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NASB | Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever. |
Bible Question:
I have a question about Acts 5:1. I'm a relatively new Christian, and I am working my way through the Bible. I found the Old Testament to be somewhat violent...people being killed immediately for sins, stoned to death, falling over dead. I sure am glad for Jesus even more after reading the OT. But, in the NT, in Acts 5:1, Paul is accepting gifts from those who sold their property to give the money away. There is a couple that lied about how much money they got, and they were instantly killed for that. Being new to reading the Bible, please forgive my ignorance, but that seems a little over the top for being post-Jesus. Am I way off base here? I'm just not sure what to think. Seems like they should have been given a chance to repent and ask for forgiveness before being immediately stricken with death. I'm sorry to sound negative, and I love Jesus with all my heart. I just wondered what others' opinions were. Thanks, Dan |
Bible Answer: Dan Beyond lying to the Holy Spirit, there are two additional points to think about in this passage. First, it was important also to reaffirm to all that Christ, ever present in the Church (the Body of Christ) is real and alive - with the Spirit of God, with all of the truth, love and power of God, which is held by Christ. The Church is not just men and women living in a memoriam to the life of a phyically dead man, named Jesus. Second, did you notice that Peter's questions were not answered, the answers can be found in reading Psalm 49:7-16. The truth is that Ananias and his wife Sapphira, tried to redeem themselves with wealth - to pay God a ransom - to buy a good deed, but their true trust was still in their wealth. With regard to their immediate death: if you don't trust Christ, you will not live forever - you have already died. Psalm 49:16 Straight to the grave they descend, where their form will waste away, Sheol will be their palace. Brian |