Annanias and Sapphira

[abide]

In the book of Acts 5...this incident is mentioned,

[COLOR="red"]"Some theologians have even said that they hope this story is a legend and not true because it makes the apostle Peter seem harsh and God’s judgment severe. Ananias was not even given a chance to repent before he was struck down. Then the apostles didn’t even have the courtesy to inform his wife about his death and when she came looking for him, she was also struck down for participating in the lie. What kind of pastoral care is that?"


(1) How would you respond to these theologians

(2) How would you respond to a non-Christian who argues that God is supposed to be loving.



Your thoughts please I believe this is going to be lively discussion. Thanks

 

[Jethro Bodine]

God in no way shape or form owes us a merciful and gracious response to every time we sin.

God is just. He knows how and when to judge his people. We should be careful to not let the abundance of the mercy and kindness we've had the privilege of enjoying over and over again give us a false sense of security and cause us to think we can sin and always have that mercy and grace to keep us safe.

 

[providence]

This reminds me of the story of Uzzah touching the ark (2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13), where David likewise was troubled about God's judgement. We may rationalize this as a minor infraction done with good intentions.

I think the effect in both stories was to instill a fear, for the benefit of many, these things being serious. For whether this was just on the individual, it might not have been in isolation. Some commentaries are saying that the ark was supposed to be carried not put on a cart in the first place. We don't know the full situation of Ananias and Sapphira and what effect a different course would have, but God does.

 

[Eugene]

COLOR="red"]"Some theologians have even said that they hope this story is a legend and not true because it makes the apostle Peter seem harsh and God’s judgment severe. Ananias was not even given a chance to repent before he was struck down. Then the apostles didn’t even have the courtesy to inform his wife about his death and when she came looking for him, she was also struck down for participating in the lie. What kind of pastoral care is that?"

Dear Sister Abide, I will attempt to give this answer believing that Annanias and Sapphira were Christians. I will state that brethren can sin unto death according to 1 John 5:16. In this case what was that sin? Acts 5:4 ". . thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."

Even Abraham asked such a question in Genesis 18:25 concerning Sodom. "That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" God is not as man; He knows the intent, the heart of man, and judges righteously.

Another example - In the following verses God called Moses' striking the rock instead of speaking to it in Num. 20:12 as not believing Him, and in Num. 20.24 God called it rebellion and the result was death as being gathered unto his people. 1 Samuel 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft."

The result was death for Aaron & Moses and they were not allowed to enter the promised land either. Numbers 20:12 "And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them."

Deuteronomy 32:49 (Moses) "Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo . ."
Deuteronomy 32:50 "And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people."

 

[Slider]

In the book of Acts 5...this incident is mentioned,

[COLOR="red"]"Some theologians have even said that they hope this story is a legend and not true because it makes the apostle Peter seem harsh and God’s judgment severe. Ananias was not even given a chance to repent before he was struck down. Then the apostles didn’t even have the courtesy to inform his wife about his death and when she came looking for him, she was also struck down for participating in the lie. What kind of pastoral care is that?"


(1) How would you respond to these theologians

(2) How would you respond to a non-Christian who argues that God is supposed to be loving.



Your thoughts please I believe this is going to be lively discussion. Thanks

1. I would respond to those theologians thusly: First, are you actually hoping that an account in the Bible is not truthful? We all have our favorite accounts of the Bible which are rosy and warm hearted, but there are those which the human side of us may not like. To hope this one is just a legend is to mold God into what you think he should be, and not let him be who he is.

If you hope this is not the truth, but just a legend, what about all those verses that assure us that God is just and righteous in his judgements? With that, I found a great verse in Job 4:17: "shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker"?

Second, why cry for Annanias and Sapphira? They lied to God. It's like when people feel sorry for Adam and Eve (and I do too to some extent); what about God?

2. To an non believer that says "God is supposed to be loving", I'd respond thusly: He is loving. He loves truth and those who seek after it. You have been misinformed if you've been told God loves everyone and he forgives all sin. He does forgive all sin of the flesh, but not sin against the spirit. This account lets us know that what Jesus said in Matthew 12:31 as well as 4:7 is true, and tells us at least one example of what blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is and/or what tempting God is.

 

[Mitspa]

In the book of Acts 5...this incident is mentioned,

[COLOR="red"]"Some theologians have even said that they hope this story is a legend and not true because it makes the apostle Peter seem harsh and God’s judgment severe. Ananias was not even given a chance to repent before he was struck down. Then the apostles didn’t even have the courtesy to inform his wife about his death and when she came looking for him, she was also struck down for participating in the lie. What kind of pastoral care is that?"


(1) How would you respond to these theologians

(2) How would you respond to a non-Christian who argues that God is supposed to be loving.



Your thoughts please I believe this is going to be lively discussion. Thanks

I think it was clearly a warning to ALL who come into the House of the Living God and play games!:o

For Paul also warns those who would attempt such things:

<dir>1Co 3:10

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14

If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Our God is a consuming fire! never doubt that! And all that is of the "flesh" will be destroyed. Only that which is of the "Spirit" will remain in the end!
</dir>

 

[Adullam]

To whom much is given more is required.

 

[Mitspa]

To whom much is given more is required.

Yes this is the Great secret of Gods Grace, That if one truly has it? They will labor more abundantly than others who do not have it!

And any who try to lay upon Christ a work that is not by "GRACE" the work will not be accepted by the Father

 

[stovebolts]

In the book of Acts 5...this incident is mentioned,

[COLOR="red"]"Some theologians have even said that they hope this story is a legend and not true because it makes the apostle Peter seem harsh and God’s judgment severe. Ananias was not even given a chance to repent before he was struck down. Then the apostles didn’t even have the courtesy to inform his wife about his death and when she came looking for him, she was also struck down for participating in the lie. What kind of pastoral care is that?"


(1) How would you respond to these theologians

(2) How would you respond to a non-Christian who argues that God is supposed to be loving.



Your thoughts please I believe this is going to be lively discussion. Thanks

(1) How would you respond to these theologians

According to Scripture, this is not a legend nor a parable. It happened. The lesson to be learned is that there is no need to lie especially when it's purpose is to make one look as if they are something, or somebody they arent.

Nobody was forced to sell their land and give to the apostles. Ananias sold his land and then kept some of it for himself. There is nothing wrong with that. However, he then lies as if he is giving everything, when in reality he is not.

(2) How would you respond to a non-Christian who argues that God is supposed to be loving.

I would ask them what love looks like... Chances are they have the wrong picture of love. Regardless, I would ask if they thought if what Annanias and Sapphira did was right or wrong. Then I would ask them why they thought Annanias and Sapphira lied. Lastly I would then ask if they thought that if somebody was willing to lie about something like that, then what else would they be willing to lie about to perch themselves up even higher in the eyes of others?

 

[Hammer]

In all probability, Ananias and Sapphira were witnesses to many great miracles and hearers of much great preaching. For them to still lie, lie to the faces of truly Spirit-filled men, after that reflects a reprobate nature, in the Calvinist sense.