If the flesh is allowed a place, it shows itself just the same in the Christian as it is in the world. Ananias with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. The two agreed to keep back part of the price, and to lay—part at the apostles’ feet, as if they had given it all. They wanted the reputation of whole-hearted devotedness, while gratifying their love of money. They did not consider that God, the Holy Spirit, was dwelling with them and in them, and that they were lying to Him. Each in turn lied to God, and each fell down dead. How solemn! This first sin seen in the church of God, receives its judgment at once, witnessing that God’s presence in the assembly was in power. How different now, though His presence is still in the church on earth and in every believer, but O! how grieved, how set aside He has been, and is, by men’s ways. Yet, He is faithful, wherever men honor His presence, to lead them and to guide them into all truth.
In the beginning, God gave the testimony against sin, and to the presence of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were filled with the Spirit, and all was done in His power. But the assembly of God has been unfaithful; He has been grieved, and we see no longer those actions which bore testimony to His presence.
Still He is with the church on earth. The word is, “He shall dwell with you,” and He is able to accomplish the will of God in His children now, as in the apostles’ days, though it may not be seen in the same mariner. He manifests His presence in the assembly, in those who depend on Him, and are filled with Him, though it is not shown outwardly in the fallen church, as when the assembly was in its first faithfulness. God changes not, His grace and power are the same, and are as available as ever for all that is necessary, and all that is suitable to the state of the church: and He still does all that is requisite for His glory and our blessing. May we keep it in mind, and not hinder Him by our unbelief.
This judgment that fell on Ananias and Sapphira caused great fear upon all the assembly, and upon all who heard these things; and the power of God, the Holy Spirit, wrought, by the apostles’ hands, many signs and wonders among the people.
Solomon’s porch was their large meeting place. They were there with one accord, and none others durst join them. The people magnified them, but the Lord used it to bring more to Himself—multitudes both of men and women. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least, the shadow of Peter passing by, might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Does this not remind us of John 14:1212Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)? It was truly great and wonderful, the works that the Lord Jesus wrought, also by the Spirit, but to see such works done by the Holy Spirit sent down from Jesus, exalted to the Father’s right hand, done through sinful, mortal men, His redeemed ones, is greater still. Yet He is the author of it all. Blessed be His worthy name!
But all this excited the envy and anger of the chief priests; the power and authority had passed out of their hands, and they were unwilling to own it, or to acknowledge it elsewhere. They could not prevent it, but they will do it if they can, so they, filled with wrath, arrest the apostles, and put them in the public prison, and God allowed them to do it.
This only makes a fresh display of God’s power, which they cannot hinder. This is not the Holy Spirit working in them, but God’s power sending His angel to open the prison doors. No bolts or bars could remain barriers to His will. The angel led them out, and said, “Go, stand and speak in the temple all the words of this life.” Obedient to the Lord, they go very early into the temple and teach. When the high priest and council and all the elderhood of the sons of Israel were gathered, they sent to the prison to have them brought. The officers returned and reported the prison shut with all security, the guards all in their places at the doors, but the prisoners were not there. This was most perplexing. What will all this come to? is the question in their minds.
Someone came and reported to them, “Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, teaching the people.”
The captain with the officers went and brought them without violence. They were afraid they might be stoned by the people. But Christians must suffer and bear their testimony.
Again the high priest accuses them of teaching in the name of Jesus, and filling Jerusalem with their doctrines, to bring the murder of Jesus against them. Peter and the apostles answer, “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 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. And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit whom God hath given to them that obey Him.”
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Blinded by Satan, having committed one crime, they, goaded on to desperation by a guilty conscience, are ready to persecute the witnesses to death. Here again God works deliverance through the human wisdom of Gamaliel the Pharisee, who brings up the folly in several examples of fighting against God. God uses his argument to preserve His servants from the hand of their enemies.
They take the counsel of Gamaliel, their hearts are not changed, the enmity is still there, but they are afraid of more trouble to themselves; they know not what to do. They call the apostles, for they had put them out that they might confer together. They beat them and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. How terrible the condition of these blinded men.
But the apostles departed, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ.