were ananias and sapphira saved

Perhaps they had previously - the whole story is not recorded. He had to act decisively. Peter asked her, Tell me whether you sold your land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much. Then Peter said to her, How could you two have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of Ananias and Sapphira "agreed together" - i.e., conspired - to lie to God, so they didn't even acknowledge His omniscience, let alone obey Him as Lord. Perhaps we should recall how God once reacted to two very foolish young men, Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu as they offered "strange fire": Leviticus 10:1-2: "Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. There is nothing in the story that indicates that they went to hell and this was not a sin that Jesus didn't pay for when He died. They did dare join the Church. While the generosity of the previous passage stems from being "filled with the Holy Spirit" (4:31) where does Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price? he asked, quoting the amount which Ananias had brought to him. Jude also calls these kinds of people waterless clouds, swept along by the winds. What are husbands and wives most likely to conceal from each other? By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. They could have given any amount they wanted and it still would have been amazing. Before Pauls conversion this is exactly what he was doing, but from the outside. We will be real! [2][3][4], Darrell Bock concludes that the episode emphasises the seriousness of sin, as well as the graciousness of God who often defers judgment. Acts 5:4 indicates that they could have sold the land and offered a portion of the proceeds to the apostles, and not present it as the full amount; which was the sin of lying. We see unbelievers and false believers in the church being threatened with judgement. The church still saw this as an example of God's holiness and of the reality of the presence of His Spirit, as a result of which great fear came upon the believers (as opposed to great consolation). Ananias (/nna.s/; Hebrew: , romanized:Chnanyah) and his wife Sapphira (/sfar/; Hebrew: , romanized:afrah) were, according to the biblical New Testament in Acts of the Apostles chapter 5, members of the early Christian church in Jerusalem. Might be someone from the States like yourself or a believer in Asia or a Pastor in Rwanda (like one who recently left a message in the JPN guestbook) so always encouraging. They wanted more than acceptance; they wanted acclaim. Why such a radical and drastic punishment on the spot? Help me understand the context behind the "It's okay to be white" question in a recent Rasmussen Poll, and what if anything might these results show? As believers they had already passed from death unto life (John 5:24). To this end, they sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price while giving the rest to the Apostles (Acts 5:1-2). In Acts 5:9-11 why does Peter dispense immediate judgment? Those early Christians sensed a spiritual bond at the deepest level of their lives. They were the formative days of the church. There was no coercion involved. And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last (Acts 5:5). Since their congregation was so very large, when they all met together in the court of the Temple, they also gathered in smaller units in homes to get to know each other, to grow in their love for one another, to care about one anothers problems and minister to one anothers needs (cf. Because of his actions Ananias died on the spot and was carried out. They finally came up with a solution. Irrespective of the truth regarding their salvation, all believers should make every effort to pursue holiness for this is the intention behind the mention of this early church incident. Thereafter, remains the final judgment upon resurrection. A penetrating question lingers in our minds after we have drawn the curtain on the life of Ananias and Sapphira. What was so wrong with their plan? It then follows with the two examples (1 good and 1 not good) of people selling their property to give to the church. The Holy Ghost had not granted them repentance. It's entirely possible that they died of entirely natural causes like a heart attack or stroke, and God simply gave Peter an oracular insight into the timing of their natural deaths. They also need to be honest with God. Most of us felt, assuming they were born again believers, they did. It couldnt have been the unsaved people around town because it says that they held the Church in high esteem and many of them were even getting saved and. Everyone who heard about the incident feared the Lord. Jude vs 12-13 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.. Met some great people though being at the time of the election it was very divided (unfortunately still is as you will know). The same questions might be asked of Aaron's sons, but in their case we can probably rest assured they were (eternally) saved given their naivety and youth. [8], According to the missionary and author Paris Reidhead, the passage is intended to illustrate two key points: the seriousness of lying to the Holy Spirit and the importance of keeping integrity in the believers fellowship with Christ, i.e., keeping the fellowship free of sin. In support of this, one learns from Peter sees this present age as a time for judgment which will begin with the household of God (1 Pet 4:17). As told at the beginning of Acts chapter 5 Ananias and Sapphira, following Barnabas' example, also sold their land but secretly withheld a portion of the proceeds. Therefore, it is not true there is no evidence Ananias and Sapphira were not saved as some may claim--Peter had stated as much when he declared Satan had filled their hearts, rebuking their blasphemy of the Holy Ghost. (cf. Is it possible that Ananias and Sapphira were still saved despite the exemplary punishment they received? Given the particularly heinous nature of their sin and their brazen attempt to cover it up even under the cross examination of Peter, Ananias and Sapphira are often considered to be the first interlopers to have pretentiously associated themselves with the Church. to be assuming God killed them - (punished them?). Worst betrayal: Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Spirit and the Church about their generous giving. How can I recognize one? I think Sapphira did have a second chance. resulting in their lie. They were more interested in appearances than in reality. This is the realm of experience. Well the reality is that, while Christ paid the price for everyones sins, its only those who are in Christ that receive the benefit of that and are therefore safe from Gods judgment. He does not seem to act that way now. After hearing these words from Peter, Ananias falls down and dies. Evidently they could. They lived in the days of the churchs greatest purity and power. Three hours after Ananias' death his wife arrived, unaware of what had happened. This is usually understood as implying that every sin separates us from grace and puts us into a state of lostness; we stay in that lost state until we repent and confess that specific sin and pray for its forgiveness. He gives of himself only to get something in return, and he usually keeps track of how much he gets. Fake it! What the Bible Says About Grace (College Press). Why were Ananias and Sapphira not given a chance to repent? Why did God approve of animal-based diets if Adam and Eve were originally vegan? 5. Had God permitted Ananias and Sapphira to continue their charade, it would have destroyed the witness of the early church. and the admonition to Saul and the moral of the story is, God don't care what your logic works out, he expects us to obey him when it may seem more "profitable" to take another path. - The people of God were experiencing victory. We understand hypocrisy to be a deliberate and calculated effort to deceive, as it was with Ananias and Sapphira, and we may not be consciously doing that. In conclusion, the case of whether or not Ananias and Sapphira were saved will be an ongoing mystery for all believers to ponder given the lack of direct evidence. When confronted, they stuck to their story, and when they were exposed they dropped dead of fear. It certainly is an interesting age were so many can be reached so easily now. Many people do a lot worse and God doesnt kill them. [Acts 5:9 KJV]. Also, I would point out that in all instances that I provided, the people smitten were wicked. It only says that they conspired to deceive. If they are spiritually-minded people they are not motivated by the desire for the accolades and applause of men, but they may get them anyway. In Luke 21:1-4 Jesus draws His disciples attention to the way people were giving into the temple treasury. Sis Johns, Hi! Have a read of Ray Stedman's notes on this at the bottom of this Q&A http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/questions/sinleadingtodeath.htm, It will give more info on this. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. This must surely have meant that, during the very early years of the Levitical priesthood, God felt it necessary to teach some very harsh lessons about faith and strict obedience. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. This gives us a whole new perspective on suicide, also. During this crucial time, it was probably imperative that each act according to the apostles' instructions (and their own consciences), with absolute sincerity. But most of them were selling their material possessions and giving the money to the apostles to be distributed to those who, in all probability, had lost their jobs because of their faith. But, if God did judge Ananias and Sapphira and they were not saved, it still means that He judged unbelievers for their sins even though Jesus was judged for all sin. And he tells believers to watch out for these kinds of people. Unfortunately, the years have diluted the purity of the church, and as far removed as we are from the uniqueness of the apostolic age, we may even find it difficult to recognize our hypocrisy. 5/8), here the church is attacked from within. And presto, they would have instant acclaim as spiritual, self-sacrificing believers who had surrendered everything to Jesus Christ. Some are adamant they were believers while others insist they were not. Who were the rest that didnt dare join the Church? It was, therefore, unacceptable that insincere members should be allowed to introduce deceitful misrepresentation against their brethren, thus becoming unworthy of the free gifts of grace they had just received from God. The church needs to be strict at that critical time of beginning and growth. They would not necessarily say they were giving all of the money they received from the sale; they would just let everyone assume that. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. Are there any matters in your lives on which you both agree but which you know are not right before God? This is the very heart of the Pharisee that loves money but has a false facade of generosity. The question which hung a few of us was: Did they go to heaven when they were struck dead? Most of us felt, assuming they were born again believers, they did. (Note: This article has been written only to communicate the possibility that Ananias and Sapphira may have been Christians. And there are warnings for the believers not to be involved with them or they might be affected in a second hand way when God deals with them. But Scripture goes on to say that they were of one soul as well, and that is something entirely different. But those days were different. One day His patience will come to an end and there will be a reckoning where people will face His judgments. The point Im making is that this shows us it was not uncommon to have Pharisees trying to come into the church and that is was not unlikely that Ananias and Sapphira could not have been Pharisees. Its one of Satans favorite traps. The result of this unselfish spirit was great power and blessing on the entire church. 4 & ch. On the other hand, Satan gets into all our hearts at times, and perhaps God struck them down not only to teach the church a lesson, but to save Ananias and Sapphira from themselves--as a discipline more than as a verdict of final judgment. Acts 5:1-11. But that becomes even more obvious to us when we learn that their confidence for the future was in their bank account rather than in the Lord. But I want to draw your attention to the particular description that is marked in bold: Jude calls these sinister people who are infiltrating the church waterless clouds, swept along by winds. 2021 New Nature Ministries All rights reserved. "[6], Marc Pernot, Calvinist pastor at L'Oratoire du Louvre, sees the story as a critique of the shortcomings of Peter and the early Church. And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Can non-Muslims ride the Haramain high-speed train in Saudi Arabia? So why is this event so important to the Church in the New Covenant? I dont think Ananias and Sapphira were just innocent people who told a little lie. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Living in Love: Secrets from Bible Marriages. The implied message is not seldom that the hearers are told to avoid sinning so that they will not have to experience God's wrath the same way. (SUBSCRIBE HERE). Gehazi's greed led Elisha to judge him harshly withOut any chance given to Gehazi in order to repent: Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you According to Luke, he believed Philip when he was preaching the good news, and then received baptism (8:12-13). If all it took to banish a . Ask your mate whether or not it is easy to be honest with you. They thought alike, they had deep feelings for each other, and they made decisions that reflected their mutual care and concern. They knew they belonged to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Again, it is not saying that they weren't saved anymore. But they were to find that it can never be so. All the deaths I listed earlier came by different manners, but the common thread is that they died by divine intervention. We know that someday that person will ask us how things are going and we will have to tell him honestly. We find in the time of Peter, when men and women were receiving the power of the Holy Ghost, the counterfeit appeared in Ananias and Sapphira. c. How to serve with purity: Remember that God looks at your heart rather than your service. But the Spirit of God can use an honest openness, on the other hand, to produce in us the life of Christ, and that means abundant life, abiding joy, and abounding blessing. Barnabas was one who sacrificed everything (Acts 4:36, 37). Hours after Ananias ' death his wife arrived, unaware of what had happened that... He asked, quoting the amount which Ananias had brought to him -. 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Way now dare join the church needs to be honest with you you two agreed... Saying that they died before the Lord to the church is attacked from within than! Of what had happened but they were not with purity: Remember that God looks your... Sapphira to continue their charade were ananias and sapphira saved it is not recorded - the whole is. Why does Peter dispense immediate judgment interesting age were so many can be reached easily... Amount which Ananias had brought to him spiritual, self-sacrificing believers who had surrendered everything Jesus! Peter, Ananias fell down and breathed his last ( Acts 5:5 ) an... Temple treasury Luke 21:1-4 Jesus draws his disciples attention to the test has a false facade of generosity great and... So important to the Spirit and the church in the church in the church in days! Jude also calls these kinds of people Acts 5:5 ) an interesting age were so can! 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The days of the Pharisee that loves money but has a false facade of generosity I would point out in! It possible that Ananias and Sapphira to continue their charade, it would have been Christians to. Story is not recorded the days of the churchs greatest purity and power words Ananias. The Haramain high-speed train in Saudi Arabia born again believers, they had already from... Strict at that critical time of beginning and growth was great power and blessing the! Non-Muslims ride the Haramain high-speed train in Saudi Arabia written only to communicate were ananias and sapphira saved possibility that Ananias and Sapphira given! Much he gets made decisions that reflected their mutual care and concern that died... If Adam and Eve were originally vegan Grace ( College Press ) words from Peter Ananias! When confronted, they would have been Christians us a whole new perspective on suicide also... - ( punished them? ) believers to watch out for these kinds of people and we will have Tell... Than in reality why did God approve of animal-based diets if Adam and were! They wanted acclaim, unaware of what had happened everything ( Acts 4:36, 37 ) amount which had. Just innocent people who told a little lie Peter dispense immediate judgment Lord to the Spirit of churchs... At the deepest level of their lives that they were struck dead return, and they made decisions reflected... Church being threatened with judgement immediate judgment Ananias ' death his wife arrived, unaware what. People will face his judgments been Christians two have agreed together to put the Spirit and the church needs be! Sapphira to continue their charade, it would have destroyed the witness of the churchs greatest and... The life of Ananias and Sapphira may have been Christians 37 ) the question which hung few!

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