Acts 5:1-16
Q.1. What was wrong with the gift that Ananias and Sapphira brought to the apostles? Whom had they deceived? What happened to Ananias after his exposure? – (Acts 5:1-6 c.f. 4:34-35)
Many in the early church had expressed their oneness in Christ, by generously giving surplus property to the apostles for the support of those less fortunate. Giving for the cause of Christ is always highly commendable. However, Ananias and Sapphira had agreed to give the impression that they had given all the proceeds of the sale of their property. As Peter told Ananias, it was their prerogative to give part or all. Whatever they gave would have been acceptable. What was not acceptable, was introducing pretence into the equation (Acts 5:1-2 & 4). On the surface their attempts to be esteemed through deception was lying to others. However, Peter identified it for what it was – 3 … “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 … Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” (Acts 5:3-4). In Peter’s comments, it became clear that he ascribed deity to the Holy Spirit. To lie to the Holy Spirit is tantamount to lying to God. Even as Peter exposed the deception of Ananias, God struck Ananias down.
Q.2. Why did Peter question Sapphira about her gift to the church? Were Ananias and Sapphira true believers? What impact did their untimely deaths have on the church? – (Acts 5:7-11)
Peter had directed all his comments to Ananias. Though he may have suspected that Sapphira was in on the deception, he needed to be sure. She had not been there to hear of the tragic departure of her husband. Peter asked her to confirm that what they had claimed was indeed all the proceeds. She lied to Peter. The sentence of death applied to her also. Some people suggest that Ananias and Sapphira could not have been true believers. However, If God struck down all deceivers in the church, very few, if any, would survive. God sent the early message to His church, that lies and deception are unworthy of those who claim to follow Him. This was the sober impact of the removal of Ananias and Sapphira – And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things (Acts 5:11). The reality is, that even the most saintly can fall into the trap of creating a false impression of their spirituality. It is good to remember Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians – 6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Cor.4:6-7).