Ananias and Sapphira
1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
1. Was there something wrong with this couple keeping back half the money for the sale of the property?
They had the right to do what they wanted to with the money, but Barnabus and others had brought the full amounts for their sales, and Ananias and Sapphira lied about being the full amount.
2. Why would they lie about this?
They were looking for recognition. They were giving for the wrong reason and then also selfish. It showed a spiritual problem with this couple.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Matt 6:1 (NASB)
3. Ok so the fudged a bit on the numbers, but why should they die for a little mistake, after all were only human?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Prov 1:7 (NIV)
God was establishing discipline in the early church. When we studied the tabernacle we saw that even the high priest, if his did not follow the procedures exactly as God prescribed he was struck dead. We live in a period of grace today and have this popular view of God being a grandfather figure in the sky who just winks at our sin and pats us on the head. Not so, Christians are subject to discipline today just as the Hebrew’s were. God is a God of love and also a God of judgment and severity.
There was a holiness of life in the church. Ananias and Sapphira, although they were saved, lied to the Holy Spirit and were removed from the company of believers. They had committed the sin unto death.
“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it” 1John 5:16.
This was a sin unto death which Ananias and Sapphira committed. This kind of sin could not exist in the early church.—J. Vernon
McGee’s Thru The Bible
I believe this is especially true of sin which may affect other believers and the rest of the church. “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)
4. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. Wouldn’t this kind of fear paralyze the church?
12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.
Healthy fear, fear that keeps you from making mistakes. High voltage.
The Apostles Heal Many
5. Is this counterproductive, that fear caused people to not join with the believers who were meeting at Solomon’s Colonnade.
Many times signs and wonders attract people who just want the healing and not the source of the healing, they want to see magic tricks, they are there to see what they can get out of all this drama, but not for authentic spiritual purposes. The mega churched are an example of thousands of people coming for entertainment.
” The Story Of Two Russian Soldiers Who Did Not Want To Worship With Hypocrites.
They were singing choruses when the two soldiers entered with rifles. The service came to a halt as the Russian soldiers stared at the believers with wild eyes.
“What are you doing here?” they shouted. “Worshipping your imaginary God?” The church members cowered in the pews, wondering if there were more soldiers and more guns outside.”All those who are faithful to God, move to the right side of the church,” said one of the soldiers, his face a mask of hatred. “You will be shot for your faith. You who wish to go home and keep your life, stand on the left side. You must decide to live or die. Those who are faithful to this ‘God’ will die. Those who deny him can live freely.”Ten minutes earlier, everyone had sung praises equally. Now it was a question of life and death. Some stood to the left, looking sadly or waving apologetically to those on the right. Some stood on the right, their eyes closed in last-minute prayers.
“You on the left are free to go,” one of the soldiers said moments later. Those people filed out, taking one last look at those who would soon be dead. When only those on the right remained, the soldiers put down their weapons. “We, too, are Christians,” they said, “but we wish to worship without hypocrites”
6. Peter’s shadow fell on people and they were healed? I thought Benny Hinn tells us we need to have faith?
Many times people were healed who didn’t even know who Jesus was and it was the healing that showed that Jesus was acting in as Sovereign God.
The Apostles Persecuted
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.
7. How is it that God can violate the universal laws of physics and do things like bringing people out of locked doors without opening?
The unbelieving world has a hard time with this concept, but it goes back to the basic presuppositions and definitions of God.
Gen 1:1 In the beginningH7225GodH430 createdH1254 (H853) the heavenH8064and the earth.H776. H 1254 “Bara” means out of nothing. H853 “Eth”himself.
The universal law of cause and effect. The cause is always greater than the effect, and the cause cannot be part of the effect. The effect is the universe, and God is the cause.
That violates another universal law, that out of nothing, nothing comes.
20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.” 21 At daybreak they
entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin–the full assembly of the elders of Israel–and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead–whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
8. Why does Peter bring up the “God of our fathers”?
He continually ties Jesus to the Old Testament. The God of Abraham, Isaacs, Jacob, David, and all the scripture that related to the messiah.
22 “If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance. Deut 21:22-23 (NASB)
The contrast between the cursing of God and the raising of Jesus from the dead reflects upon the Sanhedrin itself, and makes there crime greater.
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
9. Who is this Gamaliel and why is he important?
Gamaliel, from the Hebrew meaning reward of God, was a grandson of the famous scholar Hillel, and a prominent teacher in his own right. He was a highly knowledgeable Pharisee, and a leading member of the Sanhedrin through the reigns of the Roman emperors Tiberius (who was emperor at the time of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ), Caligula, and Claudius (see Ancient Empires – Rome). Gamaliel died about 52
A.D., 18 years before the Fall of Jerusalem In 70 A.D.
When the apostles were arrested for preaching the Gospel, Gamaliel, although not a Christian, was directly responsible for saving their lives. His logic remains as relevant today as nearly 2,000 years ago: “keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, 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 5:38-39 RSV)
Saul of Tarsus who later became Paul the apostle was a student of Gamaliel.
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
10. By the way, whatever happened to these Apostles? Did they retire and move to Florida?
James, the son of Zebedee and the elder brother of John was killed with a sword by Herod Agrippa.
Philip, the disciple from Bethsaida was beaten thrown into prison and then crucified in Heliopolis.
Matthew the tax collector was preaching in Ethiopia when he was killed with a sword.
James the brother of Jesus at age 94 was beaten , stoned and then had his brains bashed out with a fullers club.
Matthias the Apostle who took Judas’s place was stoned and then beheaded
Andrew the brother of Peter preached the gospel throughout Asia and was arrested and crucified at Edessa. St. Andrews Cross.
Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria in front of Serapis their pagan idol.
Peter was crucified upside down.
Paul was beheaded in Rome.
Jude the brother of James was crucified.
Bartholomew translated the gospel of Matthew in the language of India, and was beaten to death in India.
Thomas called Didymus preached the gospel in Parthia and India and was thrust through with a spear by an angry pagan priest.
Luke was hanged on an olive tree by idolatrous priest in Greece.
Barnabus of Cyprus was martyred in 73 A.D.
Simon the Zealot preached in Mauritania and Africa and eventually got to Britain where he was crucified in 74 A.D.
John was taken from Ephesus to Rome where he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped without injury, and later the emperor Domition had him banished to the Isle of Patmos.
During this period over 2000 Christians were martyred in Jerusalem alone.
Ananias and Sapphira
1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
1. Was there something wrong with this couple keeping back half the money for the sale of the property?
They had the right to do what they wanted to with the money, but Barnabus and others had brought the full amounts for their sales, and Ananias and Sapphira lied about being the full amount.
2. Why would they lie about this?
They were looking for recognition. They were giving for the wrong reason and then also selfish. It showed a spiritual problem with this couple.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Matt 6:1 (NASB)
3. Ok so the fudged a bit on the numbers, but why should they die for a little mistake, after all were only human?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Prov 1:7 (NIV)
God was establishing discipline in the early church. When we studied the tabernacle we saw that even the high priest, if his did not follow the procedures exactly as God prescribed he was struck dead. We live in a period of grace today and have this popular view of God being a grandfather figure in the sky who just winks at our sin and pats us on the head. Not so, Christians are subject to discipline today just as the Hebrew’s were. God is a God of love and also a God of judgment and severity.
There was a holiness of life in the church. Ananias and Sapphira, although they were saved, lied to the Holy Spirit and were removed from the company of believers. They had committed the sin unto death.
“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it” 1John 5:16.
This was a sin unto death which Ananias and Sapphira committed. This kind of sin could not exist in the early church.—J. Vernon
McGee’s Thru The Bible
I believe this is especially true of sin which may affect other believers and the rest of the church. “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)
4. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. Wouldn’t this kind of fear paralyze the church?
12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.
Healthy fear, fear that keeps you from making mistakes. High voltage.
The Apostles Heal Many
5. Is this counterproductive, that fear caused people to not join with the believers who were meeting at Solomon’s Colonnade.
Many times signs and wonders attract people who just want the healing and not the source of the healing, they want to see magic tricks, they are there to see what they can get out of all this drama, but not for authentic spiritual purposes. The mega churched are an example of thousands of people coming for entertainment.
” The Story Of Two Russian Soldiers Who Did Not Want To Worship With Hypocrites.
They were singing choruses when the two soldiers entered with rifles. The service came to a halt as the Russian soldiers stared at the believers with wild eyes.
“What are you doing here?” they shouted. “Worshipping your imaginary God?” The church members cowered in the pews, wondering if there were more soldiers and more guns outside.”All those who are faithful to God, move to the right side of the church,” said one of the soldiers, his face a mask of hatred. “You will be shot for your faith. You who wish to go home and keep your life, stand on the left side. You must decide to live or die. Those who are faithful to this ‘God’ will die. Those who deny him can live freely.”Ten minutes earlier, everyone had sung praises equally. Now it was a question of life and death. Some stood to the left, looking sadly or waving apologetically to those on the right. Some stood on the right, their eyes closed in last-minute prayers.
“You on the left are free to go,” one of the soldiers said moments later. Those people filed out, taking one last look at those who would soon be dead. When only those on the right remained, the soldiers put down their weapons. “We, too, are Christians,” they said, “but we wish to worship without hypocrites”
6. Peter’s shadow fell on people and they were healed? I thought Benny Hinn tells us we need to have faith?
Many times people were healed who didn’t even know who Jesus was and it was the healing that showed that Jesus was acting in as Sovereign God.
The Apostles Persecuted
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.
7. How is it that God can violate the universal laws of physics and do things like bringing people out of locked doors without opening?
The unbelieving world has a hard time with this concept, but it goes back to the basic presuppositions and definitions of God.
Gen 1:1 In the beginningH7225GodH430 createdH1254 (H853) the heavenH8064and the earth.H776. H 1254 “Bara” means out of nothing. H853 “Eth”himself.
The universal law of cause and effect. The cause is always greater than the effect, and the cause cannot be part of the effect. The effect is the universe, and God is the cause.
That violates another universal law, that out of nothing, nothing comes.
20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.” 21 At daybreak they
entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin–the full assembly of the elders of Israel–and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead–whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
8. Why does Peter bring up the “God of our fathers”?
He continually ties Jesus to the Old Testament. The God of Abraham, Isaacs, Jacob, David, and all the scripture that related to the messiah.
22 “If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance. Deut 21:22-23 (NASB)
The contrast between the cursing of God and the raising of Jesus from the dead reflects upon the Sanhedrin itself, and makes there crime greater.
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
9. Who is this Gamaliel and why is he important?
Gamaliel, from the Hebrew meaning reward of God, was a grandson of the famous scholar Hillel, and a prominent teacher in his own right. He was a highly knowledgeable Pharisee, and a leading member of the Sanhedrin through the reigns of the Roman emperors Tiberius (who was emperor at the time of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ), Caligula, and Claudius (see Ancient Empires – Rome). Gamaliel died about 52
A.D., 18 years before the Fall of Jerusalem In 70 A.D.
When the apostles were arrested for preaching the Gospel, Gamaliel, although not a Christian, was directly responsible for saving their lives. His logic remains as relevant today as nearly 2,000 years ago: “keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, 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 5:38-39 RSV)
Saul of Tarsus who later became Paul the apostle was a student of Gamaliel.
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
10. By the way, whatever happened to these Apostles? Did they retire and move to Florida?
James, the son of Zebedee and the elder brother of John was killed with a sword by Herod Agrippa.
Philip, the disciple from Bethsaida was beaten thrown into prison and then crucified in Heliopolis.
Matthew the tax collector was preaching in Ethiopia when he was killed with a sword.
James the brother of Jesus at age 94 was beaten , stoned and then had his brains bashed out with a fullers club.
Matthias the Apostle who took Judas’s place was stoned and then beheaded
Andrew the brother of Peter preached the gospel throughout Asia and was arrested and crucified at Edessa. St. Andrews Cross.
Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria in front of Serapis their pagan idol.
Peter was crucified upside down.
Paul was beheaded in Rome.
Jude the brother of James was crucified.
Bartholomew translated the gospel of Matthew in the language of India, and was beaten to death in India.
Thomas called Didymus preached the gospel in Parthia and India and was thrust through with a spear by an angry pagan priest.
Luke was hanged on an olive tree by idolatrous priest in Greece.
Barnabus of Cyprus was martyred in 73 A.D.
Simon the Zealot preached in Mauritania and Africa and eventually got to Britain where he was crucified in 74 A.D.
John was taken from Ephesus to Rome where he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped without injury, and later the emperor Domition had him banished to the Isle of Patmos.
During this period over 2000 Christians were martyred in Jerusalem alone.
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
10 Major periods of persecution under the Roman emperors.
Then after the Roman Empire became “Christian” during the reign of Constantine persecution continued against “heretics”. Christians died for their belief in Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East in various “Inquisitions”. The bible was taken away from the common folk and all authority concerning spiritual matters was centralized in Rome.
The above post may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is being made available in an effort to advance the understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, social justice, for the purpose of historical debate, and to advance the understanding of Christian conservative issues. It is believed that this constitutes a ”fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the Copyright Law. In accordance with the title 17 U.S. C. section 107, the material in this post is shown without profit to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
Then after the Roman Empire became “Christian” during the reign of Constantine persecution continued against “heretics”. Christians died for their belief in Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East in various “Inquisitions”. The bible was taken away from the common folk and all authority concerning spiritual matters was centralized in Rome.
The above post may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is being made available in an effort to advance the understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, social justice, for the purpose of historical debate, and to advance the understanding of Christian conservative issues. It is believed that this constitutes a ”fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the Copyright Law. In accordance with the title 17 U.S. C. section 107, the material in this post is shown without profit to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
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