Acts

SCROLL TO BOTTOM FOR CONTENT THREADS.

Prior Book \| Prior Chapter \| Prior Verse \| Next Verse \| Next Chapter \| Next Book \| Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015
NASB	Acts 5:5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.
AMPLIFIED 2015	Acts 5:5 And hearing these words, Ananias fell down suddenly and died; and great fear and awe gripped those who heard of it.

SCROLL TO BOTTOM FOR CONTENT THREADS.

Subject: Were Ananias and Sapphira believers?

Bible Note: Hello rj...,

Again, nowhere in the text in Acts 5 (and preceding) does it specifically state they were believers! I find it most interesting that Peter tells Ananias in vs. 3, "why has Satan filled your heart". This is very similar to John 13:2 where it is recorded that "...the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas, to betray Him". In my mind, this does not seem descriptive of a true believer. Might you also elaborate on exactly how would you conclude "that God took them to Heaven"? This is not mentioned in the text but may be (incorrectly) inferred:-)

Interestingly, Matthew Henry gives his view on this- with which I generally concur:

"The sin of Ananias and Sapphira his wife. It is good to see husband and wife joining together in that which is good, but to be confederate in evil is to be like Adam and Eve, when they agreed to eat the forbidden fruit, and were one in their disobedience. Now their sin was, 1. That they were ambitious of being thought eminent disciples, and of the first rank, when really they were not true disciples; they would pass for some of the most fruitful trees in Christ’s vineyard, when really the root of the matter was not found in them. They sold a possession, and brought the money (as Barnabas did) to the apostles’ feet, that they might not seem to be behind the very chief of believers, but might be applauded and cried up, and stand so much the fairer for preferment in the church, which perhaps they thought would shortly shine in secular pomp and grandeur. Note, It is possible that hypocrites may deny themselves in one thing, but then it is to serve themselves in another; they may forego their secular advantage in one instance, with a prospect of finding their account in something else. Ananias and Sapphira would take upon them a profession of Christianity, and make a fair show in the flesh with it, and so would mock God, and deceive others, when they knew they could not go through with the Christian profession. It was commendable, and so far it was right, in that rich young man, that he would not pretend to follow Christ, when, if it should come to a pinch, he knew he could not come up to his terms, but he went away sorrowful. Ananias and Sapphira pretended they could come up to the terms, that they might have the credit of being disciples, when really they could not, and so were a discredit to discipleship. Note, It is often of fatal consequence for people to go a greater length in profession than their inward principle will admit of."

As to the fact they ,"...have not lied to men but to God" (Holy Spirit) the Commentary Critical makes this observation:

"not lied to men but God—to men so entirely the instruments of the directing Spirit that the lie was rather told to Him: language clearly implying both the distinct personality and the proper divinity of the Holy Ghost."

[Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, A. R. Fausset et al., A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments]

Speaking the Truth in Love,

BradK