So what *is* the Latin word for chocolate? Third, identifying this married couple as erring believers allows their treatment to become an example of Gods discipline for those within the Church. Whom did Ananias lie to? That is the only way to break out of this devilish trap. Such would not be tolerated at a time when strict discipline was required in the early stages of Israel's devotion to God. Will God extend his mercy on them? Peter did not call down judgment from heaven as some have supposed. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. We know that someday that person will ask us how things are going and we will have to tell him honestly. Before Pauls conversion this is exactly what he was doing, but from the outside. (Heres an article I did that gives biblical evidence for this.). joining the Church. Story Identification: Nanomachines Building Cities, Rename .gz files according to names in separate txt-file. His only thought was the need of other Christians and the glory of God. They were also led to humble themselves even further under the Apostles authority as they recognized that their authority could even be employed in severe judgment. Never was that more obvious than in the story of Ananias and Sapphira. Jesus ascends into the clouds. What was so wrong with their plan? The point Im making is that this shows us it was not uncommon to have Pharisees trying to come into the church and that is was not unlikely that Ananias and Sapphira could not have been Pharisees. What does put at the apostles feet mean in Acts 4:32-5:2? This isnt far fetched as the Pharisees hated the Church, persecuted it and were desperately trying to destroy it. Based on Bible scripture, we can infer/deduce that God is forgiving, gracious and compassionate but when a certain God-defined "threshold" has been reached when it comes to a person sinning then God responds with His anger to uphold Justice. c. How to serve with purity: Remember that God looks at your heart rather than your service. (Ephesians 6:5,6) Do not seek for any selfish gain out of your service: Put away all pretence and hypocrisy. But there is nowhere in the New Testament where we see God killing believers for their sins even though there were clearly believers sinning. The church needs to be strict at that critical time of beginning and growth. But perhaps their agenda was more deeper and sinister than just trying to look generous. The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also. And at once she fell down at his feet and died, P.S. Which is really more important to usto maintain the appearance of spirituality, or genuinely to be what God wants us to be? They realized that everything they had was from God, that it was given to them not for their own exclusive use, but to be shared with fellow believers. The account records their sudden deaths after lying to the Holy Spirit about money. Lukethe Spirit-inspired historian who wrote the Book of Actstells us in Acts 5:1; But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession (Acts 5:1). They also need to be honest with God. How do I fit an e-hub motor axle that is too big? he saved some. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. Can we infer anything about the ultimate eternal fate of Ananias and Sapphira? When Jesus says "your sins are forgiven", how is that reconciled with the sacrificial system established in the old testament? 6:10), the household of God (Eph. Should faith and works be separated in salvation? Ananias presented his donation to Peter. No Christian husband and wife can be an island to themselves. Ananias and Sapphira demonstrated profound disingenuousness great contempt for God in their actions, unlike everyone else. Ask your mate whether or not it is easy to be honest with you. The church is not composed of perfect people, but sins including pride and deceit will eventually be dealt with. This was all in a public place, just like it was in Acts 5. So God is just in judging the unbeliever if He decides to, just as He did with Ananias and Sapphira. To see this, one must consider the case of Simon the magician. We may even be tempted to accuse God of overreacting with undue harshness. God takes something that is true in the kingdom of God and puts it on physical display. But Scripture goes on to say that they were of one soul as well, and that is something entirely different. Scriptures about Gods ultimate judgment towards unbelievers. This is most amazing. Centred between two attacks from without (ch. In each case. If he thinks he is coming out on the short end, he quarrels and complains until he gets what he thinks he deserves. And for every member who operates in the power of the flesh rather than the Spirit, for every one who lives for the praise of men rather than for the glory of God, the effectiveness of Christs church is reduced so much the more. And no one can fool God. He does not seem to act that way now. Most of us felt, assuming they were born again believers, they did. In Luke 21:1-4 Jesus draws His disciples attention to the way people were giving into the temple treasury. (2 Peter 3:9). Ananias and Sapphira saw it and longed for it, and that is where their trouble began. The result of this unselfish spirit was great power and blessing on the entire church. The Death of Sapphira, by Ambrosius Francken the Elder Ananias ( / nna.s /; Hebrew: , romanized : Chnanyah) and his wife Sapphira ( / sfar /; Hebrew: , romanized : afrah) were, according to the biblical New Testament in Acts of the Apostles chapter 5, members of the early Christian church in Jerusalem. We have the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, and the death of Herod in Acts 12 for his wickedness. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. So why did Ananias and Sapphira? 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. For example, Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sold a plot of land and donated the proceeds to the apostles. Pretend! He was pastor of Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido, CA from 1972 to 1993 when the Lord called him home. his spirit, than he who captures a city. (Romans 3 and 5). Cultivating the appearance alone leads to deathdeath to further spiritual growth, death to usefulness in the family of God, and death to a growing relationship with each other as husbands and wives. And I think it was a premeditated plan that was orchestrated by the sect of Pharisees. Many people do a lot worse and God doesnt kill them. Chapter 5 Ananias and Sapphira ( Acts 5:1-42) Chapter 5 Ananias and Sapphira (. But that becomes even more obvious to us when we learn that their confidence for the future was in their bank account rather than in the Lord. Peter stated that Ananias had lied not to men, but to God. They thought alike, they had deep feelings for each other, and they made decisions that reflected their mutual care and concern. Each partner is keeping score of who gives in the most, who gets the most attention, who shows the most appreciation, who has the most faults, or some other trivial area of contention. Is imputed righteousness a lie? Richard, was a 1954 graduate of Wheaton College, and received his Th.M. Depression, fear, insecurity, condemnation, low self esteem, insignificance, and powerless tendencies all attack the child of God that does not have the revelation of salvation by grace through faith in the completed work of the cross of Calvary that Jesus has accomplished. A penetrating question lingers in our minds after we have drawn the curtain on the life of Ananias and Sapphira. Do you think that Ananias and Sapphira went to heaven or did that one lie condemn them to hell? Why or why not? So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. Theirs was a grievous miscalculation before God, one that might have seriously compromised Christ's church in its infancy. Is Water Baptism necessary for Salvation? Thats why God doesnt just wipe out the whole planet even though there is so much sin and evil. 4. They sent Ananias and Sapphira to infiltrate the Church but when they saw what happened to them, none of the rest of them dared join the Church for fear of the same fate. Ananias and Sapphira may have agreed together in their deceitful plan, but evidently they never admitted the sinfulness of it to one another or to God. They just gave the money and said nothing about what percentage of the total sale price it represented. Sis Johns, Hi! But right now there is mercy in hope that people will turn to Christ. (Also in this book, see pp. They sent Ananias and Sapphira to infiltrate the Church but when they saw what happened to them, none of the rest of them dared join the Church for fear of the same fate. Was all mankind forgiven at the Cross or must each person receive forgiveness? You are assuming Ananias/Sapphira were saved. With all he could do there was a certain awkwardness and stumblingness . By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. lovingkindness. Those early Christians sensed a spiritual bond at the deepest level of their lives. And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Luke, in Acts 2:37-47, presents the first church as a utopia devoted to the love of God and each other, so much so that members began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. When one considers this initial expression of the church alongside the corruption in the Corinthian Church and many of the other churches spoken of in the New Testament (NT), one is forced to consider the cause. - Greed caused the rebellious to "keep back" a part of the spoils. And we can be grateful for that! Husbands and wives can begin by being honest with each other. And, it is certainly possible that these two were overwhelmed by temporary greed, but were otherwise faithul. Does Acts 5:3-4 equate the Holy Spirit with God. 1:22, 23), the household of faith (Gal. People who you'll probably never meet, this side of heaven. But this is only at the very end of the age. See chapter 4, Grace as a Double Cure, in my recent book on grace, Set Free! However, it is not clear at all from the terse narrative of Ananias' and Sapphira's deaths that this couple received salvation. He gives of himself only to get something in return, and he usually keeps track of how much he gets. So why is this event so important to the Church in the New Covenant? It was no grandstand play with him. They were numbered among that powerful, caring community of believers. He states that, "The story aims for gallows humor, but we read Acts in a different place today. But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. "When men want to impose unity, there are problems. He had to act decisively. Does not seem to act that way now gives of himself only to get in... Person receive forgiveness hope that people will turn to Christ the Cross or each! 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