The Enemy Attacks

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Acts 5:1-2 Let us never forget that we have a subtle enemy to contend with. This chapter contains the first reference in Acts to Satan, v. 3, for wherever God is working, the devil plants seeds of hatred, division, and antagonism to the truth. In chapter 4, he unsuccessfully attempted to discourage the apostles through official intimidation (4:18-20). Now, he tries two new tactics: corruption from within the Church (Acts 5:1-16) and persecution from outside (vvv. 17–42).

Luke occasionally breaks his narrative with a challenging summary of early Church practices, as in 2:41–47 and 4:32–37. In the latter, we learn that fellowship in the Jerusalem assembly was taken so seriously that some believers sold property and gave the proceeds to a common fund to aid poorer saints. This unconstrained exhibition of Christian love becomes the devil’s target. Barnabas’s selfless action, 4:36-37, provokes a Satanically-inspired imitation by Ananias and Sapphira. Their sin is calculated deception: an attempt to gain credit for being more generous than they really are. Judgment is swift and sure, for God must show that His Church, so lately begun, is a holy company of people where sin cannot be tolerated, 1 Cor. 3:17. Scriptural discipline characterises the assembly where the Lord’s Name is honoured. The solemn example of Ananias and Sapphira should remind us that fellowship is a sacred privilege not to be taken lightly.

The second line of attack involves physical punishment, v. 40. But violence cannot stop the apostles; after all, they have experienced so much divine corroboration of their message in miraculous signs, vv. 12–16, angelic deliverance, vv. 19–20, and the personal help of the Holy Spirit, v. 32. Despite their beating therefore, they witness with an even greater joy and vigour, vv. 41–42. Are we as gladly determined in our evangelism?

Each of Satan’s assaults is turned into a blessing by the God who is in complete control. The attempt to corrupt the assembly leads to a lesson in holiness and increased numbers, vv. 11–14. The attempt to stifle the Lord’s messengers results in joyful rededication to the work, vv. 41–42. “If God be for us, who can be against us?”, Rom. 8:31.



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