Sunday School | November 22, 2020
Sharing Love
Bible Background · ACTS 4:32–5:11
Printed Text · ACTS 4:32–5:11 | Devotional Reading · 2 CORINTHIANS 6:1-10
Printed Text · ACTS 4:32–5:11 | Devotional Reading · 2 CORINTHIANS 6:1-10
Aim for ChangeBy the end of this lesson, we will EXPLORE the Jerusalem church’s practice and witness of communal sharing, REPENT of any idolatrous attachment to material goods, and CREATE a plan to increase our giving for the common good.
In FocusAnn had grown up in a family with little money, but in college, she met Jim, a man from a well-off family. Ann and Jim got engaged a couple of years after they graduated and planned a modest wedding in Ann’s home church. The night before the wedding, Ann and Jim held a dinner for their families following the rehearsal. The food was fine, everyone got along just fine and it looked like the start of a great relationship between two families. When it came time for the parents to give speeches toasting the bride and groom, Jim’s father ended his speech saying, “It’s so wonderful to see our two very different families joined—one rich, one poor—through the great love of Ann and Jim. To Ann and Jim, may you have a long and happy life together.” As Jim’s father sat down, Ann smiled and said to her father-in-law-to-be, “That was a wonderful speech—but I have to say, I’ve never considered my family poor.” Jim’s father immediately apologized, “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” Ann’s mother chimed in, “Here at this church, none of us had a lot of money, but we always shared what we had. When twenty different families come in and share what they have, everyone feels rich.” Jim’s parents left the rehearsal dinner that night with a new understanding, that wealth could mean something more than money, and to rethink their biased beliefs about people.
How does your church family share its resources? Keep in Mind“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” (Acts 4:32, KJV)
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Focal VersesActs 4:32–5:11
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 5:1 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. The People, Places, and TimesBarnabas. Barnabas means “son of encouragement” in Aramaic. This was the name given by the apostles to Joses, a Levite from Cyprus. Barnabas was an early convert to Christianity. His character and faith soon brought him into a position of leadership in the church. When Paul was first converted, many of the believers were afraid to accept him. Barnabas eased their fears by speaking to the church on behalf of the apostle. Barnabas was one of Paul’s companions during the early part of his ministry. Levite. The Levites were the priestly tribe of
Levi. All of Israel’s priests are descended from this tribe. However, there is a fundamental difference between priests and Levites. All priests come from the tribe of Levi; however, not all Levites can become priests. They must be descendants of Aaron. Priests are consecrated and were the only ones that could minister at the altar and enter into the holy places. Levites were purified and were set aside to help the priests in performing their duties. |
Background
Luke notes at the beginning of Acts that his first book, which we know as the Gospel according to Luke, was an account of all that Jesus “began to do and teach.” This statement suggests that the book of Acts is to be understood as a book that is fundamentally about Christ’s continuing work in the world through his body, the church. In Acts 4:32-37, the focus of the narrative in Acts shifts from a focus on Peter and John to a focus on the new Christ-following community. At this point in the story, Peter and John have just been released from the custody of the Sanhedrin and they have told the community of faith about God’s faithfulness to them in the midst of political persecution. This then sets the context for what is recounted in these verses, specifically the fact that the believers shared all they had with each other. As we witness the generosity of the community of faith, we also witness the heightened stakes of the first years of the Church in the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. In each of these narratives, the reader is encouraged to consider the fact that the communal life to which Christ calls those in union with Him is a radical one.
At-A-Glance
1. Gospel Generosity (Acts 4:32-37)
2. Holiness vs. Hypocrisy (5:1-11)
2. Holiness vs. Hypocrisy (5:1-11)
In Depth
1. Gospel Generosity (Acts 4:32-37)
Acts 4 begins with the imprisonment of Peter and John. This is typical of what the new Christians would face. Following the death of Jesus, the early Christians were persecuted and often treated as outcasts from their Jewish community and family. Despite the persecution, the church community is described as a Spirit-filled, praying, loving and united community. That unity is shown economically through the sharing of goods. In the first few years of the church, followers of Christ voluntarily sought to meet one another’s needs because they recognized that they were, in a real sense, united with one another in their faith in Christ. The giving is not merely a one-on-one meeting of needs but a giving to a common pool under the authoritative wisdom of the apostles, who would then distribute according to need. This reveals both the generosity of this community and their trust in their Christ-ordained leadership. The context of this early church community is important to keep in mind here. Most importantly, they are a model of sacrificial giving. They give because their identities are rooted in the sacrificial giving of their Lord, Jesus Christ. As Jesus graciously gave His life for the forgiveness of sins and as Jesus graciously took on human flesh in order to save humanity, so also the community of faith is encouraged to give sacrificially to one another and to those in need. In those terms, this is not a suggestion, but rather an imperative. If the church is to be the body of Christ, they must exhibit the sacrificial love that Christ showed and commanded.
How should today’s church view the actions of the early church? Are we supposed to live communally now?
2. Holiness vs. Hypocrisy (5:1-11)
In the Garden of Eden, sin was met by expulsion. In the wilderness after their emancipation and exodus, when the covenant people of God grumbled against their Redeemer, they were punished with wandering until the resistant generation died. At these pivotal moments in the history of God’s covenant community, the stakes are extremely high and it is a constant biblical theme that the Spirit of God holds His community to a high standard. After a beautiful example of gospel generosity, we are given a terrifying account of heinous hypocrisy. Ananias and Sapphira are not struck dead for mere stinginess. After all, contributing one’s goods to the apostles was a purely voluntary act. Ananias and Sapphira are struck dead because they lie to the apostles and the One from whom the apostles received their authority, the Spirit of Christ. Peter explains this (Acts 5:3), reminding Ananias that there was no obligation to give. Ananias lied in order to appear generous. This hurt the faith community and the Holy Spirit would not let that stand. The text ends with the first reference to “the church” (Gk. ekklesia) in the book of Acts. From this point forward, this is the term used to describe the people of God, placing them in continuity with God’s Old Testament ekklesia, the Israelites. God’s standards do not change throughout the Scriptures, but the resources that He has given His people have increased. The greatest of those gifts have been the giving of His own Son and His own Spirit.
What prompted Ananias and Sapphira to lie? Do we see such hypocrisy in the church today?
Acts 4 begins with the imprisonment of Peter and John. This is typical of what the new Christians would face. Following the death of Jesus, the early Christians were persecuted and often treated as outcasts from their Jewish community and family. Despite the persecution, the church community is described as a Spirit-filled, praying, loving and united community. That unity is shown economically through the sharing of goods. In the first few years of the church, followers of Christ voluntarily sought to meet one another’s needs because they recognized that they were, in a real sense, united with one another in their faith in Christ. The giving is not merely a one-on-one meeting of needs but a giving to a common pool under the authoritative wisdom of the apostles, who would then distribute according to need. This reveals both the generosity of this community and their trust in their Christ-ordained leadership. The context of this early church community is important to keep in mind here. Most importantly, they are a model of sacrificial giving. They give because their identities are rooted in the sacrificial giving of their Lord, Jesus Christ. As Jesus graciously gave His life for the forgiveness of sins and as Jesus graciously took on human flesh in order to save humanity, so also the community of faith is encouraged to give sacrificially to one another and to those in need. In those terms, this is not a suggestion, but rather an imperative. If the church is to be the body of Christ, they must exhibit the sacrificial love that Christ showed and commanded.
How should today’s church view the actions of the early church? Are we supposed to live communally now?
2. Holiness vs. Hypocrisy (5:1-11)
In the Garden of Eden, sin was met by expulsion. In the wilderness after their emancipation and exodus, when the covenant people of God grumbled against their Redeemer, they were punished with wandering until the resistant generation died. At these pivotal moments in the history of God’s covenant community, the stakes are extremely high and it is a constant biblical theme that the Spirit of God holds His community to a high standard. After a beautiful example of gospel generosity, we are given a terrifying account of heinous hypocrisy. Ananias and Sapphira are not struck dead for mere stinginess. After all, contributing one’s goods to the apostles was a purely voluntary act. Ananias and Sapphira are struck dead because they lie to the apostles and the One from whom the apostles received their authority, the Spirit of Christ. Peter explains this (Acts 5:3), reminding Ananias that there was no obligation to give. Ananias lied in order to appear generous. This hurt the faith community and the Holy Spirit would not let that stand. The text ends with the first reference to “the church” (Gk. ekklesia) in the book of Acts. From this point forward, this is the term used to describe the people of God, placing them in continuity with God’s Old Testament ekklesia, the Israelites. God’s standards do not change throughout the Scriptures, but the resources that He has given His people have increased. The greatest of those gifts have been the giving of His own Son and His own Spirit.
What prompted Ananias and Sapphira to lie? Do we see such hypocrisy in the church today?
Search the Scriptures
1. How is the unity of the Christians described (Acts 4:32)?
2. What types of items were sold to support the community (4:34)?
3. How is Barnabas described (4:35-36)?
2. What types of items were sold to support the community (4:34)?
3. How is Barnabas described (4:35-36)?
Discuss the Meaning
1. Contrast Barnabas with Ananais and Sapphira. What makes the difference?
2. What examples have you seen of Barnabas like generosity in the church?
2. What examples have you seen of Barnabas like generosity in the church?
Source | Precepts for Living
Daily Bible ReadingsMONDAY
Preparing to Become a Deacon (1 Timothy 3:8-13) TUESDAY Healing Ministry Grows the Church (Acts 5:12-16) WEDNESDAY Church Sharing Plan Enlarged (Acts 6:1-7) THURSDAY Stephen’s Ministry Opposed (Acts 6:8-15) FRIDAY Sharing All of Life Together (Acts 2:42-47) SATURDAY Prayer for Boldness and Signs (Acts 4:23-31) SUNDAY Sharing All Possessions Challenges the Church (Acts 4:32-5:11) |
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