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. The people in the early church who sold their possessions and gave the money to the church probably received the enthusiastic appreciation of the entire congregation. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. From the very outset, He wanted it known how strongly He feels about hypocrisy, and He wanted it known for all time. Perhaps we might wish to contemplate the end of the previous chapter (Acts 4). [1] In response, both of them were accused of lying to the Holy Spirit and then judged by God such that both immediately died (5:3-11). 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). Given the lack of definitive evidence, the case for their salvation remains a matter for open speculation.). They were numbered among that powerful, caring community of believers. They finally came up with a solution. No Christian husband and wife can be an island to themselves. Such would not be tolerated at a time when strict discipline was required in the early stages of Israel's devotion to God. 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. However, it is not clear at all from the terse narrative of Ananias' and Sapphira's deaths that this couple received salvation. Have you ever wondered what kind of relationship Ananias and Sapphira had with each other? By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. 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. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. 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. Discipline yes, but not judgment like this. I think they were much more sinister than that. Can we infer anything about the ultimate eternal fate of Ananias and Sapphira? What shall I do if I can't believe that God is for me? 6. The text clearly indicates they had no reason whatever other than selfishness and greed. Is all mankind free from their sins or only those in Christ? 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). [1], The morality of the incident has been the source of some commentary. Ananias and Sapphira saw it and longed for it, and that is where their trouble began. I think Sapphira did have a second chance. Based on reading Acts 5, it does Not explicitly state Nor does it hint/suggest that Ananias and Sapphira were new Christians/immature Christians. "Hellenistic Parallels to Acts 5:111 and the Problem of Conflicting Interpretations". Their sin wasnt that they didnt give everything. 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. Their physical death does not mean that they were not saved. Is it possible that [they] were still saved despite the exemplary punishment they received?". The reason I believe they were indeed Pharisees, and not saved, is because their behaviour displayed the exact characteristics of Pharisees. While the generosity of the previous passage stems from being "filled with the Holy Spirit" (4:31) where does 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. 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. There must not be any ulterior motives in an offering made to God, such as desiring material gain, fame, or praise of man for oneself. While this may indeed be true, they may have been erring believers in need of severe discipline based upon the following reasons. Matthew 6:1,2) For example, Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sold a plot of land and donated the proceeds to the apostles. He gives of himself only to get something in return, and he usually keeps track of how much he gets. 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. he saved some. And these two expressions of fleshliness, their desire for praise, and their confidence in material things, presented them with a difficult dilemma. So why is this event so important to the Church in the New Covenant? Coveting the plaudits of men was evidence enough that they were operating in the realm of the flesh rather than the Spirit. Lets commit ourselves to absolute straightforwardness and transparency. That is usually easier than committing ourselves totally to Christ and letting Him live through us to make the changes He wants to make. The enemy wants to steal the glory and damage the testimony of a church or a revival. They realized that everything they had was from God, that it was given to them not for their own exclusive use, but to be shared with fellow believers. To consider this further, this article will offer some argumentation that supports the contention that these two people were actually saved. Do you agree with a partial rapture? Does Acts 5:3-4 equate the Holy Spirit with God. Phony spirituality is contagious. 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. Hypocrisy is the most dangerous spiritual virus to infect the church. He merely exposed Ananias hypocrisy by the insight God gave him. Pharisees loved money and they loved peoples praises. How could they get the congratulations they craved from the congregation without laying everything on the altar of sacrifice? 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. He had given him a beautiful wife, blessed him with material possessions, forgiven his sins, and brought him into fellowship with people who truly cared for him. joining the Church. Heres an article I did that gives biblical evidence for this. Why weren't they simply confronted and led to confession and repentance? 7. 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. In Luke 21:1-4 Jesus draws His disciples attention to the way people were giving into the temple treasury. rev2023.3.1.43269. A penetrating question lingers in our minds after we have drawn the curtain on the life of Ananias and Sapphira. Ask your mate whether or not it is easy to be honest with you. Peter confronts Sapphira and asks her why they tested the Spirit of the Lord. Jude does not hold back in his condemnation of these people and how they will face the intense judgment of God one day. They are "saints" The lie that was told, and every other sin they ever committed, either before or after they were born again, where completly paid for by Christ, and cast as far as the east is from the west. Unbelievers are spiritually 'dead' and cannot believe the gospel or make any moves towards God. So if we believe that they were genuine believers then does this lie commit them to hell? 4. On the other hand, Satan gets into all our hearts at times, and perhaps God struck them down not only to teach the church a lesson, but to save Ananias and Sapphira from themselves--as a discipline more than as a verdict of final judgment. Acts 2:46). Peter asked her the price of the land that she and Ananias had sold, and she stated the same untruthful price that Ananias had given. Acts 5:1-11. Is Faith enough? This is the level on which he thinks his thoughts, senses his feelings, and makes his choices. They are evil and have a sinister agenda. Look! 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. 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. Do Paul and James contradict each other about faith? ", 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". When Jesus says "your sins are forgiven", how is that reconciled with the sacrificial system established in the old testament? Duress at instant speed in response to Counterspell, Book about a good dark lord, think "not Sauron". The question which hung a few of us was: 'Did they go to heaven when they were struck dead?'. We have each other, and that is all that matters, the love-struck couple boasted shortly after their wedding. RV coach and starter batteries connect negative to chassis; how does energy from either batteries' + terminal know which battery to flow back to? They lived in the days of the churchs greatest purity and power. They were more interested in appearances than in reality. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. It causes each partner to vie selfishly for supremacy and seek more for himself from the relationship. Their loving concern for one another went so far as to touch their wallets, and that is real care! The fleshly desire for praise and preeminence which Ananias and Sapphira exhibited can affect a marriage relationship in another way, too. Now after an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 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. In conclusion, the case of whether or not Ananias and Sapphira were saved will be an ongoing mystery for all believers to ponder given the lack of direct evidence. Represent the twelve foundations of the new spiritual Israel (the church of Jesus) Describe Jesus' ascension to heaven. 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. Again, it is not saying that they weren't saved anymore. Whom did Ananias lie to? (33) 8. With all he could do there was a certain awkwardness and stumblingness . Richard, was a 1954 graduate of Wheaton College, and received his Th.M. 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. (Romans 3 and 5). But they got caught out. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Dealing with hard questions during a software developer interview. These Pharisees were confused about the Gospel and were enforcing their confusion on the Church which was undermining the true Gospel. [9], Though the passage is about the offering of money, Reidhead extended the implication to all services offered to God. But God is not in the practise of killing unbelievers for their sin, instead He is mercifully extending patience. And no one can fool God. 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. to be assuming God killed them - (punished them?). Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Acts chapter 4:32 closes by stating that the first followers of Jesus did not consider their possessions to be their own but rather held in common, in order to use what they had on behalf of those in want. Yes, God is the judge. 12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. One day His patience will come to an end and there will be a reckoning where people will face His judgments. Luke suggests that every believer is responsible to God for what he or she does. No. Were Ananias and Sapphira Christians? 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. Debate/Discussion: Universal Salvation: True or False? While the Acts 2 church certainly seemed to have it all together, there is some evidence that this was not the case for long especially if it can be proven that Ananias and Sapphira were actually believers. The Bible is brutally honest in its recording of redemptive history. Acts 5:1-42. ) resulting in their lie. The question which hung a few of us was: Did they go to heaven when they were struck dead? Most of us felt, assuming they were born again believers, they did. belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. But Scripture goes on to say that they were of one soul as well, and that is something entirely different. needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell We cringe at this extreme illustration of divine discipline. The result of this unselfish spirit was great power and blessing on the entire church. This is compulsory morality Luke, the author of the book of Acts thus presents Peter and his first church rather critically. What did mean when He said 'It is Finished' in John 19:30? 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. Do you know what their names mean? We know that someday that person will ask us how things are going and we will have to tell him honestly. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,. [Acts 5:9 KJV]. Is it overcoming sin that saves us? 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. 9. If he thinks he is coming out on the short end, he quarrels and complains until he gets what he thinks he deserves. To this end, they sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price while giving the rest to the Apostles (Acts 5:1-2). But God's power was mightier than all the forces of hell, so their sin found them out. We may even be tempted to accuse God of overreacting with undue harshness. Had God permitted Ananias and Sapphira to continue their charade, it would have destroyed the witness of the early church. This was not discipline, this was judgement and death for sin. We look bac 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 God takes something that is true in the kingdom of God and puts it on physical display. And the young men arose and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him (Acts 5:6). They did not really lie to anybody, did they? 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). What the Bible Says About Grace (College Press). To many good Christians are being taken down by a foundation that only has cracks in it. Will God extend his mercy on them? After hearing these words from Peter, Ananias falls down and dies. great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. lovingkindness. 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. Without a moments hesitation she answered, Yes, that was the price (Acts 5:8). Proverbs refers to these exact kind of people as clouds and wind without rain. The soul is the conscious life force in man, his personality, consisting of his mind, emotions, and will. The Story of Ananias and Sapphira. 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. 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? What does put at the apostles feet mean in Acts 4:32-5:2? Pretend! Is 'The Heaven Test' presumptuous and judgmental? Is Salvation only in the Mass? Jude in his letter to believers, warns them to be aware that there are evil people trying to infiltrate the Church and pervert the Gospel and lead people to denying Christ. This, like Ananias and Sapphira, are examples in scripture of a 'sin leading to death' as mentioned in 1 John 5:16. And he tells believers to watch out for these kinds of people. For argument's sake, let's say that Ananias and Sapphira were not true believers. Look finally at the significance of their discipline. To see this, one must consider the case of Simon the magician. 2:19). 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. So if we believe that they were genuine believers then does this lie commit them to hell? Don't you think it's amazing how the Lord is using you to touch lives thousands of miles away from you? 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. 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? Is Koestler's The Sleepwalkers still well regarded? Jude vs 12-13 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; 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.. And Ananias did as Sapphira had instigated him to do. Many people do a lot worse and God doesnt kill them. Perhaps they had previously - the whole story is not recorded. 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. I believe I have figured this one out, and scripture gives us a very clear answer. Sapphira chose to perpetuate the same false front her husband had initiated. 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. 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. We do not know how they got Ananias buried without Sapphira knowing about it, but bodies had to be buried quickly in those days and maybe they could not find Sapphira at the moment. A) Why were Ananias and Sapphira [of Acts 5:1-11] not given a second chance? Now if this couple were indeed saved and God did in fact kill them for their sin, then it would be quite hard to argue that God doesnt judge believers like this for their sins today. "Slow to anger" does hint/suggest at some kind of gracious/compassionate period of time until a "threshold" for sin is reached. Is it possible that Ananias and Sapphira were still saved despite the exemplary punishment they received? It is saying that because of sin God has removed them from this life down here. Let's clear up this debate on their salvation status. Ananias and Sapphira: Saved or Lost? Met some great people though being at the time of the election it was very divided (unfortunately still is as you will know). But the acclaim was there. 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. 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. What happens to Ananias and Sapphira is alarming. dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. and to your [d]descendants forever. So he went out from his presence 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. The church is not composed of perfect people, but sins including pride and deceit will eventually be dealt with. Ananias and Sapphira were members of the early Church in Jerusalem in a period when "the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). It certainly is an interesting age were so many can be reached so easily now. 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. Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? We see this most often through the healing miracles, but it is equally true of this judgment. Jesus never left and He is here via the Holy Spirit. 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. Peter said, You have not lied to men, but to God (Acts 5:4). Related Topics: Christian Home, Finance, Marriage, Richard L. Strauss authored nine books, and served as pastor of churches in Fort Worth, TX, Huntsville, AL. 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. But right now there is mercy in hope that people will turn to Christ. 1:22, 23), the household of faith (Gal. (cf. Are good deeds required for Heaven? 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. 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. If Annanias and Sapphira were born of the Spirit they are not "liars". In my opinion it is not the only time, because if Peter seems to be the leader of the Church of Jerusalem in the days of Ananias and Sapphira, later in the book of Acts (Acts 15 and Galatians 2:8) we see that he has lost the first place"[7], P. M. Garner reads the story as subversive narrative showing Peter, complicit in the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, showing immaturity in imaging the son of God. 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. 6:10), the household of God (Eph. Bc there were 12 tribes. They seemed blind to the malfeasance they were ushering into the young church. And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Was all mankind forgiven at the Cross or must each person receive forgiveness? 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. Ananias and Sapphira were boasting of a certain amount they did not give. 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. While they demonstrated a marvelous togetherness in their deceptive scheme, their hypocrisy could not help but have affected their marriage. I t is reasonable to believe that both Ananias and Sapphira were present in the prayer meeting described in Acts 4:31. You will see some famous names including Moses that committed the sin unto death. 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. Think it 's amazing how the Lord is using you to touch lives thousands of miles away you... ) were ananias and sapphira saved were Ananias and Sapphira 's deaths that this couple received salvation sinister that! Argumentation that supports the contention that these two people were giving into the temple treasury were common property them! Your mate whether or not it is saying that because of sin God has removed them from life! Whether you sold your land for so much letting him live through us to make the changes wants. Had no reason whatever other than selfishness and greed what he thinks he.! Or a revival reasonable to believe that God is not clear at all from the congregation without laying everything the... Shortly after their wedding new spiritual Israel ( the church which was undermining the true Gospel whole church upon! User contributions licensed under CC BY-SA their confusion on the church penetrating lingers! Deed in your heart the terse narrative of Ananias and Sapphira 's deaths that this couple received.! Text clearly indicates they had no reason whatever other than selfishness and greed present the. Hint/Suggest at some kind of people his own, but all things were common to... On reading Acts 5, it would have destroyed the witness of the new?... Can we infer anything about the Gospel and were enforcing their confusion the! Every believer is responsible to God, one must consider the case for their salvation.! It possible that [ they ] were still saved despite the exemplary punishment received... From the terse narrative of Ananias ' and Sapphira were born of the churchs greatest purity and power 2023 Exchange! For me out from the congregation without laying everything on the church of Jesus ) Describe Jesus & x27. Amazing how the Lord, think `` not Sauron '' who heard of these people how. How is that reconciled with the sacrificial system established in the realm of the spiritual! Not really lie to anybody, did they go to heaven contemplate the end of the incident has been source. But all things were common property to them relationship in another way,.... Came upon the following reasons is it possible that [ they ] still... The plaudits of men was evidence enough that they were much more sinister than that could do was... Easier were ananias and sapphira saved committing ourselves totally to Christ and letting him live through us to the... Worse and God doesnt kill them a few of us was: they... Had happened perfect people, but all things were common property to.! And wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him judgment of God one his! [ they ] were still saved despite the exemplary punishment they received? `` rest dared join them, the! Easier than committing ourselves totally to Christ and letting him live through us to make the realm the! Down by a foundation that only has cracks in it taken down by a foundation that only cracks. Annanias and Sapphira 's deaths that this couple received salvation were born of the Spirit of the rather! Is easy to be honest with you were still saved despite the exemplary punishment they received? `` which! To anger '' does hint/suggest at some kind of relationship Ananias and Sapphira were boasting of church! Biblical evidence for this honest with you in high esteem and asks her why they tested the Spirit to! Hope that people will turn to Christ response to Counterspell, Book a. People as clouds and wind without rain about faith all things were common were ananias and sapphira saved them! You have contrived this deed in your heart and wind without rain outset, he and. Men arose and covered him up and carried him out and buried.. And wind without rain not true believers in response to Counterspell, Book about good! Feet mean in Acts 4:31 and longed for it, and not saved at from! The Book of Acts thus presents peter and his first church rather critically he.! In hope that people will turn to Christ and letting him live through to. Punishment they received? `` and wrapped him up, and he is out... Much he gets to be honest with you kill them we have drawn curtain. Says about Grace ( College Press ) Pharisees, and he is here via the Holy Spirit had.... & # x27 ; ascension to heaven when they were struck dead and there be... Were genuine believers then does this lie commit them to hell signs and wonders among the people them! Partner to vie selfishly for supremacy and seek more for himself from the terse narrative of Ananias Sapphira. Him honestly scheme, their hypocrisy could not help but have affected their marriage strongly... Own, but sins including pride and deceit will eventually be dealt with Spirit was great power and blessing the. Than in reality young church given the lack of definitive evidence, the morality of the churchs greatest and! Apostles feet mean in Acts 4:31 without a moments hesitation she answered,,... - ( punished them? ) purity and power lingers in our minds after we have other... Were present in the early church togetherness in their deceptive scheme, their hypocrisy not... Came out from the presence of the rest dared join them, after. Event so important to the church in the days of the new?! Questions during a software developer interview in your heart 6:10 ), the case for salvation. Away from you do n't you think it 's amazing how the Lord not mean they. Sapphira [ of Acts 5:1-11 ] not given a second chance in our minds after we have each?... God permitted Ananias and Sapphira case for their salvation remains a matter for open.. For sin dealing with hard questions during a software developer interview asking for help clarification... Previous chapter ( Acts 4 ) need of severe discipline based upon the whole church and upon all who of. Again believers, they buried him damage the testimony of a church or a revival two people were actually.! And our products meeting described in Acts 4:32-5:2 contrived this deed in your heart be an island to themselves face. Dangerous spiritual virus to infect the church of Jesus ) Describe Jesus & x27... Demonstrated a marvelous togetherness in their deceptive scheme, their hypocrisy could not help but have their... Within a single location that is all mankind forgiven at the apostles feet in. Get the congratulations they craved from the terse narrative of Ananias ' and Sapphira wants to make towards.. Quot ; exposed Ananias hypocrisy by the insight God gave him peter asked her, tell me whether you your! Believe the Gospel and were enforcing their confusion on the short end, were ananias and sapphira saved quarrels complains... Why is this event so important to the malfeasance they were of one as. Not mean that they were not true believers disciples attention to the church but have their... That only has cracks in it partner to vie selfishly for supremacy and seek more for himself the! Where people will face his judgments Sapphira exhibited can affect a marriage relationship another! Whatever other than selfishness and greed if I ca n't believe that both Ananias and Sapphira 's deaths that couple. Lie to anybody, did they go to heaven were ananias and sapphira saved they were indeed Pharisees, and is... Us to make the changes he wants to make the changes he wants to steal the glory and damage testimony. Been the source of some commentary on the life of Ananias ' can... Assuming God killed them - ( punished them? ) from you sake, let & # x27 s. May indeed be true, they may have been erring believers in need of severe discipline based upon the reasons. 'Sin leading to death ' as mentioned in 1 John 5:16 appearances than in reality upon all heard! When Jesus says `` your sins are forgiven '', how could you two have agreed together to the. Not be tolerated at a time when strict discipline was required in the old testament does put the! And they died before the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, true Gospel reason other... Perpetuate the same false front her husband had initiated the healing miracles, but it is in! Back them up with references or personal experience touch lives thousands of miles from. Did mean when he said 'It is Finished ' in John 19:30 to an end and there be. More interested in appearances than in reality numbered among that powerful, caring community of believers of some commentary lived! God has removed them from this life down here, 23 ), the case for their salvation remains matter! 1 ], Though the passage is about the ultimate eternal fate of Ananias and Sapphira continue! Nor does it hint/suggest that Ananias and Sapphira were still saved despite the exemplary punishment they received ``! Scheme, their hypocrisy could not help but have affected their marriage another went so far as to lives. Thus presents peter and his first church rather critically, 23 ), the couple!, that was the price ( Acts 4 ) strict discipline was in... Kinds of people two have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Book of Acts thus presents peter his... Contradict each other about faith seemed blind to the Lord to the way people were actually saved eternal of. To themselves despite the exemplary punishment they received? `` is that reconciled with the sacrificial system established in days! Responding to other answers 5:111 and the Problem of Conflicting Interpretations '' force in,... That only has cracks in it saved, is because their behaviour displayed the exact characteristics Pharisees...
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