Acts 5:12–16: A Compelling Gospel
Introduction
The previous passage about the judgment of Ananias and Sapphira was terrifying (Acts 5:1–11). If God judged their sin so harshly, what will God do with my sin? That question is not only our question as we read this story two thousand years later, but the last verse of the previous passage tells us that this was a burning question in the minds of those who heard the story—not only the church, but also “upon all who heard of these things” (Acts 5:11). At one level, this next passage may seem to stand on its own as a summary snapshot of the life of the church at this time; however, this passage is telling us about some of the fallout from God’s judgment against Ananias and Sapphira. More consequences will arise in the next passage (Acts 5:17–42), but for now we see the immediate aftermath of widespread fear of the Lord in the wake of a very public judgment of a seemingly private sin: the fear of the Lord compels a response to Jesus.
Discussion Questions
1. What is the role of “signs and wonders” (v. 12a) in the rest of the Bible (e.g., Moses, Jesus)? How do such miracles relate to the prophetic word that God has given through such wonder-workers? Who specifically is performing these signs and wonders (v. 12b)? How do these miracles relate to the preaching of the apostles about Jesus? How do these miracles and the judgment miracle of the previous passage draw the church “all together” (v. 12c)?
2. Who are the people described as “none of the rest” (v. 13a)? Why is it that this group did not “dare” to “join them”? What about the fear of the Lord kept this group reluctant to get too close to the church? How does this fearful reluctance relate to their holding the church “in high esteem” (v. 13b)? What does this description tell us about the right relationship between the church and the rest of the world? What makes the church so compelling, even among unbelievers?
3. Why did the judgment of Ananias and Sapphira, along with the signs and wonders of the apostles, lead to a situation where “more than ever believers were added to the Lord” (v. 14a)? How does the fear of the Lord relate to evangelistic fruit? What do we make of the fact that Luke specifically describes this new group of converts as “believers”? What is the significance of the physical healings in relationship to their faith?
4. What makes the gospel so compelling? What makes a church compelling to her own members? What makes a church compelling to the surrounding world? In what way does this passage warn us about watering down the preaching of sin, wrath, and the coming judgment of God? How does this passage embolden you to warn those around you about the serious message of the wrath to come, and to call them to repent and believe in Jesus as their refuge on the day of trouble?
