Hypocrisy in the Church

No believer left behind

Acts 4:32–35 NASB95

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Two extremes: 1 they thought there was going to be an immediate return of Christ and that He was going to take care of them all.

The bible is teaching Christian-communism.

Take care to note that there was an immediate care for those within the congregation that were in need.

The obedience to the Holy Spirit in generous and sacrificial giving.

Acts 4:36–37 NASB95

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Levites were not given an inheritance of the land.

He sold land that he had acquired.

Acts 5:1–2 NASB95

1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.

“kept back” The greek word means embezzled. “Theft”

There must have been some sort of contract.

Acts 5:3–4 NASB95

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Ananias had the right to not sell his property. Then after he sold it, he had the right to keep all or some of the money.

What he did, was pretend to give all the money, but kept some of it for himself.

He wanted both the blessings of God without trusting in God.

Peter didn’t focus on the “theft” part. He focused on the hypocrisy. That is the greater sin.

I say every Sunday, the Church doesn’t need your money. But you need the trust in God. This isn’t about your relation to the church, it is about your relation to the Father.

Acts 5:5–6 NASB95

5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

And that is the story of Ananias.

Acts 5:7–11 NASB95

7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

Sapphira died for her sins.

Contrast:

Jericho: march around it one time blow the trumpet 7th day 7 times.

Don’t take any of the gold or silver.

Joshua 7:1 NASB95

1 But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel.

Ai- easy target. Got their hat handed to them.

Joshua went to the Lord.

Joshua 7:11 NASB95

11 “Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things.

Joshua 7:12 NASB95

12 “Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.

The lot fell on Achan

Joshua 7:19–21 NASB95

19 Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I implore you, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him; and tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me.” 20 So Achan answered Joshua and said, “Truly, I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and this is what I did: 21 when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are concealed in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it.”

So they took Achan and all his stuff and the stuff he stole and “All of Isreal stoned them.”

Isreal and the Church.

Acts 5:11 NASB95

11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

ekklesia - and assembly of believers.

You are responsible for your sins.

Isreal practiced “Church Discipline” because one sin could affect the entire church.

We practice church discipline because one person’s sin can entice another person to sin.