Acts_5

Scripture

 

Acts 5:11

 

“Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.”

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Observation-What does it say?

 

Ananias and his wife Sapphira has sold some property. He and his wife had come to an agreement to keep part of the money, and gave the rest to the apostles, (claiming to the apostles that it was the full amount).

Then Peter called out Ananias for his betrayal. Peter told him that it wasn’t the apostles he was lying to, but he was lying to God! Then right then and there, Ananias dropped dead on the spot!

Then hours later, not knowing what had just happened to her husband, Sapphira was asked about the amount of money they were paid for the land, and she too lies about it. Sapphira’s fate was the same as her husband. She too fell right then and there at the apostles feet and died instantly. The news spread among the church and other people of what had happened, and great fear came upon them all.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

God takes sin seriously.

 

I used to think that the punishment for Ananias and his wife Sapphira were kind of harsh. I mean, they still gave to the apostles right? It was their land/money to do what they pleased right? Their mistake was trying to lie about it! You see if you look at the historical aspect of this story, this was about the time that the church was first being established. And what if God let this betrayal slide on the onset of the church? How would that look? Isn’t God just and righteous? So God had to set the bar and an example of how He expects His church to run and function. God is trying to establish a standard of holiness and purity. God is showing His distaste for sin, and the penalty of sin...death!

 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”-‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:23‬ ‭NIV

 

The death of Ananias and Sapphira was a wake up call to the church and those who witnessed the story. It is a great reminder of just how serious God is when it comes to the issues of sin, especially within His church. But despite what happened to Ananias and Sapphira, the church in Acts experienced great quality growth and deepened in fellowship because of it. God was able to use the situation to deepen His relationship with His people.

 

Life Application

 

Ask God’s forgiveness of your sins. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sins in your life that you may be blinded to.

 

Father God, I know you take sin seriously. I know that my sin deserves death. So I thank You for the grace and mercy You have shown me through Your Son Jesus. Forgive me of my foolishness and sinfulness. Holy Spirit reveal to me areas in my life that You need to work through. I release them to You Lord. Don’t allow the sin in my life to hold me back from experiencing Your full presence in life. In Your name I pray Jesus, Amen.

 

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-Moses Gaddi