#1555 Acts 5 Part 1 Enter At Your Own Risk

 

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge. And bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your authority? Why is it that you laid this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard. 6 And the young men rose up and wrapped him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

7 Now there was an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you were paid this much for the land?” And she said, “Yes, that much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard these things.

12 Now at the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were happening among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people were holding them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers in the Lord were added to their number, multitudes of men and women, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16 Also the multitude from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed. Acts 5: 1-16 LSB

Acts 5: 1-16

V. 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife, Sapphira - So the "but" lets us know that this is not only a continuation from chapter 4, but also in contrast to Barnabas. 

…35and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas ( meaning Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.… Acts 4: 35-37

Ananias means "Jehovah is gracious", and Sapphira means "Sapphire or beautiful". Now people in the early church were concerned with one another's needs, and we saw Joseph, or Barnabas as they called him, sell a field he owned and lay the money at the disciple's feet. This was important, not in the western way of understanding, like for a building fund, but people were seeing that their brothers and sisters in Christ did not all have their basic needs. This unity tore away the divisions of caste. You couldn't look at your brother or sister in the Spirit and just walk by their hunger, their nakedness, and or imprisonment, for that too was a reality of that place and time. Throughout the church age there has always been periods of intense persecution, even if not where you live. In Jerusalem they were persecuted by their fellow Jews, the very people they were trying to bring to reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. In other areas they were persecuted by the guilds, which made it hard to find a job. As a Christin I want everyone to be able to have a job, to be able to support their family, regardless of what they believe, and I consider it a mission field. Where I live that opportunity is available to everyone who is willing to work, but in some areas the separation of church and state is not a thing. So this husband and wife team sold a piece of property like Barnabas did in the chapter before. So far so good. 

The word hypocrisy comes from the Greek theater and referred to the practice of putting on a mask and playing a part on stage. It originally conveyed the idea of playing a part on the stage and described the actor's art. The NT gives hupokrisis only a negative connotation referring to hypocrisy, duplicity (the quality of being double - belying of one’s true intentions by deceptive words or action), insincerity, dissimulation (hiding under a false appearance; hiding or disguising one's thoughts or feelings - don't we all do this from time to time?!). The idea is to pretend, to act as something one is not and so to act deceitfully, pretending to manifest traits like piety and love. It means to create a public impression that is at odds with one’s real purposes or motivations, and thus is characterized by play-acting, pretense or outward show. It means to give an impression of having certain purposes or motivations, while in reality having quite different ones.

Wuest adds that the Greek word "is made up of hupo under, and krinō “to judge” and referred originally to “one who judged from under the cover of a mask,” thus, assuming an identity and a character which he was not. This person was the actor on the Greek stage, one who took the part of another. The Pharisees were religious actors, so to speak, in that they pretended to be on the outside, what they were not on the inside… Our word hypocrite to the act of concealing wrong feelings or character under the pretence of better ones. The true identity of the person is covered up. It refers to acts of impersonation or deception. Christianity requires that believers should be open and above-board. They should be themselves. Their lives should be like an open book, easily read."

Steven Cole - Hypocrisy is always motivated by self-love. We want to impress others, to make them think that we are something that we know in our hearts we are not. - Precept Austin

…16By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? 18Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.… 1 John 3: 16-18

V. 2 And kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge - Man, of all the times a wife could and should say something, this is one of the most critical ones. 

…13You also say: ‘Oh, what a nuisance!’ And you turn up your nose at it,” says the LORD of Hosts. “You bring offerings that are stolen, lame, or sick! Should I accept these from your hands?” asks the LORD. 14“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations. Malachi 1: 13-14

…8Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9You are cursed with a curse, yet you— the whole nation— are still robbing Me. 10Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.… Malachi 3: 8-10

…5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it. 7“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.… John 12: 5-7

…9Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 11But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.… 1 Timothy 6: 9-11

Another example of this is Naaman and Gehazi from 2 Kings 5

V. 3 Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit - Though I don't believe that a true believer, someone who has been born again, can be possessed by demons, I do believe that we can all be enticed by way of the flesh. We can give up ground to our adversary by seeing him as a friend when he poses so. He always tries to appeal to the old man, to our wants, greed, lust, and here, what makes all hypocrites, the desire to appear noble and holy before men, hiding from them what cannot be hidden from God. God reveals this to Peter not as a free will offering, but as pride, a desire for the praise of men while lying to God. We are so self deceived that we often pass over this chapter as though God has somehow changed from then to now.  

MacArthur on whether A&S were genuine believers (I agree with MacArthur) - It is best to see them as genuine Christians for several reasons. First, they were included in the "congregation of those who believed" in Acts 4:32. Second, they were involved with the Holy Spirit, thus indicating a relationship to Him. Third, if they were not Christians, what lesson about sin did this give to teach all the rest who were true believers? Fourth, Satan can become personally involved with believers (cf. Mt. 16:21-23; Eph 6:12; 1 Pe 5:8-9). Finally, death can be divine chastening for a believer (1 Cor 11:30-32; 1 Jn 5:16). (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts)

Constable - Rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to fill him (cf. Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31), Ananias had allowed Satan to control his heart. Ananias' sin was lying. He sought to deceive the Christians by trying to gain a reputation for greater generosity than he deserved. By deceiving the church, Ananias was also trying to deceive the Holy Spirit who indwelt the church. In attempting to deceive the Holy Spirit, he was trying to deceive God.

But Peter said - Another striking contrast. Ananias' offering which should have been a sweet aroma to God, is discerned by Spirit filled Peter to be an abomination to God. Peter saw through the lie and the attempt to deceive and thus he issues this strong rebuke. Can you imagine Ananias' shock at hearing Peter's words? - Precept Austin

…29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment.… 1 Corinthians 11: 29-31

V. 4 And after it was sold, was it not under your authority - The problem is not that they kept some back, the issue is that they acted as though they had given all. They wanted to be esteemed by men, and elevated as philanthropists. It is strange when you think about it, but so many organizations appeal to this defective part of men's nature. "Would you like to give just like these people who got their names on a paper heart that everyone can see, or for a hundred dollars you can have your name on a brick that is going to be part of the new church annex, but for a million we will name the building after you." I have worked for someone whose people wrote a book about his life, and in order to make it a best seller they purchased copies for all the employees in each of the companies that he owned. Men love the praise of other men, love to feel important, it's the route for so many suck ups as well; they know this about you. The devil fell for this, and so he knows that pride is the strongest of signals to tap into, the easiest way to get your ear and promote his vice. Notice that Peter doesn't blame the devil but goes on to say, "Why is it that you laid this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 

…13I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will. 15For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good—… Philemon 1: 13-15

Vs. 5-6 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last - Peter didn't even touch him, didn't even have time to excommunicate him, but God passed judgment on the spot. It says that great fear came over all who heard, and I should think so, isn't that about as strong of a lesson as you can get?

Vs. 7-11 Why is that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test - We should be helping each other to be in God's will, especially as husband and wife, we are one person so should look to the health of that union. I led my family for a long time in disobedience to God, forsaking the assembly, not reading Scripture with them, not making them aware of the necessity of the gospel. We should be proud of Christ only, and grateful that He uses us, grateful for the things that enable us to give. It all belongs to Him anyway. Sapphira too wanted the recognition of men, so she went along, or she feared her husband's disappointment, but either way, it would have been better to confront her husband and then not continue with the lie. Three hours had transpired and I guess no one had told her what happened to her husband, but God doesn't owe us those warnings anyway. He has already warned us throughout Scripture, what they knew happened to Israel, God's own people, when they sinned. He has also warned us by way of the cross, sin is no small thing, only God could suffice to overcome it. It says that great fear came over the whole church, and I think to a good end, for each most likely started examining themselves. 

…6If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known, 7the gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, whether from one end of the earth or the other), 8you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him.… Deuteronomy 13: 6-8

Wiersbe - We must keep in mind that their sin was not in robbing God of money but in lying to Him and robbing Him of glory. They were not required to sell the property; and, having sold it, they were not required to give any of the money to the church (Acts 5:4). Their lust for recognition conceived sin in their hearts (Acts 5:4, 9), and that sin eventually produced death (James 1:15). (Wiersbe Commentary on Acts) - P A

Vs. 12-13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them - There are potential weekend warriors when there is no cost, no risk. Some may have wanted to dabble or experiment with Christianity, but after seeing the stakes could be so high, they didn't venture any closer. God has only flooded the whole world once, and this should be more than enough of an example as to how He views sin, and how He will always be opposed to it. There was only one Sodom and Gomorrah recorded in Scripture, but this should be testament enough. God spoke here in the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, and it should be loud and clear in our minds, He hates hypocrisy. The church was growing fast and still grew, but this was a great deterrent for the tares of that age. There will always be those that come in like wolves, especially where the church sees no real persecution. The prosperity preachers smell money, the proud see a pulpit, those that want worship for themselves will look for the weak of the flock to lead astray. 

Vance Havner on none of the rest dared to associate with them - People didn't join this church carelessly. They were afraid to. There was a holy awe that kept Tom, Dick, and Harry at a distance. People didn't rush into this fellowship just because it was the nice thing to do. It meant something to unite with this crowd. There was a holy repulsion, and I know of nothing that the church needs more today. It is the last thing we think we need. We are always trying to attract. Our programs, prizes, picnics, and pulpit pyrotechnics are aimed at drawing the people in. Here was a church that made people stand back! We have catered to the world, we have let the world slap the church on the back in coarse familiarity. Here was a church that prospered by repelling! You will observe that all this followed on the heels of the death of Ananias and Sapphira. If the church took a stand today on sins within; if we thundered out, as Peter did here, against lying to the Holy Ghost, it would make the world stand at a respectful distance, and the fear of God would fall on a generation that laughs at the church. What was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira? They pretended to make a full consecration which was not real. And are not our churches filled with men and women who sing, "I surrender all," when they have not surrendered anything? The church is cluttered with people who should never have joined. She already has too many of the kind she has. We need a holy repulsion. You don't have to be different to be a church-member now. There is little about the average church to make men stand back in reverence. In other days we at least had church discipline. I can recall the old Saturday church meetings, when Ananias and Sapphira were dealt with. Some mistakes were made but there was a healthy regard for the sanctity of the church. When the church takes a stand, it repels careless "joiners."...When judgment fell on Ananias and Sapphira the world sat up and took notice. Today we coddle and excuse our sins, call weakness what God calls wickedness. We shelter sin in the Church, and when a preacher would cry out against it he is advised, "Don't be too hard, nobody is perfect," and is given a dressing-down from the text, "Judge not that ye be not judged." We have let down the bars until anybody can get into a church and nobody ever gets out. If we raised the New Testament standard it would stop the rush of superficial disciples and win respect where now there is ridicule. - Precept Austin

V. 14 And more than ever believers in the Lord were added to their number - Wow, they really didn't use a business model like most big churches do today. They practiced what God told them to, and we will be held accountable today in that we do not use the same standards that God puts forth for those who enter the pulpit, for elders, deacons, Sunday School teachers. We don't confront sin as it is outlined for us to do, all because we have adapted the world's form of marketing. Yet look here, all this happened, sin was confronted, preached about, we will see bad doctrine corrected, but it says, more than ever believers were added, almost like a command with a guaranteed outcome. 

…10For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. 12You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.… Isaiah 55: 10-12

Vs. 15-16 At least his shadow might fall on them - The time of the apostles, Christ being the foundation, them being the pillars, was an explosive time in the church. I agree with those who see it's use as authentication for the speakers, those that were teaching Christ to the church in it's infancy, but also a judgment to those who came against the teachings. I also think it is a preliminary look at the kingdom, where death and sickness will be turned away. It shows Christ's ability to keep God's word. 

John Stott - Their action may have been somewhat superstitious, but I see no reason to condemn it as tantamount to belief in magic, any more than was the woman’s faith that a touch of the hem of Jesus’ garment would be enough to heal her. No, the people had been deeply impressed by the words and works of Peter, had recognized him as a man of God and an apostle of Christ, and believed that through close proximity to him they could be healed. (Ibid)

John MacArthur - The streets of Jerusalem were an incredible sight. Everywhere there were beds occupied by rich and poor alike, all waiting for the apostles to move through town. The inhabitants of Jerusalem actually believed that Peter's shadow could heal. Some ancient peoples believed that a man's shadow carried his influence, so parents would place their children into the shadow of great men and snatch them away from the shadow of someone they disliked. The text doesn't say that Peter's shadow healed anyone, only that the people believed so. Their actions display a tremendous respect for Peter. Great miracles indeed occurred.

Miracles were common during this time as a way to authenticate the word of the apostles because there was no New Testament text to which one could refer. - PA