Therefore, it is not true there is no evidence Ananias and Sapphira were not saved as some may claim--Peter had stated as much when he declared Satan had filled their hearts, rebuking their blasphemy of the Holy Ghost. The reason I believe they. As an example, Paul talks about those in 1 Cor 11 that had 'fallen asleep' (ie believers that had died) because of bring judgement upon themselves at the Lord's Supper. But everyone must be This is the very heart of the Pharisee that loves money but has a false facade of generosity. Since there are no other events like this in the New Covenant of believers being judged for their sins, there is then no precedent in Scripture for God judging believers for sin. They are evil and have a sinister agenda. And even after they sold it, they were under no obligation to give all the money to the church. Heres an article I did that gives biblical evidence for this. Whom did Ananias lie to? They wanted more than acceptance; they wanted acclaim. In Acts, Ananias and Sapphiras sinful actions were performed within the context of their relationship to the Church. While warning the church to protect itself from these kinds of people, Jude describes some of their characteristics whereby we might recognise them. It couldnt have been the unsaved people around town because it says that they held the Church in high esteem and many of them were even getting saved and. What does a search warrant actually look like? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 7:37pm, HERES AN INTERESTING QUESTION: We are working through the book of Acts in our Sunday School class, and last week discussed Ananias and Sapphira. Ananias and Sapphiras behaviour exposed their true heart and agenda. Suppositions as to the eternal state of the two guilty persons are just that : suppositions. To consider this further, this article will offer some argumentation that supports the contention that these two people were actually saved. This isnt far fetched as the Pharisees hated the Church, persecuted it and were desperately trying to destroy it. But if we die after sinning and before confessing, we have been taught to assume we will go to hell. Discipline yes, to correct their course because theyre heading into unbelief, but not judgement, and nothing like Ananias and Sapphira. So who then could this group of the rest be that didnt dare join? Yes, God is the judge. 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. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Why do you not agree with Soul Salvation? 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. The Holy Ghost had not granted them repentance. If this be true, they were at that time "filled with the Holy Ghost.". Is it possible that Ananias and Sapphira were still saved despite the exemplary punishment they received? So why is this event so important to the Church in the New Covenant? 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. 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). 6. (1958 More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. Who were the rest that didnt dare join the Church? Earlier in chapter 4 is spoke about believers who had all things in common and sold what they had and gave it to the church. Are good deeds required for Heaven? See again my book, Set Free!, pp. (Also in this book, see pp. Luke suggests that every believer is responsible to God for what he or she does. After hearing these words from Peter, Ananias falls down and dies. You have not lied to man but to God. 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. I think Peter was not naive and knew what was going on. The Bible is brutally honest in its recording of redemptive history. 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. It was a special time for the church. Only, Ananias was not at all happy in his approach to Peter's feet that day. 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. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Do you know what their names mean? 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. 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. We see this most often through the healing miracles, but it is equally true of this judgment. It says: Again, it is not saying that they weren't saved anymore. 10. 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. 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. The result of this unselfish spirit was great power and blessing on the entire church. We know that someday that person will ask us how things are going and we will have to tell him honestly. We may even be tempted to accuse God of overreacting with undue harshness. 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. She gave everything. They did dare join the Church. Its one of Satans favorite traps. 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 see Jesus threatening to close churches down because theyve become such a perversion of the Gospel that they are doing more harm than good. Everyone who heard about the incident feared the Lord. 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. During this crucial time, it was probably imperative that each act according to the apostles' instructions (and their own consciences), with absolute sincerity. As told at the beginning of Acts chapter 5 Ananias and Sapphira, following Barnabas' example, also sold their land but secretly withheld a portion of the proceeds. There was no coercion involved. God takes something that is true in the kingdom of God and puts it on physical display. This is compulsory morality Luke, the author of the book of Acts thus presents Peter and his first church rather critically. Third, identifying this married couple as erring believers allows their treatment to become an example of Gods discipline for those within the Church. In the fourth chapter of Acts, the apostles were praying for more boldness and miracles. Which is really more important to usto maintain the appearance of spirituality, or genuinely to be what God wants us to be? They were more interested in appearances than in reality. Pretend! Is all mankind free from their sins or only those in Christ? Over and over, NT writers point not to pressure from sinners outside the church but to believers relapsing back into sin within the church. A man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of land kept some of it for themselves and then the husband, brought the rest as an offering to the Church. She too, fell dead. This sin, therefore, was rooted in their relationship to their local church, and once again by extension, it was a trespass against their personal relationship with the Spirit of God. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. 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. New International Version Ananias and Sapphira 5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. They had to have that money. Second, contrary to a widespread fallacy, an individual sin (except for the sin of unbelief) does not necessarily separate us from the grace of God. Iain. Were Ananias and Sapphira saved and went to heaven? Is it overcoming sin that saves us? Look finally at the significance of their discipline. Peter stated that Ananias had lied not to men, but to God. Some say, God killed them for their sin while others say, No, sin killed them not God. 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. A man couldnt ask for much more than that. It only takes a minute to sign up. And no one can fool God. They were numbered among that powerful, caring community of believers. 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. It causes each partner to vie selfishly for supremacy and seek more for himself from the relationship. 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. At no point does Luke represent them as being those outside the Church; rather, they are seemingly portrayed as those being under the authority of the Apostles to the extent that Peter himself pronounces judgment over them. Whereas, other blasphemies may be forgiven. PS - I spent about 6 weeks in the US for the first time late last year. Here, Sapphira followed her husband's lead in giving the rehearsed account to the apostles (Acts 5:2, Acts 5:8-9). Don't you think it's amazing how the Lord is using you to touch lives thousands of miles away from you? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out. 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. Well the reality is that, while Christ paid the price for everyones sins, its only those who are in Christ that receive the benefit of that and are therefore safe from Gods judgment. Jude also calls these kinds of people waterless clouds, swept along by the winds. Acts 5:1-11. Fake it! 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. I would suggest that we may never know of their ultimate circumstances. What shall I do if I can't believe that God is for me? Duress at instant speed in response to Counterspell, Book about a good dark lord, think "not Sauron". 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. How could they get the congratulations they craved from the congregation without laying everything on the altar of sacrifice? Hope this helps, Worst betrayal: Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Spirit and the Church about their generous giving. He states that, "The story aims for gallows humor, but we read Acts in a different place today. 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.. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 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. We cringe at this extreme illustration of divine discipline. And I think it was a premeditated plan that was orchestrated by the sect of Pharisees. This, like Ananias and Sapphira, are examples in scripture of a 'sin leading to death' as mentioned in 1 John 5:16. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. Is there any sign that either of you is seeking the supremacy in your relationship (such as keeping score)? There are a number of opposing views about the event that happened in Acts chapter 5 regarding Ananias and Sapphiras death. The account records their sudden deaths after lying to the Holy Spirit about money. The Holy Spirit, God or both? While they demonstrated a marvelous togetherness in their deceptive scheme, their hypocrisy could not help but have affected their marriage. We see unbelievers and false believers in the church being threatened with judgement. 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. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! Ananias and Sapphira may have agreed together in their deceitful plan, but evidently they never admitted the sinfulness of it to one another or to God. Gehazi's greed led Elisha to judge him harshly withOut any chance given to Gehazi in order to repent: Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you Why were Ananias and Sapphira not given a second chance? I think so but I don't really know. Given the lack of definitive evidence, the case for their salvation remains a matter for open speculation.). When confronted, they stuck to their story, and when they were exposed they dropped dead of fear. c. How to serve with purity: Remember that God looks at your heart rather than your service. By committing this sinful deception in their relationship with believers, they by extension deceived the Holy Spirit. The rest of who? 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 resulting in their lie. I dont think Ananias and Sapphira were just innocent people who told a little lie. Never was that more obvious than in the story of Ananias and Sapphira. (Ephesians 6:5,6) Do not seek for any selfish gain out of your service: Put away all pretence and hypocrisy. How can I recognize one? Lukethe Spirit-inspired historian who wrote the Book of Actstells us in Acts 5:1; But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession (Acts 5:1). She falls and breathes her last breath. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. Only then will they be able to grow spiritually. Ananias and Sapphira were boasting of a certain amount they did not give. I think they were much more sinister than that. 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 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. James 3:2). believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything 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. They also need to be honest with God. ", 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". They knew they belonged to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. How can you avoid this tendency? Evidently they could. This is most amazing. Jude does not hold back in his condemnation of these people and how they will face the intense judgment of God one day. Will Jesus 'spit' us out of His mouth? Thus, to sin against the Holy Spirit in such a manner as to negate His Person, leaves one with no means of access to Deity at all. [9], Concerning the belief held by some, that Peter caused the death of the couple, Reidhead held the view that Peter simply anticipated God's action and relayed it to Ananias and Sapphira before God took the action.[9]. 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. Annanias and Saphira sinned just before they died (were killed), but that doesn't mean they weren't previously saved. But they got caught out. great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. He had to act decisively. 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). Peter gave her an opportunity to be honest. What are husbands and wives most likely to conceal from each other? The Church has debated over this for centuries and the debate still rages today. 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. Those early Christians were not only one because of their position in Christ, but they were one in experience also. them and bring the proceeds of the sales (35) and lay them at the apostles' And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Unlike Barnabas, they didn't live up to their names (Ananias- God is gracious; Sapphira- beautiful). his spirit, than he who captures a city. joining the Church. However, even in the beginning, the church . - Greed caused the rebellious to "keep back" a part of the spoils. 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. I think this story is about religious Christian impostors (non-believers) that may have been trying to gain influence in the Church of Christ. Husbands and wives can begin by being honest with each other. Their sin was trying to deceive people and God to believing they were giving more than what they were really giving. Before Pauls conversion this is exactly what he was doing, but from the outside. It only says that they conspired to deceive. Hypocrisy is the most dangerous spiritual virus to infect the church. Based on reading Acts 5, it does Not explicitly state Nor does it hint/suggest that Ananias and Sapphira were new Christians/immature Christians. Paul tells the Corinthians that because of their behaviour : For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. Let's clear up this debate on their salvation status. We can probably deduce/infer that Gehazi being a servant to a Godly prophet should have known better because Gehazi is someone who is part of God's ministry. 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. Is it possible that Ananias and Sapphira were still saved despite the exemplary punishment they received? "Slow to anger" does Not mean God never becomes angry. The church needs to be strict at that critical time of beginning and growth. No. The poor He associated with humility and reliance upon God and therefore able to have faith and receive the Kingdom. I think Sapphira did have a second chance. However they lied and said they had donated all the proceeds. Lets commit ourselves to absolute straightforwardness and transparency. 3. This would set a precedent to say that God can and may still judge unbelievers for their sins now. However if Ananias and Sapphira were not born again, then the whole scenario changes. 2. They would not necessarily say they were giving all of the money they received from the sale; they would just let everyone assume that. But they were to find that it can never be so. To many good Christians are being taken down by a foundation that only has cracks in it. Do you agree with a partial rapture? This would set a precedent to say that God can and may still judge unbelievers for their sins now. And presto, they would have instant acclaim as spiritual, self-sacrificing believers who had surrendered everything to Jesus Christ. If Annanias and Sapphira were born of the Spirit they are not "liars". Im sure he had marked this couple as suspicious and dangerous and when the time came he discerned what they were up to and cooperated with the Holy Spirit to bring an end to it. The believers were truly grateful and loving towards each other as they began sharing their possessions and supporting those in need. And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Jesus and the disciples go onto the Mount of Olives. At this time, all the members of this church were true believers who were "one in heart and mind" (Acts 4:32). [1 Corinthians 11:30]. Is 'The Heaven Test' presumptuous and judgmental? 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 will be real! Sapphira chose to perpetuate the same false front her husband had initiated. Why are non-Western countries siding with China in the UN? Does Acts 5:3-4 equate the Holy Spirit with God. he saved some. Three hours later, his wife comes in, not knowing of her husband's death. It records without hesitation the blemishes and the faults of God's people, as well as their strength and virtue. Pharisees loved money and they loved peoples praises. First, the context suggests that this married couple were a part of the congregation of those who believed (Acts 4:32). 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. 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. Thanks for the email and the encouragement. Ananias and Sapphira saw it and longed for it, and that is where their trouble began. 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. is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.. needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell 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. 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. 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