Note for 20250718

Acts

Five

Part 5 - Acts 5 - Fear

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250718 - Acts - Part 5 - Acts 5 - Fear

Acts 5:1-42 KJV

[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? [4] Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. [5] And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. [6] And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. [7] And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. [8] And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. [9] Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. [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. [11] And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. [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. [13] And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. [14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) [15] 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. [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. [17] Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, [18] and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. [19] But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, [20] Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. [21] And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. [22] But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, [23] saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. [24] Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. [25] Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. [26] Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. [27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, [28] saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. [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. [32] And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. [33] When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. [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. [36] For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself 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 scattered, and brought to nought. [37] After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. [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 come to nought: [39] but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. [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. [41] And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. [42] And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.5.1-42.KJV

Fear

In our reading today, the known subject is of the deceiver and his wife that gave up the ghost when they were confronted by truth. Yet again, there are many sermons in this chapter, but here is where I was halted this morning.

Acts 5:26 KJV

[26] Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.5.26.KJV

We have looked at this fear briefly in the past, the same fear of the people was with the counsel that conspired to murder Christ and indeed did so, and managed to convince the masses to go along with them to have Christ crucified. They could have taken Christ at any point while He was in the temple, but they feared the people, especially at the feast. That fear led them to conspire with Judas, and they questioned Christ all night long. "A brood of vipers," and if the seed of Satan was at the chiefs of the people, where would we find him working today? These were corrupted back then and still to this day, we struggle with such corruption at the highest positions of the rulers, even in the counsel of Presidents and Ministers, also in institutions and corporations. Yet, not all, there are some that are left that are sensible, like Gamaliel.

You see, Gamaliel feared GOD, friends. That he seems to have in common with the Apostles, though he might not have believed in Jesus at this time. He advised that GOD would settle the matter, if it was of GOD, that they could not war with GOD. Who fears people, but those who have the instinct in the echoes of an ancient curse?

Genesis 3:14-15 KJV

[14] And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: [15] and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.3.14-15.KJV

What did Christ call them? And once more, we sit with this matter of a "Seed War" right in view, and I must take you back to Ezra 9 to remind you.

Ezra 9:1-2 KJV

[1] Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. [2] For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.

https://bible.com/bible/1/ezr.9.1-2.KJV

This topic comes up often. But, friends, there is a profound understanding therein. Now these mingled themselves with these others, but what about the others, did they not produce a seed unto themselves too? Our recording in Ezra just speaks of how the incursion into this highest position in Israel happened, but the seed was around long before and after, even unto this day, here in 2025. They fear people, friends. So, they rise to high positions to exercise control over them. Know them by their fruit, and do not be partakers in their iniquity, for such was the lake of fire prepared for. (Matthew 25:41 again)

The Apostles, like Christ, we're fearless, even unto death. And by now, you should know I will point to Revelation 12:11, but friends, read from verse 9 at least to see that old serpent that stands against mankind.

God did not give us a Spirit of fear, friends, but of Trust in Him. Read Psalm 23 and 121 and be encouraged. The LORD is our Protector, our Provider and our Saviour in His love for us.

Now, in conclusion, I want to leave you with a question. How then has the church become fearful? This world educated you in fear, friends. But, it is not of GOD. We fear the Sovereignty of GOD our Creator and His only begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour, coming King, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He is the One that reigns over us and we are of His Kingdom, not of the prince of this world. It is in fear that these wicked people do all they do in secret, at night and in obscurity, for they are of the night and the princes thereof.

Friends, look at the reaction of these after they have heard the truth, did they repent?

Acts 5:33 KJV

[33] When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.5.33.KJV

We saw the same when Jesus spoke the truth of them, they sought to kill him. Fear! When the one that fears GOD hears he was in the wrong, he repents and tries to make restitution, not these. They double down and head straight for the way of their father the Devil. They have murder in their heart.

Now we do not have to fear any man or thing, but GOD alone. Tell me, "How did the Apostles get out of prison again?"

Acts 5:19-20 KJV

[19] But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, [20] Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.5.19-20.KJV

Fear GOD alone.

Selah, Shalom.

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Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

Isaiah 1:17 KJV

[17] learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.1.17.KJV

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