Acts

This summary gives a glimpse of the divine power working through the apostles. People are being healed. Outsiders are impressed. People believe. Apparently, the prospect of arrest also keeps some believers from joining the apostles. Nevertheless, the bold apostles engage publicly in their ministry of service to those in need and gain respect and re

This unit reflects a contrast. On the one hand, there is a community that is holding all things in common, with figures such as Barnabas contributing resources to the community (Acts 4:32-37). On the other hand, there are people pretending to give all but who do not, with Ananias and Sapphira experiencing a judgment for claiming to give all while h

In sum, this unit shows divine support and direction for the apostolic message. It also traces the rise in the leadership's reaction against the apostles. A second arrest leads to a miracle of divine release and an affirmation of the call to preach the message of life. The undercurrent to the passage is that nothing will be able to stop the advance

In a sense, the reaction here is like that of another city's to the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20). Despite the man's healing, the townspeople ask Jesus to leave because of the disturbing loss of pigs that resulted from the exorcism. In both cases, the point is that larger monetary interests outweigh concerns for the person benefited. It also illu

A final note concerns how one church came to the aid of another here. Today many churches are interested only in their own ministry or in using their facilities and resources only for their own efforts. It is sad to see large-budget churches that give very little to missions or do very little for other believing communities in need in their own are

Many in the leadership are angry with what is perceived as disobedience by the apostles (x 33). But a leading rabbi, Gamaliel, asks to speak privately to the group and urges caution (v. 34-35), He reviews other troublemakers for the Jews and notes that if the movement is human, it will die out (vx 36-38). On the other hand, if it is of God, then no

He had the option to keep the proceeds or dispose of only some of it. So the deceitful act was completely premeditated, apparently motivated by the desire of Ananias and Sapphira to appear more generous than they truly are. The desire for human praise is more important to them than being faithful to God.

Timothy poses a special problem because he is the child of a mixed marriage. His mother, Eunice, is a Jewish believer (2 Tim. 1:5) whereas his father is Greek. His grandmother Lois also is Jewish (2 Tim. 1:5).

Paul takes him on the journey but circumcises him first (v. 3). This act prevents Timothy from becoming an issue to the Jews to whom he would

The two concepts of food and of table fellowship as signs of accepting Gentiles are related, for associating with Gentiles and eating what they may have prepared as hosts would in normal Jewish thinking entail the probable risk of uncleanness. In addition, the two ideas are closely tied together in the law (Lev. 20:24b26).