It actually begins at the end of chapter 4 with the description of the early church in jerusalem, a group of believers so filled with the holy spirit that they were of one heart and one mind. But a certain man named ananias, with sapphira his wife, sold. The lesson of ananias and sapphira daily bible study. They sold a piece of property and brought just a portion of the money to the apostles, while pretending they were giving all the proceeds. The name meets us again as belonging to the high priest in acts 23. Just ast the apostolic community is of one mind and heart, so too this couple was of one mind in heart. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles feet. The chapter division certainly doesnt help, either.
The story of ananias and sapphira in acts 5 lets us know that despite the explosion of growth in the early church, they had moments of weakness, even gross sin. And this is the lesson of ananias that i have applied to my life. However, they secretly hold back a portion of the money for themselves. Jun 03, 2018 the story of ananias and sapphira, recounted in the book of acts, is about a husband and wifes grave mistake against god and his church. The real torahbased reason why god killed ananias and sapphira in the book of acts by richoka leave a comment for those who hold to a warped theology that says god was only a god of judgment and wrath in the old testament but changed in the new testament, i think the account of the death of ananias and sapphira as told in the book of. But a certain man named ananias, with sapphira his wife. Ananias s and sapphira s cunning deceit in acts 5 stands in stark contrast to the sterling example of barnabus unbridled generosity in acts 4. Study guide for acts 5 by david guzik blue letter bible. Achans story exactly parallels the story of ananias and sapphira. The two, a married couple, sell a piece of property and publicly give the proceeds to the community. The story of ananias and sapphira in the bible takes place in acts 5. Ananias, why hath satan filled thine heart to lie to the holy ghost. The story of ananias and sapphira is found in acts 5, and it is a sad story, indeed.
Acts 5 indepth versebyverse bible study and commentary of acts chapter 5 in plain english. This chapter recounts the tragic fall of ananias and sapphira acts 5. Acts 5 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. It strikes many readers as harsh, a return to old testament retribution. The sin and punishment of ananias and sapphira, who, for lying to the holy ghost, were struck dead at the word of peter. Aug 06, 2012 the deaths of ananias and sapphira do not seem to fit with the narrative just before the text and after it. In the judgement of ananias and sapphira we see that god is active and rules in this world of time. In the church, there are two kinds of people, and its nearly impossible to distinguish them from. Ananias and sapphira stand for the exact opposite, namely, people who have not really been changed on the inside by being satisfied with all that god is for them in christ, but who still want some place in the visible church. As creator, he has the right and the power to do as he wills with his creation. The deceit of ananias and sapphira sermon by john lowe. Pride and desire for acclaim motivated the couple to give a gift but without the honesty or sacrifice exhibited by barnabas and others. Probably he was not yet baptized, but intended now to offer himself for baptism.
Bruce writes in the joshua commentary in the nicnt series. Oct 27, 2008 his wife sapphira also lies, and is likewise judged 5. Study the bible online using commentary on acts 5 and more. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english.
Story of ananias and sapphira from the book of acts chapter 5 per a. The deceit of ananias and sapphira sermon by john lowe, acts. The account records their sudden deaths after lying to the holy spirit about money their story is rarely shown in art, but is the subject of one of the raphael cartoons, and a panel on the brescia casket. Three men by the name of ananias appear in the bible, and each plays a role in the new testament book of acts. The pastor of a local church, troubled over the growing number of unemployed people in the congregation, invites members to pray about what the church should. Why no opportunity of for repentance and restoration. It may be significant that the verb episkiazo, which luke chooses, meaning to. Acts 5 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. His wife sapphira also lies, and is likewise judged 5. In the book of acts we read about ananias and sapphira, who did have a gap between what they wanted to be known for and who they really were 5. At the point of the incident with ananias and sapphira acts 5, peter is at a lessmature stage than he is led to in acts 10 and certainly at a lessmature stage than the writer of 1 john. Acts 5 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity. The imprisonment of the apostles, and their miraculous discharge out of.
Mar 18, 2018 story of ananias and sapphira from the book of acts chapter 5 per a. Apr 09, 2019 today well launch our threepart study of ananias and sapphira, whose misunderstood death has been the source of some wild speculation and some questionable conclusions. This commentary on acts 5 treats the sin of ananias and sapphira, as well as the second attempt of the sanhedrin to stop the church. The story of ananias is to the book of acts what the story of achan is to the. It would therefore not be unreasonable to draw the conclusion that he did not necessarily act in the most mature way in the situation with ananias and. Ananias and sapphira were among the believers in jerusalem in the months after the sacrifice of the messiah see also the passover to pentecost connection and the saviour of all repentant people. It had the same significance as john, or johanan, the lord be gracious. Peter detects the deception and confronts the two separately. The story of ananias and sapphira, recounted in the book of acts, is about a husband and wifes grave mistake against god and his church. Acts 5 niv bible now a man named ananias, together with. The story of ananias and sapphira in acts 5 is difficult. Living out their unity with the believers, ananias and his wife sapphira sold real estate see 5. Ananias small act of obedience led to a great harvest for the kingdom. The deaths of ananias and sapphira do not seem to fit with the narrative just before the text and after it.
Ananias and sapphira took this occasion to give, to help others but let satan intrude, resulting in an agreement to lie. Like achan, they stole from the lord and used deception to cover up their sin. Discipleship ministries book of acts sermon starters week 9. The story of ananias is to the book of acts what the story of achan is to the book of. Ananias and sapphiras deceit and greed stand in contrast to the sincerity and generosity of the community of faith 4. The first ananias is featured in a dramatic episode that took place in the early jerusalem church. Sapphira, is either connected with the sapphire, as a precious stone, or from a hebrew word signifying beautiful or pleasant. I believe that their deaths serve as a warning to the church today, and that god has a lot to teach usif we are willing to hear. A common name among jews, ananias is the greek form of the hebrew name hananiah and means yahweh has been gracious. Ananias and sapphira had some land they could sell. Study acts 5 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Acts 5 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. No amount of commentary will ever take the edge off this passageand that may be the point. Today we are learning about a married couple named ananias and sapphira.
Ananias and sapphira bible story summary in the early christian church in jerusalem, the believers were so close they sold their excess land or possessions and donated the money so no one would go hungry. Acts 5 there were some very generous people in the church of christ in jerusalem people who made great sacrifices so that the many poor people in their number were not in need for example, barnabas his name means son of encouragement sold a tract of land. While other newlyconverted christians were voluntarily donating to support the lords ministry at that time, ananias and. The account records their sudden deaths after lying to the holy spirit about money. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. Jun 25, 2019 the story of ananias and sapphira in the bible takes place in acts 5. Martyn lloydjones expounds on acts 5 and shows while many modern men hate the idea of a supernatural spiritual realm, the bible sees many events in the world as the result of immaterial things. Gods judgment on ananias and sapphira was no less severe than his judgment on achan, although they committed the lesser offense. Commentary on acts 45 ananias and sapphira july 10, 2017 bill pratt leave a comment the verses of acts 4. The reason they drop dead is not because this happens to all hypocrites. When you read and study the book of acts these accounts we have of christians acting together are a great pleasure to read. Read acts 5 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete.
In this simple narrative, familiar to many christians, ananias and his wife sapphira sold a piece of. Of these two classes the writer of the book of acts presents us with individual examples of the former class, in the case of joseph, or barnabas, a wealthy cypriot, who having a field, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet acts iv. Jul 10, 2017 commentary on acts 45 ananias and sapphira july 10, 2017 bill pratt leave a comment the verses of acts 4. Ananiass and sapphiras cunning deceit in acts 5 stands in stark contrast to the sterling example of barnabus unbridled generosity in acts 4. The sin and punishment of ananias and sapphira, who, for lying to the holy ghost, were struck dead at the word of peter v. In all the shock and awe of the couples fate, its easy to forget the first word in the story. We know that ananias acted with the full support of his wife. Luke probably wrote the book of acts to assist in pauls defense before the authorities in rome.
First of all, we need to understand that our text is not an interruption in the flow of the book. The flourishing state of the church, in the power that went along with the preaching of the gospel v. Bible commentary produced by tow project the deaths of ananias and sapphira acts 5. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of.
Acts 5 the death of ananias and sapphira luke gives an ideal example. Acts 5 there were some very generous people in the church of christ in jerusalem people who made great sacrifices so that the many poor people in their number were not in need. Both show god taking drastic measures to remove sin from among his people. It is just a small story, tucked away in the book of acts, but to most people today the brief account of the death of ananias and sapphira stands as one of the most difficult and bewildering passages in the new testament.
Nov 22, 2006 ananias small act of obedience led to a great harvest for the kingdom. Acts chapter 5 coffmans commentary of the new testament. Small acts of obedience that are premised on the word of god, even when they seem contrary to reason, and even when they seem to challenge what seems so plain, can have great significance. Planning to study ananias and sapphira bible study mentor. The real torahbased reason why god killed ananias and.
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