Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11, An Exploration of Views [Video]

[BibleUnboxed]

This video explores a number of interpretations of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11.
Two of the more fascinating interpretations are that:
(1) Peter killed Ananias and Sapphira and the story is criticism of his overreach
(2) The story is a dark comedy

What do you think?

 

[Aussie Pete]

This video explores a number of interpretations of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11.
Two of the more fascinating interpretations are that:
(1) Peter killed Ananias and Sapphira and the story is criticism of his overreach
(2) The story is a dark comedy

What do you think?

I think that the Bible is God's word. The account is exactly what happened for the reason that is stated.

 

[Guojing]

This video explores a number of interpretations of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11.
Two of the more fascinating interpretations are that:
(1) Peter killed Ananias and Sapphira and the story is criticism of his overreach
(2) The story is a dark comedy

What do you think?

I thought this incident is a clear indication that the Body of Christ and the gospel of the grace of God could not possibly started in Acts 2, as popularly believed.

 

[d taylor]

It is simple amazing how many people (believers) simply do not believe The Bible.

These two believers, physical lives were cut short / ended, by God for lying to the Holy Spirit.

 

[tturt]

Right! Remind myself at least they accept the Scriptures about being in the family of God.

Seems this Biblical account of what Ananias and Sapphira did and the consequences should still cause
'And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things." Acts 5

 

[ozso]

I always find it interesting to hear different interpretations of passages.

 

[public hermit]

This video explores a number of interpretations of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11.
Two of the more fascinating interpretations are that:
(1) Peter killed Ananias and Sapphira and the story is criticism of his overreach
(2) The story is a dark comedy

What do you think?

That's a helpful video and presented interpretations by the early church I had not heard. I don't think we have to have all the answers, and I agree with your quote by CS Lewis.

 

[BibleUnboxed]

It is simple amazing how many people (believers) simply do not believe The Bible.

These two believers, physical lives were cut short / ended, by God for lying to the Holy Spirit.

I don't think any of the scholars put forward in the video didn't believe the Bible story was scripture. But if one reads closely, there's a lot that isn't said:
(1) It never says Ananias and Sapphira promised to give all their money
(2) You never hear Ananias and Sapphira say anything
(3) There was no Biblical law they broke

Also Peter doesn't always get it right (i.e., cutting of someone's ear).

So I'm not saying which one is the right interpretation, I'm just saying that gaps and ambiguities invite these different interpretations. Which is why as far back as the early Church there have been different views.

 

[Guojing]

It is simple amazing how many people (believers) simply do not believe The Bible.

These two believers, physical lives were cut short / ended, by God for lying to the Holy Spirit.

So nowadays, Christians who tell others the famous cliché "I don't have any possessions, all that I have belong to the Lord".

When they then sit in a church, where the pastor appeal for them to donate to a new church project, they don't sell any they have to give, would you consider them as "lying to God" too?

 

[d taylor]

I don't think any of the scholars put forward in the video didn't believe the Bible story was scripture. But if one reads closely, there's a lot that isn't said:
(1) It never says Ananias and Sapphira promised to give all their money
(2) You never hear Ananias and Sapphira say anything
(3) There was no Biblical law they broke

Also Peter doesn't always get it right (i.e., cutting of someone's ear).

So I'm not saying which one is the right interpretation, I'm just saying that gaps and ambiguities invite these different interpretations. Which is why as far back as the early Church there have been different views.

Chapter 4 states that all who were possessors of lands
for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Like i said if a person wants to come up with situations that have no actual connection in this account given in Acts 5. It is not, nor will not be the first or last time for this.

 

[d taylor]

So nowadays, Christians who tell others the famous cliché "I don't have any possessions, all that I have belong to the Lord".

When they then sit in a church, where the pastor appeal for them to donate to a new church project, they don't sell any they have to give, would you consider them as "lying to God" too?

Do not see the connection you are trying to make. Believers i am sure lie to God, other people, in business, in sports, in relationships, in marriage, etc...

Are you wondering why God is not taking the lives of all these liars.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I don't think any of the scholars put forward in the video didn't believe the Bible story was scripture. But if one reads closely, there's a lot that isn't said:
(1) It never says Ananias and Sapphira promised to give all their money
(2) You never hear Ananias and Sapphira say anything
(3) There was no Biblical law they broke

Also Peter doesn't always get it right (i.e., cutting of someone's ear).

So I'm not saying which one is the right interpretation, I'm just saying that gaps and ambiguities invite these different interpretations. Which is why as far back as the early Church there have been different views.

The biblical law that was broken is that they lied.
Revelation 21:8 says all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire.
Christians are no exception.
Granted, more specifically, these two lied to the Holy Spirit.
But their sin was more grave than say just lying to people.
It was lying directly to God.
Also, Peter did not kill them, but it was the Holy Spirit (God who killed them).
That is evident by a normal reading of this in Scripture.

Now, where the interpretation of many comes in is based upon a person’s view of sin and salvation.
Were these true believers or fake ones?
If these were true believers, were they saved?

I believe that the text does not treat these two believers as false believers or false teachers. They appear to be fellow Christians who committed a grievous sin.
Were they saved after they were killed?
I don’t think so because the text says a great fear came upon the church when they heard about it.
The emotion of fear only makes sense if they knew that a similar sin could also cause them to be killed by God, too. For if they were saved, the church would be sad or they would rejoice that they are in the arms of Jesus. If they were false believers, they would either feel the emotion of a sense of justice being done or they would pity them. Fear does not make sense unless they knew they could also lose their salvation by sinning greatly in God’s sight.

Side Note:

Anyways, please take no offense, friend, but I would encourage you to read your Bible more in study. Ask God to help you to understand His Word, and He will help you. Believers need to be strong in His word by studying it with God.

 

[d taylor]

I was about to write that there are even people who say these believers. Were not actually believers and this highlighter person proves my point. Talk about reading ideas into a Biblical perfect example.

 

[Guojing]

Do not see the connection you are trying to make. Believers i am sure lie to God, other people, in business, in sports, in relationships, in marriage, etc...

Are you wondering why God is not taking the lives of all these liars.

No, I am saying we are now in the grace dispensation where we are no longer judged according to the Law.

A&S were living under the law dispensation, so that was why they were killed by God for lying.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I was about to write that there are even people who say these believers. Were not actually believers and this highlighter person proves my point. Talk about reading ideas into a Biblical perfect example.

Well, first, my user name is “Bible Highlighter,” and not “highlighter person.” I have been on the forums for a long time and I have studied the Bible deeply for about 10 years plus.

Second, I never stated Ananias and Sapphira were unbelievers. I was trying to refute the false belief that other believers have.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

This video explores a number of interpretations of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11.
Two of the more fascinating interpretations are that:
(1) Peter killed Ananias and Sapphira and the story is criticism of his overreach
(2) The story is a dark comedy

What do you think?

I watched a bit of your video here and I am deeply troubled by it. For one you refer to this story in God’s Word as crazy. This to me sounds like you are sort of mocking God’s Word. Maybe you did not have that intention, but that is the impression I get. It’s God’s Holy Word and the story is very serious because it is God’s judgment taking place here. Also, you hold to the possibility that maybe Peter killed them when the Bible does not say so. It’s clear by the context that they dropped dead because they were being judged by God. God took their life. That is implied by the context even if it does not specifically say it. It does not suggest Peter killed them and if anyone in history says otherwise, they are lying because they simply do not like the story of God’s judgment. Most Christians today think they can sin and still be saved and Jesus is all just lovey dovey and He will just let our sins slip by. But this story proves that such is not the case. We are living in the last days, and such stories are being turned into fables. Men are not believing the Bible like they used to anymore. I beg of you not to be one of them. Believe God’s Word as it is written even if it may be hard for you to accept at times. Ask God for help if the Bible troubles you and don’t just seek out an interpretation that seems more comforting to us. For men will of course try to re-write this story or come up with lame excuses to say God will not judge like this. God hates sin. He always has. His judgment towards sin will always be the same.

Side Note:

Some try to escape responsibility of God’s judgment in His Word in that we are under a different dispensation. This again is just an avoidance of God’s Word in what it says. The Bible ends in the last chapter (Revelation 22) by saying,

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:14-15).

Paul lists various sins in Galatians 5:19-21 and says that they which do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.