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1.) Several verses come to mind.
What happened to Ananias and Sapphira reminds me of when Simon the sorcerer tried to buy the gift of God with money. Long story short, Peter gave Simon a strong reprimanded, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! (Ac 8:20). Both these incidents had to do with the value that these people placed on money. The couple valued money above the truth. Simon thought that money could buy the gift of God. In other words, they valued (or loved) money rather than "godliness with contentment." In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, that misplaced valued costed them their lives.
2.) It's implied that God killed them. Much like it's implied that God killed Nabal. That has something to do with the fear of God. That's discussed a lot in the OT. Many NT Christians claim that the fear of God is an OT principle that's not really relevant anymore because of Jesus and grace. Jesus and grace are a central theme on the NT. However, what happened to Ananias and Sapphira is a lone reminder that even in the dispensation of grace the fear of God is still relevant and applicable.
And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things (Acts 5:1-11). Whole church applies to us too because we are the NT church, lest we forget. May we bridle our tongues and not love money.
- The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives (Pr 18:7). The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (v. 21).
- For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ro 6:23).
- But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Ti 6:10).
What happened to Ananias and Sapphira reminds me of when Simon the sorcerer tried to buy the gift of God with money. Long story short, Peter gave Simon a strong reprimanded, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! (Ac 8:20). Both these incidents had to do with the value that these people placed on money. The couple valued money above the truth. Simon thought that money could buy the gift of God. In other words, they valued (or loved) money rather than "godliness with contentment." In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, that misplaced valued costed them their lives.
2.) It's implied that God killed them. Much like it's implied that God killed Nabal. That has something to do with the fear of God. That's discussed a lot in the OT. Many NT Christians claim that the fear of God is an OT principle that's not really relevant anymore because of Jesus and grace. Jesus and grace are a central theme on the NT. However, what happened to Ananias and Sapphira is a lone reminder that even in the dispensation of grace the fear of God is still relevant and applicable.
And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things (Acts 5:1-11). Whole church applies to us too because we are the NT church, lest we forget. May we bridle our tongues and not love money.
I agree with your thoughts on fear and it seems a lack of reverential fear is one of the many sins of those who claim Christ yet fail to keep His word. I heard a preacher that had been preaching 50 years say, "I doesn't matter how you live just as long as you know Jesus" I about fell out and got behind the pulpit and condemned that heretical teaching. It does matter, and if we fear God we will be obedient to his word. Just like when I was a kid...I knew I would get my rear end lit up like a firecracker if I didn't do what I was told to do. I had fear and it motivated me to service. Fear is the beginning, but should give way to love as a motivator of service. Having said that, we should never loose the reverential fear of God.
It was not the dispensation of the grace of God, yet. That change, the great change in the bible, happened when the apostle Paul was converted & raised up... not at pentecost, that was still a continuation of the earthly ministry of Christ toward the lost sheep of the house of Israel for the calling out of the kingdom gospel.
That brings up a great point to make, when Paul says he was a blasphemer, it was against the Holy Ghost, in that he consented to the death of Stephen who was full of the Holy Spirit;
This is what the dispensation of the grace of God is all about, what the gospel of grace, the gospel of God, the gospel of His dear Son is all about...
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
*And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God*Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
*And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
This is what the dispensation of the grace of God is all about, what the gospel of grace, the gospel of God, the gospel of His dear Son is all about...
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
*And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God*Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
*And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
I don't want to derail the thread and start talking about the 7 dispensations. I want to respect the thread which is about why God killed Ananias and Sapphira. With that being said, one of the central themes of the entire NT (gospels included) is grace.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (Jo 1:17). Grace came through Jesus and not Paul, although Paul was a proficient teacher of grace. Jesus demonstrated grace in his earthly ministry. Jesus showed grace and mercy to a lot of the people he came across when the law required that they be treated much differently.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (Jo 1:17). Grace came through Jesus and not Paul, although Paul was a proficient teacher of grace. Jesus demonstrated grace in his earthly ministry. Jesus showed grace and mercy to a lot of the people he came across when the law required that they be treated much differently.
B
Anything outside of what the scripture states in the context of that situation, is pure speculation. The context starts at Acts 4:32 after companions of Peter and John were filled with the Holy Spirit, after being confronted by the Saducces for preaching in the name of Jesus. They became a community, relinquishing personal ownership of all things that none may be in need. This was not required according to Acts 5:4. Both of them were judged by the Spirit of God immediately. It is God who gives life, and takes life. As a believer, you understand your life is not your own. Call it what you like, put a label on it if you wish, but do so at your own risk. Creation cannot judge the Transcendent Creator. His ways are not our ways....
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C
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was, not that they did not give the entire amount of the price of the possession sold, but that they lyingly claimed to do so, evidently to receive plaudits of men rather than to honor God and do good toward his congregation. Their deception was exposed by Peter, under the inspiration of holy spirit. He said: “Ananias, why has Satan emboldened you to play false to the holy spirit and to hold back secretly some of the price of the field? As long as it remained with you did it not remain yours, and after it was sold did it not continue in your control? Why was it that you purposed such a deed as this in your heart? You have played false, not to men, but to God.” On hearing Peter’s words, Ananias fell down and expired.
After about three hours Sapphira came in and repeated the lie. Peter then asked her: “Why was it agreed upon between you two to make a test of the spirit of God?” Sapphira likewise fell down and expired. This incident served as discipline for the congregation, causing them to have great fear, and doubtless great respect and appreciation for the fact Yahweh indeed dwelt in the congregation by spirit.—Ac 4:34, 35; 5:1-11; 1Co 3:16, 17; Eph 2:22; compare 1Ti 1:20.
After about three hours Sapphira came in and repeated the lie. Peter then asked her: “Why was it agreed upon between you two to make a test of the spirit of God?” Sapphira likewise fell down and expired. This incident served as discipline for the congregation, causing them to have great fear, and doubtless great respect and appreciation for the fact Yahweh indeed dwelt in the congregation by spirit.—Ac 4:34, 35; 5:1-11; 1Co 3:16, 17; Eph 2:22; compare 1Ti 1:20.
D
I am sure there are many "Ananias' and Sapphira's" out there. I am sure they are in every church seeking the praise of men rather than seeking God's approval--and God does not slay them, right? So what is different about these two?
We read that many in the early Church sold land and gave it all to the church. This must of been the desire of the Holy Spirit to set the early church in high gear. Then we have these hypocrites who felt the Holy Spirit ask them to sell a plot of land but they retained part. This was being plain stingy on their part but they also cooked up a plan to tell others they gave all. I can only assume God chose to make an example of them, for reasons I still can not fully comprehend.
We read that many in the early Church sold land and gave it all to the church. This must of been the desire of the Holy Spirit to set the early church in high gear. Then we have these hypocrites who felt the Holy Spirit ask them to sell a plot of land but they retained part. This was being plain stingy on their part but they also cooked up a plan to tell others they gave all. I can only assume God chose to make an example of them, for reasons I still can not fully comprehend.
They were killed because they lied to the apostles for the love of money.
Lying about the price they sold their possessions for.
1Ti_6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (KJV)
Lying about the price they sold their possessions for.
1Ti_6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (KJV)
You can disagree if you choose...the 7 assertions of Malachi are directed at the priests and the people. The people were bringing tainted sacrifices which were being offered by the priests and the context of Malachi 3:6-10 is directed at the whole nation and states, "Will a man rob God?" Yet (ye) you ALL have robbed me. But YE (YOU ALL) say , Wherein (HOW) have we robbed thee? IN TITHES AND OFFERINGS. YE (YOU ALL) are cursed with a curse: for YE (YOU ALL) have robbed me, EVEN THIS WHOLE NATION. VERSE 10 Give what you are supposed to give and you will not be able to receive all that I can and will give. Obviously verse 10 is paraphrased. I may have been born at night and dropped on my head when I was a kid, but I can see the context proves that THE WHOLE NATION HAD BEEN ROBBING GOD because they had failed to give unto God what was required by the Law at that time!