21 March - Acts 5

Today we’re in Acts 5 for the Tattoo Church Reading Plan. Here are some things to think about:

1. Well, this chapter opens up with a rather cheerful story doesn’t it? People falling dead for lying. 
2. Then we read about how God empowered the apostles (who were previously his apprentices) to heal the sick and afflicted. 
3. The religious leaders arrested Peter and the apostles for telling people about Jesus but an angel set them free during the night. The apostles started preaching again first thing in the morning and of course were arrested again and told to stop teaching about Jesus. They refused and were beaten and told again to stop preaching about Jesus. They continued still.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira sounds a bit tough on a couple for not dropping some money in a bucket. Doesn’t it? But honestly, the reason for Ananias and Sapphira dropping dead was not simply because they didn’t give enough (or that they had horrible names); they died because they intentionally lied to God and their leaders. God showed the early followers of Jesus a way to live in perfect community and these two thought they would cheat their friends and God then lie about it to cover it up. God had to take drastic action so that the newly formed community would know this was not how to act.

This chapter ends with telling us about how the apostles were persecuted by the religious leaders. In verse 28 they reveal one of the main reasons they hated the apostles, they didn’t want the apostles telling everyone they were guilty of having Jesus killed. I guess that would make conversations at the local market a bit tense for them. The religious leaders wanted to kill the apostles. It’s interesting that the religious leaders tell the apostles to stop teaching about Jesus, even beat them, but they continued. 

What is your take on how the early followers of Jesus lived together? Is this kind of close community something you would want to be a part of? It is exactly what we are hoping for and seeing with Tattoo Church (minus people falling dead, which is a good thing we think). If you want to find out how you can be more involved in this Tattoo Church family check out the website www.tattoochurch.com  If you want to know how to make an immediate impact check out our partner site www.thickerthanblood.org Thicker Than Blood raises money to help tattooers or their families who are in need due to a personal tragedy or emergency. We believe there is no better way to get connected than to serve with others in our community. We should take care of our own.