93 Ananias and Sapphira [Acts 5:1–11]

The Bible passage: [Acts 5:1–11]

The Story:

The followers of Jesus were selling their possessions and giving the money to those in need. 

A man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property. He kept back part of the proceeds, with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it to the apostles, pretending that it was the total amount.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, Satan convinced you to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep part of the proceeds from the field. Wasn’t it your property while you owned it? After it was sold, wasn’t the money yours to do with as you wished? Why did you plan this deceit in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!”

When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came over all who heard it.

The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him.

After about three hours, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

Peter asked her, “Tell me, did you sell the field for this price?” 

“Yes,” she said, “that was the price.”

Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!”

Instantly she dropped dead. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband.

Great fear came over the whole church and everyone else who heard about it.

The Lessons:

  • We are introduced to the term “church“ in this story. “The church” isn’t a building or a place; it is the followers of Jesus who meet together to worship and serve Him. In a larger sense, “the church” is all followers of Jesus. 
  • Ananias and Sapphira didn’t die because they sold property and gave the money to the church. They died because they tried to lie and make everyone believe that they gave ALL the money to the church. They lied to try to make themselves look good to people.
  • Peter also said that they lied to the Holy Spirit. This is another case when God chose to punish sin immediately.





Next: 94 The Stoning of Stephen [Acts 6:8—7:1; 7:54–60]



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