Acts, Chapter 5 - Don't lie to God

Outbless Weekly

Acts, Chapter- 5 Fate of Ananias and Sapphira

5 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.

- But (this is contrast to what we read in Chapter 4, when a man named Joseph who also called Barnabas which means “Son of Encouragement” sold his tract of land and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet)

o Joseph “let him add”; “increaser”; “may He add”

o Barnabas “son of rest”; “son of consolation”

o This is a spiritual picture of Jesus Christ who gave it all that He may add or save more souls for all eternity

o Yet this is also a physical story of a real man who sold his property and donated 100% of the proceeds to the church (for God’s work) unselfishly for which he will be richly rewarded by God in heaven in the property time

- 5 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

o When you read that Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property and kept back some of the price for himself with his wife's full knowledge; this means they conspired to hold back some of the price.

o A man named Ananias “whom Jehovah has graciously given”

o With his wife Sapphira “a sapphire”

o It seems this man was blessed by God who had graciously given him this real estate and likely a beautiful wife which is why her name was sapphire.

- and bringing a portion of it, he laid at the apostles feet

o he was trying to be like Joseph so called Barnabas the son of encouragement he held back under the money and he only gave a portion (so there was a big difference)

o one gave it all; the other only pretended to give it all.

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.

- and great fear came over all who heard of it

o the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

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.

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