Bible Study Lesson for Acts 5:1-11: Ananias and Sapphira

Verses 1-11 gives us the story of Ananias and Sapphira, a sad story of how God has to periodically step in to purify His church.
Verses 12-42 describes how the apostles continue to heal and speak in the name of Jesus and are persecuted by the Sanhedrin as a result.

In the last chapter we read about how some of the believers were selling some of their land and giving the proceeds to the apostles to be used to help the poor. As in all human organizations, we can probably safely assume that those people who did this were looked upon favorably by the church and received some praise and affirmation as a result. I can easily imagine the rumor going around the church community after Barnabas sold his field: "Hey, did you hear about Joseph the Levite, called Barnabas? He sold a field and gave all the proceeds to the apostles! Isn't that wonderful? Wow, he must really be a man of God!" And even though receiving kudos and pats on the back from his peers was not why Barnabas did this generous thing, one can see how others might be jealous of the attention and want the same for oneself.

And so we move to the sad story of Ananias and Sapphira, a husband and wife team who care more about appearances before people than they do about displeasing God. This is the first recorded sin in the life of the church.

Read Acts 5:1-2. At first read, it may appear that Ananias and Sapphira's sin was that they did not give all the money to the apostles, but rather kept some for themselves. As we read on and study Peter's response, we will see that the sin came about because they misrepresented how much they had been paid for the property. They had the right to keep back whatever they chose and to give to apostles whatever they chose, but instead they lied and claimed that they were giving all the proceeds from the sale to the church. Notice that Sapphira knew exactly what was going on; this was not something that her husband was doing behind her back. Why did they do this? They wanted to seem more pious and spiritual and generous than they really were, by claiming they had given all the money, instead of just a portion.

From later verses we will see that Sapphira is not present when Ananias brings the money to the apostles. We can also assume that there are many people present watching what is happening.

Read Acts 5:3-4. Here we see that even though Jesus was triumphant over sin and death by rising again, Satan is still alive and well on planet earth. Even believers, as we can assume Ananias and Sapphira were, are vulnerable to the workings of Satan. Peter himself, in a later letter, will warn his fellow believers about Satan's power. Read 1 Peter 5:8-9.

As a side note, notice also that Peter says they have lied to the Holy Spirit, and then that they lied to God. We understand that the Holy Spirit is God present within us, but here we can see scriptural proof to back this up, through Peter's rebuke.

What happens next seems incredibly extreme, but God is just and can do whatever He wishes. Read Acts 5:5-6. Ananias lied to God and he was struck dead as a result. Why do you think God reacted so strongly here? For all that they were Christians, surely others had sinned prior to this, and would do so later. What made this situation different? I think one reason is because God wanted to make a point right from the onset of the birth of the early church, and it was a strong one: for all that He is a God of love, He is also Sovereign King, and the church represents Him. He set a stern standard of absolutely honesty and integrity. By killing Ananias in such a public way, He made it clear what His character was, and that Godly fear was to be an important aspect of the Christian. Why not simply give Ananias leprosy or strike him blind, like God does in other sinful situations? I don't know why, but I do know God knows best and that God knew Ananias' heart; perhaps He knew that Ananias was incapable of repenting after being called out for lying and that to give him a second chance was pointless. It all comes down to: He is God and He can do whatever He wants!

Remember, there were two people involved in this deceit. Now we'll read Sapphira's story. As God is just, He confronts Ananias and Sapphira separately, so that each may be judged on their own actions, not on the actions of their spouse.

Read Acts 5:7. I found this verse to be very fascinating - the woman's husband dies, is buried, and no one goes to find her to tell her what happened! I think this had to be the work of the Holy Spirit, speaking through Peter, though it is not specifically recorded here. I think Peter (or another apostle) would have made some sort of announcement to the crowd commanding them not to tell Sapphira what had happened.

Read Acts 5:8. Here Sapphira is tested and oh, how easily she could have escaped her husband's fate! Peter is blunt and to the point. All she needed to have done was to tell the truth. Before all those witnesses, however, as well as before God, she chose to lie.

Read Acts 5:9. Notice what Peter says: "to test the Spirit of the Lord!" When she lied to Peter, she was lying to God's representative, which meant she lied to God. I know lying of any sort (though we all do it, most of the time not even meaning to) is a sin, but I think lying to a spiritual authority over us is particularly grievous, since that person represents God on earth.

Read Acts 5:10. All I can say is that those poor young men were certainly kept busy that day! Three hours spend carrying and burying Ananias, and then probably another three hours spent carrying and burying Sapphira!

Read Acts 5:11. I would imagine the story of this event spread like wild fire throughout Palestine, even more so than the stories of the miracles and healings. As a side note, this is the first time the term "church" is used in Acts.

To be continued...

Source
Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford (notes). The Student Bible. NIV Version