BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

The new community of Spirit-empowered Jesus followers—which, like the temple, is where Heaven and Earth unite—is welcoming more and more people each day. Still, trouble breaks out from both inside and out.

First, the inside threat. Ananias and Sapphira sell land for the community’s benefit, but then lie about it to increase profits for themselves. Their deception opposes the truth-telling way of Jesus, so God steps in with severe judgment and handles the corrupting threat.

Then, outside pressure mounts. Jerusalem’s temple leaders arrest the apostles. When they are miraculously set free to preach once again, the leaders condemn them to a brutal flogging. But this only emboldens the apostles, and they proclaim Jesus with even more enthusiasm. Watch today’s video to explore how threats from the outside often encourage the spread of Jesus’ good news.

Then, another challenge from within emerges as community growth introduces new conflict. The Jewish widows are receiving preferential treatment, while the Greek-speaking widows suffer. The apostles, needing to focus their time on proclaiming the message of Jesus’ Kingdom, equip and entrust the community to solve this injustice. The Greek-speakers choose seven trusted representatives, all with Greek names, to ensure that these vulnerable women receive mutual, loving care rather than being treated as less-than.

Despite the trouble brewing, the new temple continues to grow. Nothing can quench the fire of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ Kingdom is proclaimed in Jerusalem just as he foretold!

Reflection Questions

• Take a moment to review the story of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-11. What parallels do you notice to the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11? How might these hyperlinks help you understand the weighty responsibility of God’s representatives and their work in the sacred places where God’s presence dwells?
• Compare the story of Stephen’s trial (Acts 6) to the story of Jesus’ trial (Mark 14:53-65). What common features do you notice? How might these hyperlinks contribute to the continuity between Jesus’ mission and his disciples’ mission in Luke-Acts?