A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus
“Speak Lord”, The Clark Sisters – Speak Holy Ghost, speak to my soul. Speak Lord speak, speak Lord speak, to my soul.
Ananias and Sapphira”, Acts 5:1) But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2) 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 (or deceive) 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. Numbers 14:37. 6) And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. John 19:40. 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. Psalms 95:9; Hebrews 3:8, 9. 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.
Quest Study Bible – v5, 10, Why did Ananias and Sapphira deserve death for one lie? If all who lied were struck down as Ananias and Sapphira were, who would be left? Perhaps this happened because their situation was unique. The young Church was extremely vulnerable, Unchecked hypocrisy and deception – always destructive in a Church – could have undermined the community of the Believer’s. God’s swift, severe judgment helped all to maintain a healthy respect for the truth and for God’s Power in the Church (v11).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary – The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was, that they were ambitious of being thought eminent (distinguished) Disciples, when they were not true Disciples. They were covetous of the wealth of the world, and distrustful of God and His Providence, divine care and guidance. They thought to deceive the Apostles. The Spirit of God in Peter discerned the principle of unbelief reigning in the heart of Ananias. They crime of Ananias was not his retaining part of the price of the land; he might have kept it all, had he pleased; but his endeavoring to impose upon the Apostles with an awful lie, from a vain desire to make a vain show, joined with covetousness. How sad to see those relations who should quicken one another to that which is good, hardening one another in that which is evil! And this punishment was in reality mercy to vast numbers. It would cause strict self examination, prayer and dread of hypocrisy. Let us learn hence how hateful falsehood is to the God of Truth. Amen.
More to come and God Bless You.
robertadennisblog 