Acts 5:11 - Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.
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What does "Acts 5:11" mean?
Acts 5:11, "Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things," is a significant verse that speaks to the impact of God's judgment on Ananias and Sapphira. To understand its full meaning, we need to consider the context:
The Context: Ananias and Sapphira's Sin: Ananias and Sapphira, members of the early church, sold a piece of property and claimed to donate the full amount to the apostles. However, they secretly kept back a portion for themselves. They lied to the Holy Spirit and to the apostles about the donation. As a result, Peter, guided by the Holy Spirit, exposed their deception, and they both fell down dead.
"Great Fear" (φόβος μέγας): The "great fear" is not just ordinary fear. It's a deep sense of awe, reverence, and a realization of the power and holiness of God. This fear combines elements of:
Respect: Recognizing God's authority and the seriousness of disobeying Him.
Reverence: Standing in awe of God's holiness and justice.
Terror: Understanding the consequences of sin and the potential for divine judgment.
Sobriety: A sobering awareness of the reality of spiritual things and the importance of truthfulness and integrity.
"The Whole Assembly" (ἐκκλησίαν ὅλην): This refers to the entire community of believers in Jerusalem at that time. The judgment on Ananias and Sapphira was not a private matter; it had a profound effect on the entire church.
"All Who Heard These Things" (πάντας τοὺς ἀκούοντας ταῦτα): This indicates that the news of this event spread beyond the immediate community of believers. It suggests that those outside the church, who heard about the judgment, were also affected by a sense of awe and fear.
In Summary:
The verse "Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things" means that:
The sudden and severe judgment on Ananias and Sapphira instilled a profound sense of awe, reverence, and fear of God within the entire early church.
This event served as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, His hatred of hypocrisy and deceit, and the consequences of sin.
The news of this judgment spread beyond the church, affecting those who heard about it with a sense of the reality and power of God.
The event acted as a deterrent against similar behavior and promoted a deeper commitment to honesty and integrity within the community of believers.
It highlights the importance of genuine faith and wholehearted devotion in serving God.
Theological Implications:
God's Holiness and Justice: The event underscores the holiness and justice of God, who cannot tolerate sin, even in His own people.
The Seriousness of Hypocrisy: It highlights the dangers of hypocrisy and deceit in the Christian life.
The Power of the Holy Spirit: The incident demonstrates the power and discernment of the Holy Spirit in the early church.
The Integrity of the Church: It emphasizes the need for integrity and truthfulness within the Christian community.
In essence, Acts 5:11 reveals a pivotal moment in the early church where God's power and holiness were dramatically displayed, leading to a profound sense of reverence and fear that shaped the community's commitment to integrity and devotion.
Acts 5:11 - Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.
What does "Acts 5:11" mean?
Acts 5:11, "Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things," is a significant verse that speaks to the impact of God's judgment on Ananias and Sapphira. To understand its full meaning, we need to consider the context:
The Context: Ananias and Sapphira's Sin: Ananias and Sapphira, members of the early church, sold a piece of property and claimed to donate the full amount to the apostles. However, they secretly kept back a portion for themselves. They lied to the Holy Spirit and to the apostles about the donation. As a result, Peter, guided by the Holy Spirit, exposed their deception, and they both fell down dead.
"Great Fear" (φόβος μέγας): The "great fear" is not just ordinary fear. It's a deep sense of awe, reverence, and a realization of the power and holiness of God. This fear combines elements of:
Respect: Recognizing God's authority and the seriousness of disobeying Him.
Reverence: Standing in awe of God's holiness and justice.
Terror: Understanding the consequences of sin and the potential for divine judgment.
Sobriety: A sobering awareness of the reality of spiritual things and the importance of truthfulness and integrity.
"The Whole Assembly" (ἐκκλησίαν ὅλην): This refers to the entire community of believers in Jerusalem at that time. The judgment on Ananias and Sapphira was not a private matter; it had a profound effect on the entire church.
"All Who Heard These Things" (πάντας τοὺς ἀκούοντας ταῦτα): This indicates that the news of this event spread beyond the immediate community of believers. It suggests that those outside the church, who heard about the judgment, were also affected by a sense of awe and fear.
In Summary:
The verse "Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things" means that:
The sudden and severe judgment on Ananias and Sapphira instilled a profound sense of awe, reverence, and fear of God within the entire early church.
This event served as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, His hatred of hypocrisy and deceit, and the consequences of sin.
The news of this judgment spread beyond the church, affecting those who heard about it with a sense of the reality and power of God.
The event acted as a deterrent against similar behavior and promoted a deeper commitment to honesty and integrity within the community of believers.
It highlights the importance of genuine faith and wholehearted devotion in serving God.
Theological Implications:
God's Holiness and Justice: The event underscores the holiness and justice of God, who cannot tolerate sin, even in His own people.
The Seriousness of Hypocrisy: It highlights the dangers of hypocrisy and deceit in the Christian life.
The Power of the Holy Spirit: The incident demonstrates the power and discernment of the Holy Spirit in the early church.
The Integrity of the Church: It emphasizes the need for integrity and truthfulness within the Christian community.
In essence, Acts 5:11 reveals a pivotal moment in the early church where God's power and holiness were dramatically displayed, leading to a profound sense of reverence and fear that shaped the community's commitment to integrity and devotion.