Grietje Commelin

“Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last.” (Acts 5:10) The passage above paints a dreadful picture. After Ananias first fell dead and was immediately buried, his wife Sapphira now also died at Peter’s feet. This was a very dark day in the history of the church. And yet… this story is … Lees meer

“And Peter said to her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.’ And she said, ‘Yes, for so much.’” (Acts 5:8) Yesterday we saw that the deception of Ananias and Sapphira was not an isolated incident. They allowed Satan to use them to attack the unity and purity of the church. Yet … Lees meer

“Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?’” (Acts 5:3) The book of Acts tells how the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost. This was a significant moment in the conflict between good and … Lees meer

“But Peter said, ‘You have not lied to man but to God.’ When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.” (Acts 5:3-5) The idyllic picture of a loving church in which everyone shares with one another is suddenly disrupted by the … Lees meer

“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.” (Acts 4:32) Jesus’ desire for His followers was that they would be brought to complete unity (see John 17:22–23). … Lees meer

“As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them […] and they arrested them and put them in custody.” (Acts 4:1-3) The speeches of Jesus’ disciples attracted a great deal of attention. This was further reinforced by the miracles performed in His name … Lees meer

“And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.” (Acts 2:43) When the Lord Jesus gave His disciples the command to proclaim the gospel everywhere, He promised to always be with them, even to the end of the age. In the book of Acts, His presence becomes … Lees meer

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42 ESV) The final pillar on which a healthy church rests is prayer. For we seek not only fellowship with one another, but above all with God. Prayer is a powerful means for this. We … Lees meer

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42 ESV) The first Christians regularly shared meals together. This was more than simply an enjoyable communal meal. The “breaking of bread” refers to the Lord’s Supper, which Jesus Himself instituted. Shortly before He died, … Lees meer