Corruption from Within

The Story of Ananias and Sapphira

Setting the scene for the story - Acts 4:32-37

Acts 4:32–37 NIV

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

The Sin of Ananias - Acts 5:1-6

Acts 5:1–6 NIV

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

The Story of Sapphira - Acts 5:7-11

Acts 5:7–11 NIV

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Observations on the story

This story is not about the money

The motivation of Ananias and Sapphira was to receive acclaim without sacrifice

The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was lying to God

God swiftly and severely judged their sin

The effect on the church was respectful admiration and church growth - Acts 5:11-14

Acts 5:11–14 NIV

Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

The Story of Simon the Sorcerer

The Setting of Simon’s Story - Acts 8:9-13

Acts 8:9–13 NIV

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

Simon’s Heretical Request - Acts 8:14-19

Acts 8:14–19 NIV

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Peter’s Rebuke of Simon - Acts 8:20-23

Acts 8:20–23 NIV

Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

Simon’s repentance - Acts 8:24

Acts 8:24 NIV

Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Observations from Simon’s Story

Simon had an evil background

Simon was a recent convert

Simon was motivated by pursuit of the sensational

When Peter confronted Simon with his sin, Simon quickly repented

Principles for Avoiding Corruption Within the Church

We must be careful to not pursue personal agendas over God’s will - Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33 NIV

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

When we make decisions based on our desires or agenda, we are vulnerable to corruption.

When desires become expectations and expectations become demands we are in danger

We must never be driven by external appearances in our decisions - 1 Samuel 16:7

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Making decisions based on what other people will think is dangerous

If we allow public opinion to shape our views, we are vulnerable to corruption

We must be honest and transparent in all of our dealings - Proverbs 11:3

Proverbs 11:3 NIV

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

When we feel the need to hide information from others, we are probably making poor decisions

We must humbly accept correction and rebuke - Proverbs 12:1

Proverbs 12:1 NIV

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.