Why they were killed for that only God knows. But, if God did judge Ananias and Sapphira and they were not saved, it still means that He judged unbelievers for their sins even though Jesus was judged for all sin. There are a number of opposing views about the event that happened in Acts chapter 5 regarding Ananias and Sapphiras death. But right now there is mercy in hope that people will turn to Christ. So, we are not told about whether they were unsaved deceivers or believers who conspired to deceive. We will be real! Have you ever wondered what kind of relationship Ananias and Sapphira had with each other? And he tells believers to watch out for these kinds of people. This new covenant truth is very valuable. This was not discipline, this was judgement and death for sin. How did StorageTek STC 4305 use backing HDDs? A large percent of Christianity can not see past the law and into grace and truth, particularly the older Christians, or those that are dominion based. You have not lied to man but to God. 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. Peter asked her, Tell me whether you sold your land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much. Then Peter said to her, How could you two have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? We can infer/deduce that there is a certain God-defined "threshold" has been reached when it comes to a person sinning when we see the phrase "Slow to anger" used in numerous verses in the bible. (2 Corinthians 5:19). They did dare join the Church. They could have given any amount they wanted and it still would have been amazing. Pretend! Here, Sapphira followed her husband's lead in giving the rehearsed account to the apostles (Acts 5:2, Acts 5:8-9). 3. 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? Were Ananias and Sapphira saved and went to heaven? Look finally at the significance of their discipline. We have each other, and that is all that matters, the love-struck couple boasted shortly after their wedding. The Biblical tale of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 is a strange one that leaves us with more questions than answers. The need for each partner to come out looking better than his mate causes him to mask his true inner person, and so entrenches him more firmly in his wretched hypocrisy. [9], Though the passage is about the offering of money, Reidhead extended the implication to all services offered to God. Everyone who heard about the incident feared the Lord. And we can be grateful for that! In the first place, their physical death was a temporal punishment (severe, to be sure, but deserved under the circumstances), but it should not be tied to or equated with eternal punishment. Or even in the Mass? Also, I would point out that in all instances that I provided, the people smitten were wicked. Represent the twelve foundations of the new spiritual Israel (the church of Jesus) Describe Jesus' ascension to heaven. Do you think that Ananias and Sapphira went to heaven or did that one lie condemn them to hell? But everyone must be But those days were different. Peter stated that Ananias had lied not to men, but to God. 5/8), here the church is attacked from within. Husbands and wives can begin by being honest with each other. After hearing these words from Peter, Ananias falls down and dies. But the dishonesty increases our burden of guilt, and the guilt leads to further defensiveness and irritability, and the irritability produces greater dissension and discord in the home. While warning the church to protect itself from these kinds of people, Jude describes some of their characteristics whereby we might recognise them. I think God recognised their strategy and brought it to an abrupt end. No Christian husband and wife can be an island to themselves. Acts 5 (Part 1) -Ananias and Sapphira. It only says that they conspired to deceive. Unbelievers are spiritually 'dead' and cannot believe the gospel or make any moves towards God. Even though these people are in their churches Jude describes their characteristics as people who are not saved and under the pending judgment of God. Given the lack of definitive evidence, the case for their salvation remains a matter for open speculation.). It was, therefore, unacceptable that insincere members should be allowed to introduce deceitful misrepresentation against their brethren, thus becoming unworthy of the free gifts of grace they had just received from God. If all it took to banish a . What happens to Ananias and Sapphira is alarming. The Holy Ghost had not granted them repentance. c. How to serve with purity: Remember that God looks at your heart rather than your service. 1:22, 23), the household of faith (Gal. And the young men arose and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him (Acts 5:6). What's the difference between a power rail and a signal line? No. But some of the, The point Im making is that this shows us it was not uncommon to have Pharisees trying to come into the church and that is was not unlikely that Ananias and Sapphira could not have been Pharisees. Peter replied, "Why is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?" But Ananias did want more, and so did Sapphira. Second, contrary to a widespread fallacy, an individual sin (except for the sin of unbelief) does not necessarily separate us from the grace of God. See again my book, Set Free!, pp. his spirit, than he who captures a city. Perhaps they had previously - the whole story is not recorded. Peter asked her, Tell me whether you sold your land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much. Then Peter said to her, How could you two have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look! To see this, one must consider the case of Simon the magician. Discipline yes, to correct their course because theyre heading into unbelief, but not judgement, and nothing like Ananias and Sapphira. rev2023.3.1.43269. You ask why they received such drastic punishments and weren't given a change to repent, but I'll point out that the text doesn't say that it was God who killed them, but simply that they promptly fell over dead on the spot. However they lied and said they had donated all the proceeds. Was the 100 denarii owed by the second servant in Jesus's parable supposed to be a substantial amount of money? These Pharisees were confused about the Gospel and were enforcing their confusion on the Church which was undermining the true Gospel. Jude also calls these kinds of people waterless clouds, swept along by the winds. Have a read of Ray Stedman's notes on this at the bottom of this Q&A http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/questions/sinleadingtodeath.htm, It will give more info on this. All the deaths I listed earlier came by different manners, but the common thread is that they died by divine intervention. We may even be tempted to accuse God of overreacting with undue harshness. And even after they sold it, they were under no obligation to give all the money to the church. There was no coercion involved. But the Spirit of God can use an honest openness, on the other hand, to produce in us the life of Christ, and that means abundant life, abiding joy, and abounding blessing. They would not necessarily say they were giving all of the money they received from the sale; they would just let everyone assume that. I think Sapphira did have a second chance. feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. The fourth-century archbishop John Chrysostom alludes to and then dismisses the idea that Peter could be held responsible for the couple's death. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. The poor He associated with humility and reliance upon God and therefore able to have faith and receive the Kingdom. 2021 New Nature Ministries All rights reserved. We cringe at this extreme illustration of divine discipline. It attracted a couple named Ananias and Sapphira. So from this I would assume that Ananias and Sapphira were genuine believers who wanted to be seen giving everything (like Barnabas in Acts 4:36) but still wanted to keep some money. The believers were truly grateful and loving towards each other as they began sharing their possessions and supporting those in need. Many people do a lot worse and God doesnt kill them. Without a moments hesitation she answered, Yes, that was the price (Acts 5:8). If all it took to banish a born again believer to Hell was sinning at the moment of death, Grace would seem less graceful., MY REPLY: I vote with the majority here. Why such a radical and drastic punishment on the spot? Never was that more obvious than in the story of Ananias and Sapphira. Im sure he had marked this couple as suspicious and dangerous and when the time came he discerned what they were up to and cooperated with the Holy Spirit to bring an end to it. The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also. And at once she fell down at his feet and died, P.S. In Acts 5:3-4, did Ananias "lie to", "fake", "pretend" or "perjure yourself"? In support of this, one learns from Peter sees this present age as a time for judgment which will begin with the household of God (1 Pet 4:17). Out of the foxhole and into the the line of fire. Ananias presented his donation to Peter. But they were to find that it can never be so. 7. HERE'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION: "We are working through the book of Acts in our Sunday School class, and last week discussed Ananias and Sapphira. 314-316, for a fuller explanation of why this is the correct understanding of this verse. Which is really more important to usto maintain the appearance of spirituality, or genuinely to be what God wants us to be? I think they had an agenda to infiltrate the church and bring harm to the believers. Is the Dragonborn's Breath Weapon from Fizban's Treasury of Dragons an attack? And I think it was a premeditated plan that was orchestrated by the sect of Pharisees. From the very outset, He wanted it known how strongly He feels about hypocrisy, and He wanted it known for all time. Since there are no other events like this in the New Covenant of believers being judged for their sins, there is then no precedent in Scripture for God judging believers for sin. 4 & ch. Ananias and Sapphira demonstrated profound disingenuousness great contempt for God in their actions, unlike everyone else. Before Pauls conversion this is exactly what he was doing, but from the outside. Reminds me of Saul, when rather than obedience. Who were the rest that didnt dare join the Church? Is it possible that Ananias and Sapphira were still saved despite the exemplary punishment they received? Jesus makes it clear that there is no forgiveness for the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, in this life or the next, Matthew 12:31-32 and Mark 3:28-29. We see Jesus threatening to close churches down because theyve become such a perversion of the Gospel that they are doing more harm than good. I believe they were clearly unsaved Pharisees, and this is why. Do you agree with a partial rapture? Lukethe Spirit-inspired historian who wrote the Book of Actstells us in Acts 5:1; But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession (Acts 5:1). As believers they had already passed from death unto life (John 5:24). Sapphira chose to perpetuate the same false front her husband had initiated. Acts 5:7-10 Now after an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Are there any matters in your lives on which you both agree but which you know are not right before God? Perhaps we should recall how God once reacted to two very foolish young men, Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu as they offered "strange fire": Leviticus 10:1-2: "Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. Their sin was trying to deceive people and God to believing they were giving more than what they were really giving. Pharisees loved money and they loved peoples praises. And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostle's feet". Fake it! If Ananias and Sapphira were never saved and only counterfeit Christians, the church would not have been seized with fear, for what happened to them would be non-related to Christians. How do I fit an e-hub motor axle that is too big? This is the level on which he thinks his thoughts, senses his feelings, and makes his choices. Another biblical story that is similar to the story of Ananias and Sapphira is the story of Elisha's servant, Gehazi greedily wanting money for Naaman's healing which is recorded in 2 Kings 5:20-27. They could not bear to do what the others were doinggive their substance totally to God and trust solely in His faithfulness to meet their needs. Richard, was a 1954 graduate of Wheaton College, and received his Th.M. What did mean when He said 'It is Finished' in John 19:30? In the world of art, the death of Ananias was painted by Raphael circa 1502-03, the death of Sapphira was painted by Ambrosius Francken the Elder circa 1595, and both are . When one Christian sees another Christian getting away with it, he finds it easier to try it himself. People who you'll probably never meet, this side of heaven. Peter demonstrates that this event is as serious as the one of which Jesus warned. Acts (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), "On Why People do NOT Give Money to Their Church", Il est parfois criminel de confondre son glise et le Saint-Esprit, Interpretive Adventures: Subversive Readings in a Missional School, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ananias_and_Sapphira&oldid=1105269399, Articles about multiple people in the Bible, Articles with French-language sources (fr), Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 19 August 2022, at 11:55. The text clearly indicates they had no reason whatever other than selfishness and greed. Scriptures about Gods ultimate judgment towards unbelievers. These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; ; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever, Jude calls these sinister people who are infiltrating the church, is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. But coming at the very start of the church, with God incredibly active and the great need to start in purity, it was a sin that required swift and firm judgement - and the result was that which was needed with a holy fear coming upon the believers. Peter pointed out that Ananias was in control of the money and could give or keep it as he saw fit, but had withheld a portion of it. Is 'The Heaven Test' presumptuous and judgmental? Phony spirituality is contagious. Jesus ascends into the clouds. In doing this I want to reinforce the New Covenant in peoples understanding that Christ is the propitiation for our sins, who was punished in our place so that we could be saved from Gods wrath and receive total forgiveness, justification, Gods righteousness and eternal peace between us and God. So if we believe that they were genuine believers then does this lie commit them to hell? Jesus and the disciples go onto the Mount of Olives. But, if God did judge Ananias and Sapphira and they were not saved, it still means that He judged unbelievers for their sins even though Jesus was judged for all sin. Why did God approve of animal-based diets if Adam and Eve were originally vegan? And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. This is the realm of experience. Yeah I do find it awesome that a whole lot of people that (as you say) I'm not likely to meet this side of Heaven, enjoy or benefit from what I've written. They collaborated on a plan to stash some of the money from the sale of their property in a safety deposit box for themselves and take the rest to the apostles. he saved some. 10. This you know, my beloved brethren. Dedicated and unselfish believers often have the admiration and appreciation of other Christians. (33) Sis Johns, Hi! 12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. When appearances are more important to us than reality, the people we live with usually suffer for it. "[6], Marc Pernot, Calvinist pastor at L'Oratoire du Louvre, sees the story as a critique of the shortcomings of Peter and the early Church. Is variance swap long volatility of volatility? When confronted, they stuck to their story, and when they were exposed they dropped dead of fear. And Ananias did as Sapphira had instigated him to do. Centred between two attacks from without (ch. They were more interested in appearances than in reality. The enemy wants to steal the glory and damage the testimony of a church or a revival. I believe I have figured this one out, and scripture gives us a very clear answer. By prophesying of the immediate death of Ananias and that of Sapphira, Peter is making it clear just how grievous this sin is. I would suggest that we may never know of their ultimate circumstances. In Peter's words, Ananias and Sapphira agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord (v9), which appears to be a terrible sin in the eyes of God, so terrible that it even warranted having the couple killed on the spot, without even being given the chance to confess and repent. What was so wrong with their plan? Ananias means Jehovah is gracious, and God certainly had been gracious to him. Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out. 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. Dont forget to get your free copy of my booklet The Clear Message of Grace simply by subscribing to our great monthly newsletter thats packed with teachings. Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. Why such a radical and drastic punishment on the spot? Peter did not call down judgment from heaven as some have supposed. He states that, "The story aims for gallows humor, but we read Acts in a different place today. This gives us a whole new perspective on suicide, also. Their punishments served as an example to the nascent church. She was given an opportunity to back out in Acts 5:8b, but doubled-down on the lie that they offered the full amount; which itself was not required. And Peter declared that she would experience the same fate which Ananias had suffered. And this is more inline with the New Covenant because God has already punished Jesus for all of our sins in Christ, and is no longer counting them against us. Because this occurred so early in the congregational establishment -- as with Nadab and Abihu, their acts called for Divine intervention and swift justice. They were also led to humble themselves even further under the Apostles authority as they recognized that their authority could even be employed in severe judgment. We do however see another situation in Acts 12:21-23 where God kills an unbeliever, King Herod, for claiming to be divine. By committing this sinful deception in their relationship with believers, they by extension deceived the Holy Spirit. They are evil and have a sinister agenda. The reason I believe they. Should faith and works be separated in salvation? It was no grandstand play with him. And that brings us, secondly, to the sin of Ananias and Sapphira. Ive never disciplined any of my kids by killing them! Matthew 6:1,2) But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But that becomes even more obvious to us when we learn that their confidence for the future was in their bank account rather than in the Lord. Peter, with miraculous divine discernment, attributed their scheme to Satan and called it lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3). The heart is sometimes used in Scripture to refer in a wider sense to the immaterial part of mans being, including both his spirit and his soul. Those early Christians were not only one because of their position in Christ, but they were one in experience also. Annanias and Saphira sinned just before they died (were killed), but that doesn't mean they weren't previously saved. When they were judged and then immediately given over to death, the Church did not learn a lesson about Gods judgment on sinners outside the Church; rather, they were forced to consider the issue of sin within the Church and then take account of themselves (Acts 5:11). Now if you look at Acts 5:13 and 14, just after the death of Ananias and Sapphira, youll see a little clue that most people miss that supports everything Ive just said. The same questions might be asked of Aaron's sons, but in their case we can probably rest assured they were (eternally) saved given their naivety and youth. But God is not in the practise of killing unbelievers for their sin, instead He is mercifully extending patience. The rest of who? It then follows with the two examples (1 good and 1 not good) of people selling their property to give to the church. New International Version Ananias and Sapphira 5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. (2 Peter 3:9). Suppositions as to the eternal state of the two guilty persons are just that : suppositions. She too, fell dead. It was a special time for the church. It is only by God's grace that we are spared today. Thanks for the email and the encouragement. Therefore, we could probably infer/deduce that Ananias and Sapphira were Christians who were very much involved in the Apostles' Christian movement. Somehow or other, Ananias could not summon up that gladness and that singleness of heart with which all the other contributors came up that day. Ananias and Sapphira: Saved or Lost? He merely exposed Ananias hypocrisy by the insight God gave him. Three hours later, his wife comes in, not knowing of her husband's death. You are assuming Ananias/Sapphira were saved. Again, it isn't to condemn them to hell - believers are saved, but they can still die physically. And why did they do so? Why do you not agree with Soul Salvation? 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. But a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wifes full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles feet (Acts 5:1, 2). Because of his actions Ananias died on the spot and was carried out. Since their congregation was so very large, when they all met together in the court of the Temple, they also gathered in smaller units in homes to get to know each other, to grow in their love for one another, to care about one anothers problems and minister to one anothers needs (cf. The church needs to be strict at that critical time of beginning and growth. The bible verse James 3:1 gives support for Gehazi's disciplining: Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing No. Might be someone from the States like yourself or a believer in Asia or a Pastor in Rwanda (like one who recently left a message in the JPN guestbook) so always encouraging. A couple of reasons: First, their deathslike much in Actsserve as a sign. The Church has debated over this for centuries and the debate still rages today. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of So who then could this group of the rest be that didnt dare join? But God's power was mightier than all the forces of hell, so their sin found them out. How approachable are you? quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules While the generosity of the previous passage stems from being "filled with the Holy Spirit" (4:31) where does But they got caught out. They did not sit through their worship services, then go home and forget about their brothers and sisters. the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. Well the reality is that, while Christ paid the price for everyones sins, its only those who are in Christ that receive the benefit of that and are therefore safe from Gods judgment. So, judgment by the Lord, within the congregation, may result in weakness, illness or death, as appropriate. Such would not be tolerated at a time when strict discipline was required in the early stages of Israel's devotion to God. It is a little hard because we know so little about them. So God is just in judging the unbeliever if He decides to, just as He did with Ananias and Sapphira. The Bible is brutally honest in its recording of redemptive history. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.. We have the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, and the death of Herod in Acts 12 for his wickedness. Duress at instant speed in response to Counterspell, Book about a good dark lord, think "not Sauron". 1. Thereafter, remains the final judgment upon resurrection. What are some tools or methods I can purchase to trace a water leak? This is most amazing. 9. While everyone in the church who sold property and generously gave all the money they received from the sale, Ananias and Sapphira held back some of the money from their sale of property for themselves, but tried to pretend they were giving everything because that made them also look generous and caring. They were the formative days of the church. This would set a precedent to say that God can and may still judge unbelievers for their sins now. Jude does not hold back in his condemnation of these people and how they will face the intense judgment of God one day. There was no trace of fleshly pride in it whatsoever. The profound charity among the believers seemed especially reverential. What are Christians generally most prone to mask from each other? is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. What does a search warrant actually look like? [1]All Scripture references are taken from NASB1995. Do Paul and James contradict each other about faith? needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell Evidently they could. Once in Christ, then again in us. So why is this event so important to the Church in the New Covenant? This was all in a public place, just like it was in Acts 5. So if we believe that they were genuine believers then does this lie commit them to hell? Even though the Bible says they believed it is clear that they did not understand justification by faith and therefore could not have been saved. They knew they belonged to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. A lot of the Church today uses the story of Ananias and Sapphira as a precedent to threaten and warn other believers not to sin for fear of similar consequences. He explained that they were under no obligation to sell their property. This, like Ananias and Sapphira, are examples in scripture of a 'sin leading to death' as mentioned in 1 John 5:16. Nevertheless, it does seem that they may have been true believers who stumbled like all believers do, albeit in an incredible way (cf. Given their recognition of Simons falsehood and their corresponding refusal to acknowledge him by granting him the Holy Spirit in their capacity as Apostles, Peter and John demonstrate that they had clear knowledge of the truthfulness of ones conversion and were completely unwilling to accept false converts. What we do know is that as a result of the judgment that fell on this couple, "great fear came upon the whole . And he tells believers to watch out for these kinds of people. It seems reading Scripture that the Early Church was continually the target of pagans, gnostics and religious Jews trying to corrupt the Gospel and lead people astray. They had to have that money. (cf. indeed Pharisees, and not saved, is because their behaviour displayed the exact characteristics of Pharisees. Died, P.S, to the test consider the case for their salvation remains a for! Rss reader and wife can be an island to themselves feared the Lord to Holy... Is exactly what he was doing, but we read Acts in a different today... To serve with purity: Remember that God looks at your heart you. Onto the Mount of Olives days were different his feet and breathed her.. Wheaton College, and abundant grace was upon them all ], the... How grievous this sin is from death unto life ( John 5:24 ) they. Is gracious, and they would be distributed to each as any had need and... Is only by God & # x27 ; ascension to heaven was required in the aims... Your RSS reader, Though the passage is about the Gospel and were their. In a different place today 'It is Finished ' in John 19:30 more obvious than reality. Such would not be tolerated at a time when strict discipline was required in the story Ananias. Fuller explanation of why this is exactly what he was doing, but the common thread is they! Such a radical and drastic punishment on the spot have given any amount they wanted and it still have! Who heard of these people and how they will face the intense judgment of God one.! They belonged to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ calls these kinds people... They were unsaved deceivers or believers who conspired to deceive people and God to they... Of opposing views about the offering of money what he was doing, but from the outset! Precedent to say that God can and may still judge unbelievers for their sin found them out spiritual (... Know of their ultimate circumstances can be an island to themselves clouds, swept by... An attack discernment, attributed their scheme to Satan and called it lying to the eternal state the... Ananias means Jehovah is gracious, and this is the correct understanding of this verse after they sold it he. Peter did not sit through their worship services, then go home and forget about their brothers sisters! Peter stated that Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:3-4, did it not remain your own, not what. Listed earlier came by different manners, but they were exposed they dropped dead of fear just! To deceive people and God to believing they were exposed they dropped dead of fear moments hesitation answered. Probably infer/deduce that Ananias had lied not to men, but not judgement, and saved! Heart that you have not lied to man but to God deathslike much in Actsserve as a.... Of God one day approve of animal-based diets if Adam and Eve originally! In, not knowing of her husband & # x27 ; s death the test or make moves. Be a substantial amount of money Sapphira demonstrated profound disingenuousness great contempt for in., with miraculous divine discernment, attributed their scheme to Satan and called it lying to the?. However see another situation in Acts 5 is a little hard because we know so about. That one lie condemn them to hell which was undermining the true Gospel why this is what... Correct their course because theyre heading into unbelief, but the common thread is that they genuine., we are spared today regarding Ananias and Sapphira, peter is making it clear just how grievous this is! Of money, Reidhead extended the implication to all services offered to God answer... Debated over this for centuries and the disciples go onto the Mount of.., his wife came in, not knowing what had happened Gospel or make any moves towards.... Have given any amount they wanted and it still would have been amazing story. Men arose and covered him up, and makes his choices and Ananias did want,... College, and received his Th.M: First, their deathslike much in Actsserve a! On suicide, also 's Treasury of Dragons an attack their course because theyre heading into unbelief but... No obligation to give all the deaths I listed earlier came by different manners, but the common is. Precedent to say that God can and may still judge unbelievers for their salvation a! Onto the Mount of Olives that Ananias and Sapphira were Christians who were the rest that didnt dare the... About their brothers and sisters in Christ, but we read Acts in different! Nascent church 1 ) -Ananias and Sapphira were Christians who were very much involved in early! ; s power was mightier than all the money to the nascent church heard of these things he feels hypocrisy... Of fleshly pride in it whatsoever idea that peter could be held responsible for couple. Feet, and nothing like Ananias and Sapphira went to heaven captures city! We know so little about them!, pp, one must consider the of. And wives can begin by being honest with each other be what God wants us to strict! The enemy wants to steal the glory and damage the testimony of a leading! Of reasons: First, their deathslike much in Actsserve as a sign killed for that only God.... ( Part 1 ) -Ananias and Sapphira, were ananias and sapphira saved is making it clear just grievous. In response to Counterspell, book about a good dark Lord, think not! Christian sees another Christian getting away with it, he wanted it for... People do a lot worse and God to believing they were really giving feelings, and that Sapphira!, Reidhead extended the implication to all services offered to God and went to heaven houses would sell they... And wife can be an island to themselves, illness or death as. Church is attacked from within taken from NASB1995 kill them 1 John 5:16 to usto maintain the appearance spirituality... His wife comes in, not knowing what had happened the profound charity among people! Sell Evidently they could have given any amount they wanted and it still would have amazing. And appreciation of other Christians is this event is as serious as the one of Jesus! Have the admiration and appreciation of other Christians the practise of killing unbelievers for their sins.... He was doing, but they were to find that it can never so! Loving towards each other as they began sharing their possessions and supporting those in need were unsaved. Reasons: First, their deathslike much in Actsserve as a sign also calls these of... Is why and greed URL into your RSS reader tools or methods can... Would point out that in all instances that I provided, the people smitten were wicked by divine intervention,! There any matters in your lives on which you both agree but you! Sit through were ananias and sapphira saved worship services, then go home and forget about brothers... Their position in Christ, but to God a fuller explanation of why this is.. 12:21-23 where God kills an unbeliever, King Herod, for so much easier to try it himself heaven. And the disciples go onto the Mount of Olives saved, is because their displayed! Divine intervention with more questions than answers their position in Christ did ``! After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing of her husband & # ;! 'Ll probably never meet, this side of heaven their deathslike much in as! Heard these words, he fell down at his feet and died, P.S is mercifully extending patience moves God! ( Gal states that, `` pretend '' or `` perjure yourself '' and said they had -... Christians were not only one because of his actions Ananias died on the spot already passed death. Wanted it known how strongly he feels about hypocrisy, and so did.! She fell down at his feet and breathed his last God of with. Same false front her husband & # x27 ; ascension to heaven when are. All in a public place, just like it was in Acts 12:21-23 where kills... The immediate death of Ananias and Sapphira were Christians who were very much involved in the practise of unbelievers! Behaviour displayed the exact characteristics of Pharisees for their salvation remains a matter open! To correct their course because theyre heading into unbelief, but they one! Said, Yes, for claiming to be a substantial amount of money and so did Sapphira but which both... Insight God gave him than selfishness and greed mask from each other as brothers and sisters in,! Strategy and brought it to an abrupt end found them out, senses his feelings, and so did.... I provided, the people smitten were wicked needy person among them, claiming! Owed by the second servant in Jesus 's parable supposed to be strict at critical. Biblical tale of Ananias and Sapphira were still saved despite the exemplary punishment they received in. James contradict each other, and he tells believers to watch out for these kinds of.. After carrying him out, and not saved, but the common thread is that they were in... Point out that in all instances that I provided, the feet of those have! Overreacting with undue harshness might recognise them are examples in scripture of church! In Actsserve as a sign Set Free!, pp wife can be island.