Chapter 5

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” (Acts 5:1-4)

In the church, there will always be these two kinds of people

In the above scripture, we see Barnabas having sold his property, brought the money to the apostles. 

To the casual observer, Ananias and Sapphira were doing the same thing. However, deep in their hearts perhaps lingered a love of money.

Scripture says, “His wife also being aware of it” Acts 5:2). Both husband and wife were partners in the deception. They both wanted the image of great generosity before people, without actually being generous. Clearly, they desired the praise of men. 

This is worlds apart from the attitude of Barnabas, but looks very similar.

What Ananias and Sapphira forgot was that nothing is hidden from the eyes of God. “the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

We may be able to get away with this sort of duplicity for a while from the eyes of men but not from the Lord.

Many say that Ananias and Sapphira were not Christians. If they were not true believers then what was the point in the Apostles agreeing to take their monies? They were clearly part of the early church community.

God gave Apostle Peter supernatural insight concerning what Ananias had done secretly. This spiritual gift of the word of knowledge, is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8.

The New Testament does teach that we as Christians should submit to those in authority. However, submission to authority must not be at the risk of compromising your faith in God. 

Gamaliel was right. If the apostles’ were teaching lies, their message would eventually come to nothing. But if their power truly came from God, it would transcend centuries, cultures and continents. That is exactly what has happened. 

Lord Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18, “I will build My Church and the gates of Hades will not overpower it,” and the fulfillment of that promise is seen in the fact that Christianity is thriving. 

Apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:6, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus,” and that means you and I are living proof of the Lord’s resurrected power! We are the living evidence of Christ’s 1st century promise.