How Christian Unity Is Sabotaged!

Introduction

In last week’s Scripture passage and the one for today, we find two contrasting stories: Last week, Luke showed us the basis for Christian Unity.

I. Christian Unity Established (4:32-33)

32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

How many people comprised “the multitude who believed?” Probably more than ten thousand. In Acts 4:4 Luke mentioned five thousand men. Surely most of them were married.

How is it possible for ten thousand people to be unified? It’s simple. They “believed” the gospel. Faith in the risen Jesus united them.

They had the same mind in that they understood what mattered. They were utterly committed to the gospel of the risen Christ. They were one in heart and soul, meaning that a great spirit of love permeated the church.

Therefore, we don’t create unity. God establishes it. We maintain it, but we don’t create it. God is redeeming a people. God’s gospel brings people together in mind and heart.

II. Christian Unity Experienced: (4:34-37)

34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Consider the wide-reaching nature of the church’s unity through a generosity of spirit that had them doing life together. First, Luke tells us who shared: everyone. “No one claimed” that anything belonged to him.

Luke tells us what they shared: everything. No one claimed that “any of his possessions” was his own. They held all of their possessions loosely.

Generosity is easy to understand but difficult to apply. We don’t need further explanation of the concept; we need to better apply it. The type of generosity he wants to see in us requires not only a relinquishing of possessions but also sensitivity toward others. We must be involved in people’s lives if we are to know when they have a need. A generous person is a relationally involved person.

As the apostles continued to teach the church about the resurrection, individuals within the church learned that the resurrection power of Jesus resided in them. They gained a proper perspective on possessions as they pondered the resurrection. They could speak and give fearlessly because they were secure in the Father’s love (cf. Luke 12:32; Rom 8:14-7).

Additionally, they were recipients of the undeserved favor of God. He delighted in blessing them and loosening their grip on material possessions. When God’s grace is at work, people get generous. This reality makes you wonder about professing Christians who never give of themselves. Do they truly understand the gospel?

At verses 36 and 37 in the chapter, we’re

introduced to one of Luke’s heroes: Joseph. He gets mentioned twenty-three times in Acts! Religiously speaking, the man was a Levite. Nationally, he was a foreigner from “Cyprus.” And his nickname, Barnabas, means “son of encouragement” or “son of exhortation.” This nickname embodied his life and ministry remarkably well. Luke introduces him here because he stands in stark contrast to Ananias and Sapphira. In doing this, Luke is saying, Be like Barnabas, not like Ananias and his wife.

III. Christian Unity Sabotaged (5:1-2)

Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

We must respect Luke as a historian. He doesn’t ignore the faults of the early church. He’s not writing a fairy tale about the figurative body of Christ. In Acts 5 we find the sad story that follows the previous beautiful one. This is a reminder that even in the most Spirit-filled congregations, the evil one is at work. Every gospel-preaching church will face opposition from the outside (4:1-31), and this story teaches how sinful actions create opposition on the inside, too.

They Were Hypocrites

Jesus called out Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They wanted to be known and praised for their righteous acts. Ananias and Sapphira exemplified that same spirit. Theirs was a sham holiness, a fake piety. Ananias and Sapphira were forced neither to sell a field nor to give all of the proceeds once property was sold. Doing either was totally voluntary. So what was the problem? Ananias apparently pretended to give more than he actually gave. They kept some of the proceeds, claiming to give it all.

They were praise seekers

These two wanted a reputation like Barnabas without having the compassion of Barnabas. Perhaps Ananias wanted a nickname too, a phrase that would make him sound important and that just might increase his popularity. Unfortunately, this same quest for the praise of people still infects the church today. Many live for the applause of the powerful. Others want to be on the inside with the leaders. Still others want admiration from members.

They were liars

The couple lied about their charity! And they did it together! The ease with which one can lie without considering the damaging ramifications on self and others demonstrates the sinful nature of humanity. Paul says that a symptom of one’s sin nature is lying (e.g., Rom 3:13). This contrasts with God’s nature, for it is impossible for God to lie (Titus 1:2). And God calls his people to be a people of integrity. He despises lying (Prov 6:16-18).

The reason the judgment on these two people seems so outrageous to some is simple. Few understand how serious lying really is. Peter says the pair lied to God (implying the deity of the Holy Spirit). That concept is terrifying! It suggests that God takes the untruths we tell as personal offenses. When people don’t value the holiness of God, they minimize sin. And when they do that, they devalue the cross, where Jesus traded places with liars.

They were greedy

Peter says that Ananias and Sapphira “kept back” part of the proceeds. The verb used here means “to pilfer” or “to embezzle.” The same rare verb occurs in the Greek version of Joshua 7:1-26, in the story of Achan, which Luke would have known. The stories of Achan and Ananias are similar in multiple ways, including in the fact that the progress of the mission central to each story gets interrupted because of sin inside the camp. The stories of Achan, and Ananias testify to the devastating nature of greed. It must have no place within the church.

They were schemers

These two planned what they did. How foolish to think that no one knows about sinful plotting. God always knows what is done and said in secret; we can’t hide anything from him.

They were Satan’s instruments

Whatever we make of Peter’s question about Satan filling Ananias’s heart, we must affirm the real influence of Satan. The devil destroys through love of money, falsehood, and hypocrisy. He tempts people to act unwisely and godlessly. He tempts people to think that sin is no big deal. But make no mistake: his ultimate goal in all of this is to destroy people and the church.

They were Spirit grievers

Ananias and his wife lied to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not a force but a person who can be grieved. One grieves the Spirit when he or she lies, deceives, steals, and participates in anything that is contrary to his holy nature.

IV. Christian Unity Upheld (5:5-10)

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”She said, “Yes, for so much.”9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.

As a consequence of this couple’s massive offense, judgment fell. It came from God, not Peter. In this scene Peter simply does what brothers and sisters do: he holds these professing believers accountable. Some argue that they died of heart attacks or some other common cause, but in any case the resulting spirit of fear that came upon everyone as well as the unceremonious burial they were given indicate that the people recognized what happened to these two as divine judgment.

But wasn’t this instantaneous judgment extreme? Only if you minimize the offense by minimizing the One against whom the sin was committed. God had been belittled by the actions of these two, and his church was facing a satanic assault made apparent by their deeds. God takes these things seriously.

This story should make us repent and say, “God have mercy on us! Make us like Barnabas, not like Ananias.” And, “Thank you Lord for your amazing patience with us. Grant us grace to avoid hypocrisy and to pursue integrity.”

In verses 7-10 Peter approaches Sapphira about her own involvement in the matter. The results of that meeting were the same. She shared in her husband’s conspiracy and would share in her husband’s fate. Sometimes it’s sinful for a wife to submit to her husband; her loyalty first belongs to God. She should not have gone along with Ananias’s devilish plan.

V. A Truth to Apply (5:11)

11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Obviously, Ananias and Sapphira needed a healthy fear of the Lord. The God of all the earth demands respect. So, as we consider this passage, we shouldn’t think, God would never do that to me. Rather, we need to remember that “God is not mocked” (Gal 6:7). Proverbs teaches us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7). If you don’t stand in awe of God, you are unwise. Judgement will come eventually.

Sapphira and Ananias also needed the application of the gospel. They either didn’t understand the gospel or had not allowed it to work down deep in their hearts. The gospel frees us from addictions to self and stuff. It frees us from pretending. It frees us from wanting praise from people. It frees us from wanting to lie, steal, and deceive. It makes us honest and generous. It sets our minds on the glory that is to be revealed. Let this story remind you of how badly you need to understand the gospel of grace and apply it daily to your life.

Finally, this couple needed to live in repentance. We must learn from their mistake. When we are aware of personal sins, we must repent of them. In truth we are all guilty of hypocrisy, but as soon as we recognize it, we must repent. This couple had been living in known rebellion and sin. It appears they were OK with their hypocrisy.

This story calls the church to repent while there’s time. God does extend grace. God purifies his church for the good of others who will believe, offering even more grace along the way. This truth teaches believers to repent and go and sin no more by the grace of God. May God make us a people known for gospel-saturated living, not deceitful hypocrisy.