This scripture must be false?

[Europa]

This must have been added close to two thousand years ago,its evil and maybe put in by evil peope that want tithes or to distort "The Word".
I'm wondering if anyone can make any sense of this.

ACTS CHAPTER 5 :I-11
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.
Does anyone believe this story is genuine? The Holy Spirit actually killing two people who actually did a great deed.Offering half of their fortune is a wonderfull jesture,and it was only a white lie saying that it was there whole fortune.As everyone knows the whole point of Jesus is to save sinners,repent,love your enemy etc.Peter wasn't sinless like Jesus Christ so even if he wished it The Holy Spirit wouldn't have killed the two people,who actually did a very good deed,apart from the white lie,i can just imagine two thousand years ago some evil(vatican)? members planning to force/trick/steal off people getting them to give money to keep them in luxury.It happens a lot now with pastures etc.
Maybe two thousand years ago the church needed money so they added it, Any Thoughts?

 

[*Charis*]

There is no such thing as a 'white' lie... a lie is a lie.
The Holy Spirit, who knows all things, saw more than
a lie, He saw the motive behind the lie. There were
also pride issues involved with this couple.

 

[Magentic]

That's a good question Europa. Grace didn't cover them if it was the Holy Spirit who caused their death. They died the same way that Naaman died when he didn't give to David the dues for protection. Why would the same dealing by God be used as a lesson to the new church? That makes no sence to me, but we can't assume that it was added by crooked scribes. Seek to know the wisdom of God allowing it to be there.

 

[*Charis*]

1 Corinthians 11:30 is another place correction is given.
The commentaries I read seem to imply physical death
occurs to prevent spiritual death.

1 Corinthians 11:30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

I agree with the previous poster, seek God for the wisdom
in these scriptures being given to us.

 

[Europa]

There is no such thing as a 'white' lie... a lie is a lie.
The Holy Spirit, who knows all things, saw more than
a lie, He saw the motive behind the lie. There were
also pride issues involved with this couple.

You're right a lie is a lie.But i think to murder someone for lieing goes against the teachings of the holy spirit.Even the mass murderers Hitler and even Judas deserve a chance to repent.Based on them being ignorant of why they sin or the strong bondage of sin.The Holy Spirit didn't murder Hitler because the Holy Spirit is driven by love and wouldn't copy the spirit of the devil.I think it was probably false scripture or as Magnetic said that the reason needs revealing to me,i will ask the holy spirit.The Holy Spirit does answer us when we ask questions,sometimes it takes time,but a lot of answers do come quickly.

 

[Europa]

That's a good question Europa. Grace didn't cover them if it was the Holy Spirit who caused their death. but we can't assume that it was added by crooked scribes. Seek to know the wisdom of God allowing it to be there.

Thanks i'll pray to God Our Father for the answer.Which could come from a board member Which is one of the ways The Holy Spirit works.

 

[canukian]

thanks for bringing that up, i have trouble with it too.

 

[Jeffz]

If you read on you will see that the fear of the Lord caused many to be added into the kingdom of God.

Act 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Act 5:12 ¶ And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

Act 5:13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

Act 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

I don't believe that this was an added scripture, as far as tithing, this is not about tithing. It also says that they had the right to do what they wanted with the money when it was thiers, the sin came in when they conspired to defraud the Holy Spirit. This is also for believers not the unbelievers, you mentioned Hitler and Judas, They were both used of God, do not think anything happens in this world without God knowing about it.
I know this is a touchy subject but the Word of God is true and it will accomplish what God has proposed, not as man understand or human wisdom. God's ways are not our ways. Far above our ways are His ways, and we may not understand all things. As it is written:

ob 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

one man set free,
Jeffz

 

[stormdancer0]

This must have been added close to two thousand years ago,its evil and maybe put in by evil peope that want tithes or to distort "The Word".
I'm wondering if anyone can make any sense of this.

ACTS CHAPTER 5 :I-11
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.
Does anyone believe this story is genuine? The Holy Spirit actually killing two people who actually did a great deed.Offering half of their fortune is a wonderfull jesture,and it was only a white lie saying that it was there whole fortune.As everyone knows the whole point of Jesus is to save sinners,repent,love your enemy etc.Peter wasn't sinless like Jesus Christ so even if he wished it The Holy Spirit wouldn't have killed the two people,who actually did a very good deed,apart from the white lie,i can just imagine two thousand years ago some evil(vatican)? members planning to force/trick/steal off people getting them to give money to keep them in luxury.It happens a lot now with pastures etc.
Maybe two thousand years ago the church needed money so they added it, Any Thoughts?

This story has nothing to do with money. These two people lied, to God and to man. But it was the heart that was being judged. They lied in order to attain man's honor and recognition. They wanted the same acclaim as Barnabas, without making the same sacrifice he made. He sold all he had for the glory of God; they sold what they had, wanting some of that glory to fall on them. But they were selfish, and the Spirit did fall on them - in condemnation.

If they would have just been honest - "we sold this property, and wish to give half of it to the church" - they would have been praised, probably. It was their attitude - the idea that we can hide this from God - that got them killed, not the lie itself.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

This story has nothing to do with money. These two people lied, to God and to man. But it was the heart that was being judged. They lied in order to attain man's honor and recognition. They wanted the same acclaim as Barnabas, without making the same sacrifice he made. He sold all he had for the glory of God; they sold what they had, wanting some of that glory to fall on them. But they were selfish, and the Spirit did fall on them - in condemnation.

If they would have just been honest - "we sold this property, and wish to give half of it to the church" - they would have been praised, probably. It was their attitude - the idea that we can hide this from God - that got them killed, not the lie itself.

That sounds like many dealings that go on in the church. Why were they not covered by grace do you think? They seem to be the only NT believers being judged before the time. It doesn't make sense to me either.

 

[stormdancer0]

They were not covered by grace because they were not true followers of Christ. I think it's obvious from their attitude and actions that they had no idea what Christ stood for or taught. They wanted man's acclaim.

We don't know that the Spirit only judged these two - these are the only ones recorded.

Why wasn't Hitler judged? Because God chose not to. Perhaps Hitler was used by God to return His people to their Holy Land. That was the result of WWII. I don't know. I don't always understand His ways, but I accept them, because that's part of belonging to Him.

If you look in Leviticus (or maybe Exodus) a man was stoned for gathering wood on the Sabbath. That seems harsh to me. But I bet it never happened again. If this couple were going to lie to God anyway, He chose to use it, and their deaths, to restore a genuine fear of God in the church. I think we risk the same fate every time we let greed or the love of man's respect cause us to lie to God. It is well within our Creator's rights to take our lives when and where He chooses, especially when we deliberately choose our own sin over Him. This story makes me think twice whenever I think about deliberately sinning. What if this is my last act on earth? Do I really want to face God with unforgiven, deliberate sin being the last thing on my record?

Anyway, I don't have an issue with its inclusion in the Bible. It has absolutely nothing to do with tithing - that would have only been 10%. As I said, the arrogant attitude was the sin that was punished, not the size of the gift. Did they really think they could lie well enough to fool God? They obviously did not really know who God is.

 

[stormdancer0]

Besides, it doesn't say that God killed them. Perhaps it was their own guilt?

 

[Hog Red]

like everyone said, has nothing to do with tithing. your not going to die if you dont give $1000 to Robert Tilton or buy one of those green prayer cloths from Peter Popoff. Bible just says they died but the wages of sin is what? a bad hair day? no the wages of sin is DEATH. Some get their paychecks earlier than some that's all.

For something you can relate to lets just say my wife and I both had jobs (she doesn't) but say she did and I hid half my paycheck from her because I wanted to hoard it and spend it only on myself even though my kids needed new clothes or food. I would be a sorry excuse for a husband, father and human being if that were the case dont you think.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

They were not covered by grace because they were not true followers of Christ. I think it's obvious from their attitude and actions that they had no idea what Christ stood for or taught. They wanted man's acclaim.

We don't know that the Spirit only judged these two - these are the only ones recorded.

Why wasn't Hitler judged? Because God chose not to. Perhaps Hitler was used by God to return His people to their Holy Land. That was the result of WWII. I don't know. I don't always understand His ways, but I accept them, because that's part of belonging to Him.

If you look in Leviticus (or maybe Exodus) a man was stoned for gathering wood on the Sabbath. That seems harsh to me. But I bet it never happened again. If this couple were going to lie to God anyway, He chose to use it, and their deaths, to restore a genuine fear of God in the church. I think we risk the same fate every time we let greed or the love of man's respect cause us to lie to God. It is well within our Creator's rights to take our lives when and where He chooses, especially when we deliberately choose our own sin over Him. This story makes me think twice whenever I think about deliberately sinning. What if this is my last act on earth? Do I really want to face God with unforgiven, deliberate sin being the last thing on my record?

Anyway, I don't have an issue with its inclusion in the Bible. It has absolutely nothing to do with tithing - that would have only been 10%. As I said, the arrogant attitude was the sin that was punished, not the size of the gift. Did they really think they could lie well enough to fool God? They obviously did not really know who God is.

well, now your just being silly. Of course it has nothing to do with tything. But it has a lot to do with the quality of those who followed. Jesus was constantly refining the bride removing the gross.

 

[obsolete]

like everyone said, has nothing to do with tithing. your not going to die if you dont give $1000 to Robert Tilton or buy one of those green prayer cloths from Peter Popoff. Bible just says they died but the wages of sin is what? a bad hair day? no the wages of sin is DEATH. Some get their paychecks earlier than some that's all.

For something you can relate to lets just say my wife and I both had jobs (she doesn't) but say she did and I hid half my paycheck from her because I wanted to hoard it and spend it only on myself even though my kids needed new clothes or food. I would be a sorry excuse for a husband, father and human being if that were the case dont you think.

And for that you WOULD deserve to die? It is a war isn't it, just to have to deal with GODo every day woundering if he is going to kill us today

 

[gideons300]

This must have been added close to two thousand years ago,its evil and maybe put in by evil peope that want tithes or to distort "The Word".
I'm wondering if anyone can make any sense of this.

ACTS CHAPTER 5 :I-11
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.
Does anyone believe this story is genuine? The Holy Spirit actually killing two people who actually did a great deed.Offering half of their fortune is a wonderfull jesture,and it was only a white lie saying that it was there whole fortune.As everyone knows the whole point of Jesus is to save sinners,repent,love your enemy etc.Peter wasn't sinless like Jesus Christ so even if he wished it The Holy Spirit wouldn't have killed the two people,who actually did a very good deed,apart from the white lie,i can just imagine two thousand years ago some evil(vatican)? members planning to force/trick/steal off people getting them to give money to keep them in luxury.It happens a lot now with pastures etc.
Maybe two thousand years ago the church needed money so they added it, Any Thoughts?

Europa, I think a lot of the misunderstanding of this specific scripture comes from our skewed mentality towards sin in the present day church. I fear that we have, over time, softened our view of sin to become more of a weakness, than something that put our Jesus on the cross and caused Him to die an agonizing death. We want to grade sin on a curve, putting some sins as terrible (i.e murder, rape, etc) and others as "white lies", simple little "errors" in judgement.


But the truth is, all sin is evil, there are no "small sins", and God wants to set us free from all of them. We must remember that the church in those days had not been watered down as it is today. It was operating in purity and power, and yet, these two went against the leadings of the Holy Spirit and paid a huge price.

The sad part of this story is not so much that Ananias and Sappira died, but that we in todays watered down church have drifted so far from holiness of lifestyle being the proof of our walk with God that we would rather assume the Bible has been tampered with than believe the scripture that "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord."


My prayer is that we rediscover the true intent of the infilling of our hearts with God, that He not only forgives us, but also longs to cleanse us from all iniquity. May we fall on our faces and seek again the God who has promised to cause us to walk in His statutes. I am not espousing more law and legalism, but a deeper understanding of His grace and what He has promised to do for us in our lives, if we would but believe what He has said.


How do we react anymore when we read the words of God that say:

"Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound? God forbid, how can we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"


Sadly, we do not react with the same incredulous response that Paul did. Why? Because we have turned the grace of God into Him now winking at sin, and we are counting on Him to save us in our sin rather than save us from it. We are told clearly that the grace of God teaches us that denying ungodliness, we are to live soberly, righteously and justly in this present evil age. That and that alone is true Christianity.


Just my thoughts....


Gideon

 

[plmarquette]

they lied because they wanted the acolades of men , as with Saul and David
they were given a chance to tell the truth to the apostles, before God
and lied again....to God and His church ....

swear neither by the altar, nor by God.....Herod was struck by a worm and died...for taking credit for the word of God...Korah, Jannes , and Jambres and those who made and worshiped the golden calf died....Nadab and Abihu bringing strange fire, died....

same God....more grace....