ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, NIGERIA.
ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 25,
JANUARY - JUNE, 2023.
SUNDAY, 18TH JUNE, 2023.
Memory Verse: Acts 5:39.
But if it is of God [and it appears that it is], you will not be able to stop them; or else you may even be found fighting against God!”
Central Truth
God works to protect and
perpetuate the Church.
The Lesson Outline
1. God Judges Two Deceivers
Acts 4:34-37:5:1-11
A. Gracious Sharing
B. Hypocritical Sharing
2. Holy Spirit-Empowered Ministry
Acts 5:12-16
A. Brings Growth
B. Extends Outreach
3. Persecution and Rejoicing
Acts 5:17-42
A. Faithful Witness Brings Trouble
B. Faithful Witnesses Despite Trouble
Learning Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Recognize challenges churches can encounter as they fulfil the Great Commission.
2. Learn to avoid discouragement when challenges arise, knowing God preserves and protects His people.
3. Trust God's keeping power while persevering in advancing His kingdom.
Introducing the Lesson
Trouble is not something churches should see as out of the ordinary.
As will be observed in this lesson, even the Early Church faced trials from deceptive practices within their ranks to persecution from outside entities. Knowing that God preserves and protects His people, Christians can avoid discouragement when challenges arise.
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
Acts 5:1-3,5,7,10,12,14,16,29-31,34-35,40
[1]But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
[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.
[3]But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
[5]And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
[7]And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
[10]Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
[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.
[14]And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
[16]There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
[29]Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
[30]The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
[31]Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
[34]Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
[35]And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
[40]And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Central Truth
God works to protect and
perpetuate the Church.
The Lesson Outline
1. God Judges Two Deceivers
Acts 4:34-37:5:1-11
A. Gracious Sharing
B. Hypocritical Sharing
2. Holy Spirit-Empowered Ministry
Acts 5:12-16
A. Brings Growth
B. Extends Outreach
3. Persecution and Rejoicing
Acts 5:17-42
A. Faithful Witness Brings Trouble
B. Faithful Witnesses Despite Trouble
Learning Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Recognize challenges churches can encounter as they fulfil the Great Commission.
2. Learn to avoid discouragement when challenges arise, knowing God preserves and protects His people.
3. Trust God's keeping power while persevering in advancing His kingdom.
Introducing the Lesson
Trouble is not something churches should see as out of the ordinary.
As will be observed in this lesson, even the Early Church faced trials from deceptive practices within their ranks to persecution from outside entities. Knowing that God preserves and protects His people, Christians can avoid discouragement when challenges arise.
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
Acts 5:1-3,5,7,10,12,14,16,29-31,34-35,40
[1]But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
[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.
[3]But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
[5]And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
[7]And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
[10]Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
[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.
[14]And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
[16]There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
[29]Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
[30]The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
[31]Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
[34]Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
[35]And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
[40]And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
COMMENTARY AND APPLICATION
1. God Judges Two Deceivers
A. Gracious Sharing- Acts 4:34-37.
The Church was growing, both spiritually and numerically.
Things were going well. Believers were proclaiming the gospel in the power of the Spirit. Many people were coming to faith in Jesus.
A spirit of unity prevailed among believers. Yet Some among them faced financial needs. It may be that those who had travelled from far away to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost did not have the means to support themselves when they extended their stay after becoming believers in Jesus.
Some of the believers stepped up as needs arose, selling property and giving the proceeds to the church so such needs could be met (Acts 4:34-35).
Luke cited the actions of Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, as an example of this gracious generosity.
Apparently, Joseph was generous with more than his money, for the apostles named him Barnabas, which means son of encouragement or consolation.
He sold some property and gave the money to the apostles to distribute to those in need (verses 36-37). Christians will face problems.
When believers respond to them with a spirit of unity and love, problems become opportunities for miracles and God to be glorified.
As believers graciously share what they have, needs are met and the kingdom of God advances. Generosity giving of oneself to others--brings encouragement. Generosity goes beyond money to sharing one's Spiritual gifts, time, and care, so fellow believers know they do not face the trials of life alone. Gracious sharing is so much more than a handout; it is a hand up.
Questions for Application
How can you encourage others?
What characterizes a person with a generous spirit?
B. Hypocritical Sharing- Acts 5:1-11
Like Barnabas, Ananias and Sapphira sold some property to give money toward the needs of fellow believers. Unlike Barnabas, they were hypocritical in their giving.
They allowed greed and pride to motivate their actions (verses 1-2).
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not in keeping some of the money for themselves. It was theirs to do with as they saw fit.
The sin was hypocrisy fuelled by greed and pride. Their goal was to gain recognition while practicing deceit.
Their names are forever associated with hypocrisy and its consequences. As Peter pointed out, they were lying, not to people, but to God himself (verses 3-10).
When Satan could not slow down the followers of Jesus with outside pressure, he used this couple to attempt to disrupt the Early Church from within. God dealt swiftly and severely with their sin (verses 5,9-10).
The result was that all who heard about what happened greatly feared (verse 11).
The loving God who sent Jesus to be the Saviour is also still the holy God who judges sin. A holy fear does not hinder the work of God, but assists in building His Church.
All believers must stay alert for Satan's schemes. He still works to disrupt the work of God by tempting believers to act out of hypocritical motives.
Such actions turn hearts away from the gospel and bring dishonour to the Lord.
Questions for Application
What are other biblical examples of God's severe judgement on those who dishonoured His name?
How can believers evaluate their motives for serving the Lord?
2. Holy Spirit-Empowered Ministry
A. Brings Growth- Acts 5:12-14.
Following the cautionary account of Ananias and Sapphira, Luke refocused on the progress of the Early Church.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the apostles were able to minister in the supernatural., "performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people (Acts 5:12, NLT).
Though translated in various ways, the Greek phrase in verse 12 is "through the hands of the apostles."
The power to perform miracles came from the Holy Spirit, not the apostles themselves. Christians need to keep in mind the Holy Spirit is the One who enables them to be witnesses of Christ.
The Spirit's role is to testify of Christ, which He does through believers by displaying His power to point to the truth of the gospel and to God's care for the needs of people.
Believers must be careful to give God the glory for the miraculous as they minister, humbly confessing it is His power working through them (3:12-16).
Believers continued their previous practice of gathering to worship and receive instruction in the Word in the area of the temple known as Solomon's porch (5:12, KJV) or Colonnade (NLT).
Recent events caused some who were not followers of Jesus to exercise caution, not willing to be identified with the believers even though they were held in high regard (verse 13).
Yet others came to believe in Jesus through the ministry of the Church (verse 14).
Growth occurred in the good soil of this young church. The gospel was being powerfully proclaimed. Unity, love, and devotion to God characterised the believers.
Holiness, a genuine following after God's way, was evident, particularly through God's judgement of hypocrisy in their midst. Those same conditions will lead to growth in churches in our time.
Questions for Application
How can believers be more open to the Spirit working through them?
How does gathering with other believers to worship and receive the Word help you grow as a follower of Jesus?
B. Extends Outreach- Acts 5:15-16
The Holy Spirit-empowered ministry extended the outreach of the Early Church.
The Spirit's power worked wonders through the apostles to bring healing. Even Peter's shadow falling on people resulted in people being healed and delivered (Acts 5:15). People from outside of Jerusalem brought their sick and those tormented by evil spirits to the city for healing and deliverance (verse 16).
These incidents of healing and deliverance are likely included in Luke's earlier statement about the apostles performing many signs wonders. It is reasonable to conclude the apostles took advantage of the opportunities these miracles provided to proclaim the gospel, which, in turn, led to people believing in the Lord.
Displays of the Spirit's power point to the truthfulness of the gospel. People can be more open to hearing the gospel and believing in the Lord as they observe the Spirit's power being displayed.
Healing and deliverance are just two of the ways His power can flow through believers to minister to needs and reach people for Christ.
Miracles are not a guarantee that people will come to faith in Christ, for in Jesus' own ministry this did not always happen (John 6:26--66). Yet the Lord is gracious and loving extending relief to people in need.
As believers, may we be desirous of the power of the Spirit working through us, praying that hearts will be opened to the Lord as they experience His miraculous power.
Questions for Application
How can miracles make people more receptive to the gospel?
Why might people who have experienced the miraculous fail to put their faith in Christ?
3. Persecution and Rejoicing
A. Faithful Witness Brings Trouble - Acts 5:17-28.
The followers of Jesus gathered regularly in the temple to worship and receive the apostles' teachings. Jealous of the rising popularity and increase in their numbers, the high priest had the apostles arrested and put in jail (Acts 5:17-18).
Likely this was an attempt to dishearten the apostles and discourage people from becoming believers in Christ.
God, however, worked to preserve and protect the Early Church. He sent an angel who released the apostles and directed them to keep proclaiming the good news in the temple (verses 19-21).
The Sanhedrin was shocked when they learned the apostles teaching in the temple rather than languishing In prison. The high priest accused the apostles of disobedience and promoting unrest (verses 22-28). Faithfulness to the Lord often leads to trouble. However, believers can take heart, knowing He has promised to preserve and protect them so they too can overcome the world (John 16:33).
Christians must not lose heart when persecution comes. The Lord does work to preserve and protect His followers.
We may not always see how He works toward that end as prison doors are not always opened.
Yet we can trust that the Head of the Church is at work on its behalf so believers can prevail as they remain faithful witnesses of Him.
Questions for Application
How can persecution advance the Church?
What are some ways Christians can assist their fellow believers who are being persecuted?
B. Faithful Witnesses Despite Trouble - Acts 5:29-42.
Rather than being intimidated by the Sanhedrin, the apostles boldly testified to the truth concerning Jesus (Acts 5:29-32).
They were acting in obedience to God. God had called them to tell others what they had witnessed--the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit promised by God in the Scriptures.
What the Council wanted was secondary.
The apostles' response so incensed many in the Sanhedrin that they wanted the apostles put to death (verse 33).
But God used the wise and tempered counsel of Gamaliel to restrain their actions (verses 34-39). The apostles were flogged, threatened, and released rather than killed (verse 40).
The apostles left the Council rejoicing rather than complaining. They felt honoured to suffer for the sake of the name of Jesus (verse 41).
Despite these troubles, they remained faithful to their calling of proclaiming the good news (verse 42).
How can one understand the holy boldness of the apostles without the unshakable assurance deep inside oneself of the reality of the good news of Jesus? Though believers today do not have the same experience of witnessing the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus that the apostles did, believers can have a steadfast assurance of the reality of these events. How? The Work of the indwelling Holy Spirit whom believers receive when they put their faith in Jesus Christ.
While it is critical we are willing to die for what we believe about Jesus Christ, it is equally vital that we are willing to live for what we believe.
The Holy Spirit is not only given to assure us of salvation, but also to empower us to live in obedience to God as witnesses of Jesus. If we suffer trouble for our faithfulness, let us rejoice that we are "counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (verse 41, KJV).
Questions for Application
Why should believers count it an honour to suffer for Christ's sake?
How can believers remain faithful in proclaiming the gospel when they are facing adversity?
Call to Discipleship
We can trust God's power to keep us through the things that try our faith. Trials can come from within our ranks through deceptive teachings and practices, and from outside in the form of opposition and oppression.
We stand, not by our Own strength, but by the power of God's Spirit. His presence gives us the conviction and courage to remain faithful to the Lord and His mission.
What challenges do you face as an individual believer in living in obedience to the Lord?
What has He called you to do in service to Him?
What challenges do you see facing churches as they seek to fulfil the Great Commission? How can we help one another overcome these challenges?
Ministry in Action
Consider how you can encourage and help leaders in your church in fulfilling the Great Commission.
Commit to praying for and supporting persecuted Christians in one country.
Determine to grow closer to the Lord and prepare to stand when challenges come.
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