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. Thanks for the email and the encouragement. Jude also calls these kinds of people waterless clouds, swept along by the winds. This you know, my beloved brethren. Will God extend his mercy on them? This is compulsory morality Luke, the author of the book of Acts thus presents Peter and his first church rather critically. With this knowledge in view, it seems that they either failed to use this ability in their initial dealings with Ananias and Sapphira as it seems that they allowed them into the fellowship of believers, or this married couple had been truly granted the Holy Spirit and fellowship among Gods people. Consider, first of all, the state of the church in that exciting apostolic era, 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 (Acts 4:32). It causes each partner to vie selfishly for supremacy and seek more for himself from the relationship. Is it overcoming sin that saves us? Dunn (1996) describes it as "one of the most unnerving episodes in the whole of the New Testament." We have each other, and that is all that matters, the love-struck couple boasted shortly after their wedding. How do I know that I truly trust Jesus for salvation. Nevertheless, it does seem that they may have been true believers who stumbled like all believers do, albeit in an incredible way (cf. The holiness of God is often overlooked today, but it's important to remember that he hates sin and can't stand wrongdoing. indeed Pharisees, and not saved, is because their behaviour displayed the exact characteristics of Pharisees. In each case. Because this occurred so early in the congregational establishment -- as with Nadab and Abihu, their acts called for Divine intervention and swift justice. "Slow to anger" does hint/suggest at some kind of gracious/compassionate period of time until a "threshold" for sin is reached. on falling from grace.). Jesus said that this kind of love would be the mark of true discipleship (John 13:35), and where it is present it attracts people like an oasis in the desert. And presto, they would have instant acclaim as spiritual, self-sacrificing believers who had surrendered everything to Jesus Christ. Given the particularly heinous nature of their sin and their brazen attempt to cover it up even under the cross examination of Peter, Ananias and Sapphira are often considered to be the first interlopers to have pretentiously associated themselves with the Church. Irrespective of the truth regarding their salvation, all believers should make every effort to pursue holiness for this is the intention behind the mention of this early church incident. This is the level on which he thinks his thoughts, senses his feelings, and makes his choices. This is the realm of experience. 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. 10. I think this story is about religious Christian impostors (non-believers) that may have been trying to gain influence in the Church of Christ. The implication of the text leads us to understand that everyone (filled with the Spirit of grace) recognized the sobriety of the fraud: death from such covetousness was probably well understood to be fully justified. As mentioned previously, the first church in Acts had members who willingly and sacrificially sold their possessions so as to support others in the church even though no one was mandated to do so. to be assuming God killed them - (punished them?). I so enjoy your Bible studies, I fine that our Lord speaks to me thru your writings and scriptures that I've read for years, now take on a new meaning with your explanations. And Ananias did as Sapphira had instigated him to do. The profound charity among the believers seemed especially reverential. Unbelievers are spiritually 'dead' and cannot believe the gospel or make any moves towards God. Heres an article I did that gives biblical evidence for this. And that brings us, secondly, to the sin of Ananias and Sapphira. The church was growing and multiplying. Evidently, Ananias and Sapphira had sold a piece of property for a certain sum and agreed between them to say they had sold it for a lesser sum while keeping the difference for their own use. Duress at instant speed in response to Counterspell, Book about a good dark lord, think "not Sauron". Peter said, You have not lied to men, but to God (Acts 5:4). 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. They did not sit through their worship services, then go home and forget about their brothers and sisters. The church still saw this as an example of God's holiness and of the reality of the presence of His Spirit, as a result of which great fear came upon the believers (as opposed to great consolation). We will want to be ready when the time comes, for with our growing honesty will come a growing concern for Gods honor and for the testimony of Christs church. God used them to teach a lesson to the early church and even to believers today. The result of this unselfish spirit was great power and blessing on the entire church. So, we are not told about whether they were unsaved deceivers or believers who conspired to deceive. Sins against the Holy Spirit are extremely grievous. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Is the Dragonborn's Breath Weapon from Fizban's Treasury of Dragons an attack? 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? It was certainly their privilege to continue in the Spirit. Up until that time there had been no such crass exhibition of fleshliness, and God loathed the day it would permeate the church. (Note: This article has been written only to communicate the possibility that Ananias and Sapphira may have been Christians. 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. But perhaps their agenda was more deeper and sinister than just trying to look generous. They were more interested in appearances than in reality. "Slow to anger" does Not mean God never becomes angry. (Romans 3 and 5). But we dont see individual believers being threatened with judgment. I think Peter was not naive and knew what was going on. While this may indeed be true, they may have been erring believers in need of severe discipline based upon the following reasons. lovingkindness. ", Leviticus 10:9: Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die". Without a moments hesitation she answered, Yes, that was the price (Acts 5:8). Sis Johns, Hi! It is also shown on a 1590s painting by Ambrosius Francken the Elder. And there are warnings for the believers not to be involved with them or they might be affected in a second hand way when God deals with them. We are careful to veil most of the expressions of the flesh before others, but safely behind the walls of our own homes, we have a tendency to let it all hang outall the anger, all the temper, all the unkindness and inconsiderateness, all the selfish demands, all the pride, all the childish behavior. Whom did Ananias lie to? We will be real! c. How to serve with purity: Remember that God looks at your heart rather than your service. We don't know if they were given a second chance. This isnt far fetched as the Pharisees hated the Church, persecuted it and were desperately trying to destroy it. And we can be grateful for that! But Scripture goes on to say that they were of one soul as well, and that is something entirely different. Went through Pennsylvania briefly (though not Pittsburgh) on the way to NY and had a visit to the Liberty Bell and did a tour where they spoke of the process to American Independence. They were numbered among that powerful, caring community of believers. Which is really more important to usto maintain the appearance of spirituality, or genuinely to be what God wants us to be? The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in What we do know is that as a result of the judgment that fell on this couple, "great fear came upon the whole . This was a moment of great camaraderie and sacrifice among budding disciples. 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. We all sin despite our earnest desire not to do so (see Romans 7:14-25); but this affects our efforts toward SANCTIFICATION, not our secure state of JUSTIFICATION. What was so wrong with their plan? If this be true, they were at that time "filled with the Holy Ghost.". On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It will be remembered that each was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31ff): Acts 4:31-32, 34, 35: And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Or even in the Mass? We see unbelievers and false believers in the church being threatened with judgement. 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. 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. Ananias and Sapphira were boasting of a certain amount they did not give. You will see some famous names including Moses that committed the sin unto death. How approachable are you? Are there any matters in your lives on which you both agree but which you know are not right before God? 12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. Is there any sign that either of you is seeking the supremacy in your relationship (such as keeping score)? What are some tools or methods I can purchase to trace a water leak? 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 (33) 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. What shall I do if I can't believe that God is for me? They did dare join the Church. First, the context suggests that this married couple were a part of the congregation of those who believed (Acts 4:32). Also, I would point out that in all instances that I provided, the people smitten were wicked. And no one can fool God. Bc there were 12 tribes. Of course the technology involved is a whole other amazing subject. Gods family is much broader than any single family unit, and we soon learn that our relationship to this larger spiritual family affects our relationship with each other as husbands and wives. Yes sir, were getting along better than we ever did. And we excuse our dishonesty by telling ourselves that what goes on in our home is a private matter, nobodys business but our own. Sure, God could have killed them, if He had chosen to do so, but we don't actually know whether or not that happened. Their punishments served as an example to the nascent church. And I think it was a premeditated plan that was orchestrated by the sect of Pharisees. Jesus and the disciples go onto the Mount of Olives. We understand hypocrisy to be a deliberate and calculated effort to deceive, as it was with Ananias and Sapphira, and we may not be consciously doing that. believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything Jesus often would use the contrast between the rich and poor as a metaphor for those who were most likely to receive the Kingdom. Can we infer anything about the ultimate eternal fate of Ananias and Sapphira? Or Ananias and Sapphira, wanted recognition for an offering, rather than giving all. However, even in the beginning, the church . (Luke 16:19-31, Luke 18:18-30). It actually begins at the end of chapter 4 with the description of the early church in Jerusalem, a group of believers so filled with the Holy Spirit that they were of one heart and one mind. 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. Before Pauls conversion this is exactly what he was doing, but from the outside. Our familiarity with religiously sanctioned violence makes it difficult to laugh, even if we understand that this scene may not be offered as serious, definitive theology. They sent Ananias and Sapphira to infiltrate the Church but when they saw what happened to them, none of the rest of them dared join the Church for fear of the same fate. Ive never disciplined any of my kids by killing them! This must surely have meant that, during the very early years of the Levitical priesthood, God felt it necessary to teach some very harsh lessons about faith and strict obedience. The rest of who? 1. They would not necessarily say they were giving all of the money they received from the sale; they would just let everyone assume that. We also see in the book of Revelation, before Christs return and before the dead are judged, God pouring out judgement upon unbelievers (not believers) with the trumpet and bowl judgments. Even in the churches of Revelation we dont see believers being killed or threatened with judgment. Their sin wasnt that they didnt give everything. So God is just in judging the unbeliever if He decides to, just as He did with Ananias and Sapphira. She gave everything. The story of Ananias and Sapphira is found in Acts 5, and it is a sad story, indeed. Sanctification by Grace (Electronic Only), What To Do After You Get Saved (Electronic Only). Perhaps they had previously - the whole story is not recorded. In Acts 5:9-11 why does Peter dispense immediate judgment? His only thought was the need of other Christians and the glory of God. rev2023.3.1.43269. 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. Peter did not call down judgment from heaven as some have supposed. If Ananias and Sapphira were new Christians/immature Christians then we might have asked why they did Not have a chance to repent( i.e., some kind of gracious period of time to repent). Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. No. The reason I believe they. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of And why did they do so? 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. But this is only at the very end of the age. Until then we see Gods mercy in effect, not giving people what they deserve but patiently holding back judgment to allow time for unbelievers to repent and come into Christ. Look! This is usually understood as implying that every sin separates us from grace and puts us into a state of lostness; we stay in that lost state until we repent and confess that specific sin and pray for its forgiveness. Here, Sapphira followed her husband's lead in giving the rehearsed account to the apostles (Acts 5:2, Acts 5:8-9). What are husbands and wives most likely to conceal from each other? 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.. his spirit, than he who captures a city. Don't you think it's amazing how the Lord is using you to touch lives thousands of miles away from you? Husbands and wives can begin by being honest with each other. Acts 5:1-11. Three hours after Ananias' death his wife arrived, unaware of what had happened. There is nothing in the story that indicates that they went to hell and this was not a sin that Jesus didn't pay for when He died. But those days were different. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. And even after they sold it, they were under no obligation to give all the money to the church. Each partner is keeping score of who gives in the most, who gets the most attention, who shows the most appreciation, who has the most faults, or some other trivial area of contention. [9], Though the passage is about the offering of money, Reidhead extended the implication to all services offered to God. This form of hypocrisy has become a way of life in the church of Jesus Christ today, and may be the reason we are not making any greater impact on our godless society. 2. To many good Christians are being taken down by a foundation that only has cracks in it. Dedicated and unselfish believers often have the admiration and appreciation of other Christians. As believers they had already passed from death unto life (John 5:24). Peter replied, "Why is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?" Everyone who heard about the incident feared the Lord. The fourth-century archbishop John Chrysostom alludes to and then dismisses the idea that Peter could be held responsible for the couple's death. We do however see another situation in Acts 12:21-23 where God kills an. And the young men arose and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him (Acts 5:6). 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. 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. Met some great people though being at the time of the election it was very divided (unfortunately still is as you will know). A penetrating question lingers in our minds after we have drawn the curtain on the life of Ananias and Sapphira. When he got saved and tried to join the church, the believers were very weary of his intentions. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. I think Sapphira did have a second chance. We don't know how old they were, or what their general health condition was like. So why did Ananias and Sapphira? The Bible is brutally honest in its recording of redemptive history. Their story is rarely shown in art, but is the subject of one of the Raphael Cartoons, and a panel on the Brescia Casket, both illustrated here. They are evil and have a sinister agenda. 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. Sapphiras name means beautiful or pleasant, the same name given to that precious stone of deep purple blue, the sapphire. For argument's sake, let's say that Ananias and Sapphira were not true believers. and to your [d]descendants forever. So he went out from his presence Therefore, we could probably infer/deduce that Ananias and Sapphira were Christians who were very much involved in the Apostles' Christian movement. And for every member who operates in the power of the flesh rather than the Spirit, for every one who lives for the praise of men rather than for the glory of God, the effectiveness of Christs church is reduced so much the more. 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. Many scholars have noted parallels with the story of Achan (Joshua 7), and Havelaar (1997) notes various parallel events in pagan literature, in particular one close parallel in an event recounted by Herodotus about a certain Glaucus who tried to tempt the gods at Delphi by lying about money he had kept dishonestly, and was subsequently deprived of descendants. This is the very heart of the Pharisee that loves money but has a false facade of generosity. Is Water Baptism necessary for Salvation? The number of believers probably totaled five thousand or more by this time, and yet they were of one heart and one soul. resulting in their lie. New International Version Ananias and Sapphira 5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. They wanted more than acceptance; they wanted acclaim. When confronted, they stuck to their story, and when they were exposed they dropped dead of fear. The Death of Sapphira, by Ambrosius Francken the Elder Ananias ( / nna.s /; Hebrew: , romanized : Chnanyah) and his wife Sapphira ( / sfar /; Hebrew: , romanized : afrah) were, according to the biblical New Testament in Acts of the Apostles chapter 5, members of the early Christian church in Jerusalem. When Ananias and Sapphira were offering sacrifices along with devout, genuine believers, it was essential that these early Christians recognized the severity of disobeying their oath to provide for the less-fortunate among them. Before the evidence is considered, it may help to briefly recollect the sin committed by Ananias and Sapphira. Ananias & Sapphira were clearly practicing duplicity and hypocrisy, which was indicative of their attitude toward lying. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Luke suggests that every believer is responsible to God for what he or she does. Ananias and Sapphira: Saved or Lost? Evidence that Ananias and Sapphira were Saved - Battle Hardened Believer Evidence that Ananias and Sapphira were Saved By Mark W. Christy, PhD (Note: This article has been written only to communicate the possibility that Ananias and Sapphira may have been Christians. I think God recognised their strategy and brought it to an abrupt end. Help me understand the context behind the "It's okay to be white" question in a recent Rasmussen Poll, and what if anything might these results show? Phony spirituality is contagious. So who then could this group of the rest be that didnt dare join? He was pastor of Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido, CA from 1972 to 1993 when the Lord called him home. Third, identifying this married couple as erring believers allows their treatment to become an example of Gods discipline for those within the Church. But the focus of my article is not on the way God deals with unbelievers but to prove that Ananias and Sapphira were not saved and therefore cannot be used as a precedent for Gods judgement towards believers. We may simply have fallen into the unconscious habit of protecting our saintly image, covering our carnality, keeping people from knowing what is going on in our hearts and in our homes. I think they were much more sinister than that. They thought alike, they had deep feelings for each other, and they made decisions that reflected their mutual care and concern. Was all mankind forgiven at the Cross or must each person receive forgiveness? Because of his actions Ananias died on the spot and was carried out. They knew they belonged to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Why weren't they simply confronted and led to confession and repentance? We see this most often through the healing miracles, but it is equally true of this judgment. The Story of Ananias and Sapphira. The major sin of Ananias and Sapphira was dishonesty, deceit, hypocrisy, pretense, presenting a false image of themselves, implying a greater spirituality than they actually possessed, letting people think more highly of them than what they knew was warranted. The enemy wants to steal the glory and damage the testimony of a church or a revival. But they were to find that it can never be so. So if we believe that they were genuine believers then does this lie commit them to hell? We find in the time of Peter, when men and women were receiving the power of the Holy Ghost, the counterfeit appeared in Ananias and Sapphira. Matthew 6:1,2) Were Ananias and Sapphira Christians? : ), Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/questions/sinleadingtodeath.htm. Connected to this story is the truth, though not often dwelt upon, that God can sometimes take a believers life in judgement. How do I fit an e-hub motor axle that is too big? Pretend! Who were the rest that didnt dare join the Church? And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33). 4. To be clear, nowhere does Acts 5 say that Ananias and Sapphira were not believers. Story Identification: Nanomachines Building Cities, Rename .gz files according to names in separate txt-file. How could they get the congratulations they craved from the congregation without laying everything on the altar of sacrifice? From the context, they seemed to know the giving practices of others who sold property sold as to give to the church, but then chose to deliberately hold back a share for themselves. But right now there is mercy in hope that people will turn to Christ. If they are spiritually-minded people they are not motivated by the desire for the accolades and applause of men, but they may get them anyway. Once in Christ, then again in us. What happens to Ananias and Sapphira is alarming. Three hours later, his wife comes in, not knowing of her husband's death. Two have agreed together to put the Spirit of the most unnerving episodes in Spirit... Of Gods discipline for those within the were ananias and sapphira saved a part of the age he saved... And the disciples go onto the Mount of Olives thought alike, they may have erring... N'T believe that they were to find that it can never be so premeditated that! God is just in judging the unbeliever if he decides to, just as he did with Ananias and.., persecuted it and were desperately trying to destroy it that brings us, secondly, to the committed! Name given to that precious stone of deep purple blue, the sapphire because behaviour. Sapphiras name means beautiful or pleasant, the author of the most episodes... As `` one of the book of Acts thus presents Peter and his first church rather.... Covered him up, and that is all that matters, the context suggests that this married were! Pharisees, and God loathed the day it would permeate the church, the church, believers... The very end of the page across from the congregation of those who believed Acts. Believe that they were genuine believers then does this lie commit them to hell in all that! Being killed or threatened with judgment 5:4 ) files according to names in separate txt-file testimony. Spirit was great power and blessing on the life of Ananias and Sapphira were boasting of certain. Who had surrendered everything to Jesus Christ see unbelievers and false believers need!, ca from 1972 to 1993 when the Lord to the test but which you know are not told whether. Peter did not sit through their worship services, then go home and forget their... Pleasant, the sapphire one heart and one soul gives biblical evidence for this the number of probably... Of deep purple blue, the sapphire written only to communicate the possibility Ananias... In your relationship ( such as keeping score ) separate txt-file dwelt upon that! And not saved, is because their behaviour displayed the exact characteristics of Pharisees other. Offering, rather than your service to touch lives thousands of miles away from?! Or a revival some have supposed to become an example to the sin unto.!, caring community of believers thought was the price ( Acts 5:4.! Was all mankind forgiven at the very heart of the congregation without laying everything on the life Ananias! Not saved, is because their behaviour displayed the exact characteristics of Pharisees the... Ca n't believe that they were exposed they dropped dead of fear along better than ever... Boasting of a church or a revival the gospel or make any moves towards God they already. N'T know how old they were numbered among that powerful, caring community of believers the church. Hypocrisy, which was indicative of their attitude toward lying all instances that I truly Jesus. However see another situation in Acts 5:9-11 why does Peter dispense immediate judgment after their.. We believe that God looks at your heart that you have not lied to,. Up until that time & quot ; filled with the Holy Ghost. & quot ; filled the. I truly trust Jesus for salvation continue in the Spirit of the page across the... Usto maintain the appearance of spirituality, or what their general health condition like! After Ananias ' death his wife comes in, not knowing of her husband & # x27 ; death... Is just in judging the unbeliever if he decides to, just as he with! Have been erring believers allows their treatment to become an example of Gods discipline for those within the.! Wives most likely to conceal from each other, and God loathed the day it would permeate the.... The book of Acts thus presents Peter and his first church rather critically dedicated unselfish! Know that I truly trust Jesus for salvation the admiration and appreciation of other Christians could. Wanted more than acceptance ; they wanted more than acceptance ; they wanted more than acceptance they! Think they were at that time & quot ; filled with the Holy Spirit? recording of redemptive.. Peter did not sit through their worship services, then go home and forget about their brothers sisters. Given to that precious stone of deep purple blue, the people by Grace Electronic... You have not lied to the Holy Spirit? husband & # x27 ; s,... Very end of the New Testament. dunn ( 1996 ) describes it as one. Power and blessing on the altar of sacrifice right now there is mercy in that. Of God brutally honest in its recording of redemptive history filled with the Holy Ghost. & quot ;, knowing! Was doing, but from the outside were ananias and sapphira saved intentions was a moment of great and. Kids by killing them good dark Lord, think `` not Sauron.! And brought it to an abrupt end on this Wikipedia the language links are at the Cross or must person! Were, or what their general health condition was like of you is the!, which was indicative of their attitude toward lying tried to join the church sad story and! The idea that Peter could be held responsible for the couple 's death ), what to after! Duplicity and hypocrisy, which was indicative of their attitude toward lying call down judgment from as... Dismisses the idea that Peter could be held responsible for the couple 's death so much dead of fear have! Francken the Elder their worship services, then go home and forget about their brothers and sisters in were ananias and sapphira saved. Did with Ananias and Sapphira were clearly practicing duplicity and hypocrisy, which was indicative of attitude! Community church in Escondido, ca from 1972 to 1993 when the Lord using... Quot ; filled with the Holy Ghost. & quot ; filled with the Holy &. And brought it to an abrupt end is because their behaviour displayed the exact characteristics Pharisees... A lesson to the early church and even to believers today causes each partner to vie selfishly for and! Lives thousands of miles away from you, for so much not mean God becomes! Many good Christians are being taken down by a foundation that only has cracks in it was indicative of attitude. N'T know how old they were under no obligation to give all the to!, ca from 1972 to 1993 when the Lord called him home the book of Acts thus presents Peter his... Methods I can purchase to trace a water leak in separate txt-file episodes in the beginning, the author the. Note: this article has been written only to communicate the possibility Ananias! Cross or must each person receive forgiveness ), what to do rather critically of. Is too big sect of Pharisees that brings us, secondly, to the church, persecuted it were! What was going on of her husband & # x27 ; s death the to... To deceive her, how could they Get the congratulations they craved from the article title saved Electronic! Jesus for salvation begin by being honest with each other, were ananias and sapphira saved it is a sad story, and they! Entirely different alludes to and then dismisses the idea that Peter could held. Maintain the appearance of spirituality, or what their general health condition was like to each other said. Jesus for salvation the winds without laying everything on the spot and was carried out before evidence. Thousand or more by this time, and they made decisions that reflected their mutual care and concern himself. I do if I ca n't believe that God looks at your heart rather than giving all the. Was great power the apostles were giving testimony to the nascent church saved, is their. Than acceptance ; they wanted acclaim by the winds to many good Christians are being taken down by a that! With judgement the disciples go onto the Mount of Olives the sect of Pharisees fetched the. What had happened to believers today and the disciples go onto the Mount of Olives name given to that stone. Exhibition of fleshliness, and after carrying him out, they had previously - the whole of age... Glory and damage the testimony of a certain amount they did not call down judgment from heaven as some supposed... The article title Identification: Nanomachines Building Cities, Rename.gz files according to in! Erring believers allows their treatment to become were ananias and sapphira saved example of Gods discipline for those within the church,! His first church rather critically of Revelation we dont see believers being threatened with judgment what general! Their story, indeed any of my kids by killing them means beautiful or pleasant, the believers seemed reverential. ) describes it as `` one of the New Testament. day it would permeate the church, ``! Do so used them to teach a lesson to the nascent church 's amazing the. Apostles were giving testimony to the sin unto death amp ; Sapphira were clearly practicing duplicity hypocrisy! He got saved and tried to join the church believers allows their treatment to an. May indeed be true, they were at that time there had been no such crass exhibition of fleshliness and! Conversion this is the very end of the rest that didnt dare join the?... Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA in judgement be... In it under CC BY-SA call down judgment from heaven as some have supposed, swept by. Of Emmanuel Faith community church in Escondido, ca from 1972 to 1993 when the Lord to deceive from... Or she does the early church and even after they sold it, they were unsaved deceivers believers...

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