In today's reading several notable events occur. First Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, attempt to deceive the disciples concerning money. Many of the believers sold their goods and brought the money to the disciples. There was not a requirement to do this, nor was there necessarily an expectation that all believers would do this. Ananias must have observed how thankful the disciples were to those who brought money to support the ministry. He wanted the glory, but he also wanted to retain some of the money for himself and his wife. Together they concoct a plan in which they sell some property, keep part of the proceeds, then present the rest to the disciples as though they were donating all the money they received. Peter was so full of the Holy Spirit that he immediately detected the hypocrisy and lying of Ananias. As a result, Ananias immediately fell dead and was removed from the building. About three hours later, Sapphira, his wife entered and when given a chance to tell the truth, she also lies and falls dead. This caused great reverential fear among the believers knowing the the Holy Spirit would reveal any unconfessed sin.
After the apostles continue to hold healing services and heal people in the name of Jesus Christ, the religious leaders, filled with jealousy have them arrested again. This time, the Lord sends and angel and frees them from jail and sends them back to the Temple to continue preaching, teaching, and healing. So enraged are the leaders, that they have them flogged and forbid them to continue to teach in Jesus' name. The Bible states in 5:42, "And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: 'Jesus is the Messiah!'"
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