Luke the physician wrote how Peter and John were arrested for speaking to the people in the temple about the resurrection of the dead. They answered the “religious leaders” and were released after being threatened not to speak or teach in Jesus' name. Afterward the people prayed to the Lord, and “when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet”, and in chapter five and verse one of the book of Acts Luke shared about,“a man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife” where we read:
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
The verse begins, “But a certain man named Ananias, ...”. Luke began with the words, “but a certain man” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover a particular male human being” “named Ananias” whose name means “whom Jehovah has graciously given”. Luke referred to a man whose name was “Ananias”.
The verse goes on to say, “... with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, ...” Luke continued with the words, “with Sapphira his wife” which means “alongside Sapphira whose name means a sapphire who was the female spouse of Ananias”, “sold a possession” or “bartered and traded a property, land or estate”. Luke shared how “Ananias” had a “wife” whose name was “Sapphira”, and they together “sold” a property which they owned.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn about two more people who were part of the multitude of believers in Jesus. “Ananias and Sapphira” were a married couple in the “early church”, and we shall see their involvement in our next few verses. For now, let us be mindful that God loves everybody, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Those who surrender themselves to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and become a part of His church. Let all who read these words surrender to Jesus and become a member of the family of God.
Next time Luke shares how Ananias and Sapphira, “kept back part of the price”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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