Ananias and Sapphira

The story of Ananias and Sapphira stands out in the New Testament as a terrifying example of God's judgment. The story is found in Acts 5, in the context of the community of early Christians coming together and not regarding their possessions as their own. Barnabas (who becomes notable later on in the book for his generosity and encouragement of other Christians, living up to the meaning of his name) sells a field and brings the whole amount of money before the apostles to use to help the poor and needy amongst them. Ananias and Sapphira sell some property and keep some of the money back, but in laying it before the apostles they essentially pretend they are giving the whole amount.

'Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.'

Peter, with supernatural knowledge, condemns Ananias- not for keeping money but for lying and trying to deceive the apostles. As God's representatives, such an offence against the apostles was basically against God Himself. That's why Peter says they have 'lied to the Holy Spirit'.

This is a terrible thing, and Ananias falls down dead in what seems to be shock and punishment from God. Then the story continues, as his wife (unaware that her husband has died and been buried) enters the scene.

'About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."

Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."

At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Sapphira is given the chance to repent, but she does not. She lies about the amount of money that they gave the apostles, and Peter says they have agreed to 'test the Spirit of the Lord'. Perhaps they wanted to see how much they could get away with. Their attitude was sinful and brought God's judgment upon them in an obvious way that terrified everyone around them.

What does this episode teach us?

Firstly, the sinfulness of sin. Disobedience to God, trying to go our own way, is offensive to Him and ultimately leads to our destruction.

Secondly, you can't hide from God. He sees all the thoughts of our hearts and we cannot escape His judgment upon our sin through hiding as Adam and Eve tried to do. Only through clinging to Jesus' sacrifice for us on the cross can we be forgiven.

Thirdly, the church is always under attack. In Acts, the early church was opposed by external powers (the Sanhedrin, for example) and this story shows us that opposition came from inside the church, too. Satan is at work to try to destroy the work of God's kingdom, but he is a defeated enemy! This story shows God's powerful control and protection of His church, which is testified to by the course of history. The church has prevailed despite multiple attacks from within and outside.