Beginning in Acts 4:36, Luke first describes a positive personal example of care within the covenant community. He introduces Joseph (called Barnabas by the apostles) who sold a field of his own volition and brought the full amount to the feet of the apostles. Barnabas’ Spirit-led actions stand in stark contrast to the following narrative of Ananias and Sapphira. Like Barnabas, Ananias and Sapphira (husband and wife) sold a piece of property, pledging the proceeds of the sale to the church. Together, this couple wickedly plotted to withhold some of the proceeds from the sale while presenting the remaining proceeds to the apostles as if it were the full amount. While Barnabas was led by the Holy Spirit, we will see that this couple was instead led by the greatest enemy of the Spirit.
Instead of being thanked for what seemed to be an act of great generosity, Ananias was confronted by Peter, accusing Ananias of being controlled by Satanic influence and attempting to deceive the Holy Spirit by secretly withholding part of the money while lying about it. Peter asserted that no one forced Ananias to sell the property … that Ananias had a right to his own personal property. Further, even when it was sold, the proceeds from the sale were completely at Ananias’ disposal without any pressure to gift the money to the church. Why then had Ananias planned such evil in his heart, having lied to God Himself. Upon hearing Peter’s scathing rebuke, Ananias was divinely judged by God, and he fell down at Peter’s feet dead. He was then quickly and unceremoniously buried as great fear descended upon the church.
Three hours later, Sapphira entered, unaware of what had transpired (most notably the death of her husband). Peter asked her about the amount of money they had sold the property for, giving her opportunity to tell the truth; but she also lied, proving her complicity in such an evil scheme. Peter likened their joint action to testing the Spirit of the Lord, a direct challenge of the very One who searches ALL things. Like Ananias, Sapphira also received God’s immediate judgment, and she also fell to the ground dead. The young men then carried her out of the place and city, quickly burying her alongside her deceased husband. Thus, the severity of God’s judgment produced a reverential awe of God throughout the church but also an alarming realization that God can (and will at times) judge sin with great immediacy.
Despite Satan’s attempts to destroy the holiness and unity of the covenant community from within, God’s kingdom work continued! Over a period of time, the 12 apostles wrought many signs and wonders, publicly performing these acts in Solomon’s Portico. The unbelievers were afraid to get into too close of proximity of the believers, maintaining a “safe distance.” Nevertheless, these unbelievers spoke well of this new Christian movement, highly regarding the apostles’ awesome deeds. And despite the fear within the community that came as a result of God judging Ananias and Sapphira, the church experienced tremendous numerical additions of believing men and women … a testament to the power and saving grace of the Holy Spirit. These new converts even brought their sick and diseased out into the streets, believing that even Peter’s shadow could heal them. Just as it was with Jesus in His ministry, the fame of these apostolic wonders reached beyond Jerusalem, and great crowds entered the city, seeking healing and demonic exorcism. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, all were healed!
Such wonderful acts were bound to provoke the enemies of Christ, and Caiaphas the high priest and other members of the Sadducees arose to destroy this new movement. These men imagined themselves to have the same holy zeal that Phinehas did when he purified the congregation from indulging in sexual immorality. These mean also presumed that they spoke for God. Thus, they were ready to resort to violence to rid themselves of the new Christian way. They forcefully arrested the 12 apostles, casting them into prison. But an angel of the Lord released the apostles from prison that very same night, leading them out from their incarceration. Speaking the words of Jesus, this angel commanded these men to return to the place of their arrest in the temple and to continue to proclaim to the people the whole gospel message. The apostles obeyed, entering the temple at daybreak, defying the priests’ commands and threats, and continuing to teach the people about the resurrected, ascended, exalted Christ.
You can listen to this teaching on Acts 4:36-5:21 by clicking on the following link: Judgment Inside the Covenant Community
