BRUCE C WEARNE continues his look at the “awful” story for Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5...
It was an interval of three hours before his wife came to where this had happened, not knowing what had taken place. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, it was for so much.” But then Peter answered her, “How is it that you have together agreed to test the Spirit of the Lord? Note, the feet of those that have buried your husband are already at the door, and they will carry you out too.” At this she Immediately collapsed at his feet and died. On entering the young men found her dead, and they then carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these events. (Acts 5:7-11/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne)
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DEATH: The result of Ananias and Sapphira’s lies. Bruce C Wearne says the event was “an awesome confirmation that lying and deceit had no part in the stewardship harvest God’s Spirit was bringing forth among these inaugural disciples of Jesus.” PICTURE: Willem Grove/www.freeimages.com
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This is an awful story. It is about a great fear that came upon the entire church. It is told in two distinct parts.
Ananias and Sapphira had been happy to join this community. But something was wrong. Something was awry in their attitude and at the time their deceit was publicly revealed, both died. Ananias dropped dead when Peter confronted him about it. We do not read of Peter asking Ananias for an explanation. We only hear the confrontation once it was evident that Ananias had lied. Then, three hours later, Peter confronted Sapphira.
Peter’s confrontation with these two was a serious episode in the life of the new community. These two had sold the land, let us say for $180,000 and had given $120,000 to the community. It seems to me that Peter’s question went something like this: “Sapphira did you sell the land for $120,000?”
And her answer was: “Yes. That is correct.”
By some means Peter knew that they had sold the land for the higher price. This showed deceit. This meant they wanted to buy their way into the community. It showed they wanted to use the Christian community for their own purposes. It showed that they were not truly at the disposal of the Spirit who was building this community. That is why I say this is an awful story, a story to be read with awe.
Peter’s judgment makes for sober reading. It is hard enough for us to read it today; how awful was it to be part of this when it happened? I suspect Peter himself was thunder-struck. This was wilful deceit.
The Holy Spirit had indeed enabled the boldness of the apostles. But Ananias and Sapphira were also bold; brazen with their lies. Such an attitude cannot abide with God’s Spirit. Peter made that plain; this lying, he said, was simply lying. This event was an awesome confirmation that lying and deceit had no part in the stewardship harvest God’s Spirit was bringing forth among these inaugural disciples of Jesus.
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