September 4, 2025
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Reading along with us in 2 Samuel and Acts? Here’s today’s reading:
Acts 5 (NIV)
Ananias and Sapphira
1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 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.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?……Continue Reading
Ananias and Sapphira lied about how much they sold the property for before giving the rest to the church. They were trying to deceive the church and the Holy Spirit. God revealed this to Peter. And they were called to account. Peter in God`s power caused the death of them both by his word. God hates the sin of lying. This was used to bring many more to salvation. Great fear fell on many and many were healed.
The high priest, the Sadducees, and council didn`t like the Apostles teaching and preaching about Jesus and His resurrection so they were at first put into jail but then were freed by an angel and they went back to preaching as encouraged by the angel. Again, they are brought before the council. They are told not to preach Jesus. Peter with the others says in vs 29b ” We ought to obey God rather than men.” vs 32 “And we are His witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom god hath given to them that obey Him.” Another verse that I like is verse 39. “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” God always wins and it is foolish to go against Him. God has His own time for things but in the end, we will join in the victory. God bless you all as we continue to seek Him and serve Him.
Ananias and Sapphira learned a very hard lesson that you can not fool God. He knows what we are doing at all times and hiding back money ended in death. It was not about the money but the deceit that led them to this end.
We find ourselves back in a similar situation in this chapter too when Jesus was alive teaching and doing miracles, and so it is no surprise that the end result is the leaders are angry. They do not want this happening and yet they are worried about what they look like in front of the crowd if they kill the apostles. Quite different then the attitude of the apostles who were rejoicing when beaten for following Jesus! They are not worried what people think but just what God thinks! We should all be so bold and so brave and we can be because that same Holy Spirit power is with us too. We just need to put aside the concerns of man in exchange for a surrendered life to Christ.
Acts 5
What an amazing statement at the end of the passage. It definitely spoke to me. The apostles after just being flogged were leaving the temple and the verse states “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name”. If we are following the Lord’s will and plan, we too as Christians can take joy in our sufferings for Him!
Acts 5
Acts 5 Ananais and Sapphira weren’t killed because they held back money it was because they lied to God and God’s people. It says the Apostles were greatly respected but people kept their distance because of persecution. But that didn’t stop the apostles from continuing to preach the Gospel and lead people to Christ and of course the high priests put them in jail, but found the jail empty the next day, they were furious, and wanted to put them to death, but instead flogged them. Even after being put through that they continued to preach the word, we have to do the same, we too will be tried to be put to shame, made fun of, judged and ridiculed by others even close friends or family members but God has given us his Holy Spirit to see us through those difficult times. God has counted us worthy of suffering as he did the apostles. As verse 42 says they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ, and neither should we.
Acts 5; Isaiah 15
Acts 5
From Peter’s question to Sapphira, the problem was not that they kept some of the money after selling the property, it was that they lied and said they gave the whole thing just like Barnabas did at the end of chapter 4. Lying is wrong because it breaks trust. Being prideful and looking for recognition for what we do is also wrong because it corrupts the motivation for why we do things. And this reminds everyone of the serious nature of sin amongst the people. And God also affirms the authority of the apostles through this and the miracles that they perform. I wonder if the jealousy they felt was reminiscent of the jealousy they felt toward Jesus? How surprised they must have been to find the apostles in the temple rather than in prison. And there may come a time in our country that we need to obey God and not men if they tell us we cannot gather in worship to God or share the gospel. And it is very good that Gamliel’s opinion won the day. And considering how explosive the ministry of the apostles’ was and how it effectively continues today, I would have to say God was behind it. And people have learned and will continue to, that you cannot beat God when He is not willing to lose.
You have lied to the Holy Spirit. Great truth to use towards those that don’t believe in the trinity. In Jesus deity. Holy Spirit being equal to God the Father. The third head of God. Use this verse more than once to convince those that come knocking on your door, handing you pamphlets. So many were added to the church in this chapter, asking myself what is it that these people are attracted to certainly the power of God but I think as important is the character of the members of the church and the leaders of the church, their generosity, their honesty and their unity. Is it about the greatest show in town or largest building? Or the presence of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Excited about tomorrow at north Kingstown celebration to hopefully show the hope we have to those seeking. Please Lord send many our way as we are ready as your ambassadors on earth
Amen, Mark!
Gamaliel. Great wisdom. Years back I left the church because I was angry and along with a few other members we started another church. Well that church only lasted about a year as it wasn’t the will of God. Soon thereafter, I ended up at Living Hope Christian Church, which I believe certainly was the will of God.
The apostles are living their lives in the light of Gods Word and we are expected to do the same. “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 ”If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”1 Peter 4:14
The story of Ananias and Sapphira is an indication of how serious God is about sin in believers. We have forgiveness of sin, but “shall we sin that grace may increase? By no means!” I believe this severe punishment was also to keep corruption from entering the church so soon. It also demonstrates the power of the Holy Spirit. Is this the unpardonable sin? Lying to the Holy Spirit? You can’t fool God. He knows the heart.
”The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”“
Acts 5