The Meaning of the Number Three in Scripture—Part 8

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Introduction and Review

This is the eighth part of a series that examines the number three and how it categorizes themes in Scripture. The previous lesson studied the resurrection and its association with this number. (Links to all articles in this series are listed at the end of this installment.)

This lesson will explore additional topics in the Book of Acts and their association with the number three.

Peter confronted Ananias about lying to the Holy Spirit.
Aubin Vouet - La mort de Saphire et d'ananie

As It Concerns Ananias and Sapphira

Once again, the Holy Spirit is the main character in Acts chapter five. The chapter begins with Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, lying to the Holy Spirit and their subsequent deaths.

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? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? 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. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?

— Acts 5:3-9

The above text mentions a three-hour interval between Ananias and Sapphira's confrontation, suggesting a spiritual confrontation.

Three is also associated with the concept of arising, which will be further examined in another section. It is a word sandwiched between two mentions of the Holy Spirit about the men who take their bodies to be buried.

There is also a mention of God between the two mentions of the Holy Spirit. Technically, then, God is noted three times in this section. He is identified as the Holy Spirit in two instances, and in one, He is recognized as God.

The Holy Spirit is noted expressly three times in the entire chapter. It will be examined in connection with the theme of three: life, resurrection, and spiritual matters.

The top image depicts the apostles resurrected from prison. The second image is of Jesus resurrected from the grave by James Tissot.
Brooklyn Museum

More On Acts Chapter Five

After the incidents with Ananias and Saphira, the text in Acts chapter five continues with the themes of signs, wonders, and healings at the Apostles' hands. These were all considered works of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles are soon met with resistance by the High Priest and all who were with him.

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy, they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

— Acts 5:17-21

This scene and the language used to describe it in the above-recorded Scripture are reminiscent of Jesus in the tomb.

... as the first day of the week began to dawn ... And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it ... the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen
— Matthew 28:2

In both accounts, we see three features in keeping with these categories: an angel of the Lord, daybreak, and prison doors opened/stone rolled away.

After the apostles were resurrected and released from their prison experience, the religious rulers of the time were perplexed about how to contain and suppress them from preaching and teaching about Jesus. The apostles were brought again before the council to be questioned and admonished to cease their doings. Peter replies with references again connected to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
— Acts 5:29-32

Once again, three themes are evident: raising, exalting God, and the Holy Spirit.

The rulers were ready to kill the apostles until Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, stepped in to reason with them.

... in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but" if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”
— Acts 5:38

He concludes the entire chapter's theme concerning God's works and the Holy Spirit, categorized by number three. He understands that earthly human hands could not possibly be exhibiting these powerful events.

Paul's Third Missionary Journey

Paul is recorded in Ephesus during his third missionary journey, from Acts 18:23 to 21:14. Acts chapter 19 begins with three mentions of the Holy Spirit.

Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples, he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”

So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them,

The Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke with tongues
and prophesied.

— Ephesians 19:1-6

Lynn Cohick writes in "Bible Study Magazine" about this third journey and the theme of the Holy Spirit and the power of God as displayed through the preaching of the gospel.

"Paul's time in Ephesus provides a snapshot of various ministry challenges he faced during his life. The common denominator of these experiences is the revolutionary power of the gospel.

The Holy Spirit transformed believers (19:1-10).
The power of God worked to heal and to exorcise demons (19:11-22),
and the truth of the gospel shook the foundations of a stronghold of paganism (19:23-20:1)

... Paul's teachings on the gospel were persuasive, and God's power was demonstrated by healings. The account in Acts 19:11-20 provides evidence that Jesus, and not magic, is the supreme authority over all things in heaven and earth ...The gospel unleashes the power of God through the Holy Spirit. Those with only the knowledge of John's Baptism receive fullness in the Spirit. Those who try to lasso the Spirit's power are overcome by the very forces they try to subdue."

Ruth Anne Reese, from "Bible Study" magazine, also writes the following.

"In Acts, whatever barriers the apostles encounter while spreading the good news are overcome in the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God."

Three letters were written during this third journey. These were I Corinthians, II Corinthians, and Romans, the first three of all the Epistles.

Ephesians, next, records that Paul spent three months teaching in the synagogues.

And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
— Ephesians 19:8

Paul spent three years in Ephesus.

Stephen Witmer explains the connection between this third journey and resurrection.

"... the kingdom of God has now come through Jesus and his resurrection, and God's life-giving power is working through Paul as the kingdom advances."

Sources used for all parts of this series can be found in Part 20, the final installment.