Random thoughts gleaned from Bro Mike's message on October 9, 2011.
We looked again at Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira. When Barnabas sold his property and gave the money to the apostles to help care for the poor, he was praised and received a lot of attention.
Ananias and Sapphira apparently yearned for that same kind of attention, and so they also sold property and then conspired between themselves to bring part of the money to the apostles and yet say that they were donating all of the money.
Peter was angry, reminding them that the property was theirs to do with as they wished. No one told them to sell it. And the money from that sale was also theirs. No one asked them to donate any of it.
But they lied about it in order to receive praise. At Peter's words, Ananias and then Sapphira, were struck dead.
This is a scary story. Does God judge this way very often?
Most people can handle seeing others get acclaim and positive attention. Most of us realize that we will not get the title, "Most Likely to Succeed" or "Most Handsome" etc. We understand there is always someone else who is quicker, brighter, more beautiful, smarter....we learn to handle it. It's just one of those facts of life we learn as we grow up.
Apparently Ananias and Sapphira did not. They saw the respect and attention Barnabas was getting and wanted it for themselves.
When Luke included this story in his chronicle of the early church we have an indication of his historical honesty. He did not suppress the information, but included it to show us what it was like in the "early days." This incident was part of the real story of the early church.
He shows us that not all of the historical events were admirable. It also illustrates the strategy of Satan, how he sneaks around, how he "crouches at the door," trying to get access into our lives.
Miracles...
When Peter confronted the couple, they died instantly.
When do miracles like this happen?
Miracles were the norm in three major times periods in the Bible:
(1) Moses and Joshua
(2) Elijah and Elisha
(3) Christ and the Apostles
These periods lasted less than 100 years each.
Certain elements were common in each of these periods:
1. Miracles introduced a new era of revelation. They alerted people to see that something important
was happening.
2. Miracles authenticated the messenger in that new era of revelation.
3. Miracles caused the people to listen and heed the new revelation.
Moses and Joshua introduced a new era in Jewish history.
Elijah and Elisha introduced the period of the prophets.
The Apostles introduced the period of the church.
There are still miracles today. But they are not part of the normal life of the church.
The Apostles were unique. The first item of business after Christ's ascension was to elect a new apostle to succeed Judas, so there would still be twelve.
1. The Church was founded on the Apostles.
Consequently you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles.... (Ephesians 2:19-20)
2. Apostles had to be eye-witnesses to the resurrection.
3. Apostles were authorized by miraculous signs.
The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. (Acts 5:12).
4. The apostles had absolute authority. Peter's questions to Ananias and Sapphira resulted in their immediate deaths.
5. Apostles have an eternal and unique place of honor.
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (Revelation 21:14)
God does not judge this way today. Am I glad? Yes.
But I am also sorry, because it means I can stay in my sin longer. I am on a longer leash. And the church grows weaker.
Ananias and Sapphira did not go to hell because of their sin. They are in the presence of God right now. He just had to move them on.
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