JBF Acts Bible Study                                                                                Lecture 6

ONE IN HEART AND MIND

Acts 4:32-5:16

Key Verse 4:32 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”

Read 4:32-37. What was the common purpose and goal of the believers? (33) What was their attitude toward each other? Toward material things?  How did they come to be so unified? Who was Joseph Barnabas? (9:26-27; 11:22-26)  In what way was he exemplary and a source of encouragement?   

Read 5:1-4. What did Ananias and Sapphira do? Why? For what did Peter rebuke Ananias? What does this tell about the nature of the church (1Ti 3:15; 4:1) 

Read 5:5-11. What happened to Ananias and to Sapphira? How did this affect the church? (11,13 and 14) Explain the meaning of “fear” in these verses (See Ex 20:20; Pr 1:7; Ac 9:31).

Read 5:12-16. Were the disciples discouraged by the event of Ananias and Sapphira? How did the apostles’ ministry continue to reveal Jesus’ love? Why were people afraid to join them? How could their numbers grow anyway?