For more information on the early church, see recent books on the Book Of Acts.
1. How much of the money do you feel Ananias and Sapphira were required to give? Why?
2. Did everyone sell their homes and land and give all the money to the Apostles?
3. Was there anything wrong with keeping back part of the money?
4. Was his sin greed or lying? Why?
5. Why do you think fear seized those who heard about Ananias?
6. Why do you feel Peter asked Sapphira to tell him how much they got for the land?
7. List the similarities and differences between this story and the one about Adam and Eve in Gen 3.
Comment: Many a preacher, seeking to motivate his flock to give more, has taught that this story is about what happens if you "hold back" something from the offering plate. Those preachers are guilty of the same sin that Ananias and Sapphira died for…testing God by lying to Him or in His name. This is the saddest part of the story; instead of being honest and receiving a blessing from God for giving a portion of their revenue, they decided to lie, probably for recognition from people. In so doing, they brought upon themselves the punishment of God and the scorn of people. Peter made it clear to Ananias that the amount of his giving was a holy thing between him and God. Preachers that try to get in between this process and manipulate larger gifts in God's name risk the punishment and scorn received by Ananias and Sapphira. Here at http://www.web-church.com we will never do such a thing. Your giving is between you and God. If He leads you to offer something to support His work here, praise Him. If not, praise Him, anyway. Glen
1. What did it take to be "added to the number" of Christians?
2. Why did the high priest and other priests have the apostles arrested?
3. How did they escape jail?
4. The high priest was the highest religious leader in the country…how do you feel it was taken when Peter said "we must obey God rather than" you?
5. Is the same true of us, today? Must we obey God rather than religious leaders?
6. If what Gamaliel said about the Apostles is true, do you feel their mission has succeeded or failed? Do you feel this was prophecy? Explain!
7. After being flogged and told not to preach about Jesus, what did the apostles do?
8. What does today's Scripture tell us about the need to obey humans who tell us do disobey God? Do we follow God, or man?
Bible Studies
Acts Chapter 1
Acts Chapter 2
Acts Chapter 3
Acts Chapter 4
Acts Chapter 5
Acts Chapter 6
Acts Chapter 7
Acts Chapter 8
Acts Chapter 9
Acts Chapter 10
Acts Chapter 11
Acts Chapter 12
Acts Chapter 13
Acts Chapter 14
Acts Chapter 15
Acts Chapter 16
Acts Chapter 17
Acts Chapter 18
Acts Chapter 19
Acts Chapter 20
Acts Chapter 21
Acts Chapter 22
Acts Chapter
23
Acts Chapter
24
Acts Chapter 25
Acts Chapter 26
Acts Chapter
27
Acts Chapter
28
Bible Studies
The Life Of Jesus
Christian Discipleship
Christian Faith Study
Leading
Inductive Studies
Acts-Early Church History
Romans Bible
Studies
1 Corinthians Bible Studies
2 Corinthians Bible Studies
Galatians Bible Studies
Ephesians Bible Studies
Philippians Bible
Studies
Colossians Bible Studies
1 & 2 Thessalonians
Timothy And Titus Studies
Bible Questions Forum
New Testament Studies
Study Bibles
Bible Study Software
Bible Study Books