Week 5

Christian Theology

Opening Prayer (5 Minutes)

Example (5 Minutes)

Old Testament Law and New Testament Grace

Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5: 1-11

Acts 5:1–11 ESV

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

If God is gracious and Ananias and Sapphira are Christians, why would He kill them for lying to the Spirit?

I thought we were living in the age of grace. Isn’t the New Testament full of God’s grace?

When I give to the Church, how do I know what to give without coming under God’s judgment?

Many people are taken aback when they read this account of God sending a reckoning to Ananias and Sapphira. What is different about the sin the of Ananias and Sapphira from sins Christians commit? God seems to react so harshly and definitely to sin in this instance.

But there is at least one other instance of God reacted harshly to sin through Paul. Paul is told about a young man in the Corinthian church who is having sexual relations with his mother-in-law (1 Corinthians 5). That situation is redeemed in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11.

Peter reacts in a similar way to Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8 when he tries to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit. Sins against the Holy Spirit’s Person seem to be judged more harshly in the New Testament. From lying to the Holy Spirit here in Acts 5 to Simon the Sorcerer’s crude attempt to buy the ability of the Holy Spirit to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit God judges attacks on His Spirit with finality.

So it’s not just that Christians sinned against God. It is that they sinned against the Holy Spirit in inexcusable ways. This is why Paul warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) or quench the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). God takes very seriously attacks on the Holy Spirit.

Questions about Verses, Passages, and Concepts (10 Minutes)

Discuss Questions (50 Minutes)

Application (15 Minutes)

Closing (5 Minutes)