Acts 5:1-16
The Fear of the Lord
Read the passage
1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.
2With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?
4Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”
5On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.
6Then the young men stepped forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7About three hours later his wife also came in, unaware of what had happened.
8“Tell me,” said Peter, “is this the price you and your husband got for the land?” “Yes,” she answered, “that is the price.”
9“How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter replied. “Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10At that instant she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11And great fear came over the whole church and all who heard about these events.
12The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord the believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade.
13Although the people regarded them highly, no one else dared to join them.
14Yet more and more believers were brought to the Lord—large numbers of both men and women.
15As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.
16Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were healed.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Ananias and Sapphira sell property and agree to keep part of the proceeds while presenting their gift as the full price. Peter tells Ananias that the land and the money had been at his disposal. The wrong is the lie, not the amount he chose to give.
Peter says Ananias has lied to the Holy Spirit and to God. Ananias falls down and dies. Later Sapphira arrives, unaware of what has happened. Peter asks her about the price, and she confirms the lie. She too dies, and great fear comes over the church and those who hear.
This is a severe account of God's holiness among His people. A gift offered in church cannot hide deception from Him. The Spirit is not a force the couple can manipulate while maintaining a respectable appearance.
The apostles continue to perform signs and wonders. People hold the believers in high regard, though the events make approaching the community a serious matter. More men and women believe in the Lord, and sick and tormented people are brought and healed.
Luke holds judgment and mercy together. The church is not free to treat sin lightly because God is doing wonderful things among them. His presence calls for reverence as well as gratitude.
Questions
1 What was the couple's deception?
AnswerThey kept part of the sale proceeds while presenting their gift as the entire amount, choosing the appearance of sacrifice without the truth.
2 Whom did Peter say they had lied to?
AnswerHe said they had lied not merely to human leaders but to the Holy Spirit and to God, who knew what they had kept.
3 What effect followed?
AnswerGreat fear came upon the whole church and everyone who heard, because the judgment showed that God’s holy presence was not being treated casually.
4 What continued among the people?
AnswerThe apostles performed signs and wonders, and more believers were added to the Lord even as the church learned to take holiness seriously.
What This Means for Us
Ananias and Sapphira could have given honestly from what belonged to them. Peter explicitly says the money was theirs to use. This passage must never become a threat used to make someone give more.
It does call us to examine our truthfulness. Have we allowed someone to think our contribution was greater than it was? Have we concealed a fact because we enjoy the praise? Correcting that impression may be uncomfortable, but it is better than building a reputation on a lie.
Bring the truth to God before defending the appearance. His holiness deserves more than a convincing performance.
Prayer
Holy God, make us truthful with money, promises, and appearances. Give our communities both reverence and compassion. Amen.