Dive into Acts 5:1–42 with My Ministry Mission in “The Cost of the Call,” an energetic, Bible-centered episode exploring Ananias and Sapphira, apostolic signs and wonders, the Sanhedrin’s persecution, and Gamaliel’s wisdom. We unpack the history of the early church under the Roman Empire, Jewish customs at Solomon’s Colonnade, and why the Holy Spirit’s power fueled bold evangelism and unshakeable unity. Expect clear, practical takeaways on integrity, courage, and joyful endurance when faith is tested. If you’re searching for a compelling Acts 5 Bible study, a Christian podcast on church integrity, or inspiration to obey God rather than men, this episode will equip and encourage you. Listen now to be challenged, comforted, and sent with the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

References to Bible Verses:

Acts 5:1–42; Acts 4:36-37; Proverbs 12:22; Proverbs 1:7; Hebrews 12:10-11; Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 18:15; 1 Corinthians 5:6-7; Galatians 6:1-2; John 10:23; Ezekiel 36:26; Luke 9:34; Mark 5:27-29; Acts 3:12; Proverbs 27:4; Romans 6:4; Matthew 27:24-25; Acts 1:8; Exodus 1:17; Daniel 3:18; Deuteronomy 21:22-23; Proverbs 15:1; Acts 22:3; James 1:19-20; Matthew 5:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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Introduction and Overview of Acts

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Jason: Thank you for listening and welcome to the podcast. I'm your host, Jason McConnell. We've been walking through the book of Acts, and up until now, the church has been on fire in the best way possible. Of course, the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost Thousands came to the faith, and the apostles have been preaching boldly in the face of opposition.

It's exciting, it's powerful, and honestly it feels unstoppable. But Acts chapter five reminds us of something important. Following Jesus isn't all mountaintop moments. With great power comes great responsibility, and with growth comes growing pains. In this chapter, we see a shocking act of dishonesty inside the church itself.

Incredible miracles that cause crowds to gather in a hall, and then fierce persecution from the religious leaders who simply can't stand what God is doing through the apostles. It is a chapter that shows us both sides of the Christian journey, the joy of spirit-filled living, and the reality of hardships that come with the call integrity, courage and perseverance are front and center here.

What would you do if obeying God meant standing against powerful and scary people facing rejection or even suffering for his name? And that's what the early church had to decide, and their answer is still challenging us today. This really is the cost of the call. So let's dive in to Acts chapter five.

The Sobering Story of Ananias and Sapphira

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Jason: Well, here we are again jumping into acts, but this time we're gonna focus in on chapter five, and we're about to focus in on one of the most sobering moments in early church history. It's the moment when God says, my people are holy, not just a hyped up people. And we'll get started with this in Acts five versus one and two.

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sphera, also sold a piece of property with his wife's full knowledge. He kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put at the apostle's feet. Now in our, in our previous episode, we talked about Barnabas, who sold his land and laid all of the money at the apostle's feet, and that was back in Acts four, verses 36 and 37, becoming quite the hero of generosity.

Now understand in the honor and shame culture of Jerusalem, public gifts would've been big. They would've brought a lot of applause, but that's not why Barnabas did it. And we really already covered that in the previous episode, so I'm not gonna go over it again. But here in these verses, the phrase kept back comes from the Greek word, no zo, and it's pretty loaded.

It carries this sense of embezzling, not just saving a little or holding onto it, but deceitful withholding of money while pretending it's a full devotion. Now, it's important to note that the early church practice, voluntary generosity and property rights were very much respected, and while actually hear Peter talk about that directly in a moment, but understand the sin here wasn't in only giving part of the money as a donation.

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy, so Anize.

Peter Confronts Ananias and Sapphira

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Jason: Falsifies, his donations and the spirit must have told Peter, because he responds to this in Acts five, verses three and four. Then Peter said, Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?

Didn't it belong to you before it was sold and after it was sold? Wasn't the money at your disposal? You have not lied just to human beings, but to God. So Peter's question here clarifies two important facts, and I mentioned I would talk about this in a moment. The sale was voluntary. Again, the church never coerced or forced anyone to sell their property and donated Barnabas did it of his own free will without ever being asked.

In fact, I don't think anyone even knew he owned land before he laid the proceeds at the apostle's feet. He was just moved to do so. And the second thing to note here is that the money was at their disposal. Meaning if they didn't wanna donate all of it, they didn't have to. They could have easily said, we got more than we expected and we're gonna give half to the church.

And I'm sure both Peter and God would've been fine with that, but that's not what an and I did. He pretended he gave it all for that honor. Part of the honor and shame culture. I just wanna put a side note here. Peter identifies the spirit as God. Uh, a cre key Trinitarian moment is happening right here in these verses, in the, in the church's infancy, but I want you to hear me here right now.

Satan's strategy wasn't an obvious attack. He was hiding duplicity inside of the family of God. A reminder that when the enemy can't stop the church from the outside. He will try to rot it from the inside. In the days of the early church, that wasn't going to fly in modern times, I fear that's happening far too much.

But Peter addresses this with Ananias. The moment of shock hits in Acts five verses five and six. When I Ananias heard this, he fell down and died and great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young man came forward, wrapped up his body and carried him out and buried him.

The Aftermath and Lessons from Ananias and Sapphira

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Jason: Okay, so if you're thinking this resembled old, resembles Old Testament justice, you're, you're kind of right, biblically speaking.

When God launches new work, he will often market with a stark lesson in holiness. Think of Aiken at the start of Israel's conquest in Joshua chapter seven, or Za Touching the Arc in Second Samuel chapter six. New beginnings required new boundaries. A world of public piety and private deals. God defends his newborn church from hypocrisy poisoning the well.

And this isn't God losing his temper. It's God guarding his people at a foundational moment. So the Gospel River doesn't get polluted at its source. It's important that things are done God's way at the onset of the church. I want you to also understand that this great fear, it's not panic. The people aren't freaking out.

It's reverent awe. It's basically a wake up call that God, the God of grace is also the God of holiness. You see that in one Peter one verses 15 and 16. We should cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord, the kind of fear that leads to life. Wisdom and integrity is outlined in Proverbs one, verse seven, which reads, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Sometimes we treat God casually. And if that's the case, if you find yourself doing that, simply repent. But understand the fear of God does mean awe inspired, and I want, I wanna drive that point home. But if that fear has been weaponized against you by a manipulative leader, I want you to understand something.

God's holiness never excuses Human abuse. Divine discipline protects, it does not control or degrade. Hebrews 12 verses 10 and 11 teaches us they disciplined us for a little while as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful later on.

However, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Understand though there's a second chance for the truth to be told in our story. If we move on to Acts five, verse seven and nine, seven through nine, it reads about three hours later, his wife came in not knowing what happened.

Peter asked her to tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land? Yes. She said, that is the price. Peter said to her, how could you conspire to test the spirit of the Lord? Listen, the feet of the men who buried your husband are now at the door and they will carry you out also. Peter gives Sphera an opportunity, an open door to step into the light.

This is mercy. An opportunity to, to break the agreement with deception. And Peter asked her how she could conspire to test the spirit of the Lord, which are words we've heard before in Deuteronomy six, verse 16. Do not put the Lord your God to the test. I mean, this is sound advice for all of us. Now understand this was a joint conspiracy.

Unity in marriage is powerful, but unity in sin is very dangerous. Testing the spirit is acting as if God won't mind, won't see or won't act. It's the spiritual equivalent of you don't really think you're gonna do anything, do you? This story is a reminder that our relationships, in our relationships, specifically our closest relationships like marriage, family, ministry teams and so on, be allies in truth, not co-conspirators in appearance.

We should confess proactively, if someone you care about is drifting into deceit, love them enough to call them back, as described in Matthew 18, verse 15. But that being said, we see the aftermath of this deceit in Acts five, verse 10 and 11. At that moment, she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young man came in and finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

Great fear. Sees the whole church and all. Who heard about these events? This is the first time Luke uses the word ecclesia, which is the word that often gets associated with church. In Greek, the word represents a gathering of citizens or an assembly of people. And in Christian terms, this represents a gathering of Christians who come together for worship.

And this is another reminder that the building where they meet is not the church. The church is the people. And in those days, they came together, they assembled wherever they could. We go, I wanna go back to that great fear for the, for a moment. If you prefer a holy fear. Again, this is not cowering in a corner rocking kind of fear.

It's it's awe inspired look, God is fiercely committed to a church that is authentic, not impressive. It would've been better for Anize and Sphe to do nothing with their wealth than to lie about it as one Corinthians five, six, and seven reminds us a little yeast leavens, the whole batch of dough. Get rid of the yeast so that you may be a new unleavened batch.

Be sure to choose authenticity over image, and when you do stumble, bring it back to the light and, and do it quickly. And be sure to pray for a church culture where confession is normal and re restoration is celebrated as taught in Galatians six verses one and two. But the good news is purity didn't quench the, the church's power.

It cleared up the channels. After God exposed hypocrisy, the Spirit's River ran wider and deeper. So what happens next? Well, the streets of Jerusalem become a waiting room for the kingdom of God.

Miracles and Growth in Solomon's Colonnade

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Jason: We see the apostles doing wonderful things back in Solomon's colon aid starting in Acts five, verse 12. The Apostles perform many signs and wonders among the people and all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonate.

Now, if you recall in my previous episode. This is the same place where Peter healed, the lame man, and he and John were arrested, spent the night in jail, and the next day were brought before the Sanhedrin. Jesus walked in this very spot, which we see back in John 10, verse 23. I mean, this was just a great location for ministry, but regardless of the consequences, here they are again doing signs and wonders.

Now we aren't told what these are really, um, but likely much of the same healings, deliverance from demonic powers, blessings, and so on. This is God placing his signature like next to his message. We also see more unity in the church. Not hiding in secret, but openly testifying in the very place where Jesus was once contested.

I mean, to me, this is amazing. It's bold and it's spirit inspired. Though there does appear to be some fear baked into this movement, we do see God moving in this place. In Acts five, verses 13 and 14, no one else dared join them even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number for the believers.

There's no doubt this movement is more than just a fad, especially after the events of Annia and sfi. Yet we see that nobody dared join them, which probably suggests that the people also recognize following Christ couldn't be reduced to a casual commitment. So maybe the people were hesitant. Yet the spirit of God still moved with power and the church still grew.

Now in the ESV translation, verse 14 reads, and more than ever, believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. And I like how that reads added to the Lord. Not the church, not the people, but to the Lord himself. And this idea of multitudes of men and women tells us that, that, that the events connected with cleansing the church, the events of ani and s did no lasting damage.

And this should remind us that holiness is both appealing and a bit terrifying. And the people knew that God was moving among them and, and the church wasn't about to trade holiness for popularity. It also reminds us that fear isn't going to stop the mission. It will clarify it. Always remember to choose faithfulness over flash and and celebrate every conversion story because the greatest gift is the new heart and the spirit put in us per Ezekiel 36, 26.

Now we see more and more. Mercy is done in the streets by Jesus through Peter in Acts five verses 15 and 16. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them. As he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem bringing their sick, and those tormented by impure spirits and all of them were healed.

So an ancient world. In the ancient world, a person's shadow is thought to carry some influence, both benevolent and malevolent. Shadows were even considered magical by some. And there is an interesting choice of words by Peter in this verse in the context that his shadow might fall on some of them or in other translations might overshadow them.

Luke uses the Greek word EPIs or overshadow. Luke used this word twice before in Luke 1 35, where the angel explains to Mary, the Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the most high will overshadow you. And he also used it in Luke nine, verse 34, while Peter was speaking, the divine cloud of God's presence descends and envelopes them, and the disciples are gripped with fear as they enter it.

I mean, this whole section of Luke in chapter nine could be an episode on itself. So I'll leave it there. Let you go read it for yourselves, perhaps. Luke used this word to signal that the same divine presence of God is at work in these healings, so as to draw attention away from the magical, uh, part of it and point to Jesus instead.

Now, keep in mind we're talking about Luke. He's the doctor and he's very precise with his language, and there's nothing magical about any of this. If, if you go back to Mark five, verses 27 through 29, the woman who touched Jesus' cloak was healed. There is nothing special about his cloak, but there was something special about her faith in Jesus.

And Luke is constantly pointing to Christ. He did. So back in Acts three verse 12, when he healed the lame man, he said, why do you stare at us as, as if by our own power or godliness? We had made this man walk the suffering, people filled the streets where the believers walk. This is what Spirit Fel presence does.

It draws broken people to the church, to the people of God. And then they point back to Christ. Here we are. Mercy floods the streets and joy is rising like a chorus. So of course the opposition takes things to a new level to match. When God heals what sin is broken, the powers that profit from the brokenness begin to push back, and that's where you pick up next.

Apostles Arrested and Miraculously Freed

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Jason: Starting in Acts five verses 17 and 18, then the high priest and all his associates who were members of the party of the uh, Sadducees were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in public jail. Well, here we go again. As I mentioned in other episodes, the Sadducees were the temple elite.

They were wealthy, politically connected, and theologically oriented in a way that denied the resurrection. And the Apostles message that Jesus is risen was a direct threat to both their theology and their influence. So to take some of their authority back. Public jailing sent the message that we're in charge here.

I mean, it's classic intimidation by optics. Now, the first arrest of the church in Acts four didn't work so well for them. So naturally the council doubles down, right? Jealousy seems to drive this persecution, but remember what Proverbs 27 4 teaches us. Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

People cannot control the message. They turn on the messenger. So don't be surprised when your obedience to Jesus stirs envy or pushback from others. And the question we have to answer isn't, will I face opposition, but rather will I be faithful in the face of opposition, but God was on their side. I want you to check out what happens in Acts five versus 19 through the first half of 21.

But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. Go stand in the temple courts, he said, and tell the people about all this new life. At Daybreak, they entered the temple courts and began to teach. So the temple courts were the most public square in all Jerusalem, and this angel sends him right back to the center of the battlefield.

No hiding. Just bold witness. Understand this new life is the gospel shorthand for the resurrection life of Jesus Christ. Now breaking into human history, it's the new life described in Romans six verse four. But here's our takeaway here. God not only delivers, he deploys. Understand this, my friends.

Freedom isn't comfort it, it's for witness. And these brave messengers show immediate obedience at Daybreak. They do exactly as they're told. No strategy meeting, no hesitation, no breakfast. They show up and they speak the gospel truth in the center of Jerusalem's most prominent area to speak. Look, God, God's gonna open doors for us, and when he does, we need to walk through them quickly and publicly and then ask yourself this question, who needs to hear about this new life because of what God just did for me?

And of course this does create a bit of confusion in the council chambers. In Acts five with the second half of 21 through 26, when the high priest and his associates arrived, the officer did not find them there, so they returned and reported. We found the jail securely locked with some guard standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.

Then someone came out and said, look, the men you put in jail are standing in the Temple Courts teaching the people. At that the captain went with his officers and brought them, brought the apostles, but without violence for they feared that the people would stone them. This is, this almost leads like divine satire, lox, guard's, protocols, all empty cells.

The council system looks impressive, but God is better. Everyone saw these guys arrested very publicly the day before, and here they are sharing the same gospel. That got them into trouble first thing in the morning, no less. The apostles credibility is pretty darn high right now. So of course, the guards treat them with kid gloves for fear of angering the crowd.

Look, human control has its limits. God's mission can't be stopped. The church's integrity from the events of anani and fear and the church's mercy from all of the miracles have earned public respect, and this is bound to make their opposition a little nervous, if not a lot nervous. What's our takeaway from all of this?

Keep showing up where the people are with trust and compassion. Show the integrity of God's people and establish credibility and, and you won't have to advertise or puff up to get their attention. I like to call this gospel in motion, which is when we act in accordance to what Jesus commands. When we do that, someone is bound to ask questions, and that's when your opportunity opens up to share your testimony to be a witness.

Never fear any system or opponent more than you trust your savior because padlocks can't stop Providence. But now the council says something that kind of blew my mind.

The Apostles' Bold Stand Before the Sanhedrin

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Jason: I mean, look at this in Acts five versus 27 and 28. The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.

We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. He said, yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood. I feel like this is a blink, blink, gif moment, like something should go here. That's just somebody standing there blinking. I do find it interesting that they tell them not to teach.

In this name as if they're afraid to say the word Jesus out loud, and then they say that jaw dropping part, accusing them of being determined to make us guilty of this man's blood. Let's go back to Matthew chapter 27 for just a moment. Jesus goes before Pilate and his question. Then Pilate presents an option to the crowd to release Jesus or release Barabbas, uh, which was customary for the festival leading up to Passover.

The crowd chooses to free Barabbas despite Pilate's best efforts to persuade them who is a known murderer. And then we pick it up in Matthew 27, verses 24 and 25 where it reads. When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an up road was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.

I am innocent of this man's blood. He said, it is your responsibility. And the people answered, his blood is on us and our children. Did you catch that part? His blood is on us and our children. I Is this vagueness and evasion their conscience catching up with them? Do they forget what happened only weeks before?

But they give the apostles a great compliment in disguise. You have Phil Jerusalem with your teaching. Well, that's what the great commission was all about. That's what Acts one verse eight tells us to do. Takes some lessons from this and go fill your Jerusalem, your inner circle with Jesus. Don't let cultural discomfort with his name.

Mute your witness. Speak the name of Jesus with humility and joy, but now comes the answer that very well may echo through the ages. Acts five verses 29 through 32, and I love this part. Listen to this. Peter and the other apostles replied, we must obey God rather than human beings. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.

God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior, that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things. In so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him. Wow. I mean, my boy Peter's really sticking it to the man here. The apostles are standing in a long line of civil disobedience from Exodus one 17 to Daniel three 18 and beyond.

The New Testament tells us we should submit to those in authority over us, but never, never, when they contradict God. And Peter touches on a number of topics foundational to the Christian faith man's guilt, the the part where he says, Jesus, whom you killed. Jesus's death hanging him on a cross Jesus's resurrection where he says God exalted him to his own right hand and man's responsibility to respond by bring bringing Israel to repentance and forgive for their sins.

Now, another translations, Peter's actually referring to the cross as a tree, quote, unquote tree as a nod to Deuteronomy 21, verses 22 and 23 where it says A person hanging from a tree is cursed by God. This is intentional because he wanted to draw attention that they killed Jesus in the worst way possible, both from a Roman perspective on the cross, as well as from the Jewish perspective, the Tree Association.

But he ends his testimony by pointing out we are witnesses, because it was based on eyewitness testimony. He also points out the Holy Spirit because it was also confirmed by God. Now, I do want you to understand this was not a defensive response. Peter was speaking the truth in a very matter-of-fact way, but how does the council receive this message?

Well, as you can imagine, not well, you can feel the temperature rising in the room, and Fury fills the chamber in Acts 5 33 when they heard this. They were furious and wanted to put them to death. Yeah, that escalated quickly, didn't it? Keep in mind the Sanhedrin could try blasphemy cases, but Rome retained the power of execution.

Still, the council's intent is clear and the apostles by any means necessary. And this is a bit of a deja vu from Jesus's trial. The, the truth challenge, power and power reach for the sword. Anger is not an argument and, and when the con conscience is prickled, the human heart often lunges for control. The gospel will expose our idols, including status, security and control.

And the idols always demand a sacrifice. You should expect emotional backlash when you take a stand for Christ. Maybe not murder per se, but still people tend to lash out when you expose their idols, but never mirror that rage. You shouldn't master it. Remember the wise words of Solomon in Proverbs 15 verse one.

A gentle answer turns, way, wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.

Gamaliel's Wise Counsel

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Jason: But an unlikely voice of wisdom does break through in all of this in Acts five, verse 34, but a Pharisee named Gamal, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people stood up and order that the men be put outside for a little while.

So here comes the only grownup in the room putting everyone in time out. Now understand Gamal was an elder and revered Pharisee. He was famous for measured judgments and in fact, Paul later calls him, calls him his teacher, and Acts 22 verse three. We'll get to that later. It's also probably important to point out that the Pharisees, unlike the Sadducees, did believe in resurrection and ironically.

This man defending the apostles comes from a group most theologically open to their claim of arisen. Messiah. Isn't it funny how God has a way of raising a voice of restraint from unexpected places and, and emilio's actions create a place for wisdom? Why people slowed the room down before decisions run off a cliff?

If you find yourself in a conflict, maybe ask for that same wisdom to slow down before you make snap judgements. And maybe look for an unlikely ally whom God may use in your favor. But this wisdom continues in Acts five verse 35. He addresses the Sanhedrin men of his real. Consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.

This is classic rabbinic prudence, a clear warning against rash and politically explosive actions. We know the city already respects the apostles. So Galio is asking for the rest of the council to consider the ramifications of aggressive actions. And this reminds me of one of my favorite passages. I've mentioned it so many times, James 1, 9, 1 verses 19 through 20.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. I want you to understand Gail is not affirming Jesus, at least not yet. He's simply trying to sain restrain folly, and he does this through kind of a history lesson in Acts five, verses 36 and 37.

Some time ago, the UDIs appeared claiming to be somebody, and about 400 men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing after him. Judas, the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed and all of his followers were scattered.

So the council would've recognized these failed Masonic movements. Basically, charismatic leaders who surged and then collapsed when their leaders fell. Both of these would be leaders failed, and he's pointing out this pattern of human movements burning, hot and then burning out. Then G Yell moves into prudence, aimed at disarming pride in Acts five verses 38 39.

Therefore, in the present case, I advise you leave these men alone. Let them go for if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men. You will only find yourselves fighting against God. Wow. So basically he's telling them to leave the apostles alone because if, if they're another false Masonic movement, they'll eventually burn out.

But if they're really. Is God's will behind this. You can't stop it. Anyways, understand Gamil was a, a fence sitter for the most part, and he was proposing a wait and see approach. But this isn't cowardice. It's actually quite clever. Either you oppose popularity of the people or you oppose God's will.

Either way, taking action against these men and women, it's a bad idea, and his plea worked. See Acts five verse 40. His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. I understand flogging was 39 lashes. Now this, this was a brutal punishment designed to humiliate and warn without crossing Rome's ex execution line.

They didn't get to walk away from it this time they were whipped. But this is also a lesson that sometimes our mission for God gets us hurt. Maybe you won't be flogged, but you may lose friends. You may face family hardships. You might even lose a job because of your faith. But never let the evils of this world cause you to be ashamed of the gospels.

These things will sanitize your faith and when you are punished for obedience, receive it without revenge and move forward with your assignment. And the apostles understood this as well.

The Apostles Rejoice in Suffering and Continue Preaching

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Jason: We'll see them rejoicing in Acts five verse 41. The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering, disgrace for the name in this honor.

Shame culture, flogging was usually considered social ruin, cancel culture, but the apostles flipped the script. This becomes a badge of honor in Jesus's upside down kingdom. Something you could learn about in my Kingdom Living series. Yes, more shameless self-promotion, but this echoes Jesus's promise in Matthew five verses 11 and 12.

Blessed are you. When people insult you, persecute you falsely, and say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your renewed or reward in heaven for in the same way that they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Suffering for Christ is never a failure.

It's fellowship. Joy is an act of defiance against a world that thinks pain gets the last word. It doesn't. Jesus will have the last word. Absolutely. So practice joyful resistance and when faith costs you worship. Anyway, and please pray for believers across the world who suffer in His name. As for our apostles, well.

They were not discouraged. They continued their mission in Acts five verse 42, day after day in the temple courts and from house to house. They'd never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. They continued on in two fronts, public, in the temple courts and personal in homes.

This was the early church's rhythm gathered and scattered. The message though is crystal clear. Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord and Savior. This world had been waiting for you don't have to be an impressive person like the apostles were. The gospels advanced by ordinary faithfulness. Day after day, place after place, and person by person, we continue their message, the good news and, and we remember that perseverance isn't a thing we do.

It's a habit we have to build.

Conclusion and Encouragement

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Jason: Acts chapter five leaves us with bright hope. God takes integrity seriously, but he also pours out power, courage, and joy on ordinary people who tell the truth and keep going. The church didn't crumble under the pressure. The apostles left the council rejoicing and never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah, and that's our path to being honest before God loving others, and that stubborn spirit-filled perseverance.

The same Jesus who saved you is still leading you, the same spirit who emboldened Peter will embol you. The same father who guarded the early church is guarding you. Sometimes we think that protection is physical and and in this world, but ultimately it's protecting our eternal life. But you don't need to manufacture courage.

You just have to ask for it. You don't need to perform holiness. You walk in the light with Jesus. You don't need a perfect plan. You just need to take the next faithful step and let the spirit guide you as you walk into your week. Be sure to rejoice, pray and give thanks for this is God's will for you and Christ Jesus according to one Thessalonians five, verse 16 through 18.

Until next time, keep loving your neighbors. Dive into God's word daily and may the Lord bless you and keep you and feel you with his peace. Take care of God bless and I'll see you in the next episode.