This week, we finished up the study of Ananias and Sapphira by comparing and contrasting their experience in Acts 5 to the story of Achan in Joshua 7. It seems as though each of these events took place at the beginning of the founding of a faith community. If the stories are indeed parallel, then, had Ananias and Sapphira not been held accountable for their intentional and egregious deception, the early church could not have been blessed or established.
We also looked at how the apostles and followers of Jesus handled themselves after the untimely and unexpected demise of the aforementioned couple. The apostles, emboldened by and filled with the Holy Spirit, continued to worship and teach daily in the Temple courts—specifically in Solomon’s Portico. Through their hands, people were healed of sickness and disease, and unclean spirits were cast out.
The ekklesia (the gathering) continued to grow, because it was obvious that the ministry of Jesus was continuing through the ministry of His followers. God’s hand was with them.
>> Click to read this week’s passage in KJV, CSB, ESV, NIV: Acts 5:1-10 <<
Acts 5:11-16 ~ Shadows, Signs & Wonders
The sin of Achan vs. the sin of Ananias & Sapphira; Continued growth of the early church
* Recorded: LIVE. This audio has been edited for class member privacy, time, and content.
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