Lesson 8 – Ananias and Sapphira

December 23, 2012

Last Week’s Forecast

The Acts of the Apostles 2

Not To Worry …

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The REAL Story

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Ah, Those Wacky Mayans!

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Review• Luke has just shared a pericope

about Barnabas’ generosity• Barnabas was a shining example of

how the church lived in community, providing for those in need

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Barnabas• Acts 4:36-37

– 36Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

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For Discussion• Barnabas performs a selfless act for

the good of the Christian community• A shining example of the love of

Jesus, expressed in works• Perhaps this was a common thing

among the believers and Barnabas was only one of many

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Ananias and Sapphira• Acts 5:1

– 1But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2and 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.

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For Discussion• What do you suppose prompted

Ananias and Sapphira to sell their property?

• Why would they hold back part of the proceeds from the apostles?

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Peter’s Response• Acts 5:3-4

– 3But 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? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."

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For Discussion• How did Ananias lie to the Holy

Spirit?• What was Ananias trying to

accomplish?• Who is to blame for this deception?• What does this says about personal

possessions?• Why was Peter so harsh with

Ananias?The Acts of the Apostles 12

Ananias’ Death • Acts 5:5-6

– 5And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

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For Discussion• There was no delay in burying

Ananias– Probably to avoid decomposition in the

hot climate of Palestine• Ananias was apparently not a rich

man– The young men simply covered him up,

carried him out of the city and buried him

– There was no preparation for burial– For people of means, bodies were

wrapped in linen and spicesThe Acts of the Apostles 14

For Discussion• What was Ananias’ sin?• Three parts to every sin

– God’s Law– Satan’s temptation– Man’s actions

• Why did Ananias fall dead?– Coincidence?– God’s judgment?

• Did the punishment fit the crime or was it (pardon the pun) “overkill”?

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Sin Brings Death• James 1:13

– 13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

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For Discussion• Whether physical or spiritual, the

death brought about by sin is REAL• Jesus paid for our sin with his life• Those who don’t follow Him pay with

their own

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Act II• Acts 5:7-8

– 7Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8And Peter responded to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?" And she said, "Yes, that was the price."

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For Discussion• Why do you suppose that Sapphira

didn’t know about Ananias’ death?• Note that Peter gives her ample

opportunity to come clean– Short of saying: “God struck your

husband dead for lying. You wanna try a different story?”

• Yet she persists in the deception– Why?

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Conspiracy• Acts 5:9

– 9Then 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 have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.“

• The same fate waits Sapphira• The hypocrisy of Ananias and

Sapphira was complete and totalThe Acts of the Apostles 20

The Death of Sapphira• Acts 5:10-11

– 10And 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. 11And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

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For Discussion• What sort of “fear” gripped the

church and others?– What did this do for church

membership?• What was the purpose of the deaths

of Ananias and Sapphira?• Why doesn’t God strike people down

for lying or hypocrisy?• Why do it in the First Century?• Why not today?The Acts of the Apostles 22

Conclusion• It’s easy to be “holier than thou”

about Ananias and Sapphira• While the punishment may not be

immediate today, as it was in this case, the judgment is just as sure

• God’s Laws are still very much in effect, just as are the consequences of breaking them

• For us just as much as Ananias and Sapphira

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Next Week• Lesson 9 – The Apostles in Prison

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