |
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| 39 but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God. |
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 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. |
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 therefore departed from before the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. |
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 And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ. |
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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