Acts 5

Acts 5:1

Others mocking. Some were amazed and bewildered; others, stubbornly skeptical, scoffed and suggested that the speakers were drunk. New wine. More exactly, sweet wine, a wine made by soaking raisins, pressing out and fermenting the juice, which was very intoxicating. Most wines of Palestine had very slight intoxicating qualities.

Acts 5:2

Peter, standing up. In the name of all the apostles. Jesus had said that Peter should receive the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:19), and they are now to be used to open its doors. With the eleven. Eleven other apostles besides himself. He now begins the first gospel sermon. He and the apostles now begin their witness to Christ.

Acts 5:3

These are not drunken. It was only the third hour, nine o’clock. The Jews at their festivals seldom ate before this hour, and as their drink was taken at a meal, could not be drunken.

Acts 5:4

This is that which was spoken. He turns to their prophets for an explanation. By the prophet Joel. Who lived about 800 B.C. See Joe 3:1-5.

Acts 5:5

It shall come to pass in the last days. The phrase “Last days” was used by the Jews to denote the last dispensation, that of Christ. See Isaiah 2:2. I will pour out of my Spirit. A figurative expression to indicate abundant gifts of the Spirit. Upon all flesh. On all races, not on the Jews alone. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. “To prophesy” in the New Testament means to communicate religious truth by divine authority, as well as to foretell the future. The prophecy was fulfilled in the inspired speaking on Pentecost and afterwards, as well as by the daughters of Philip (21:9). It will be seen that both sexes are included. See visions . . . dream dreams. Such visions as that of Peter at Joppa (Acts 10:9-16). Such dreams as that of Paul at Troas, where he saw the Macedonian asking him to “Come and help us” (Acts 16:9).

Acts 5:7

I will shew wonders in heaven. Peter not only quotes that part of the prophecy of Joel which was applicable to the events now transpiring, but he quotes that part also which pertains to the calamities coming on the Jewish nation, and to the final judgment (Joe 2:28-32). I understand Acts 2:19 to apply directly to the overthrow of Judea and Jerusalem.

Acts 5:8

The sun shall be turned into darkness. See PNT Matthew 24:29.

Acts 5:9

Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, etc. To turn to the Lord for salvation in his appointed way. It means far more than simply prayer. He who would call on the name of the Lord for salvation must do more than say, “Lord, Lord, open unto us” (Lu 13:25). He must hear and obey (Matthew 7:21).

Acts 5:10

Hear these words. Peter now begins to preach Christ directly to them. He boldly declares that they knew of his miracles, and wonders and signs. He demonstrates the Messiahship in Acts 2:22-36: (1) By the miracles of which they were witnesses. (2) By his Resurrection, proved (a) by the prophecy of David; (b) by the testimony of all the apostles present who were witnesses; (c) by the phenomena then witnessed, which could be only due to his exaltation to the right hand of God.

Acts 5:11

Being delivered by the determinate counsel. It was the will of the Father that he should die, and was known to the Father before his coming. See Isaiah 53:1-12. By wicked hands have crucified. By the hands of wicked Romans, whom they caused to crucify the Lord.

Acts 5:12

Because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. It was not possible that Jesus be held by death, because he had life in himself, and, besides, it was the Father’s will that he should arise. This verse epitomizes the four Gospels.

Acts 5:13

David speaketh. See Psalms 16:8-11.

Acts 5:15

Not leave my soul in hell. In Hades, the unseen abode of the dead. The meaning is that he would not remain under the power of death. See Psalms 16:10. David did not speak this of himself, but of the Son of David. See Acts 2:29. Thine Holy One. The Lord Jesus. The promised Messiah.

Acts 5:17

He is both dead and buried. David. His sepulcher was in their midst, within the walls of the city. All his hearers had seen it.

Acts 5:18

Knowing that God had sworn. God had promised to David that Christ should sit on his throne. See 2 Samuel 7:11-16 Psalms 89:3,4,35,37 132:11.

Acts 5:20

This Jesus hath God raised up. David foretold it; we are all witnesses of it. There were, including himself, at least twelve witnesses there who had seen the risen Lord again and again. The next point is the exaltation of Christ to a heavenly throne.

Acts 5:21

He hath shed forth this. The supernatural marvels of this wonderful day were the proof of Christ’s exaltation. He had “shed” them forth.

Acts 5:22

For. Peter now shows that David had foretold the exaltation of Christ. David . . . saith. See Psalms 110:1. Jesus quotes the same passage and applies it to himself (Matthew 23:32.). The LORD. God, the Father. My Lord. Christ. Sit thou on my right hand. See Acts 2:33. “To sit at the right hand” implies participation in the Supreme Government.

Acts 5:23

Until I make, etc. When the work of the Mediator is ended and all conquered to Christ, then all power is given up to the Father. See 1 Corinthians 15:23-28.

Acts 5:24

Therefore let all the house of Israel know, etc. This is the grand climax, the conclusion to which the whole discourse had been directed.

Acts 5:25

When they heard [this]. The conclusion, supported by such convincing demonstration. Before Peter began to speak they did not understand the signs; but now it was clear to them that they had rejected and crucified the Lord. Pricked in their heart. Convicted of their sins, and pierced with sorrow. They believed Peter’s affirmation; their faith revealed their sin in rejecting Christ. Overwhelmed with sorrow, they ask, What shall we do? Is there any way that such sinners can be pardoned?

Acts 5:26

Repent, and be baptized. For the first time the terms of pardon under the New Covenant and the Great Commission are given; given once for all time, and always the same. The convicted, broken-hearted, sorrowing sinner, believing that Jesus is the Christ, is to repent and be baptized. Repent. Not sorrow. They already sorrowed; but a change of purpose; the internal change which resolves to serve the Lord. The Greek term “metanoeo”, rendered “repent”, means a change of mind. The act of obedience in baptism is an outward expression of both faith and repentance. In the name of Jesus Christ. “Upon the name” (Revised Version). Upon the ground of the name. In submission to the authority of Jesus Christ. For the remission of sins. Thus, by complying with the conditions just named, they shall receive remission of sins. No man can receive pardon without faith and repentance, nor can he without submission to the will of Christ. Meyer says: "Eis" (for) denotes the "object" of baptism, which is the remission of the guilt contracted in the state before "metanoia" (repentance).'' And Prof. Hackett writes: “In order to the forgiveness of sins” we connect naturally with both the preceding verbs. This clause states the motive or object which should induce them to repent and be baptized.’' The gift of the Holy Spirit. Promised as a comforter to all who obey Christ, but whom “the world cannot receive” (John 14:17).

Acts 5:27

For the promise. Of pardon, and the gift of the Spirit. Unto you. Even unto those who rejected the Lord. To your children. Your children after you. To all that are afar off. To the Gentiles. That he refers to the Gentiles is shown in the next clause, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. Peter spoke as the Spirit gave him utterance, and perhaps did not fully comprehend his own words.

Acts 5:28

Save yourselves. This was the object of the “many other words”. They could “save themselves” by complying with the conditions named in Acts 2:38, and thus accepting Christ as their Savior. From this perverse generation. The wicked Jewish race.

Acts 5:29

They that gladly received his word. Every believing penitent would gladly receive it. Were baptized. Not indefinitely in the future, but that day. The same day there were added about three thousand souls. Hackett, in his “Commentary on Acts”, writes: ``It is proper to add that pools numerous and large which encircled Jerusalem, as both those still in use, and as the remains of others testify of at the present day, afforded ample means for the celebration of the rite of baptism. The habits of the East, as every traveler knows, would present no obstacle to such a use of the public reservoirs.’’ It has been objected to the immersion of the three thousand that the apostles could not have done it in one day. We are not told that the apostles only were the baptists, or even baptized at all. There were at least 120 disciples there; perhaps even more on this great day. Perhaps the Seventy were all there.

But the apostles alone could have discharged the office. There would be 250 to each one. Sixty persons have been immersed easily in an hour by one person. At this rate the whole work could have been accomplished by twelve men in about four hours. The celebrated Chrysostom, aided by his elders, baptized (immersed) 3,000 in a day in A.D. 404.

Acts 5:30

They continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine. In the things taught by the apostles. And fellowship. Contribution to the common fund and its distribution. In the breaking of bread. The Lord’s supper. From this time it is observed as an ordinance of the church. In prayers. I think the prayers of the regular worship are meant. These four items are all features of the public church life.

Acts 5:31

Fear came upon every soul. Of the unbelievers.

Acts 5:32

Had all things common. Many, perhaps most, were sojourners at, not citizens of, Jerusalem. It was needful that they remain together for the time, and while sojourning here, they threw their common funds together. Alford says: ``In order, however, rightly to understand this “community”, we may remark, “It is only found in the Church at Jerusalem”. No trace of its existence is discoverable anywhere else; on the contrary, St. Paul speaks constantly of the rich and poor. See 1 Timothy 6:17 Galatians 2:10 2 Corinthians 8:13,15 9:6,7 1 Corinthians 16:2 James 2:1-5 4:13.''

Acts 5:33

Sold their possessions. Real estate. Goods. Personal property. Parted them to all [men]. On this special liberality we may note, (1) It partly arose from the non-resident or pilgrim character of a large part of the converts. (2) It was not an obligatory rule; the laws of ownership or property were not disturbed or questioned. Even Ananias might have kept all his land unblamed.

Acts 5:34

Continuing daily . . . in the temple. They gathered there for the purpose of teaching the multitudes. Breaking bread from house to house. Eating their food from house to house. It may refer to observing the Lord’s Supper in private residences.

Acts 5:35

The Lord added to the church. This is the first time the church is named as existing. It had been founded on Pentecost. Such as should be saved. “Those that were being saved” (Revised Version). Those being saved on the conditions that the Gospel imposes the Lord added to his church.

Acts 5:37

The First Persecution SUMMARY OF ACTS 3: Peter and John at the Temple. The Lame Man Healed. The Wonder of the Multitude. Peter Preaches Christ to Them. The Prophet Like Unto Moses. Peter and John. These two apostles were very closely associated in the early work of the church. They are often named together. Into the temple. The Jewish Christians still continued to observe many of the rites of Jewish worship, and, in addition, they preached Christ to the multitudes in the temple courts. It was years before they were fully emancipated from Judaism. At the hour of prayer. The ninth hour, three o’clock p.m., the hour of the evening sacrifice, when devout Jews were accustomed to gather at the temple to pray. The miracle that follows is one of many (Acts 2:43), but is recorded because it led to the first persecution.

Acts 5:38

Laid daily at the gate . . . called Beautiful. Generally thought to be the gate opening towards the Mount of Olives. Josephus, who calls it the gate of Nicanor, describes it as wonderfully rich and beautiful (“Antiq”. 15:11). It was common for the unfortunate to be placed at gates where their condition would appeal to the multitudes entering for worship. Then, public charities were almost unknown, and the helpless were compelled to beg.

Acts 5:42

Silver and gold have I none. Though the early church had poured out its gifts abundantly, Peter had not enriched himself, and was a poor man (Acts 2:45), presenting a great contrast to the popes who claim to be his successors. It is related that Thomas Aquinas came to Rome and visited Innocent IV. He looked somewhat amazedly upon the mass of plate and treasure which he saw there. “So”, said the pope, “you see, Thomas, we cannot say as did St. Peter of old, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’” “No”, said Aquinas, “neither can you command, as did he, the lame man to arise and walk”. Peter had that which the popes have not. In the name of Jesus Christ. Christ worked his miracles in no one’s name. The power was his own, but with the apostles all things were done in Christ’s name, and the power ascribed to him.