Lesson 8 – Ananias and Sapphira

1. Lesson 8 – Ananias and Sapphira December 23, 2012

2. Last Week’s Forecast The Acts of the Apostles

3. Not To Worry … The Acts of the Apostles

4. The REAL Story The Acts of the Apostles

5. Ah, Those Wacky Mayans! The Acts of the Apostles

6. Review • Luke has just shared a pericope about Barnabas’ generosity • Barnabas was a shining example of how the church lived in community, providing for those in need The Acts of the Apostles

7. Barnabas • Acts 4:36-37 • 36Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. The Acts of the Apostles

8. For Discussion • Barnabas performs a selfless act for the good of the Christian community • A shining example of the love of Jesus, expressed in works • Perhaps this was a common thing among the believers and Barnabas was only one of many The Acts of the Apostles

9. Ananias and Sapphira • Acts 5:1 • 1But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet. The Acts of the Apostles

10. For Discussion • What do you suppose prompted Ananias and Sapphira to sell their property? • Why would they hold back part of the proceeds from the apostles? The Acts of the Apostles

11. Peter’s Response • Acts 5:3-4 • 3But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." The Acts of the Apostles

12. For Discussion • How did Ananias lie to the Holy Spirit? • What was Ananias trying to accomplish? • Who is to blame for this deception? • What does this says about personal possessions? • Why was Peter so harsh with Ananias? The Acts of the Apostles

13. Ananias’ Death • Acts 5:5-6 • 5And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. The Acts of the Apostles

14. For Discussion • There was no delay in burying Ananias • Probably to avoid decomposition in the hot climate of Palestine • Ananias was apparently not a rich man • The young men simply covered him up, carried him out of the city and buried him • There was no preparation for burial • For people of means, bodies were wrapped in linen and spices The Acts of the Apostles

15. For Discussion • What was Ananias’ sin? • Three parts to every sin • God’s Law • Satan’s temptation • Man’s actions • Why did Ananias fall dead? • Coincidence? • God’s judgment? • Did the punishment fit the crime or was it (pardon the pun) “overkill”? The Acts of the Apostles

16. Sin Brings Death • James 1:13 • 13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. The Acts of the Apostles

17. For Discussion • Whether physical or spiritual, the death brought about by sin is REAL • Jesus paid for our sin with his life • Those who don’t follow Him pay with their own The Acts of the Apostles

18. Act II • Acts 5:7-8 • 7Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8And Peter responded to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?" And she said, "Yes, that was the price." The Acts of the Apostles

19. For Discussion • Why do you suppose that Sapphira didn’t know about Ananias’ death? • Note that Peter gives her ample opportunity to come clean • Short of saying: “God struck your husband dead for lying. You wanna try a different story?” • Yet she persists in the deception • Why? The Acts of the Apostles

20. Conspiracy • Acts 5:9 • 9Then Peter said to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.“ • The same fate waits Sapphira • The hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira was complete and total The Acts of the Apostles

21. The Death of Sapphira • Acts 5:10-11 • 10And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. The Acts of the Apostles

22. For Discussion • What sort of “fear” gripped the church and others? • What did this do for church membership? • What was the purpose of the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira? • Why doesn’t God strike people down for lying or hypocrisy? • Why do it in the First Century? • Why not today? The Acts of the Apostles

23. Conclusion • It’s easy to be “holier than thou” about Ananias and Sapphira • While the punishment may not be immediate today, as it was in this case, the judgment is just as sure • God’s Laws are still very much in effect, just as are the consequences of breaking them • For us just as much as Ananias and Sapphira The Acts of the Apostles

24. Next Week • Lesson 9 – The Apostles in Prison QUESTIONS? The Acts of the Apostles