This first part of this Acts 5 (the story of Ananias and Sapphira) has had me thinking all day long. I hope that each of you take the time to honestly think through and respond to the questions at the end. I pray that it encourages you.
Let's get going!
Acts 5 (Read it here)
If Barnabas was the prime example of one who gave up his possession for the betterment of all, then Ananias and Sapphira were wholly different examples. Like Barnabas, Ananias and Sapphira sold some property. They had the desire to do as other wealthy people had done in their church community.
Ananias, like the other benefactors, brought the donation to the apostles. However, Ananias kept some of the money from the sell, lied and said that it was the full amount. His wife knew about it and agreed to the deceit. (v. 2)
Somehow Peter has the ability to read right through the facade and calls Ananias out on it! Peter accuses Ananias of, "[lying] to the Holy Spirit!" (v. 3) The best case scenario is that Ananias and Sapphira were moved by the Spirit to sell the land and give the proceeds away, but Ananias decided to go back on that decision (perhaps they made a vow to God and broke it) and keep some of the money for himself. Worst case scenario would be that Ananias and Sapphira never had the intention of giving all the money, but definitely wanted all the recognition for doing such a good deed.
Peter even says that Ananias could've done whatever he wanted, sell the land or not sell it. He could've kept the money, kept some of it or give it all away. It wasn't that Ananias had lied to just him, but that he had gone against his word to God. (v. 4) Not to be cliche, but in this case honesty definitely was the best policy.
This was just the sort of thing that Jesus always called out and humiliated the religious leaders for. Fake religion that is only done for others' recognition always made Jesus' blood boil. It was like living a lie. In that case, God wasn't the inspiration. The recognition of others became a false god.
After hearing Peter's outrage, Ananias...dies. Everyone is freaked out. (v. 5)
Ananias was removed and quickly buried. (v. 6) No funeral, no nothing. Weird.
Sapphira comes in about three hours later and Peter gives her a golden opportunity not only to tell the truth but to save her own life by asking, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” She fails the test by supplying the same lie as her husband. (v. 8)
Imagine hearing, right before you die, that your husband was just buried outside and now you will, too! Freaky!
She died instantly after Peter finishing speaking. The same men carried her out and buried her beside her husband. (v. 10) No doubt this became a prime example of what would happen if anyone were to lie to God and pretend to be humble just to gain prominence or popularity.
You may think, "What does this possibly have to do with me?" I believe there are two lessons to be learned from this story. We have previously noted that both Judas Iscariot and Peter were tempted by Satan to separate themselves from Jesus and betray him in one way or another. Have you noticed that Judas, Peter, Ananias and Sapphira all have one thing in common?
They are all part of the faith community (I would say 'church' but Judas and Peter experienced this before the church was actually established), they aren't "wicked, godless people." This goes to show you that Satan can have just as much influence with people inside the church as he does with those outside. That is why no one is safe from the temptation. Even pastors get caught in embezzling, money laundering, sex scandals and the like.
Christ-followers need to get it out of their heads that non-believers are evil and we, Christians, aren't. There is actually not that much difference between the two. We're both flawed, constantly tempted and always make mistakes. The only difference is that one seeks to live by the Spirit while the other tries to become a better person (or doesn't even care). That is why adhering to rules and religion never makes a person holy. Only God is holy.
Secondly, stretching the truth is something we all struggle with from time to time. I used to tell people that I graduated from high school 18th in my class (I wouldn't tell them that only 95 graduated with me) when I was really 20th. I don't know why 18th sounded so much better to me, but it did. Also, when I ran track and cross-country, I would shave a few seconds off my personal best times in the mile, 2-mile or 3-mile races in conversations, too.
I'd like to think I've never lied to God but that's not true, either. Have you ever made a promise to God that you would have that conversation with someone who needed to be corrected? Have you ever promised that you would go to church or read your Bible if God would bless you in a specific way? Personally, in the past, I would promise God that I wouldn't lust after women if he would give me a special young lady to date. Of course, I'd break that promise not too long after making it.
You also may think, "Why was Ananias and Sapphira's punishment so severe?" I only have one theory as to why. Yes, they lied to God, but so have many others. However, Luke states twice (vs. 5, 11) that the church was terrified by the news. God showed that He had zero tolerance for such behavior and the people shouldn't forget that. Stealing money is bad enough but isn't there something inside you that creeps you out more when money is stolen from a church? I believe that's because we have this reverence for the things that have been dedicated or given to God. And if they are stolen, don't we have this feeling inside that God will repay them for it (or some would say that fate or karma would catch up to them)?
The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira didn't stop the church from growing, though, as "more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord." (v. 14)
People held the apostles in such high regard that sick people would be brought to them so that Peter's shadow might fall across them. (v. 15) Peter's fame was growing so rapidly that people started to believed that Peter was just like Jesus (and for the most part, he was since Peter had been given the same power as Jesus to heal and preach).
The Sadducees had the apostles (its unclear as to exactly who or how many) arrested again. (v. 18) They must have been continuing to use the name of Jesus as they preached and healed.
But an angel broke them out and gave them the command to "go to the temple and [preach]." (vs. 19-20) There would be no rest for these guys! The high council was assembled to perform another trial against the apostles (v. 21) but, oops, the apostles are not in the jail cell! (v. 22)
Of course, the apostles are found preaching just as they had been instructed to by the angel! So the apostles were arrested (for the third time) and brought before the high council (again). The same story plays out as last time. "Don't do that!" (v. 28) Peter says, "We're not listening to you." (v. 29)
This time Peter is more bold in his proclamation about Jesus. In fact, Peter says the same thing that got Jesus condemned at his own trial when he said that Jesus was in the "place of honor at [God's] right hand." Peter is even more blunt in saying that Jesus is Prince [of Peace] and Savior. (v. 31)
The icing on the cake that really ticked off the council was when Peter implied that they (the religious leaders) were not filled with the Spirit because they do not obey God. (v. 32)
Most of the leaders were ready to have them killed right then and there, but they were halted by a respected Pharisee named Gamaliel. Gamaliel advised the high council not to jump to a quick sentencing. He referred to two guys who both started revolts against the government (Theudas and Judas of Galilee) but after they died their followers didn't continue the mission of their founder.
FYI - Theudas claimed to be a prophet (not necessarily the Messiah). Judas the Galilee started the violent sect called the Zealots (Sound familiar? That's because the apostle, Simon the Zealot, used to belong to this sect), whose purpose was to overthrow the government by use of force, assassination and literal backstabbing (yeah, they were basically terrorists). If you want to read more about Judas of Galilee check out this little article about him here.
Gamaliel proposed that they wait the apostles out. If its just of man, then it will die out. Yet, if its from God, you don't want to stand in the way of that! (vs. 38-39)
Even though the high council accepted Gamaliel's advice, the apostles were flogged as their punishment and warned, yet again, not to speak Jesus' name (v. 40)
However, the flogging had the opposite reaction than the council had intended. The apostles were pumped that they were able to suffer through the persecution for the glory of Jesus' name! (v. 41) And, yeah, they just kept preaching with more and more boldness, saying clearly, "Jesus is the Messiah." (v. 42)
Questions
1.) Do you struggle to be completely honest and transparent with people? Do you fudge details to make yourself sound a little better than you actually are? Why? Are those white lies dangerous or not?
2.) Have you ever made a promise to God? Did you keep it or break it? Why did you make a vow, did you want something in return? If so, what? (Did you know that Jesus advises not to take or make vows? See Matthew 5:33-37)
3.) How did Gamaliel's theory work out, by the way?
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