The Fellowship of the Believers

42 And (A)they devoted themselves to the apostles' (B)teaching and the (C)fellowship, to (D)the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and (E)many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and (F)had all things in common. 45 And (G)they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, (H)attending the temple (I)together and (J)breaking bread in their homes, they received their food (K)with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and (L)having favor with all the people. And the Lord (M)added to their number (N)day by day those who (O)were being saved.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 2:43 Or fear

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching(A) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread(B) and to prayer.(C) 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.(D) 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.(E) 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.(F) 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.(G) They broke bread(H) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.(I) And the Lord added to their number(J) daily those who were being saved.

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They Had Everything in Common

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of (A)one heart and (B)soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but (C)they had everything in common. 33 And with great (D)power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and (E)great grace was upon them all. 34 (F)There was not a needy person among them, for (G)as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and (H)laid it at the apostles' feet, and (I)it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means (J)son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and (K)laid it at the apostles' feet.

Ananias and Sapphira

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge (L)he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and (M)laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (N)Satan filled your heart to lie (O)to the Holy Spirit and (P)to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but (Q)to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he (R)fell down and breathed his last. And (S)great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and (T)wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you[a] sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together (U)to test (V)the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And (W)great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 5:8 The Greek for you is plural here

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.(A) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(B) to the resurrection(C) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(D) was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,(E) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(F) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(G)

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(H) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(I)

Ananias and Sapphira

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(J) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(K)

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(L) has so filled your heart(M) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(N) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(O) Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(P) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(Q)

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(R) And great fear(S) seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(T) and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”(U)

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(V) Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.(W) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(X) 11 Great fear(Y) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.