Lying to the Holy Spirit Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold a piece of land, but decided to only lay a portion of the proceeds at the feet of the apostles. Ash notes that the same word translated "kept back," is used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament in Joshua 7:1 when describing the s... [ Continue Reading ]
The Apostles Imprisoned Seeing the high regard the apostles were held in by the people and knowing the number being added to the church moved the high priest and the Sadducees to jealousy. They caused the apostles to be seized and placed in common prison. After all, the apostles, despite an earlier... [ Continue Reading ]
Before the Council It must have been a shock for the council to learn that the men they had charged not to preach in the name of Jesus were, even as they met, preaching in the temple. The captain and his officers brought them back without violence because they feared the common people, who sympathiz... [ Continue Reading ]
Gamaliel's Counsel Peter's words accusing the council of murdering Jesus enraged them to the point of being prepared to murder the apostles as well. But they could take no such action without the support of the Pharisaic members of the court. The Pharisees were in the minority, but they commanded... [ Continue Reading ]
The Council Actions and the Apostles' Response Having accepted Gamaliel's council as good advice, the council called for the apostles to be brought back into their chambers. They had them beaten and "commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus." Then, they released them. The response o... [ Continue Reading ]