Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Welcome to our daily Bible devotional study today from Acts the 5th chapter.

Ananias and Sapphire sell property but deceived the apostles about giving the full proceeds.

Peter confronts them, and both are struck dead by God, instilling fear throughout the church.

Meanwhile, the apostles continue to preach about Jesus and heal many who are sick.

Motivated by jealousy, the high priest and the Jewish council arrest the apostles.

However, God sends an angel to release them, and they return to the temple to resume their teaching.

They are brought before the council again, but boldly proclaimed that they must obey God

and teach about Jesus as the risen Savior and King. Gamaliel, a Pharisee, warns that opposing these

men could mean standing against God. The apostles are beaten and released, but rejoice in their

suffering and continue to preach about Jesus openly. Let's look at some

application tying these events together. God values honesty, integrity, and sincerity among his people.

The deaths of Ananias and Sapphire remind us that we cannot hide anything from God, and when we commit to him, he expects

faithfulness. It may be that these two sought recognition, like Barnabas received, but lacked the

genuine faith to carry out the act of charity. In contrast, the apostles demonstrate self-sacrifice

and unwavering commitment to the Savior.

They were willing to bear the cost and even rejoiced in the opportunity to suffer as Christ did.

God protected them and used their faith to encourage and help others.

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