Acts 5: The Great Deception
How involved in church ministry do you think Ananias and Sapphira were?
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King James
People tell lies when they think they have something to gain. What did Ananias have to gain by saying he had given the entire price of the land? What percentage do you think was withheld?
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King James
A lie has no value unless it is thought to be the truth, so we can be sure that Ananias did his best to appear completely honest. How might Peter have known about Ananias’s deception?
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King James
Ananias thought he had lied to people, but Peter said he had lied to the Holy Spirit. Why is that an important distinction?
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King James
Peter said Ananias didn’t have to give everything, so what kind of social pressure might have led him to think he needed to present that appearance?
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King James
If you were a medical examiner called to check Ananias’s body and determine the cause of death, what would you write on the report?
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King James
Why might others who heard about Ananias have reason to fear?
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King James
What kind of funeral proceedings do you think might have accompanied the burial of Ananias?
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King James
Why might Sapphira have gone to see Peter three hours later?
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King James
Peter asked Sapphira about the amount of the land sale. Why do you think he didn’t tell her about her husband?
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King James
A conspiracy requires the agreement of more than one person. Do you think Sapphira was the first to be tempted to withhold a portion of the money, or was it her husband? What might motivate the spouse to agree?
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King James
Sapphira suffered the same fate as her husband. Do you think either of them were given an opportunity to repent and be forgiven? Why?
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King James
As news spread throughout the community, what concerns might the followers of Jesus had? How would those feelings be different among nonbelievers?
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King James
Among the people who assembled in the Temple, do you think the miracles were reserved only for the followers of Jesus or might God have reached out to others? Why?
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King James
What would make outsiders apprehensive about joining the believers?
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King James
Why do you think so many people believed, even though they were apprehensive?
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King James
How could Peter’s shadow have any effect on people’s faith and their wellbeing?
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King James
People came from outlying towns to seek healing. How did they hear about what was happening in Jerusalem and have reason to believe God would do something for them?
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King James
Why would the high priest and Temple leaders be upset about the great things that were happening among the people?
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King James
The Greek apostolos, which is often translated “apostles,” simply means “messenger,” perhaps referring to Jesus’ twelve disciples, but not necessarily. Why would it be important for the Jews to arrest the messengers rather than the followers of Jesus?
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King James
After the angel set his messengers free and told them to resume their speaking in the Temple, what might the reaction have been among the prison guards?
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King James
How soon did the messengers follow what the angel told them to do? What was going on with the Sanhedrin at the same time?
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King James
If the officers found the jail locked securely, with the guards unaware that the prisoners were missing, by what means do you think the angel brought their escape?
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King James
What might the Temple leaders have thought when they heard that the messengers were missing?
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King James
When the messengers were found back in the Temple, teaching, what prevented their immediate arrest?
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King James
Why do you think the Temple leaders were concerned most about the teaching and not about the means of the escape?
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King James
How did the motivation of the apostles compare with the desires of the Sanhedrin?
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King James
Why might the unified position of all the messengers been important during the interrogation? How do you suppose that agreement was expressed?
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King James
How might the Temple leaders’ expectation differ from what Peter said the Messiah’s purpose was for coming?
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King James
What is the value of being an eyewitness?
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King James
Why did the Sanhedrin believe the messengers should be killed? What means of elimination do you think might have been considered?
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King James
Why did Gamaliel recommend caution?
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King James
If the Sanhedrin agreed with Gamaliel’s counsel, why did they still have the apostles flogged?
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King James
What do you think the flogging did for, or against, the message about Jesus?
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King James
Do you think the opposition of Temple leadership helped or hindered the spread of the gospel? Why?