Study in theActs of theApostles

Presentation 13

Let’s PretendChapter 5:1-17

Presentation 13

IntroductionAll children play ‘lets pretend games’. They dress up as a nurses, cowboys or super heroes. For children such role play is good fun.

In adult life, role play can take on more sinister and dangerous characteristics. Think of the person who stands on your doorstep and pretends to be a gas man - he’s out to rob you. Or the hoaxer who calls a fire engine to a non-existent fire – he’s diverting resources from real emergencies. Whatever the motive, whether the pursuit of profit or perverted excitement, the players of this kind of pretence are ultimately losers.

Presentation 13

Presentation 13

IntroductionJesus reserved his most scathing criticism for those who played at being godly, and who pretended to be what they were clearly not. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices - mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law -justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” Matt23.23-25

IntroductionHypocrisy squeezed the spiritual vitality out of Judaism in Jesus’ day. The religious leaders pretended to be something they were not in order to gain power, prestige, recognition and praise. Hypocrisy is not to be compared to a piece of children’s let’s pretend, it is a most dangerous game as our passage makes clear.

Presentation 13

Pursuing A Cheap ConsecrationWhy did Ananias and Sapphira behave as they did? The answer is to be found in 4v36-37, which describes the sacrificial behaviour of a church member. A man sold his property and brought the proceeds to the apostles that it might be distributed to the poor. His action clearly impacted on the church fellowship, who saw him as one who had learned to hold lightly to this worlds goods.

His sacrificial act was of such encouragement to the church that the apostles changed his name to Barnabas, which means ‘son of consolation’. And he was drawn into the inner circle of disciples and held in high respect. Later on we will discover just how much he was used in the service of God!

Presentation 13

Pursuing A Cheap ConsecrationNow Barnabas’ consecration suggested all sorts of possibilities to Ananias and Sapphira. They coveted greatness. They wanted a reputation for spirituality but without the kind of commitment that Barnabas had shown. For this couple, to be thought of as, ‘wholly committed’ was more important than, ‘being committed’. They wanted a reputation that they did not deserve.

Did they too want to be drawn into the inner circle of disciples? This longing for spotlight recognition has been with the church in every age. Many people want the reputation of being pillars of the church, but they are unwilling to pay the price of wholehearted commitment.

Presentation 13

Pursuing A Cheap ConsecrationAnanias and Sapphira’s scheme was too sell some of their property but keep back part of the price. This would give the impression that they were giving it all to God. The property was theirs. They did not need to sell it. And having sold it they did not need to give it all to the church.

We read that Ananias ‘kept back part of the money’, and the text uses the word that is translated as ‘to steal’ elsewhere in the N.T. By saying that they had brought the ‘full price’, Ananias and Sapphira were not only guilty of deceit but of theft.

Presentation 13

Pursuing A Cheap ConsecrationThey stole from God. Are we able to see why this was such a dangerous game? Clearly Ananias and Sapphira did not realise that they were about to introduce a deadening and pervasive virus into the life of the church.

Its influence could have had the precisely the same influence as the hypocrisy which was introduced into the Judaism of Jesus’ day by the Pharisees.

Presentation 13

Pursuing A Cheap ConsecrationThe history of the church is one of spiritual battle. The thrust and counter thrust of both God and Satan is seen throughout the book of Acts.

In Ch. 2 at Pentecost the gift of God’s transforming power was met by the opposition of the Sanhedrin - an external threat.

In Ch.4v31 we read of a fresh endowment of power given to the church and of her growing credibility before men. This credibility could easily have been undermined by the hypocrisy of two of its members – now the church faces an internal threat.

Presentation 13

Their Watergate UncoveredAnanias and Sapphira were not unwilling puppets manipulated by Satan against their will. Nor was theirs a spontaneous response to a violent temptation. It was a carefully premeditated plan. They were convinced that their property scheme - a gilt edged investment - would guarantee their reputation as godly souls! How naive! They put God to the test v9.

Did they think that God would stand idly by and watch them sabotage his work? God was determined to unlock and expose the secrets of their heart’s. Their personal Watergate was about to catch them out.

Presentation 13

Their Watergate UncoveredAlarm bells began to ring in Peter’s mind, when first Ananias and then Sapphira insisted that they were making a supreme sacrifice by giving the total sum of the sale of their property to God’s work.

The gospels tell us that Jesus read the motives of men’s heart Jn.2.24. And speaking of the role of the coming Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jesus said he would operate as ‘the spirit of truth’ Jn.16.13 and make hidden things plain. This explains Peter’s response. It was not natural but spiritual discernment that caught this couple out.

Presentation 13

Their Watergate UncoveredAnd God works in this way because:1. he cares for his glory, 2. he cares for his church 3. and he cares for those who are intent upon

living a lie. Jesus said, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known”. Luke 12v2 Again the writer of Hebrews says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account”. Heb4v13. That is a sobering thought.

Presentation 13

Sin’s PremiumAnanias and Sapphira tested God and he responded in judgment. It cost them their lives! Some have suggested that the shock of public exposure brought their lives to a sudden end! But Luke intends us to see beyond that to the hand of God’s judgment! The idea of judgment is repulsive to many, who feel more comfortable with the idea of a God of love, who would not hurt a fly. But God’s anger against sin and his love for man cannot be separated.

Indeed, both God’s love and wrath can be found operating in the same place and time on the cross of Christ.

Presentation 13

Sin’s Premium‘Why was this judgment so severe?’ Remember that there was a spiritual awakening of great momentum in progress. Had the sin of Ananias and Sapphira’s deceit remained unchallenged, not only would the church have been corrupted it would have lost its public credibility. There was a great deal at stake. Note the Greek word ‘ekklesia’, ‘church’ is used for the first time in v11. This incident was a sin against the church! By severing a malignant limb from the visible body, God preserved not only the life and testimony of the church to the world outside but he also preserved an open healthy fellowship within. Falsehood ruins fellowship.

Presentation 13

Sin’s PremiumThis passage preserves an awful irony. Ananias and Sapphira craved prominence in the church. Well their names have certainly gone down in church history but as self-seeking, hypocritical, deceitful individuals.

Samuel Rutherford writes: ‘Sins joys are but night dreams, thoughts, vapours, imaginations’.

This couples’ pretence provided nothing substantial only the dream of greatness.

Presentation 13

Sin’s PremiumGod’s judgment was in fact of benefit to the church “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events” v11. This incident had a purifying effect upon the church and it posted a large ‘danger’ sign. Hypocrisy was nipped in the bud. Christians became aware that their inmost thoughts could be revealed. Those eager to create for themselves a cheap reputation for godliness were warned off. Lazy impostors who felt there was some social advantage in joining the church thought twice about doing so. And as a result the purified church continued to prosper.

Presentation 13

ConclusionSome have asked why this passage has been recorded in God’s word? Surely it is here because of the terrible danger of hypocrisy to the health of the church. It is further extremely important for Christians to grasp that what is important is not that others think them to be wholly committed to God but that they are actually committed to him. Cut price consecration never fools God. God will bring the truth out into the open rather than see his work compromised.

This passage calls us to walk before a God who requires ‘truth in the inward parts’ Ps.51v6, and to do so in godly fear.

Presentation 13