Acts 5:1 (KJV) But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphire his wife, sold a possession,
- And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles‘ feet. 3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, AND to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Did Ananias and Sapphire die because they lied about the money?
No. Verse 3 has the key word, AND. They died because they acted like they were Christians, when they were not.
Let me explain:
Peter and the apostles had a commune. Everyone lived together and they had one common purse. Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. To be a part of this commune you had to believe in the resurrection of Jesus.
Law verses Grace:
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
Jesus fulfilled all the law, because of that we are under grace. The law is not disregarded, it was completed. If you go back now and put yourself under the law, it belittles the cross. If you put yourself under the law you will die. To receive salvation you must live under grace. The unpardonable sin is lying about your belief in the resurrection. If you believe in the resurrection, then you are under grace.
The law brings Death.
How was it that everyone in that commune lived in great grace? But when Ananias and Sapphira tried to join, they got law and death? Ananias and Sapphira did not believe in the resurrection, this put them under the law. And when they lied about the money they got law and therefore death. Interesting side note, Sapphira comes from the word Sapphire. It is said that the 2 tablets of stone, containing the 10 commandments that Moses brought down from the Mountain were written on Sapphire stone. This is a confirmation, that she was under the law.
Romans 7:7-9 what shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
They were Jews, therefore under the law. If they had believed in the resurrection of Jesus, they would have received grace. They died because they were imposters of Christians and God knew they were not true believers. The lie about the money, is what got them caught in their lie, about their belief in the resurrection.
Question? Revelation 21:8 says all liars have their place in the Lake of fire. Answer: This is the second death. Not the first death.
Punch Line.
You can lie about your age, the color of your hair, your weight, what you got your spouse for Christmas, If you got the shot or not, even about your finances. Lying about your finances is just as silly as lying about the color of your hair. Just don’t lie about your belief in the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:12-14 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say we among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
A requirement to take Judas place, was to have witnessed the resurrection. Acts1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Simon wanted to buy the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Peter told Simon that he would die. Acts 8:20, But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Because your heart is not right in the sight of God Acts 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
The 7 sons of Sceva used the name of the Lord Jesus and Paul to exorcise evil spirits Acts 19:13 &14. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
The evil spirits didn’t know them Acts 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
The 7 sons of Sceva were attacked. It didn’t work Acts 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
You see the 7 sons of Sceva didn’t believe in the resurrection.
Before the cock crew, Peter denied Jesus 3 times. Luke 22:31&32 Jesus prayed that Peter would keep the faith, be converted and strengthen the brethren. 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 2 Corinthians 11:8 (KJV) I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. Yep that says Paul admitted to being a thief. Punch line. But he believed in the resurrection and didn’t lie about it.
Written By: Diane Sutton & Rosie Thompson
Date First Published: 11/25/2017