Acts 4 -5  Peter and John are arrested but use the opportunity to continue preaching the truth of Jesus Christ.. " And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." 

Threatened and released.. the apostles continue to obey God and speak His word "with boldness". The church starts out with a spirit of unity that is amazing.. everyone shares what they have with those in need.  People sell their land and bring the money to the apostles to distribute to those who needed help.  Barnabas is one of those who gives a great gift to the church.

Then comes Ananias and his wife, Sapphira.  This couple decide to sell some land and give some to the apostles.  The problem is that they agree to lie about it.  They tell Peter that this was the whole amount.. when it was only a partial amount.  It would have been fine, if they only wanted to give part of the money. The problem was the lie.  In this case, Peter, by the Holy Spirit, knew it was a lie and confronted Ananias... who fell over dead.  Three hours later, Mrs. Ananias comes in and tells the same lie and she also falls over dead.  " And great fear came upon all who heard of these things." 

What would that be like in our day?  Do we ever lie to the Holy Spirit? To the church?  Do we pretend to give more than we actually do? Do we try to look good on the outside, when really we aren't fully committed on the inside?  What if the Lord judged us like He judged Ananias and Sapphira ?  Would our church services become... funerals?

What happened in Acts was a warning that was heeded!  More men and women came to the Lord!
Miracles were everywhere.  The Jewish leaders were so jealous that they arrested the apostles again.
This time the Lord sent an angel to release them and send them back out to teach in the temple once more.  They are recaptured and brought back to the chief priests who are so angry they could spit!
"We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and behold you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us"... Seems they forgot that they had said, "His blood be on us and on our children!" ( Matthew 27:25)

Peter, was such a changed man.. filled by the Holy Spirit, his answer is full of grace and truth.... "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so it the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. "

He reminded them that they had sinned and they were guilty.. but there was forgiveness available through the One they had crucified. Truth and grace.

The council still wanted to kill the apostles, but Gamaliel wisely counseled them to be careful.  If there is nothing to it, then it will blow over.. but if it is really of God.. nothing can overthrow it!
Think of that!  Here we are 2 thousand years later and it has not blown over!  God's church is living, growing, and going strong through the whole earth!  Praise the Lord!!

Father, help us to be encouraged and strengthened by Your Holy Sprit that we might boldly proclaim the truth of Christ.  May our words be filled with grace as well.  Our world is in great need of repentance and forgiveness of sins through the good news of Jesus who loves us and who delivered Himself up for all.  Today, Lord, speak through us this wonderful truth that the lost will be saved!
We ask this in the Name of our Mighty King, Jesus Christ.  Amen.