Act 4:31-37 and Acts 5:1-11

Rescued One

...yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me
Dec 12, 2002
35,529
6,408
Midwest
✟80,125.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Widowed
Acts 4
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.


Surely Ananias wasn't moved by the Holy Spirit to pretend he was being generous? He was obeying Satan. Was he jealous of Joses being called the "son of consolation/encouragement?"

Thoughts?
 

Endtime Survivors

prophecy link in my profile!
Apr 4, 2016
1,394
458
Africa
Visit site
✟30,738.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
Surely Ananias wasn't moved by the Holy Spirit to pretend he was being generous? He was obeying Satan. Was he jealous of Joses being called the "son of consolation/encouragement?"

I don't think it was jealousy. The context seems to communicate that he was fearful. This was shortly after pentecost and thousands of people were joining the movement, giving up all their private ownership, sharing all things in common, and living and working together.

It would have been a huge step for them to forsake everything. So, they devised a plan; keep some of the wealth back just in case this new church didn't work out. At least they would have something to fall back on and get them started again afterward.

But, as Jesus said, no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is worthy to follow him. Ananias and Saph made a good example that when God says, "forsake all" that's what he means.
 
Upvote 0

Greg J.

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Mar 2, 2016
3,841
1,907
Southeast Michigan
✟233,164.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Jesus said they weren't worthy, but that doesn't mean it requires immediate capital punishment. Satan "fills people's hearts" as the result of persistent sinning and not being willing to submit to God's Lordship. Ananias and Sapphira aren't two people who God executed because they were having a bad week and were just afraid of what people would think. They had worked themselves into having lying and deceiving hearts ("evil") over a period of time.

God used them as an example presumably in a similar way as we see in Acts 19:13-17 to help people to stop trivializing Jesus. While the response was "fear" in general, I think Godly people would have only felt a little sobering up and a clearer respect and reverence for Jesus (positive things for them in the long-term).
 
  • Agree
Reactions: JESUS=G.O.A.T
Upvote 0

JESUS=G.O.A.T

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2016
2,681
659
27
Houston
✟68,441.00
Country
United States
Faith
Apostolic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Acts 4
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.


Surely Ananias wasn't moved by the Holy Spirit to pretend he was being generous? He was obeying Satan. Was he jealous of Joses being called the "son of consolation/encouragement?"

Thoughts?


I think something people should understand is that just because you have the holy spirit...doesn't mean you're invincible. It's not a free pass to heaven... this path takes work and dedication. You gotta pray, fast, and increase. You have to keep praying because if you stop communicating with God you stop the sanctification process and you stop walking. The bible says walk in the spirit, if you pause long enough it allows for you to fall back. God says you're for me or against me... you can't pause or take a year off and say you're walking with God.

1 Peter 2:2-3King James Version (KJV)
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.


We must stay in the word and grow. Anyway these 2 I believe were destroyed for more then not willing to give it all to God. The people gave all of their stuff up because they believed JESUS was coming soon...like super soon... the reason we hear he knows not the day or hour is to try and let them know this. They thought not long after the filling and stuff he was coming..


I believe Ananias and Silas could have given less and been fine, the problem was simply that they chose to lie though and claim they gave all to someone who had the spirit of God inside of him, rather then simply say they decided to give less for so/so reason. They pulled an Adam/Eve sorta thing and tried to trick/hide something from God so he responded.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Rescued One

...yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me
Dec 12, 2002
35,529
6,408
Midwest
✟80,125.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Widowed
I think something people should understand is that just because you have the holy spirit...doesn't mean you're invincible. It's not a free pass to heaven... this path takes work and dedication. You gotta pray, fast, and increase. You have to keep praying because if you stop communicating with God you stop the sanctification process and you stop walking. The bible says walk in the spirit, if you pause long enough it allows for you to fall back. God says you're for me or against me... you can't pause or take a year off and say you're walking with God.

1 Peter 2:2-3King James Version (KJV)
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.


We must stay in the word and grow. Anyway these 2 I believe were destroyed for more then not willing to give it all to God. The people gave all of their stuff up because they believed JESUS was coming soon...like super soon... the reason we hear he knows not the day or hour is to try and let them know this. They thought not long after the filling and stuff he was coming..

Christians LOVE Him and Christians FOLLOW Him. The Bible describes Christians. By their fruits you will be able to distinguish them from unbelievers.

I believe Ananias and Silas could have given less and been fine, the problem was simply that they chose to lie though and claim they gave all to someone who had the spirit of God inside of him, rather then simply say they decided to give less for so/so reason. They pulled an Adam/Eve sorta thing and tried to trick/hide something from God so he responded.

"to someone who had the spirit of God inside of him,"

Who is the "someone" you're referring to?
 
Upvote 0

JESUS=G.O.A.T

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2016
2,681
659
27
Houston
✟68,441.00
Country
United States
Faith
Apostolic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Christians LOVE Him and Christians FOLLOW Him. The Bible describes Christians. By their fruits you will be able to distinguish them from unbelievers.



"to someone who had the spirit of God inside of him,"

Who is the "someone" you're referring to?
I feel what you don't seem to grasp is that there is something in the Bible known as backsliding and departing the faith and there is something known as false christians. People sure can be christians but they can also convert to atheism or anything else despite being saved christians...sure while and individual is a Christian they are Holy and bearing fruits but when they start the process of backsliding that stops and they start to lose that Christian identity, we see this all the time. And when I say someone I'm referring to peter
 
Upvote 0

Rescued One

...yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me
Dec 12, 2002
35,529
6,408
Midwest
✟80,125.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Widowed
I don't think it was jealousy. The context seems to communicate that he was fearful. This was shortly after pentecost and thousands of people were joining the movement, giving up all their private ownership, sharing all things in common, and living and working together.

I won't argue that it was jealousy. That was a question I had. But in context, I don't see that he was fearful...perhaps unbelieving and selfish.
 
Upvote 0

Rescued One

...yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me
Dec 12, 2002
35,529
6,408
Midwest
✟80,125.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Widowed
I feel what you don't seem to grasp is that there is something in the Bible known as backsliding and departing the faith and there is something known as false christians. People sure can be christians but they can also convert to atheism or anything else despite being saved christians...sure while and individual is a Christian they are Holy and bearing fruits but when they start the process of backsliding that stops and they start to lose that Christian identity, we see this all the time. And when I say someone I'm referring to peter

Thank you for the clarification that you meant Peter. I don't see the teaching about backsliding in my Bible. Can you show me that?

A Christian follows Jesus. If he slips, Jesus pulls him back.

Philippians 1
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
 
Upvote 0

JESUS=G.O.A.T

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2016
2,681
659
27
Houston
✟68,441.00
Country
United States
Faith
Apostolic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Thank you for the clarification that you meant Peter. I don't see the teaching about backsliding in my Bible. Can you show me that?

A Christian follows Jesus. If he slips, Jesus pulls him back.

Philippians 1
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Nah my dad as a deacon has known people and of course others have as well who turned away and never came back. There are also examples of this in the Bible with iserali. And tbh maybe it's cause you don't have a KJV Bible there are plenty of verses about people leaving the faith( timonthy 4) or backsliding and examples as well. There are examples of those who return though I agree they can. Here is an example where the word is used itself straight up to prove it is a biblical term. Jeremiah 3:12 - Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; [and] I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I [am] merciful, saith the LORD, [and] I will not keep [anger] for ever Jeremiah 8:5 - Why [then] is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

Proverbs 14:14 - The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself. Now you use Philippines right But not to the fullest extent. Philippines is talking about those that are written in the book of life, he will call those back. But there are those that god knows will not last who will end up backsliding and not come back and who he knew would do so. He says many are called few are chosen. A good amount of people are saved(called) but not all last(chosen) and are set to be in the book of life. Moses is an example of someone who was called and chosen cause after 40 years he came back, king Saul though is an example of a modern day person who is saved and does things for god but backsides and doesn't come back. He was chosen by god but he turned away.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

JESUS=G.O.A.T

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2016
2,681
659
27
Houston
✟68,441.00
Country
United States
Faith
Apostolic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
The ones who leave and don't come back weren't born again. Jesus always brings His sheep back according to what I understand.

I use my KJV almost exclusively.

We'll have to agree to disagree I guess.
Oh guess simply never seen the backsliding verses then. And it's fine man I respect you have a good mind dedicated to god and our two views are the most popular. Yours that after being born again you can fall asleep and slack on your walk but you stay a Christian that simply maybe needs to regain his focus is a popular view, I heard an apostolic pastor the other day agree with you on this. There's no wrong way to view this as long as you believe that the person can be helped with their walk you're good. As long as you believe in saving souls and reaching out to others you're good. God bless brother
 
Upvote 0

Endtime Survivors

prophecy link in my profile!
Apr 4, 2016
1,394
458
Africa
Visit site
✟30,738.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
But in context, I don't see that he was fearful...perhaps unbelieving and selfish.

Forsaking all is part of what it means to be Christian. The apostles did it and it's unlikely that Jesus would ask his followers to do something that he himself did not do. Luke 5:11, Luke 5:28, Luke 18:28, Luke 14:33.

It can be quite frightening to let go and trust God, especially when it comes to monetary issues. This is what is meant by "taking thought" in Matthew 6 when Jesus says that we can't work for God and money at the same time without cheating on one or the other, and that we should take no thought for what we will eat, drink, or wear, but rather that we should seek God's kingdom first and then God will provide the things we need.

Anna and Saph "took thought" when they were forsaking all to join the church, and God used them as an example to demonstrate that he's not looking for half-hearts or the luke-warm. As Peter said, God did not force them to forsake all; they could have kept all their wealth.

But what they were trying to do was sneak into the kingdom of Heaven and God caught them at it.
 
Upvote 0