Studies by Book
01 Acts 05 01-11 THE FEAR OF GOD IN HIS CHURCH 01 Acts 05 01-02 Walk in His Spirit
📖 Acts 05:01-11
01 – 17Mar2023 – *Walk in His Spirit* - _Acts 05:01-11_ - THE FEAR OF GOD IN HIS CHURCH - Bible reading: _Galatians 05:16-18_
“Lord Jesus, we commit ourselves into Your hands that we will always walk in Your Spirit and not by our flesh. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
We have seen how the early church grew in fellowship. Barnabas’s life represented the fellowship of the early church. As the church grew, we see the work of the flesh emerging in the life of the early church.
_Acts 5:1-2 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. (2) And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet._
We don’t know why this couple decided to do such a thing, which is explained in our text. We know that Barnabas had sold his land and he had laid the proceeds at the apostle’s feet. This incident with Ananias and Sapphira follows immediately after what Barnabas had done. It seems that they wanted to imitate Barnabas. We do not know what was the motive in their heart for them to do what they did but we know that it was a deception.
Peter explains their deception. _Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? (4) While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."_
God hates deception. *_Malachi 1:14 "But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished—For I am a great King," Says the LORD of hosts, "And My name is to be feared among the nations._*
God’s name must be feared among the nations and His church must walk in truth. We are to be the pillars and foundation of the truth as God is truth. _I Timothy 3:15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know *how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth*._
The church has to be the manifestation of the truth. *_II Corinthians 4:2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God._* We commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
This standard goes far beyond the rules and regulations laid down by authorities that we are to follow as the church. Sadly, when we look at the state of His church as a whole, we see how often we have come short, even of human expectations. Whereas, our conduct ought to be such that we are manifestations of the truth, which is the nature of God.
The experience of Ananias and Sapphira reveals to us the work of the flesh. The early church was led by His Spirit but we see the appearance of the nature of the flesh.
*_Galatians 5:16-18 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law._*
The law of God is in our hearts. By the flesh, we are not able to fulfil the righteous requirement of the law of God. *_Rom 8:3-4 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, (4) that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit._*
It is only by His Spirit that we will ensure that we do not fall into the ways of the flesh. By the flesh, we cannot please God. *_Romans 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (8) So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God._*
God has called His church to be His family. We are a display of the glory of God to the world. This is possible as we live always in His Spirit and not in our flesh.
*_Romans 8:12-14 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. (13) For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God._*
```The Lord is inviting us to walk in His Spirit for if we live in the flesh, we will die.```