9
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
2 and kept back some of the proceeds 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 proceeds 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 collapsed and died; and great fear came over all who heard about it.
6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now an interval of about three hours elapsed, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for this price?” And she said, “Yes, for that 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 collapsed at his feet and died; 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 about these things.
“And as he heard these words, Ananias collapsed and died; and great fear came over all who heard about it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.” (1) The name “Ananias” means “God has given,” yet God took his life. (a) The word rendered as “died” is a Greek verb “ekpsucho,” a medical term meaning death, indicating the soul leaving the body (similar to the English “expire”). (b) Blaming Peter for Ananias’s death is completely missing the point. Ananias brought this outcome upon himself. (2) This incident occurred in a public gathering (a house church). (a) Young men in the congregation wrapped the body in burial clothes, carried it outside, and buried him. (b) This serves as an important lesson for the youth.
(1) Sapphira, unaware of what had happened, entered the house. She had become a widow three hours earlier. (2) Peter gave her the opportunity to confess her sins and speak truthfully. “Tell me whether you sold the land for this price?” This was not a trap. It was a chance for her to speak honestly, free from her husband’s influence. Although the name “Sapphira” means “beautiful,” she was unable to answer “beautifully.” (3) Hearing her answer, Peter said, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test?” It was clear to everyone that she had conspired with her husband to deceive the Holy Spirit. (4) “Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” This was a pronouncement of her death. Like her husband, she immediately breathed her last. The young men who had just finished burying her husband now performed a second burial. (5) This incident brought great fear upon the entire church and everyone who heard about it (ref. to Deut. 21:21). (6) This is the first occurrence of the word “church” in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5:11). (a) In Greek, it is “ekklesia.” (b) From this point onwards, the assembly of those who believed in Christ came to be called “ekklesia.” Ananias and Sapphira’s lives were cut short, but they did not lose their salvation. Once saved, one will not lose that salvation. It was impossible for Ananias and the Holy Spirit to coexist within the church. For the Holy Spirit’s presence to continue, Ananias had to be removed. A group without the presence of the Holy Spirit is not an ekklesia. Let’s learn a lesson of faith from this.
Today's prayer
Holy God, the church is Your holy temple. Please purify me from unrighteousness and guide me in the path of righteousness. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.