1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. 7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”
As the young church began to grow, the grace of God was clearly evident in the growing church. Acts 4:32—37 recounts a church that was absolutely united, with one purpose in mind; that is, to make the Gospel known. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the apostles, when the Gospel was preached. Moreover, this new “Message of God’s Love” was validated through their way of life. But this was short lived, until Ananias and his wife Sapphira. What were they thinking? Did their hearts crave the publicity and popularity that Barnabas was receiving (Acts 4:36—37)? Were they also trying to get on the good books of the Apostles? After all, it was evident that Barnabas was noticed by the Apostles, and was quickly rising up the ranks (Acts 4:36). Did it not dawn on them the seriousness of the act that they were about to undertake? Did they not calculate the consequence of their action? Wouldn’t we all wish that we were there to warn Mr. A and Mrs. S?
So quick to judge are we for what they did. But are we not in the same boat as they? How many time have we deceived ourselves, the exact same thing that they did? How many times has Satan filled our hearts to lie to the Holy Spirit? Just as they (vs.3)? Their foolish action to lie to the Holy Spirit, for a momentary satisfaction of popularity, reaped immediate repercussion. And thus, great fear came over all who heard of it (vss. 5, 11). May God awaken us from our spiritual lethargy, and teach us to live before Him with reverence and fear. May He also grant us the grace be sincere in our worship.
Stephen Thomas
Stephen is an
ordained Christian Minister and a Bible teacher who is a mentor to several
youth leaders in Crossway Church and around the globe. He is a regular visiting
Speaker in Crossway Church, New Delhi. He can be reached at stephenthomas6400@hotmail.com
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