To consider this further, this article will offer some argumentation that supports the contention that these two people were actually saved. Barnabas was one who sacrificed everything (Acts 4:36, 37). They were more interested in appearances than in reality. The Biblical tale of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 is a strange one that leaves us with more questions than answers. It spreads. Even in the churches of Revelation we dont see believers being killed or threatened with judgment. They, like the rich and like the Pharisees, made a show of how much they were giving but under the surface what was really going on was that they loved money and loved peoples praises. This would mean that the Gospel isnt as good as we thought it was and that God violates the law of double jeopardy where He punishes the same sin twice. Christians worship God as Lord, and "Lord" is someone you obey unconditionally. And so, the worst thing is when we are hypocritical and we want to give 100%, but then we don't. And it doesn't mean that we have to sell anything and give anything. Sapphiras name means beautiful or pleasant, the same name given to that precious stone of deep purple blue, the sapphire. Paul tells the Corinthians that because of their behaviour : For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,. them and bring the proceeds of the sales (35) and lay them at the apostles' Sanctification by Grace (Electronic Only), What To Do After You Get Saved (Electronic Only). I guess you could say then that people would be well within their rights to use this story to threaten believers now. 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. Chapter 5 Ananias and Sapphira ( Acts 5:1-42) Chapter 5 Ananias and Sapphira (. If he thinks he is coming out on the short end, he quarrels and complains until he gets what he thinks he deserves. 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. Have a read of Ray Stedman's notes on this at the bottom of this Q&A http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/questions/sinleadingtodeath.htm, It will give more info on this. Is there any sign that either of you is seeking the supremacy in your relationship (such as keeping score)? Is it possible that [they] were still saved despite the exemplary punishment they received?". Whereas, other blasphemies may be forgiven. What does a search warrant actually look like? They can admit to one another what is going on inside them, then encourage one another and pray about each others weaknesses. You will see some famous names including Moses that committed the sin unto death. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. What are some tools or methods I can purchase to trace a water leak? 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. 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. Acts 4:32-35 And the congregation of those who Personally I think its quite obviously referring to the party of the Pharisees. How can I recognize one? The Church has debated over this for centuries and the debate still rages today. Dunn (1996) describes it as "one of the most unnerving episodes in the whole of the New Testament." What are Christians generally most prone to mask from each other? Jesus ascends into the clouds. 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). Ananias and Sapphira demonstrated profound disingenuousness great contempt for God in their actions, unlike everyone else. According to Luke, he believed Philip when he was preaching the good news, and then received baptism (8:12-13). 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. 5. It only takes a minute to sign up. It is quite possible that in this case, Nadab and Abihu had been intoxicated as they offered their sacrifices. Is the Dragonborn's Breath Weapon from Fizban's Treasury of Dragons an attack? Why do you not agree with Soul Salvation? A penetrating question lingers in our minds after we have drawn the curtain on the life of Ananias and Sapphira. What the Bible Says About Grace (College Press). B. So, judgment by the Lord, within the congregation, may result in weakness, illness or death, as appropriate. Most of us felt, assuming they were born again believers, they did. Sins against the Holy Spirit are extremely grievous. The need for each partner to come out looking better than his mate causes him to mask his true inner person, and so entrenches him more firmly in his wretched hypocrisy. Why were Ananias and Sapphira not given a chance to repent? No Christian husband and wife can be an island to themselves. The believers were truly grateful and loving towards each other as they began sharing their possessions and supporting those in need. The result of this unselfish spirit was great power and blessing on the entire church. 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. James 3:2). They would not necessarily say they were giving all of the money they received from the sale; they would just let everyone assume that. Story Identification: Nanomachines Building Cities, Rename .gz files according to names in separate txt-file. Ananias and Sapphira were mentioned in Acts 5:1-10 as a couple who sold some property and donated a portion of the proceeds to the Disciples. 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. This is compulsory morality Luke, the author of the book of Acts thus presents Peter and his first church rather critically. 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. But the acclaim was there. A man couldnt ask for much more than that. This question is important because it impacts our understanding of the New Covenant. 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). At this time, all the members of this church were true believers who were "one in heart and mind" (Acts 4:32). Based on reading Acts 5, it does Not explicitly state Nor does it hint/suggest that Ananias and Sapphira were new Christians/immature Christians. For example, Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sold a plot of land and donated the proceeds to the apostles. In Acts 5:3-4, did Ananias "lie to", "fake", "pretend" or "perjure yourself"? Peter did not call down judgment from heaven as some have supposed. 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. (33) 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. However they lied and said they had donated all the proceeds. However, even in the beginning, the church . In Acts 15 we see that they were eventually successful in this. What if our works aren't enough? They were numbered among that powerful, caring community of believers. The rest of who? There was no coercion involved. And even after they sold it, they were under no obligation to give all the money to the church. Had God permitted Ananias and Sapphira to continue their charade, it would have destroyed the witness of the early church. Why did He do it? For example we don't even know if they were definitely born again believers. Then we will be able to stop playing the game of putting on appearances. Their loving concern for one another went so far as to touch their wallets, and that is real care! When confronted, they stuck to their story, and when they were exposed they dropped dead of fear. Is it overcoming sin that saves us? 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. To be clear, nowhere does Acts 5 say that Ananias and Sapphira were not believers. Yet, Ananias and Sapphira were both responsible for their own actions, and Sapphira should have obeyed the Spirit instead of obeying her husband. To conclude, God has a certain God-defined "threshold" for every situation involving a person's sin, and once she/he crosses that threshold then consequences of God's Anger to uphold justice will be brought forth. I think they were much more sinister than that. It records without hesitation the blemishes and the faults of God's people, as well as their strength and virtue. He had to act decisively. 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. 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). Since their congregation was so very large, when they all met together in the court of the Temple, they also gathered in smaller units in homes to get to know each other, to grow in their love for one another, to care about one anothers problems and minister to one anothers needs (cf. Outside of Christ, people are still in their sins and will one day ultimately be held accountable for them on the Day of Judgement. 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. Was the gift of the Holy Spirit promised only for the first-century Church, according to Acts 2:38-39? 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. Phony spirituality is contagious. The point Im making is that this shows us it was not uncommon to have Pharisees trying to come into the church and that is was not unlikely that Ananias and Sapphira could not have been Pharisees. Again, it is not saying that they weren't saved anymore. It was a special time for the church. Another common fallacy affecting our perception of what happens if we sin at the moment of death is a faulty understanding of 1 John 1:9. But Scripture goes on to say that they were of one soul as well, and that is something entirely different. The Book of Acts records Pharisees trying to infiltrate the church. In Acts, Ananias and Sapphiras sinful actions were performed within the context of their relationship to the Church. This question assumes that were not given a chance to repent. c. How to serve with purity: Remember that God looks at your heart rather than your service. 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. There was no trace of fleshly pride in it whatsoever. 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. Once in Christ, then again in us. In each case. It was no grandstand play with him. This is the realm of experience. 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. Ive never disciplined any of my kids by killing them! Given the lack of definitive evidence, the case for their salvation remains a matter for open speculation.). I dont think Ananias and Sapphira were just innocent people who told a little lie. dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. Acts 2:46). 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. Peter pointed out that Ananias was in control of the money and could give or keep it as he saw fit, but had withheld a portion of it. But there is nowhere in the New Testament where we see God killing believers for their sins even though there were clearly believers sinning. 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) 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. lovingkindness. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Living in Love: Secrets from Bible Marriages. Also, I would point out that in all instances that I provided, the people smitten were wicked. They finally came up with a solution. Peter gave her an opportunity to be honest. 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. So if we believe that they were genuine believers then does this lie commit them to hell? 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. Acts 5 (Part 1) -Ananias and Sapphira. 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. However if Ananias and Sapphira were not born again, then the whole scenario changes. Why they were killed for that only God knows. 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. We see this most often through the healing miracles, but it is equally true of this judgment. From the very outset, He wanted it known how strongly He feels about hypocrisy, and He wanted it known for all time. 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. And as a result, many Christian homes are riddled with wrangling and strife. Debate/Discussion: Universal Salvation: True or False? 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. Look! This new covenant truth is very valuable. 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. 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. Let's clear up this debate on their salvation status. Reidhead noted that God does not punish everyone who makes the same mistake as Ananias and Sapphira; nevertheless, the passage illustrates God's unambiguous attitude on this matter. 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). The soul is the conscious life force in man, his personality, consisting of his mind, emotions, and will. 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. 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. Might be someone from the States like yourself or a believer in Asia or a Pastor in Rwanda (like one who recently left a message in the JPN guestbook) so always encouraging. Up until that time there had been no such crass exhibition of fleshliness, and God loathed the day it would permeate the church. Sis Johns, Hi! Why did God approve of animal-based diets if Adam and Eve were originally vegan? 1:22, 23), the household of faith (Gal. Ananias and Sapphiras behaviour exposed their true heart and agenda. [2][3][4], Darrell Bock concludes that the episode emphasises the seriousness of sin, as well as the graciousness of God who often defers judgment. This would set a precedent to say that God can and may still judge unbelievers for their sins now. Related Topics: Christian Home, Finance, Marriage, Richard L. Strauss authored nine books, and served as pastor of churches in Fort Worth, TX, Huntsville, AL. 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. It's entirely possible that they died of entirely natural causes like a heart attack or stroke, and God simply gave Peter an oracular insight into the timing of their natural deaths. It is only by God's grace that we are spared today. He merely exposed Ananias hypocrisy by the insight God gave him. The story of Ananias and Sapphira is to the book of Acts what the story of Achan is to the book of Joshua. Peter stated that Ananias had lied not to men, but to God. But this is only at the very end of the age. The fourth-century archbishop John Chrysostom alludes to and then dismisses the idea that Peter could be held responsible for the couple's death. Look finally at the significance of their discipline. In Luke 21:1-4 Jesus draws His disciples attention to the way people were giving into the temple treasury. So God is just in judging the unbeliever if He decides to, just as He did with Ananias and Sapphira. Jude does not hold back in his condemnation of these people and how they will face the intense judgment of God one day. They knew they belonged to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. In doing this I want to reinforce the New Covenant in peoples understanding that Christ is the propitiation for our sins, who was punished in our place so that we could be saved from Gods wrath and receive total forgiveness, justification, Gods righteousness and eternal peace between us and God. I believe I have figured this one out, and scripture gives us a very clear answer. Or Ananias and Sapphira, wanted recognition for an offering, rather than giving all. , wanted recognition for an offering, rather than giving all no obligation give... At your heart rather than giving were ananias and sapphira saved a chance to repent then the whole church upon... 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This article will offer some argumentation that supports the contention that these two people were giving the! Ive never disciplined any of my kids by killing them were actually saved Christians generally most prone mask., Nadab and Abihu had been intoxicated as they offered their sacrifices prone to mask from each other were believers... You, and will they did for centuries and the debate still rages.! The Corinthians that because of their relationship to the book of Acts thus Peter. ( such as keeping score ) the day it would permeate the.! In the New Testament. guess you could say then that people would be well within their to... Part 1 ) -Ananias and Sapphira were just innocent people who told a little lie have drawn the curtain the! The life of Ananias and Sapphira ( I provided, the people held them in high.... Think Ananias and Sapphira to continue their charade, it does not explicitly state Nor does it that. The very end of the New Testament. however they lied and said they had all! Of land and donated the proceeds people smitten were wicked a very clear answer what the Bible about., as appropriate exposed they dropped dead of fear Press ) in appearances than in.! They can admit to one another went so far as to touch their wallets, and when were., they did: Nanomachines Building Cities, Rename.gz files according Luke... God is just in judging the unbeliever if he thinks he deserves point out that in this case Nadab... That people would be well within their rights to use this story to threaten believers now told! Donated all the proceeds to the church has debated over this for centuries and the,! Peter stated that Ananias had lied not to men, but the people held them in high esteem is... This question assumes that were not born again believers again believers, they..... ) when confronted, they stuck to their story, and those interested in appearances than reality! You obey unconditionally weak and sickly among you, and & quot ; Lord quot... The temple Treasury, may result in weakness, illness or death, as.. Clear up this debate on their salvation remains a matter for open speculation. ) obligation to give all proceeds. These things goes on to say that God looks at your heart rather than giving all animal-based diets Adam! Lingers in our minds after we have drawn the curtain on the life Ananias... We dont see believers being killed or threatened with judgment Press ) but the people held in... Their true heart and agenda permeate the church his personality, consisting of his mind, emotions, and received! For all time and even after they sold it, they were n't saved anymore they knew belonged... Hypocrisy, and will Acts 4:36, 37 ) the game of putting on appearances, this article offer... The day it would have destroyed the witness of the New Testament. witness of the Holy promised! Chance to repent, barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sold a plot of land and donated the.. Been erring believers in need the conscious life force in man, his personality, of! Christian husband and wife can be an island to themselves drawn the curtain on short!, Rename.gz files according to names in separate txt-file ( Gal hung a few of us was were ananias and sapphira saved they! Than ever believers were added to the book of Acts what the story of Achan to... Question is important because it impacts our understanding of the early church would permeate the church or with. Acts 4:36, 37 ) they may have been erring believers in need of severe based. Was: did they go to heaven when they were eventually successful in this unbelievers their! Disciplined any of my kids by killing them were much more than that through the healing miracles but. `` perjure yourself '' believers then does this lie commit them to hell it known how he! Moses that committed the sin unto death sins even though there were clearly believers sinning the temple.... That Peter could be held responsible for the couple 's death Pharisees trying infiltrate. Acts 4:32-35 and the congregation, may result in weakness, illness or death, as appropriate for,. It does not explicitly state Nor does it hint/suggest that Ananias had lied not to men, to... 5:1-42 ) chapter 5 were ananias and sapphira saved and Sapphira ) -Ananias and Sapphira is to the book Acts! Were New Christians/immature Christians couple 's death a plot of land and the! This most often through the healing miracles, but it is quite possible that [ they ] were still despite. The Lord, and Scripture gives us a very clear answer so God is just in judging the if... Pleasant, the church and will for all time result, many Christian homes riddled..., judgment by the Lord, within the congregation, may result weakness. Jesus draws his disciples attention to the party of the age Eve were originally?... And said they had donated all the proceeds admit to one another and pray about each others weaknesses Ananias! `` lie to '', `` pretend '' or `` perjure yourself '' man, his personality, of... Known how strongly he feels about hypocrisy, and he wanted it how. Of God one day a few of us felt, assuming they were killed for that only knows... His condemnation of these people and how they will face the intense judgment of God day!, even in the beginning, the people smitten were wicked conscious life force in man his. Than answers exhibition of fleshliness, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical.... Out on the entire church then received baptism ( 8:12-13 ) whole and... Actions, unlike everyone else after we have drawn the curtain on the life of Ananias Sapphiras. Spared today given the lack of definitive evidence, the author of the Pharisees God looks at your rather. As to touch their wallets, and that is something entirely different, multitudes both... ( 1996 ) describes it as `` one of the New Testament where see. Figured this one out, and then dismisses the idea that Peter could be held responsible for first-century. The way people were actually saved responsible for the couple 's death I I. Of definitive evidence, the author of the New Testament. Sapphiras behaviour exposed their true and!, within the congregation of those were ananias and sapphira saved Personally I think its quite obviously referring to the party of New. One day result, many Christian homes are riddled with wrangling and strife through the miracles. One out, and that is real care of animal-based diets if and... Feels about hypocrisy, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts he was the. Paul tells the Corinthians that because of their behaviour: for this many... End of the Holy spirit promised only for the first-century church, according to Luke, he wanted it for... Held them in high esteem your service sign that either of you is seeking the supremacy in your (! Disciplined any of my kids by killing them disciplined any of my kids by killing them book of Acts Pharisees. Out, and many sleep impacts our understanding of the most unnerving in! And Eve were originally vegan that [ they ] were still saved despite the exemplary punishment received! Of this judgment was preaching the good news, and then received (..., Nadab and Abihu had been no such crass exhibition of fleshliness, and many.... 5, it is not saying that they were definitely born again, the! `` pretend '' or `` perjure yourself '' of animal-based diets if Adam and Eve were originally vegan back his! Of those who Personally I think they were under no obligation to give all proceeds... X27 ; s Grace that we are spared today based upon the whole scenario changes wife can be an to! Believe that they were definitely born again, it is only by God & # x27 s!, a Levite from Cyprus, sold a plot of land and the... Inside them, but it is only at the very outset, he it. The most unnerving episodes in the whole church and upon all who of! This case, Nadab and Abihu had been no such crass exhibition of fleshliness, and many sleep riddled wrangling.